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Can I build a 2 crore corpus with a 1 lakh salary and 45,000 EMI?

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 25, 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
Rama Question by Rama on Jul 16, 2024Hindi
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Hello sir , I want to.make corpus of 2Crores my salary is 1lakh and have a all emi of rs 45000 per month, I request you to kindly give me plan for for the best investment for next 10 to 15 years

Ans: Given your salary and current financial commitments, we can create a structured and balanced investment strategy.

Current Financial Snapshot
Monthly Salary: Rs. 1 lakh.

EMI Commitments: Rs. 45,000 per month.

Available for Investment: Rs. 55,000 per month.

Your goal is to build a corpus of Rs. 2 crores in 10 to 15 years. Let's break this down into actionable steps.

Savings and Budgeting
First, ensure a disciplined approach to saving and investing:

Emergency Fund: Set aside 6 months of expenses in a savings account or liquid fund.

Monthly Savings Goal: Allocate Rs. 55,000 for investments consistently.

Investment Strategy
To achieve your target, a diversified and balanced investment portfolio is essential:

Equity Mutual Funds
High Returns Potential: Equity mutual funds can offer high returns over the long term.

Actively Managed Funds: Opt for actively managed funds to potentially outperform the market.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP): Start SIPs with a significant portion of your monthly savings.

Debt Funds
Stability and Low Risk: Debt funds provide stability and lower risk compared to equity.

Balanced Approach: Allocate a portion of your savings to debt funds for a balanced portfolio.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP): Consider SIPs in debt funds to maintain consistent investments.

Hybrid Funds
Mix of Equity and Debt: Hybrid funds offer a balance of growth and stability.

Medium Risk: Suitable for moderate risk appetite.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP): Start SIPs in hybrid funds to diversify your investments.

Tax Planning
Optimize your investments to minimize tax liabilities:

Tax-Saving Instruments: Use instruments like ELSS for tax benefits under Section 80C.

Diversify Investments: Spread investments across different instruments for tax efficiency.

Regular Portfolio Review
Monitoring and adjusting your portfolio is crucial:

Periodic Review: Review your portfolio with a Certified Financial Planner every 6 months.

Rebalancing: Adjust asset allocation based on market performance and financial goals.

Risk Management
Ensure adequate risk management for financial security:

Health Insurance: Maintain comprehensive health insurance coverage.

Life Insurance: If you have dependents, secure life insurance for their financial protection.

Investment Discipline
Maintaining discipline is key to reaching your goal:

Consistent Investments: Stick to your investment plan without interruption.

Avoid Timing the Market: Focus on long-term growth rather than short-term gains.

Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated on market trends and investment options.

Final Insights
To achieve a corpus of Rs. 2 crores in 10 to 15 years, follow a disciplined investment strategy. Save and invest Rs. 55,000 monthly in a mix of equity, debt, and hybrid funds. Optimize your investments for tax efficiency. Regularly review and rebalance your portfolio. Ensure adequate risk management through insurance.

You are on the right track with a clear goal. Stay focused, disciplined, and regularly consult with a Certified Financial Planner to adjust your strategy as needed.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
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  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Sep 30, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 29, 2024Hindi
Money
Monthly 2lakh to invest for 5 years -7years Kindly advise best plan to build 15cr plus corpus.
Ans: It’s commendable that you have set a bold financial goal and are ready to invest Rs 2 lakh every month. However, expecting Rs 15 crore in just 7 years with Rs 2 lakh SIP is, in most cases, an overly optimistic target. Let’s break this down further and explore a more realistic timeline while also allowing for wealth compounding to work in your favor.

Assessing the Return Expectations

For your investment to grow to Rs 15 crore in 7 years, the returns needed would be abnormally high. Even aggressive equity mutual funds, which historically provide the highest returns, may not deliver the required returns in such a short time frame.

A typical equity mutual fund may offer returns between 12-15% annually over the long term.

At these realistic growth rates, achieving Rs 15 crore in 7 years will be quite difficult.

To reach Rs 15 crore with a Rs 2 lakh monthly SIP in 7 years, you would need an extraordinary annual return of around 40-45%, which is highly improbable with traditional investment options.

How Compounding Needs Time to Work

The power of compounding plays a significant role in wealth creation, but it needs more time to show its true potential. Compounding works best over longer periods, especially beyond 10-15 years.

