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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7167 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 20, 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
Vikas Question by Vikas on May 15, 2024Hindi
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Hello sir, I’m going to start SIP investment from next month and my age is 35 now, having less knowledge about the field and ready to invest 25k every month. Primary goal is to need 1crore in 15years. Please guide me to solve this.

Ans: Starting Your SIP Investment Journey
Congratulations on deciding to start a SIP investment at age 35. This step shows your commitment to securing your financial future. With a goal of ?1 crore in 15 years, you are on the right track by planning early.

Understanding SIP Investments
What is SIP?
A Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) allows you to invest a fixed amount in mutual funds regularly. This method helps in averaging the purchase cost and mitigating market volatility over time.

Benefits of SIP
SIPs are beneficial for disciplined savings and taking advantage of compounding. Investing regularly ensures that you do not need to time the market, which can be risky.

Creating a Diversified Portfolio
Equity Mutual Funds
Investing in equity mutual funds is essential for long-term growth. They offer high returns but come with higher volatility. Given your 15-year horizon, equities should form a significant part of your portfolio.

Diversified Equity Funds
Actively managed diversified equity funds can provide balanced exposure across various sectors. These funds are managed by professionals who aim to outperform the market.

Balanced or Hybrid Funds
For a moderate risk appetite, consider balanced or hybrid funds. These funds invest in both equities and debt, offering a balance of growth and stability.

Debt Funds
Including some debt funds in your portfolio can provide stability and reduce overall risk. Debt funds offer lower but more stable returns compared to equity funds.

Recommended Allocation Strategy
High-Growth Investments
Allocate around 60-70% of your monthly investment to equity mutual funds. This includes diversified equity funds and sector-specific funds for high growth potential.

Balanced Investments
Allocate about 20-30% to balanced or hybrid funds. These funds provide a mix of equity and debt, balancing risk and reward.

Low-Risk Investments
Allocate 10-20% to debt funds. These funds offer stability and ensure your portfolio is not overly exposed to market volatility.

Regular Review and Adjustments
Periodic Review
Review your investment portfolio regularly, at least once a year. This ensures that your investments align with your goals and market conditions.

Rebalancing
Rebalance your portfolio periodically to maintain the desired asset allocation. This involves adjusting your investments to bring your portfolio back in line with your target allocation.

Staying Informed
Keep yourself informed about market trends and investment options. Continuous learning helps in making informed decisions and optimizing returns.

Professional Guidance
Consulting a Certified Financial Planner
Consider consulting a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). A CFP can provide personalized advice, helping you choose the right funds and strategies to achieve your financial goals.

Benefits of Regular Funds
Investing through regular funds with the help of a Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD) can be beneficial. MFDs provide valuable insights and regular updates on your investments, ensuring you stay on track.

Avoid Direct Funds
Direct funds may save on commission costs but lack professional guidance. Investing through MFDs with CFP credentials ensures expert management of your portfolio.

Achieving Your Goal
Consistent Investment
Investing ?25,000 every month consistently is crucial. This disciplined approach, combined with the power of compounding, will help you reach your ?1 crore target.

Expected Returns
Assuming an average annual return of 12%, you can achieve your goal in 15 years. Actively managed funds aim to provide higher returns, making your goal more achievable.

Conclusion
Starting your SIP investment journey with a goal of ?1 crore in 15 years is commendable. By diversifying your portfolio, staying informed, and seeking professional guidance, you can optimize your investments and achieve your financial goals.

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  |7167 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 08, 2024

