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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |6508 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 05, 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 - May 21, 2024Hindi
Money

Hello sir I am single mother of two kids ( one is 7 years old and second is 5 years old) I am investing in mutual funds since 2020 1.) axis ELSS tax saver fund 5k 2.) Axis flexi cap fund 5k 3.) Axis focused fund 5k 4.)kotak flexi cap fund 2.5k 5.) mirae asset large cap fund 2.5k Recently I added three more fund in portfolio Quant small cap fund 2.5k ICICI prudential multi asset fund 1k Aditya Birla sun life PSu EQuity fund 1k Can u pls suggest me is it possible to make 1cr in next 7 years ? And have 15 lakh emergency fund

Ans: Achieving Your Financial Goals: A Detailed Plan for a Single Mother of Two

First of all, I commend you on taking the initiative to invest in mutual funds since 2020. It's impressive and shows your commitment to securing your financial future and that of your children. Managing finances as a single mother can be challenging, but your proactive approach is a significant first step.

Understanding Your Current Investments
Let's analyze your current investment portfolio. You have been investing in several mutual funds which are diversified across different categories:

Axis ELSS Tax Saver Fund: Rs 5,000
Axis Flexi Cap Fund: Rs 5,000
Axis Focused Fund: Rs 5,000
Kotak Flexi Cap Fund: Rs 2,500
Mirae Asset Large Cap Fund: Rs 2,500
Quant Small Cap Fund: Rs 2,500
ICICI Prudential Multi Asset Fund: Rs 1,000
Aditya Birla Sun Life PSU Equity Fund: Rs 1,000
Your portfolio is a mix of large-cap, small-cap, multi-cap, and tax-saving funds. This diversification is good, but we need to ensure it aligns with your goals.

Evaluating Your Financial Goals
1. Goal: Accumulating Rs 1 Crore in 7 Years
To accumulate Rs 1 crore in 7 years, let's first understand the required rate of return. Assuming you continue to invest Rs 24,500 monthly, we need to calculate the growth rate needed to reach Rs 1 crore.

2. Goal: Building a Rs 15 Lakh Emergency Fund
An emergency fund is essential, especially for a single mother. It provides a safety net for unexpected expenses.

Analysing Your Investment Portfolio
1. Portfolio Composition
Your portfolio has a mix of equity mutual funds with varying risk levels. Equity funds generally offer high returns over the long term but come with higher risks.

2. Risk Assessment
Since your goal is to accumulate Rs 1 crore in 7 years, you need a higher exposure to equity. However, it's crucial to balance risk and ensure the portfolio suits your risk tolerance.

Expected Returns and Required Growth Rate
1. Calculating the Future Value of Your Current Investments
To calculate whether you can reach Rs 1 crore, we need to estimate the future value of your investments. Assume an average annual return of 12% for your equity investments.

2. Estimating the Emergency Fund Growth
Your emergency fund should be kept in low-risk instruments. Debt mutual funds or liquid funds are suitable for this purpose, offering stability and liquidity.

Strategies to Reach Your Financial Goals
1. Maximising Returns on Existing Investments
Regular Monitoring and Rebalancing: Ensure you review your portfolio at least once a year. Rebalance based on performance and goals.
Invest in High-Growth Funds: Focus on funds with a strong performance history. Avoid sector-specific or highly volatile funds.
2. Emergency Fund Allocation
Debt Mutual Funds: Allocate a portion of your savings to debt mutual funds for stability.
Liquid Funds: Consider liquid funds for their high liquidity and low risk.
Detailed Analysis of Your Investments
1. Axis ELSS Tax Saver Fund
ELSS funds provide tax benefits under Section 80C. They come with a lock-in period of three years, offering potential high returns due to equity exposure.

2. Axis Flexi Cap Fund and Axis Focused Fund
These funds provide diversified equity exposure, investing across market caps. They offer a balanced approach to risk and return.

3. Kotak Flexi Cap Fund and Mirae Asset Large Cap Fund
Flexi cap and large-cap funds invest in stable, large companies. They provide relatively lower risk compared to mid or small-cap funds.

4. Quant Small Cap Fund
Small-cap funds can deliver high returns but come with significant risk. Suitable for long-term goals with high-risk tolerance.

5. ICICI Prudential Multi Asset Fund
This fund invests in a mix of asset classes, including equity, debt, and gold. It provides diversification and reduces risk.

6. Aditya Birla Sun Life PSU Equity Fund
Invests in public sector companies, which might be volatile but can offer high returns if the sector performs well.

Future Projections and Adjustments
1. Projections Based on Current Investments
Assuming a 12% annual return, you need to regularly invest and monitor the performance to stay on track.

2. Adjustments and Rebalancing
Periodically rebalance your portfolio to adjust for market changes and to align with your goals.

Planning for Children's Education and Other Goals
1. Education Fund
Start a separate fund for your children's education. Consider child education plans or specific mutual funds targeting education savings.

2. Contingency Planning
Ensure you have adequate insurance coverage, including health and term insurance. This provides financial protection against unforeseen events.

Importance of Regular Savings and Investments
1. Systematic Investment Plan (SIP)
Continue with SIPs to instill discipline in saving and investing. SIPs average out market volatility over time.

2. Increasing Investment Amounts
As your income grows, increase your SIP amounts. This accelerates the growth of your corpus.

Seeking Professional Guidance
1. Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
Consulting a Certified Financial Planner can help tailor your investments to your goals and risk tolerance.