With 7 years, you are giving your investments a relatively short time frame, which limits the full benefit of compounding.

To fully realize the benefits of compounding, it is advisable to allow your investments more time to grow beyond 7 years.

By extending your investment horizon, you can allow your wealth to multiply at a more sustainable rate without relying on extremely high and unrealistic returns.

Extending the Investment Horizon for Better Growth

The key to reaching Rs 15 crore is to give your investments more time. By extending your horizon to 10 or even 15 years, you increase the likelihood of reaching your goal.

A Rs 2 lakh SIP in actively managed equity mutual funds with an average return of 12-15% could realistically reach Rs 8-10 crore in 10 years.

By allowing another 5 years of growth, compounding can work its magic, pushing your corpus closer to Rs 15 crore.

This extended timeline reduces the pressure to seek unrealistically high returns and makes the journey more achievable.

Recommended Strategy to Reach Rs 15 Crore

Rather than expecting Rs 15 crore in just 7 years, let’s develop a more practical strategy by extending your investment period and focusing on compounding growth.

1. Continue Rs 2 Lakh Monthly SIP for 7 Years

For the next 7 years, continue your commitment to investing Rs 2 lakh per month. This consistency is key to building wealth. However, instead of expecting Rs 15 crore by the end of 7 years, aim for a more reasonable corpus, which could be around Rs 3-4 crore at the end of 7 years, assuming returns of 12-15%.

Stick to SIPs in diversified equity mutual funds that focus on large-cap, multi-cap, and sectoral funds.

Actively managed funds provide better growth potential than passive index funds, especially in a medium-term horizon like this.

Keep reviewing your portfolio every year to ensure that it’s aligned with your financial goals.

2. Let Your Wealth Compound for an Additional 5-10 Years

Once you have built a sizable corpus after 7 years, the key is to let that money continue growing. Compounding will accelerate your wealth growth over time if you allow it to work longer.

Instead of withdrawing your corpus after 7 years, allow your investment to compound further for another 5-10 years.

Even if you stop contributing Rs 2 lakh after 7 years, the wealth you’ve accumulated will continue to grow due to compounding.

In the next 5-7 years, the compounded returns can take your corpus from Rs 3-4 crore to potentially Rs 10-12 crore.

3. Increase SIP Contributions After 7 Years If Possible

If your financial situation allows, you could further boost your investment by increasing the SIP contributions after 7 years. As your income and financial capacity grow, allocating a higher amount for investment will speed up the wealth accumulation process.

After 7 years, you could increase your SIP from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh or more to accelerate the journey to Rs 15 crore.

By increasing your contribution and letting compounding work over a longer period, your target of Rs 15 crore becomes more achievable within the next 5-10 years.

4. Maintain a Balanced Portfolio for the Long Term

As you approach the 7-year mark, it’s essential to start balancing your portfolio to reduce risk. Shifting a portion of your funds to safer, more stable investments like debt funds or hybrid funds can safeguard the wealth you’ve built.

Continue to keep a significant portion of your portfolio in equities to benefit from long-term growth.

Gradually increase your allocation to debt or hybrid funds for stability, especially when you are within 5-10 years of your target.

A balanced approach will help you avoid large market corrections that could affect your corpus in later years.

5. Don’t Rely on Unrealistic Returns

It’s important to have realistic return expectations. Equity markets have historically delivered between 12-15% returns annually, and banking on anything higher can be risky.

Keep your expectations aligned with market realities.

By extending your horizon and allowing for compounding, you don’t need to chase extremely high returns to meet your goal.

Stick to equity mutual funds with strong historical performance and diversified portfolios.

Why Trying to Achieve Rs 15 Crore in 7 Years is Unrealistic

To understand why Rs 15 crore in 7 years is not realistic, let’s consider a few key points:

Even with aggressive growth, equity mutual funds typically provide 12-15% annual returns, far lower than what is required to meet this goal.

Achieving Rs 15 crore in 7 years would require an annual return of over 40%, which is not feasible in the long run.

Attempting to chase such high returns could lead you into risky and speculative investments that may result in capital losses.

A balanced and long-term approach is always better for achieving high financial goals like Rs 15 crore.

The Importance of Patience in Wealth Creation

Building Rs 15 crore requires patience and time. Compounding rewards those who invest regularly and leave their money untouched for long periods.

The longer you stay invested, the more compounding will work in your favor.