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I am 33 years old earning 25k per month. I do only have life insurance investments yearly 88k. Don't have any MF investments. I would like to start investments in sip and expected to generate 50 lakh in 15 years. My monthly average expenditure is around 6k. Please guide.
Ans: It's great that you're considering starting SIP investments to build wealth for the future. Here's a tailored plan to help you achieve your goal of generating 50 lakhs in 15 years:
1. Assess Your Risk Tolerance: Determine your risk tolerance by evaluating how comfortable you are with market fluctuations. Since you're new to mutual fund investments, it's advisable to start with a balanced approach that aligns with your risk tolerance.
2. Set Clear Goals: Define your financial goals clearly. In your case, you aim to accumulate 50 lakhs in 15 years. This clarity will help you stay focused and motivated throughout your investment journey.
3. Start SIP Investments: Begin by investing in SIPs (Systematic Investment Plans) in mutual funds. Allocate a portion of your monthly income towards SIPs, keeping in mind your monthly expenditure. Choose funds that match your risk profile and have a track record of consistent performance.
4. Diversify Your Portfolio: Opt for a diversified portfolio by investing in a mix of equity, debt, and hybrid mutual funds. This diversification can help spread risk and optimize returns over the long term.
5. Regularly Review and Rebalance: Monitor your investments periodically and rebalance your portfolio if needed. As your financial situation and goals evolve, make necessary adjustments to ensure your investment strategy remains aligned with your objectives.
6. Emergency Fund: Prioritize building an emergency fund equivalent to 3-6 months' worth of living expenses. This fund will serve as a financial safety net during unforeseen circumstances and prevent the need to liquidate your investments prematurely.
7. Consult with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP): Consider seeking guidance from a Certified Financial Planner who can assess your financial situation, understand your goals, and recommend suitable investment strategies tailored to your needs.
Remember, investing is a long-term commitment, and patience is key to achieving your financial goals. Stay disciplined, stick to your investment plan, and avoid making impulsive decisions based on short-term market fluctuations.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Certified Financial Planner
www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7167 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 15, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - May 08, 2024Hindi
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I am 35 years old and serve govt Job. Could you please suggest my SIP investment to start up with goal of fund accumulation after 20 years.Thanks in advance.
Ans: That's fantastic that you're thinking about your child's education so early! Starting early allows you to leverage the power of compounding to grow your savings. Let's explore some smart ways to save for your child's future.

Factors to Consider

Education Costs: Research future education costs, considering inflation.
Investment Timeframe: You have a good 8-year window, which is great for investment growth.
Investment Options for Growth

Here are some options to consider for your child's education fund:

Equity Mutual Funds: Invest in a diversified mix of equity funds for potentially higher returns over the long term.

SIP (Systematic Investment Plan): Set up a monthly SIP to invest regularly and benefit from rupee-cost averaging.

Actively Managed Expertise

Actively managed funds have experienced fund managers who make investment decisions to try and outperform the market. This approach can be beneficial compared to passively managed funds, which simply mirror an index.

Benefits of a CFP

A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) professional can create a personalized plan for your child's education. They can help you:

Choose the Right Funds: Select a mix of funds that balances growth potential with risk tolerance.
Review & Rebalance: Regularly assess your portfolio and make adjustments as needed.
Goal-Based Planning: Ensure your investments are aligned with your child's education timeline.
Regular Plan vs Direct Plan

Regular plans with a CFP professional can offer some advantages over direct plans. A CFP can:

Save on Costs: Help you potentially minimize investment expenses.
Stay on Track: Guide you through market ups and downs to keep you invested for the long term.
Remember:

Investing for a child's education requires a long-term perspective. A CFP can create a strategy that considers your goals, risk tolerance, and investment timeframe.

Secure your child's future! Schedule a consultation with a CFP to discuss your specific situation and build a roadmap to fund your child's education.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Latest Questions
Milind

Milind Vadjikar  |715 Answers  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Nov 28, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 27, 2024Hindi
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Hello Sir, I really appreciate the advice received from you to my query. Bases on your feedback, I have decided to replan the mutual funds investments and hence will request your invaluable suggestion on wealth building for the next 10 years. I am 45 years old and the objective is to work for another 10 years and accumulate a corpus of around 2.5 CRS. My existing take home salary is Rs 1.25 lacs per month and additional variable income ( incentives ) of around Rs 3 to 4 lacs annually. My existing EFP accumulation is Rs 38,18,711 and it should continue to add for another 10 years. My existing PPF accumulation is Rs 24,69,961, having started from April, 2011 and I wish to continue it for another 10 years with Rs 1.5 lacs deposit per year. Following are my ongoing LICs maturity plans :- Jeevan Anand, Maturity year - 2032, Sum assured - Rs 8 lacs Jeevan Ankur, Maturity year - 2034, Sum assured - Rs 12 lacs Jeevan Saral, Maturity year - 2035, Sum assured - Rs 352,330 Money back policy, Maturity year - 2027, Sum assured - Rs 2lacs + vested bonds My existing LIC annual premium is Rs 135,661 My existing corpus if mutual fund is around Rs 4 lacs, regret not having started investing in mutual funds earlier. Following are the SIPs I intend to realign from January, 2025 to at least till December, 20234, per month Parag Pariekh Flexicap - Rs 20,000 Quant Active Fund - Rs 10,000 SBI Smallcap - Rs 5,000 Nippon India Smallcap - Rs 5,000 ICICI Prudential Bluchip - Rs 5,000 Mirae Asset Large and Midcap - Rs 5,000 Overviewing, the entire details, please share your opinions and suggestions for wealth building for the next 10 years.
Ans: Hello;

Your EPF corpus, PPF contribution+ corpus and MF sip corpus together will provide you a corpus of 2.5 Cr+ over 10 years. (8%, 6.9% & 12% returns considered respectively)

Maturity proceeds of endowment life insurance policies, if any, is a surplus.

