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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8334 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 27, 2024

Ramalingam Kalirajan has over 23 years of experience in mutual funds and financial planning.
He has an MBA in finance from the University of Madras and is a certified financial planner.
He is the director and chief financial planner at Holistic Investment, a Chennai-based firm that offers financial planning and wealth management advice.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Dec 21, 2023Hindi
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Hello Kirtan, I am 35 years old and I am doing SIP of 17700. 4000 in TATA multicap, 3000 in TATA digital, 1000 in TATA small cap, 4400 in HDFC flexicap, 3300 in ICICI NIFTY 50 INDEX and 2000 in NIPPON INDIA SMALL CAP. What is your Opinion. I have no short terms goal. I just want to invest money for as long as I can.

Ans: It's great to see your commitment to long-term investing at 35. Your diversified SIP portfolio reflects a thoughtful approach to wealth accumulation. Let's delve into some insights:

Diversification: Your allocation across multiple fund categories - multicap, digital, small cap, flexicap, and index funds - spreads risk and captures growth opportunities across different market segments. This diversification is crucial for long-term wealth creation.
Focus on Growth: By investing in multicap and small cap funds, you're targeting companies across various market capitalizations, aiming for higher growth potential over the long term. Additionally, digital and flexicap funds offer exposure to sectors with significant growth prospects, aligning with your long-term investment horizon.
Index Fund Inclusion: Incorporating an index fund like NIFTY 50 INDEX provides exposure to the broader market while keeping costs low. It complements your actively managed funds and ensures broad market participation.
Review and Rebalance: Periodically review your portfolio's performance and asset allocation to ensure it remains aligned with your long-term goals and risk tolerance. Rebalance if necessary to optimize returns and manage risk effectively.
Overall, your investment strategy appears well-structured for long-term wealth accumulation. However, continue monitoring market trends and adjusting your portfolio as needed. Consulting with a Certified Financial Planner can provide personalized guidance tailored to your financial objectives and aspirations.

Your commitment to long-term investing is commendable, and with diligence and strategic planning, you're on track towards financial success.
DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information to be as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision.
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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8334 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 16, 2024

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Hello Sir I am 45 year old and I have been investing Rs.1000/- as SIP in following stock - 1 Aditya Birla Sun Life Small Cap Fund 2 Axis Flexi Cap Fund - Regular Plan – Growth 3 Canara Robeco Emerging Equities - Regular Plan – GROWTH 4 HDFC Large and Mid Cap Fund - Regular Growth Plan 5 ICICI Prudential Flexicap Fund – Growth 6 Nippon India ELSS Tax Saver Fund-Growth And I also have invested Rs.50,000/- in liquiloans I just want to know is my investment is good or do I need to make more investment or any changes in my invest ment Sir pls do reply Thanks & Regard
Ans: Congratulations on taking proactive steps towards securing your financial future at the age of 45! Your commitment to investing is admirable and sets a solid foundation for wealth accumulation.

Understanding Your Portfolio:

You've chosen a diversified portfolio with investments across various mutual funds, including small-cap, flexi-cap, large and mid-cap, and ELSS tax saver funds. Additionally, your investment in Liquiloans adds an alternative asset class to your portfolio.

Assessing the Investment Mix:

Your portfolio reflects a well-rounded approach, with exposure to different market segments and investment styles. Small-cap funds offer growth potential, while flexi-cap and large and mid-cap funds provide stability and diversification.

Evaluating Investment Choices:

Each fund you've selected has its unique investment objective and risk profile. Aditya Birla Sun Life Small Cap Fund and Canara Robeco Emerging Equities focus on small and emerging companies, potentially offering high returns but also higher volatility.

Axis Flexi Cap Fund, HDFC Large and Mid Cap Fund, and ICICI Prudential Flexicap Fund offer flexibility in asset allocation, blending exposure across market caps. Nippon India ELSS Tax Saver Fund provides tax benefits along with long-term wealth accumulation.

Analyzing Additional Investment:

Your decision to invest in Liquiloans introduces an element of diversification beyond traditional mutual funds. However, peer-to-peer lending platforms like Liquiloans carry inherent risks, including credit and default risk, which should be carefully considered.

Recommendation for Consideration:

Given your age and investment horizon, your portfolio seems appropriately diversified. However, it's crucial to regularly review and rebalance your portfolio to ensure it aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8334 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 16, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 09, 2024Hindi
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hello sir...i have done sip in motilal oswal midcap 5k and quant small cap 3k pm keeping in mind the invesment horizon of 10 years so kindly review and advise whether any changes needed ..my age is 44
Ans: You are investing Rs. 5,000 in a mid-cap fund and Rs. 3,000 in a small-cap fund monthly, with a 10-year horizon. Both types of funds offer higher potential returns but come with substantial volatility. Let’s assess your strategy.