Stay disciplined and avoid the temptation to withdraw your funds prematurely.

Market volatility may occur, but staying invested through ups and downs is crucial for long-term success.

Final Insights

Achieving Rs 15 crore is a significant financial goal. While it may not be realistic to expect this in just 7 years with Rs 2 lakh SIPs, you can certainly reach it by allowing more time for your wealth to compound. Extending your investment horizon to 10-15 years, while continuing your SIPs, will give you the best chance of success.

Be patient and let compounding work for you over the long term.

Continue investing Rs 2 lakh per month for 7 years, and allow the corpus to grow further beyond this time frame.

Regularly review and adjust your portfolio to stay aligned with your financial goals.

Don’t rely on speculative returns—stick to a balanced and diversified portfolio to achieve steady growth.

By following these strategies and giving yourself more time, your target of Rs 15 crore can become a reality without taking excessive risks.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 31, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - May 31, 2025
Money
Sir, I am a serving Indian Army Officer with a service of 8 yrs. My monthly income post all deductions is Rs 1.25/month in approx expenditure of Rs 20k/month. I had recently purchased a flat for which I took a home loan of Rs 55 lac for a period of 20 yrs with Rs 55k/month going in form of EMIs as a result my all savings in MF or FDs have come to a halt. As I have rented out my flat for Rs 15k/month rent my cumulative salary can be taken as 1.4 lac/month. One can expect an yearly increment of 10% in the salary. Considering this I want to create a corpus of Rs 50 lac in next 10 yrs with my existing EMIs. Request to guide me for my further investment & creating a corpus for my future. Regards
Ans: You have made a strong start with property investment and a structured EMI plan. Now, your goal is to create a Rs 50 lakh corpus in the next 10 years while continuing with your existing home loan EMI of Rs 55,000 per month. Let’s build a 360-degree financial plan around this.

I will evaluate your current income, expenses, and liabilities. Then guide you on how to restart your investments gradually, without adding financial stress.

Your Current Financial Profile

Your net monthly income is Rs 1.25 lakh.

Your EMI is Rs 55,000. This is 44% of your income.

You earn Rs 15,000 as rent. This brings total monthly inflow to Rs 1.4 lakh.

Your regular monthly expenses are Rs 20,000.

You have stopped all SIPs and investments due to EMI burden.

Your goal is to build Rs 50 lakh in 10 years.

Appreciation for Your Disciplined EMI Repayment

Paying Rs 55,000 EMI regularly shows strong discipline.

You are generating rental income, which supports cash flow.

You are committed to wealth creation. That is very inspiring.

You are ready to plan ahead. That is a big financial strength.

Home Loan Should Not Stall Your Financial Goals

Do not allow EMI to stop your investments for long.

You should resume SIPs within 3 to 6 months.

Try to cut some lifestyle expenses to free money.

Even Rs 5,000–10,000 SIP is a good restart.

Small consistent SIPs grow big with time.

Maintain Emergency Fund First Before SIP Restart

Emergency fund gives peace of mind during job shifts or crisis.

Keep 4–5 months of expenses as emergency fund.

Use liquid fund or savings account for this purpose.

Emergency fund should come before investments.

Avoid using credit card or personal loans in emergencies.

Start With Low SIPs, Increase Gradually Every Year

Begin SIP with Rs 5,000 monthly.

After 6 months, increase to Rs 7,000 or Rs 10,000.

Add top-up SIP every year with salary increment.

Let SIPs rise with income growth.

Avoid starting big SIP and stopping later.

Avoid Index Funds — Choose Actively Managed Funds

Index funds just copy the market.

They don’t protect in falling markets.

No fund manager makes active decisions in index funds.

Actively managed funds adapt to market changes.

They help manage volatility with professional oversight.

Certified Financial Planners recommend active funds for goals.

Don’t Go for Direct Funds – Use Regular Funds via MFD with CFP

Direct funds don’t guide on asset mix.

You won’t get rebalancing or exit advice in direct plans.

Investors often choose wrong fund categories in direct route.

You may miss goal deadlines with wrong fund mix.

A Certified Financial Planner gives professional fund curation.

Regular plan has MFD support for lifetime investment discipline.

Continue Home Loan and Avoid Prepayment Now

Do not rush to prepay the loan right now.

You need liquidity for other financial goals.

Focus on creating wealth instead of reducing loan.

Let rental income partly support EMI.