Do invest part of your annual incentives as lumpsum investment in the sip funds to boost your corpus.

Also always bear in mind to never mix investment with insurance.

For life insurance an adequate term life cover is good enough.

Endowment policies have the worst returns.

SIP funds are okay except multicap fund, which you may replace with any other top quartile fund from that category, since that fund AMC has an ongoing sebi probe into frontrunning allegations.

Happy Investing;
X: @mars_invest

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7167 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Nov 28, 2024

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Hi everyone, I'm Prem, a 21-year-old pursuing higher education abroad, planning to settle in India in 7-8 years. My goal is to beat the inflation & to accumulate at least 2 crore rupees over the next 15 or 20 years through monthly SIPs of 6,000 rupees for the initial 2 years, increasing to 8,000 rupees thereafter. I have a moderate-to-high risk tolerance(60/40 60-safe;40-risky) and am comfortable with market volatility. I'm seeking advice on a diversified investment strategy to achieve my goal, including fund recommendations and tax-efficient approaches. Any specific tips on maximizing returns and minimizing risk would be greatly appreciated.
Ans: It is inspiring to see a young investor like you with clear financial goals. Planning for Rs. 2 crore in 15-20 years through disciplined SIPs is achievable with the right approach. Here’s a detailed, 360-degree plan to align with your goals and risk profile.

Set a Strong Foundation
Goal Clarity: Your goal is to accumulate Rs. 2 crore. This is a long-term goal. The timeline allows you to leverage equity's compounding potential.

Investment Tenure: A 15-20 year horizon suits your moderate-to-high risk tolerance. This provides time to recover from market corrections.

Risk Tolerance: A 60/40 risk allocation (safe/risky) is balanced. It provides growth while limiting downside risks.

SIP Strategy
Start Gradually: Begin with Rs. 6,000 monthly for the first two years. Increase to Rs. 8,000 thereafter. Periodic increases (step-up SIPs) every year or two will help.

Allocation Split: Invest 60% in equity funds for growth and 40% in debt funds for stability. This aligns with your risk profile.

Equity Fund Allocation
Large and Mid-Cap Funds: These funds offer a blend of stability and growth. They are suitable for moderate risk-takers.

Flexi-Cap Funds: They provide diversified exposure across market caps, reducing concentration risk.

Small-Cap Funds: Allocate a smaller portion here. Small caps have higher growth potential but also higher volatility.

Debt Fund Allocation
Hybrid Funds: These funds maintain a balance between equity and debt. They are less volatile and provide steady returns.

Short-Duration Funds: Suitable for stable returns in volatile markets. These can be part of your low-risk portfolio.

Tax-Efficient Investments
Equity Funds: Hold for over one year to qualify for long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax benefits. LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh annually is taxed at 12.5%.

Debt Funds: Gains are taxed as per your income slab. Holding for over three years qualifies for indexation benefits.

Recommendations for Maximizing Returns
Step-Up SIPs: Increase your SIPs by 10% yearly. This small increment can significantly impact your corpus.

Diversification: Diversify across sectors, fund houses, and geographies. Avoid over-concentration in one segment.

Rebalancing: Review your portfolio every year. Shift funds to maintain the 60/40 equity-to-debt ratio.

Risk Management
Emergency Fund: Maintain six months’ expenses in a liquid fund. This ensures your SIPs continue during emergencies.

Term Insurance: Get a term plan covering 10-15 times your annual expenses. This protects your dependents financially.

Health Insurance: Opt for comprehensive health insurance to avoid draining your investments for medical needs.

The Disadvantage of Index Funds
Index funds often mimic market indices. However, actively managed funds offer better potential returns. Experienced fund managers can identify high-growth opportunities and avoid underperforming stocks.

Benefits of Investing through a Certified Financial Planner
Personalised Advice: Regular plans through a CFP offer tailored strategies. Direct funds lack professional guidance.