Mid-Cap Fund

Pros: Mid-cap funds generally offer a good balance between risk and reward. They have growth potential with somewhat less risk than small-cap funds.
Cons: They can be volatile and may not always deliver stable returns in the short run.
Small-Cap Fund

Pros: Small-cap funds have the highest growth potential. Over long periods, they can significantly outperform large and mid-cap funds.
Cons: They are highly volatile. They may be affected by market fluctuations and can deliver poor short-term returns.
Diversification

Both mid-cap and small-cap funds are equity-heavy. While this provides higher returns, it also exposes you to higher risk.
For your age and investment horizon (10 years), this strategy could work, but adding a portion to more stable funds like large-cap or hybrid funds may improve balance.
Suggested Adjustments

Allocate a portion to Large Cap or Hybrid Funds: This would help provide stability to your portfolio.
Diversify across different sectors: It’s advisable to look at sectoral diversity (e.g., pharma, tech, FMCG) to reduce sector-specific risks.
Review Portfolio Performance Annually: Monitor the funds for performance, risk, and changing market conditions.
Final Insights
Your current investment is good for long-term growth but adding diversification can reduce overall risk. Consider allocating a small portion to large-cap or hybrid funds to stabilize returns. Over the next few years, ensure to rebalance the portfolio based on performance and market conditions.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP
Chief Financial Planner
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8334 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 12, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - May 12, 2025
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I am 38 years old and self-employed, earning an average of 1.8 to 2 lakhs per month. I have a home loan of 44 lakhs (EMI is 46,000, tenure 15 years). There is no other liabilities. My investments include 11 lakhs in mutual funds, 3 lakhs in fixed deposits, and 1.5 lakh in gold. Should I focus on prepaying the home loan given my irregular income, or keep my investments intact and continue with EMIs?
Ans: You are doing quite well, especially with your investments and controlled liabilities. Your financial discipline is truly appreciable.

You are 38, self-employed, with Rs.1.8 to 2 lakhs monthly income.
Your current home loan is Rs.44 lakhs with EMI of Rs.46,000 for 15 years.
You have Rs.11 lakhs in mutual funds, Rs.3 lakhs in FDs, and Rs.1.5 lakhs in gold.
Your income is irregular, but you have no other liabilities.

Let us now do a 360-degree evaluation of whether to prepay the loan or stay invested.

 

Step-by-Step Financial Assessment
1. Evaluate the Stability of Your Income First
You earn between Rs.1.8 to Rs.2 lakhs per month.

 

But income is irregular. That needs caution.

 

Loan EMI is Rs.46,000 — about 25% of your average income.

 

If income drops in any month, EMI pressure will increase.

 

So we must first ensure EMI is always affordable, without stress.

 

Hence, liquidity is more important for you right now than aggressive loan prepayment.

 

2. Evaluate Your Emergency Reserve
You have Rs.3 lakhs in FD and Rs.1.5 lakhs in gold.

 

That makes it Rs.4.5 lakhs total liquid safety.

 

Your EMI is Rs.46,000, and personal expenses will also be there.

 

Ideal emergency fund for you = 6 to 9 months of expenses + EMI.

 

That is around Rs.6 to Rs.8 lakhs minimum.

 

So current emergency fund is slightly lower than ideal.

 

Please don’t use this for loan prepayment now.

 

3. Assess the Role of Mutual Funds
You have Rs.11 lakhs in mutual funds. That’s a solid step.

Now let’s assess whether to redeem this and prepay loan.

 

Should You Redeem Mutual Funds to Prepay?
Mutual funds, over long term, give better post-tax return than loan savings.

 

Loan interest is 8% to 9%, whereas mutual funds can give 11–13% in long term.

 

Especially if funds are equity-oriented and held for 5+ years.

 

You will also get capital gains tax exemption on Rs.1.25 lakhs LTCG annually.

 

If you redeem funds, you lose growth potential and compounding.

 

That hurts long-term wealth building.

 

So, do not redeem the entire Rs.11 lakhs in mutual funds.

 

4. Disadvantage of Early Loan Prepayment in Your Case
Prepaying early will reduce interest over time, yes.

 

But you may run into cash flow stress in slow months.

 

Once money is used to prepay, it cannot be taken back easily.

 

Liquidity once lost = flexibility lost.

 

Also, income tax benefit under Section 24(b) gets reduced if loan balance drops.

 

So it’s better to maintain balance between repayment and investment.

 

5. Best Strategy for You – A Balanced Approach
Let’s now craft the best plan for you.

 

Maintain Strong Liquidity First
Keep FD and gold untouched.

 

Increase emergency fund to at least Rs.6–Rs.7 lakhs.

 

For that, set aside extra Rs.2.5–Rs.3 lakhs from savings over time.

 

This makes your EMI safe even in low-income months.

 

Continue Your Mutual Fund SIPs Without Stopping
SIPs give long-term growth and beat loan interest in most cases.

 

Don’t stop mutual fund investments to prepay loan.

 

Stay invested. Let wealth compound.