Use surplus income for SIPs, not for prepayment.

Tax Benefits from Home Loan Can Also Support Planning

You get deduction under Sec 80C for principal.

Interest up to Rs 2 lakh per year is deductible under Sec 24.

These tax savings can boost your net take-home.

Redirect savings into long-term mutual funds.

Keep Rs 50 Lakh Goal in Focus – Needs Consistent SIPs

Rs 50 lakh in 10 years needs time and discipline.

Start small SIPs. Gradually scale up to Rs 15,000–20,000.

You need higher equity exposure for this goal.

Mix large-cap, flexi-cap and mid-cap funds.

Avoid conservative or debt funds for this goal.

Annual Salary Growth Can Boost Investment Potential

You expect 10% annual salary growth.

This is a major advantage. Use this smartly.

Every salary hike, increase your SIP by 10% to 15%.

Avoid lifestyle inflation. Keep expenses under control.

Growing SIP every year is better than big SIP once.

Don’t Use FDs or Traditional Policies for Long Goals

FDs don’t beat inflation in the long run.

Their returns are fully taxable.

Avoid parking long-term funds in FDs.

Same applies for traditional LIC policies.

They offer low return, poor liquidity.

If You Hold LIC or Investment-cum-Insurance Plans

ULIPs or endowment policies don’t help long-term wealth.

If you hold such policies, assess surrender value.

Consider exiting if they have completed 5 years.

Reinvest the maturity in equity mutual funds.

Separate insurance and investment always.

Protection Plan Is a Must for Army Officers

Buy a term plan equal to 15–20 times of annual income.

Premium is very low, benefits are high.

Choose plain term insurance, not return plans.

This secures family in case of uncertainty.

Future-Proof Your Plan with Goal-Based Investments

Keep investments linked to future goals.

Rs 50 lakh is a specific, time-bound goal.

Use goal tracking sheet every year.

If needed, realign fund choices.

Stay flexible, but never stop SIPs.

Track Fund Performance Every Year

Mutual funds should match your goal speed.

If any fund underperforms for 2 years, replace it.

Don’t chase past returns.

Use guidance from CFP for fund selection.

Review and rebalance every 12 months.

You Are on the Right Track, Keep Going Steady

Your EMI is structured, rent income supports cash flow.

Your expenses are low and controlled.

You are focused on wealth creation, that is powerful.

Now, just start small SIPs and keep them regular.

Follow plan with patience and discipline.

Finally

Do not let EMI stop your investment journey.

Start small SIPs and increase yearly.

Avoid direct and index funds.

Take guidance from a Certified Financial Planner.

Create Rs 50 lakh with steady and structured SIPs.

Use future salary hikes wisely.

Maintain emergency funds and term insurance.

Avoid FDs and traditional plans.

Your future is financially strong if you follow this path.

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 03, 2025

Money
I am 40. Monthly salary 2.5 lac. Have 40 lac of equity.1.2 lac of MF investment per month with 5 lac of portfolio balance. 10lac balance. Monthly expenses 50k. Please suggest to create corpus of 5 cr in next 10 years
Ans: Current Financial Snapshot

Age: 40 years

Monthly income: Rs. 2.5 lakhs

Monthly expenses: Rs. 50,000

Monthly surplus: Rs. 2 lakhs

Existing mutual funds: Rs. 5 lakhs

Monthly SIP: Rs. 1.2 lakhs

Direct equity holdings: Rs. 40 lakhs

Bank balance: Rs. 10 lakhs

Your aspiration to accumulate Rs. 5 crores in 10 years is realistic. However, it demands smart financial decisions, risk control, consistent savings, and portfolio monitoring.

Cash Flow Utilisation

You have a high surplus of Rs. 2 lakhs per month

SIP contribution is already Rs. 1.2 lakhs

This shows good savings discipline

Unused surplus of Rs. 80,000 should be aligned with goals

Avoid idle cash beyond 6 months of expenses

Create a systematic structure for deploying this surplus wisely.

Emergency Reserve Planning

Maintain 6 to 9 months’ expenses as emergency fund

That means Rs. 3 to 4.5 lakhs should be parked safely

Use a sweep-in FD or liquid mutual funds for this

Do not use equity or equity mutual funds as emergency reserve

Your bank balance of Rs. 10 lakhs can partly serve this purpose

Emergency fund must be accessible, stable, and uncorrelated with markets.