Portfolio Monitoring: CFPs monitor performance and suggest timely adjustments. Direct investors may miss this.

Holistic Planning: CFPs integrate your investments with your overall financial goals. This ensures alignment with life stages.

Tips for Achieving Rs. 2 Crore
Stay Invested: Avoid redeeming funds prematurely. Long-term discipline builds wealth.

Avoid Timing the Market: Focus on consistent investments instead of predicting highs and lows.

Leverage Compounding: The earlier you invest, the greater the compounding benefits.

Finally
Achieving Rs. 2 crore in 15-20 years is realistic. Stick to your SIPs, review your plan, and stay disciplined. Your vision, combined with a strategic approach, will help you beat inflation and achieve financial independence.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7167 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Nov 28, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 28, 2024Hindi
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Hello sir, we are a 42 years old couple with 2 kids( 12 and 10 years old)with in hand salary of 6.5L in hand post tax. We have current savings of 1.2 Cr in equity, 55L in debt, 20L in gold, 25L in NPS and 2.5 cr in real estate (which we don't consider as liquid). Our primary target is around 5cr corpus for retirement around 60 years of age, 4cr for kids higher education,1cr for marriage and a house after 15years approx. Currently we are able to invest 2L/ month in MF, 30k/month in debt and 1 L/month in NPS. We have an EMI of 1L/ month for 6 years for the loan of a commercial property which is not giving any rent at present.We have sufficient health and life insurance.Till now our goals seemed reachable but now we are having thoughts of sending both kids to boarding which will cost us around 1L monthly for around 6 years with 6 %inflation extra each year costing us around 80-85L extra. Can we afford this extra expense without compromising our other goals.Kindly advice.
Ans: Your financial position is strong with diverse investments.

You have Rs 1.2 crore in equity, Rs 55 lakh in debt, Rs 20 lakh in gold, Rs 25 lakh in NPS, and Rs 2.5 crore in real estate.

A monthly savings capacity of Rs 3.3 lakh is impressive, even with a Rs 1 lakh EMI.

Adequate health and life insurance adds financial security.

Evaluation of Goals
Retirement Corpus

Your target of Rs 5 crore by 60 years seems achievable with current savings.
Continuing with Rs 2 lakh monthly in mutual funds (MFs) and Rs 1 lakh in NPS will help.
Children’s Higher Education

Rs 4 crore for higher education can be managed.
Your equity exposure supports long-term growth.
Marriage Expenses

A target of Rs 1 crore for marriages is realistic.
Investments in debt and gold provide stability for such goals.
Buying a House

A house after 15 years will need detailed planning.
A mix of equity and debt over time can address this goal.
Impact of Boarding School Expense
Boarding will cost Rs 80-85 lakh over six years, considering 6% inflation.
This is a significant expense during a critical saving period.
Possible Adjustments
Reassess Short-Term Investments

Reduce monthly MF investment by Rs 1 lakh temporarily.
Divert this amount for boarding expenses.
Prioritise Debt Investments

Continue Rs 30,000 monthly in debt funds.
Use this allocation later for school-related costs.
Revisit Commercial Property

Check potential for renting out the property.
Even a partial rental can ease the EMI burden.
Utilise Surplus Assets

Gold can be partially liquidated in emergencies.
Avoid selling equity to preserve long-term growth.
Insights on Mutual Funds and NPS
Actively managed mutual funds outperform index funds in Indian markets.

Professional fund management adapts to market changes effectively.

NPS is tax-efficient for retirement planning.

Continue the Rs 1 lakh monthly contribution to maximise benefits.

Tax Implications
Be mindful of new taxation rules on MFs.
LTCG on equity above Rs 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.
Debt fund gains are taxed as per your income slab.
Strategic Plan
Allocate Rs 1 lakh monthly from MF contributions for school fees.
Invest Rs 1 lakh in equity MFs and Rs 30,000 in debt MFs monthly.
Retain the NPS contribution of Rs 1 lakh per month.
Alternative Options
Evaluate less expensive boarding schools without compromising quality.
Explore scholarships or partial funding options.
Avoid real estate investments for liquidity concerns.
Emergency Fund Planning
Ensure six months’ expenses as an emergency fund.
Keep this amount in liquid or debt funds for easy access.
Final Insights
You can afford the boarding school expense with minor adjustments.
Maintain focus on long-term goals with disciplined investments.
Revisit your plan every two years to ensure alignment.
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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