 

Start Small and Periodic Prepayments
Don’t do bulk prepayment now. Do systematic small prepayments.

 

For example, Rs.25,000 to Rs.50,000 extra every 3–4 months.

 

When income is higher, use that surplus to prepay in parts.

 

Target 1–2 bulk part-payments per year.

 

This reduces tenure and interest slowly, without affecting liquidity.

 

Track Your Loan Amortisation Every 6 Months
Use netbanking or get a fresh loan statement every 6 months.

 

Check how each prepayment is reducing principal.

 

Adjust your strategy accordingly.

 

Avoid One-Time Full Prepayment
That would kill your long-term investment compounding.

 

Also removes your income tax benefit under Section 24(b).

 

Stay flexible. You are self-employed.

 

You need cash buffers more than salaried people.

 

Final Insights
Do not do bulk home loan prepayment from mutual funds now.

 

Keep SIPs going and maintain your compounding.

 

Grow your emergency fund to Rs.6–7 lakhs minimum.

 

Use surplus months to make small part-payments towards home loan.

 

This protects your peace and builds wealth at the same time.

 

Reassess in 2–3 years. You may be able to prepay more later.

 

You are already in a good financial position. Your thoughtful approach is praiseworthy.

 

Best Regards,
 
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
 
Chief Financial Planner,
 
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8334 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 12, 2025

Money
i wish to purchase new car i10, should i purchase the same through own money or should i take a vehicle loan from bank and the money own by my to be kept as FDR or liquid mutual fund
Ans: It’s a good sign that you’re thinking before buying a car. You’re not rushing into it. That shows maturity and smart thinking.

We will now evaluate own money vs vehicle loan — from every angle.

 

Understanding the Nature of a Car Purchase
A car is not an investment.

 

It is a consumption asset, not a growth asset.

 

It depreciates every year. Its value goes down, not up.

 

So the cheaper the total cost, the better for your wealth.

 

Option 1: Use Own Money Fully
Pros

No interest cost. You save on total expenses.

 

You are free from monthly EMI pressure.

 

Car becomes fully yours from day one.

 

No need to deal with bank, forms, hypothecation etc.

 

Cons

Your liquid money reduces.

 

You may not have enough cash for emergencies.

 

Opportunity loss if you had invested that money.

 

Option 2: Take Vehicle Loan & Keep Own Money in FDR or Liquid Mutual Fund
Let’s evaluate this with care.

Vehicle Loan Pros

You can preserve your savings for emergencies.

 

EMI can be budgeted monthly, if income is stable.

 

Some banks offer competitive interest rates.

 

Vehicle Loan Cons

You will pay interest on a depreciating item.

 

Loan adds to your monthly obligations.

 

You must pay insurance, EMI, fuel, and service together.

 

FDR and Liquid Mutual Funds give lower returns than loan cost.

 

So you will likely lose more in interest than you gain.

 

Let's Compare: Interest Rate vs Investment Return
Vehicle loan interest is usually 9% to 11% per year.

 

FDR gives around 6% to 7% before tax.

 

Liquid mutual funds give 6% to 7.5% on average.

 

So you pay more to the bank than you earn from investment.

 

Tax on interest or gains reduces actual return further.

 

This means taking a car loan and investing your own money leads to net loss.

 

Best Option for You: Smart Compromise Approach
Let me share a wise solution.

 

Don’t use full own money. Don’t take full loan either.

 

Instead, pay 70–80% from own funds.

 

Take a small car loan for the remaining 20–30% only.

 

This keeps EMI low and retains some liquidity.

 

You reduce interest cost and also keep Rs.50,000–Rs.1 lakh aside.

 

Park that in liquid fund for any urgent need.

 

Repay this small loan fast in 1–2 years.

 

Only Take a Car Loan If:
Your job income is stable.

 

You already have 3–6 months emergency fund ready.

 

You don’t have big loans running now.

 

You can pay EMI without affecting savings.

 

You commit to close the loan early.

 

Avoid This Mistake:
Never buy a more expensive car because loan makes it “feel affordable.”

 

Loan should not expand your car budget.

 

Whether you buy with loan or cash, pick a simple car within limits.

 

i10 is a wise, middle-ground choice. Good thought.

 

Tax Angle (If Business Use)
If you are using the car for business, vehicle loan interest may be tax-deductible.

 

But for personal use, there is no tax benefit.

 

So do not take loan just for imagined tax saving.

 

Final Insights
A car is a need, not an investment.

 

Using your own money fully keeps things simple and cheap.

 

Taking a full car loan and investing the money gives net negative return.

 

Best option is a split approach — pay major part from own funds.

 

Take small loan only if needed and close it early.

 

Always keep emergency money aside before buying.

 

Avoid emotional buying or overbudget cars.

 

Your financially balanced approach is very appreciable.

 

Best Regards,
 
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
 
Chief Financial Planner,
 
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

...Read more

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

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