Review of Equity Portfolio

Rs. 40 lakhs invested in equity is a strong asset

Assess quality and sector exposure of these stocks

Are they large, mid or small-cap?

Are they consistently reviewed or just held without tracking?

Over-diversification or stock overlap should be avoided

If you are unable to evaluate stocks professionally, gradually move to mutual funds.

Mutual Fund Portfolio Management

SIP of Rs. 1.2 lakh monthly is impressive

Existing MF value is Rs. 5 lakhs, showing recent start

Ensure the funds are actively managed

Avoid index funds

Index funds lack flexibility in market downturns

Actively managed funds offer downside protection

Good fund managers adjust portfolio based on market conditions

Don’t use direct plans without expert guidance.

Disadvantages of Direct Funds

Direct plans cut out commissions but also cut out guidance

You miss rebalancing insights from a Certified Financial Planner

No help during market corrections

Wrong fund selection can reduce overall return

Fund manager changes or strategy shifts often go unnoticed

Regular plans via a Certified Financial Planner offer better strategy support

Investor behavior affects returns more than expense ratio

Choose regular plans through an MFD with a CFP credential for long-term benefits.

Allocation of Existing Assets

You have Rs. 55 lakhs of financial assets:

Rs. 40 lakhs in equity

Rs. 5 lakhs in mutual funds

Rs. 10 lakhs in savings

Recommended action:

Retain Rs. 4 lakhs for emergency needs

Use Rs. 6 lakhs in a staggered manner into equity mutual funds

Avoid lump sum into direct equity unless very confident

Maintain asset allocation and don’t get emotionally attached to stocks

Equity holding should be assessed and pruned for underperformers regularly.

Monthly Investment Strategy

From Rs. 2 lakh surplus:

Rs. 1.2 lakhs already going into SIPs

Allocate Rs. 40,000 into additional equity MFs

Allocate Rs. 20,000 into conservative hybrid or dynamic funds

Allocate Rs. 20,000 into gold or international funds if needed

Review fund categories every 6 months with a Certified Financial Planner.

Avoid Mixing Insurance and Investment

If you have ULIPs or traditional LIC plans, evaluate returns

Traditional plans usually offer returns of 4% to 5%

These are capital inefficient compared to mutual funds

If you hold any such investment-linked insurance policies, consider surrender

Reinvest the proceeds into diversified equity mutual funds through an MFD

Use term insurance for protection, not for investment

Investment and insurance should never be combined.

Tax Efficiency Considerations

Under new rules, equity mutual funds have revised taxation

LTCG over Rs. 1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%

STCG taxed at 20%

Debt fund gains taxed as per slab

Keep holding periods in mind to reduce taxes

Opt for growth plans, not dividend

Avoid frequent switching of funds

Tax planning should not drive the investment, but cannot be ignored either.

Asset Allocation Approach

Don't be 100% in equity

Ideal asset mix depends on your risk tolerance

At age 40, equity allocation can be up to 70%

Use 20% for hybrid or conservative funds

Keep 10% for emergency and contingency liquidity

Review asset allocation at least once a year

Don’t chase returns, protect capital also

Diversification must be across asset classes, fund styles, and risk levels.

Goal Mapping for Rs. 5 Crore Target

To reach Rs. 5 crores in 10 years:

With 12% average annualised return, consistent monthly investment needed

Your current SIPs and surplus can help you reach or even exceed the goal

But returns are not linear every year

Review annually, rebalance when needed

Avoid stopping SIPs during market falls

Use a 3-bucket approach for investing – Core, Tactical, and Strategic

Use goal-based planning, not only product-based investing.

Behavioral Management and Monitoring

Market volatility will test your patience

Stick to SIPs even during downturns

Don’t time the market

Set review points every 6 months

Consult your Certified Financial Planner during market highs and lows

Emotional investing can ruin returns

Use automated STPs from liquid to equity funds if needed

Consistency beats intensity. Be process-driven, not return-driven.

Avoid Common Investment Mistakes

Don’t chase hot stocks or funds

Don’t rely only on past performance

Don’t stop SIPs when markets fall

Don’t use money meant for goals for short-term trading

Don’t keep checking portfolio daily

Don’t fall for unsolicited stock tips or social media trends

Don’t be under-insured

Your financial plan should have safety nets and growth elements.

Insurance Planning

Life insurance must be term-only

Coverage should be at least 15 times your annual income

Avoid endowment and money-back policies

Health insurance must cover self and family adequately

Check for critical illness and accident cover as add-ons

Insurance is a protection tool, not a wealth creation tool

Wrong insurance choices can reduce your investible surplus.

Estate and Succession Planning

Prepare a Will

Ensure nominations in all investments

For mutual funds, update folio nominations regularly

Consider joint holding in bank accounts

Keep family informed of asset details

Review estate documents every 3 years

Wealth creation is incomplete without proper wealth transfer planning.

Finally

You are in a strong financial position

Monthly surplus and discipline are your biggest assets

Just avoid unnecessary products and stay consistent

Work with a Certified Financial Planner

Don’t go for real estate just for returns

Focus on financial instruments that are transparent and liquid

Build a balanced portfolio with active fund strategies

Protect capital and take calculated growth risks

Use proper fund selection with professional hand-holding

Maintain a written financial plan with clear milestones.

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

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

Money
Hi I am 46.working in Pvt sector. Able to save 10000rs per month. Don't have much savings or investment. Kindly guide me how to invest this amount to build up a good corpus in coming 10 years
Ans: You are 46 years old and saving Rs.10,000 every month. You want to create a strong investment plan for the next 10 years. You do not have much existing savings. That’s perfectly okay. You are ready to act now. That’s what matters.

Here is a detailed, simple, and practical 360-degree plan.

? Understand your financial starting point
– You are 46 years old, working in private sector.
– You are able to save Rs.10,000 monthly.
– You have minimal past savings or investments.
– You have not mentioned any LIC, ULIP, or insurance-based investments.
– You are now planning for a better financial future in 10 years.

That’s a great and timely decision.

? Clarify your financial goals
– Think about what you want after 10 years.
– Is it retirement? Or a second income source?
– Or your child’s higher education or marriage?
– Having a clear goal helps in better investment planning.
– You can define your goal in simple terms.
– Also, prioritise between must-have goals and good-to-have goals.

This brings better clarity and commitment.

? Monthly savings are your superpower
– Rs.10,000/month may look small. But it’s powerful.
– In 10 years, it can create meaningful wealth.
– Consistency is more important than amount.
– Keep saving without breaks.
– Even in tough months, try not to skip SIPs.

Discipline is your biggest strength now.

? Emergency fund is your safety net
– You should first build a safety buffer.
– Set aside 6 months of your monthly expenses.
– If monthly expense is Rs.30,000, build Rs.1.8 lakh buffer.
– Start with Rs.1 lakh in savings and liquid fund.
– Keep 30% in savings bank. Keep 70% in liquid fund.
– Avoid fixed deposits. Early withdrawal charges reduce returns.
– Liquid funds are better than savings.
– They offer next-day withdrawal and better returns.

Build emergency fund first. Then start investing for long-term goals.

? Avoid index funds for long-term wealth creation
– Index funds are unmanaged. They just copy the market index.
– They don’t protect you during falling markets.
– They drop fast during crashes.
– They don’t adjust to changing market conditions.
– You need smart fund management for long-term growth.
– Actively managed funds are better.
– They are run by professional fund managers.
– These managers buy or sell based on research.
– You benefit from their market insights.
– In India, actively managed funds have outperformed index funds.

Index funds may look cheap. But they cost returns in long run.

? Avoid direct plans if you are not an expert
– Direct plans don’t give you guidance.
– You must decide fund, amount, changes, rebalancing – all on your own.
– No help during volatile markets.
– No suggestions when your goals change.
– Regular plans through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) give guidance.
– You get support in fund selection and goal planning.
– CFPs help you avoid costly mistakes.
– They also review your portfolio regularly.
– Regular plans help you stay invested calmly.
– Investing is not just numbers. It’s also behaviour.

Handholding matters more than small expense ratio difference.

? Begin with 2–3 strong equity mutual funds
– Start with only 2 or 3 diversified equity funds.
– Choose Flexi Cap and Large & Midcap categories.
– These give good mix of large and mid companies.
– Add a Balanced Advantage Fund for market stability.
– These funds shift between equity and debt automatically.
– You don’t need to monitor markets daily.
– Avoid sector funds, international funds, thematic funds.
– They are risky and not suitable for your stage.
– Don’t try to pick many funds.
– Few good funds are enough.

Over-diversification leads to confusion, not better returns.

? Allocate SIP amounts with simplicity
– You can start SIP of Rs.4,000 in Flexi Cap fund.
– Rs.3,000 in Large & Midcap fund.
– Rs.3,000 in Balanced Advantage fund.
– Total = Rs.10,000/month.

This is simple and powerful allocation.

? Increase SIPs every year
– Try to increase your SIPs by 5–10% yearly.
– If income rises, increase investments first before expenses.
– Even Rs.1,000 extra per year makes a big difference.
– Over 10 years, this boosts final corpus strongly.

Growth in SIP is more important than one-time investments.

? Keep equity investments long term
– Don’t withdraw before 10 years.
– Let the money grow through compounding.
– Equity markets have ups and downs.
– But they reward patient investors over time.
– If you panic in short term, you lose returns.

Time is your best friend in equity.

? Avoid investment-linked insurance policies
– Don’t mix insurance with investment.
– LIC policies, endowment plans, ULIPs give poor returns.
– They promise returns, but deliver less than inflation.
– Keep insurance separate and simple.
– Buy term insurance if not already taken.
– Premium is low, cover is high.

Investment-cum-insurance products dilute both goals.

? Review portfolio every year
– Fund performance must be tracked once a year.
– Change the fund if it underperforms for 2 years.
– Rebalance if one fund grows too big.
– Your Certified Financial Planner will help with review.
– Don’t switch funds often. Review, not react.

Long-term success comes from patience and planning.

? Understand tax impact of mutual funds
– Long Term Capital Gains above Rs.1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%.
– Short Term Capital Gains are taxed at 20%.
– For debt funds, both gains are taxed as per your tax slab.
– Plan your withdrawals smartly.
– Take help of your CFP before redeeming.

Tax planning can save you big money.

? Stay away from risky investments
– Don’t invest in stock tips or small companies.
– Don’t try F&O or day trading.
– Stay away from chit funds and ponzi schemes.
– Don’t follow friends or relatives blindly.

Stick to mutual funds with professional guidance.

? Stay consistent with your plan
– Don’t stop SIPs due to short-term events.
– Avoid taking emotional decisions based on news.
– Focus on your goals, not market noise.
– Investing is like growing a tree.
– Give time, water it regularly, don’t uproot.

Consistency builds wealth quietly and surely.

? Create financial discipline in your life
– Avoid unnecessary expenses.
– Track your income and spending.
– Set automatic SIPs.
– Pay off credit card bills fully.
– Don’t take loans for gadgets or travel.
– Start saving before spending.

Good habits support good investments.

? Finally
– You are starting at 46, but that’s not late.
– Many people don’t start at all.
– Rs.10,000/month for 10 years with right discipline is powerful.
– Focus on quality funds.
– Stick to your goals.
– Review annually.
– Stay invested with the help of a Certified Financial Planner.
– Avoid direct plans if you’re not hands-on.
– Avoid index funds.
– Build emergency fund first.
– Increase SIP yearly.
– Don’t stop investing.
– Your 10-year wealth plan is now in motion.

Let your money work quietly. You stay focused and calm.

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |10854 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Dec 14, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2025Hindi
Career
Hello, I am currently in Class 12 and preparing for JEE. I have not yet completed even 50% of the syllabus properly, but I aim to score around '110' marks. Could you suggest an effective strategy to achieve this? I know the target is relatively low, but I have category reservation, so it should be sufficient.
Ans: With category reservation (SC/ST/OBC), a score of 110 marks is absolutely achievable and realistic. Based on 2025 data, SC candidates qualified with approximately 60-65 percentile, and ST candidates with 45-55 percentile. Your target requires scoring just 37-40% marks, which is significantly lower than general category standards. This gives you a genuine advantage. Immediate Action Plan (December 2025 - January 2026): 4-5 Weeks. Week 1-2: High-Weightage Chapter Focus. Stop trying to complete the entire syllabus. Instead, focus exclusively on high-scoring chapters that carry maximum weightage: Physics (Modern Physics, Current Electricity, Work-Power-Energy, Rotation, Magnetism), Chemistry (Chemical Bonding, Thermodynamics, Coordination Compounds, Electrochemistry), and Maths (Integration, Differentiation, Vectors, 3D Geometry, Probability). These chapters alone can yield 80-100+ marks if practiced properly. Ignore topics you haven't studied yet. Week 2-3: Previous Year Questions (PYQs). Solve JEE Main PYQs from the last 10 years (2015-2025) for chapters you're studying. PYQs reveal question patterns and difficulty levels. Focus on understanding why answers are correct, not memorizing solutions. Week 3-4: Mock Tests & Error Analysis. Take 2-3 full-length mock tests weekly under timed conditions. This is crucial because mock tests build exam confidence, reveal time management weaknesses, and error analysis prevents repeated mistakes. Maintain an error notebook documenting every mistake—this becomes your revision guide. Week 4-5: Revision & Formula Consolidation. Create concise formula sheets for each subject. Spend 30 minutes daily reviewing formulas and key concepts. Avoid learning new topics entirely at this stage. Study Schedule (Daily): 7-8 Hours. Morning (5:00-7:30 AM): Physics concepts + 30 PYQs. Break (7:30-8:30 AM): Breakfast & rest. Mid-morning (8:30-11:00): Chemistry concepts + 20 PYQs. Lunch (11:00-1:00 PM): Full break. Afternoon (1:00-3:30 PM): Maths concepts + 30 PYQs. Evening (3:30-5:00 PM): Mock test or error review. Night (7:00-9:00 PM): Formula revision & weak area focus. Strategic Approach for 110 Marks: Attempt only confident questions and avoid negative marking by skipping difficult questions. Do easy questions first—in the exam, attempt all basic-level questions before attempting medium or hard ones. Focus on quality over quantity as 30 well-practiced questions beat 100 random questions. Master NCERT concepts as most JEE questions test NCERT concepts applied smartly. April 2026 Session Advantage. If January doesn't deliver desired results, April gives you a second chance with 3+ months to prepare. Use January as a practice attempt to identify weak areas, then focus intensively on those in February-March. Realistic Timeline: January 2026 target is 95-110 marks (achievable with focused 50% syllabus), while April 2026 target is 120-130 marks (with complete syllabus + experience). Your reservation benefit means you need only approximately 90-105 marks to qualify and secure admission to quality engineering colleges. Stop comparing yourself to general category cutoffs. Most Importantly: Consistency beats perfection. Study 6 focused hours daily rather than 12 distracted hours. Your 110-mark target is realistic—execute this plan with discipline. All the BEST for Your JEE 2026!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

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Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1841 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 13, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2025
Career
Dear Sir/Madam, I am currently a 1st year UG student studying engineering in Sairam Engineering College, But there the lack of exposure and strict academics feels so rigid and I don't like it that. It's like they don't gaf about skills but just wants us to memorize things and score a good CGPA, the only skill they want is you to memorize things and pass, there's even special class for students who don't perform well in academics and it is compulsory for them to attend or else the student and his/her parents needs to face authorities who lashes out. My question is when did engineering became something that requires good academics instead of actual learning and skill set. In sairam they provides us a coding platform in which we need to gain the required points for each semester which is ridiculous cuz most of the students here just look at the solution to code instead of actual debugging. I am passionate about engineering so I want to learn and experiment things instead of just memorizing, so I actually consider dropping out and I want to give jee a try and maybe viteee , srmjeee But i heard some people say SRM may provide exposure but not that good in placements. I may not be excellent at studies but my marks are decent. So gimme some insights about SRM and recommend me other colleges/universities which are good at exposure
Ans: First — your frustration is valid

What you are experiencing at Sairam is not engineering, it is rote-based credential production.

“When did engineering become memorizing instead of learning?”

Sadly, this shift happened decades ago in most Tier-3 private colleges in India.

About “coding platforms & points” – your observation is sharp

You are absolutely right:

Mandatory coding points → students copy solutions

Copying ≠ learning

Debugging & thinking are missing

This is pseudo-skill education — it looks modern but produces shallow engineers.

The fact that you noticed this in 1st year already puts you ahead of 80% students.

Should you DROP OUT and prepare for JEE / VITEEE / SRMJEEE?

Although VIT/SRM is better than Sairam Engineering College, but you may face the same problem. You will not face this type of problem only in some top IITs, but getting seat in those IITs will be difficult.
Instead of dropping immediately, consider:

???? Strategy:

Stay enrolled (degree security)

Reduce emotional investment in college rules

Use:

GitHub

Open-source projects

Hackathons

Internships (remote)

Hardware / software self-projects

This way:

College = formality

Learning = self-driven

Risk = minimal

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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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