Understanding the Role of Active Management
1. Benefits of Actively Managed Funds
Actively managed funds aim to outperform the market through strategic stock selection. They offer the potential for higher returns compared to index funds.

2. Disadvantages of Index Funds
Index funds mirror the market and offer average returns. They lack the potential for above-market gains and are less flexible.

Revisiting and Realigning Financial Goals
1. Regular Review
Set periodic reviews of your financial goals and portfolio performance. Adjust your strategies as needed to stay on track.

2. Aligning with Life Changes
As your children grow, your financial needs may change. Be ready to adjust your investment strategy to meet new demands.

Steps to Build and Maintain an Emergency Fund
1. Setting Aside Funds
Start by setting aside a portion of your monthly income into a liquid or debt fund.

2. Maintaining Liquidity
Ensure that your emergency fund is easily accessible. Avoid locking it in long-term instruments.

Investment Strategy for Wealth Creation
1. Diversification
Continue diversifying your portfolio across different asset classes to manage risk.

2. Long-Term Perspective
Maintain a long-term perspective to ride out market volatility and achieve higher returns.

Conclusion
Your commitment to investing for your and your children’s future is commendable. With a balanced approach, regular reviews, and adjustments, you can achieve your financial goals. Building a Rs 1 crore corpus and a Rs 15 lakh emergency fund in 7 years is ambitious but achievable with disciplined investing and strategic planning.

Final Thoughts
Stay focused on your goals, maintain regular investments, and seek professional advice when needed. Your proactive approach sets a strong foundation for a secure financial future.

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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Asked by Anonymous - Oct 05, 2024Hindi
Money
I’m from Pune. I’m 48 with two children. Should I invest in ELSS funds to save tax, or should I focus on traditional instruments like PPF and fixed deposits?
Ans: Deciding between Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS) and traditional investment instruments like Public Provident Fund (PPF) and Fixed Deposits (FDs) depends on various factors, including your financial goals, risk tolerance, investment horizon, and tax-saving needs. Here's a comprehensive comparison to help you make an informed decision:

1. Understanding the Investment Options

a. ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Schemes)

• Nature: Equity Mutual Funds with a tax-saving component.
• Lock-In Period: 3 years (shortest among tax-saving instruments under Section 80C).
• Returns: Potentially higher returns as they are invested in equities, but subject to market volatility.
• Tax Benefits: Investments up to ?1.5 lakh per annum are eligible for deduction under Section 80C.
• Liquidity: Relatively higher liquidity post the lock-in period compared to other tax-saving instruments.

b. PPF (Public Provident Fund)

• Nature: Government-backed long-term savings scheme.
• Lock-In Period: 15 years.
• Returns: Moderate and tax-free returns, revised periodically by the government (typically around 7-8% p.a.).
• Tax Benefits: Investments up to ?1.5 lakh per annum qualify for deduction under Section 80C. The interest earned and the maturity amount are tax-free.
• Safety: Very low risk as it's backed by the government.

c. Fixed Deposits (FDs)

• Nature: Fixed-term investment with banks or post offices.
• Lock-In Period: Varies; typically no lock-in for regular FDs, but tax-saving FDs have a 5-year lock-in.
• Returns: Fixed interest rates, generally lower than ELSS but higher than savings accounts. Current rates vary but are around 5-7% p.a. for tax-saving FDs.
• Tax Benefits: Investments up to ?1.5 lakh in tax-saving FDs qualify for deduction under Section 80C.
• Safety: Low risk, especially with reputable banks.

2. Factors to Consider

a. Risk Appetite

• ELSS: Suitable if you are willing to take on market-related risks for potentially higher returns.
• PPF & FDs: Ideal for conservative investors seeking capital protection and guaranteed returns.

b. Investment Horizon

• ELSS: 3-year lock-in period, but generally better for medium to long-term goals.
• PPF: 15-year commitment, suitable for long-term goals like retirement or children's education.
• FDs: Flexible, but tax-saving FDs require a 5-year lock-in, suitable for medium-term goals.

c. Returns

• ELSS: Historically, ELSS funds have outperformed PPF and FDs over the long term, but with higher volatility.
• PPF: Offers stable and tax-free returns, which are beneficial in a low-interest-rate environment.
• FDs: Provide guaranteed returns, useful for capital preservation but may lag behind inflation and equity returns over time.

d. Tax Efficiency

• ELSS: Returns are subject to capital gains tax. Short-term (if held for less than 3 years) gains are taxed as per your income slab, while long-term gains (exceeding ?1 lakh) are taxed at 10%.
• PPF: Completely tax-free returns.
• FDs: Interest earned is taxable as per your income slab, which can reduce the effective returns.

3. Recommendations Based on Your Profile

Given that you are 48 years old with two children, your investment strategy should balance between growth and safety, considering your proximity to retirement and financial responsibilities.

a. Diversified Approach

A balanced portfolio that includes both ELSS and traditional instruments like PPF and FDs can help mitigate risks while aiming for reasonable growth.

• ELSS: Allocate a portion (e.g., 30-40%) to ELSS to benefit from potential equity growth, which can help in wealth accumulation for retirement or funding children's education.
• PPF: Continue contributing to PPF for long-term, stable, and tax-free returns. Given its 15-year tenure, it aligns well with retirement planning.
• FDs: Use FDs for short to medium-term goals or as a part of your emergency fund, ensuring liquidity and capital preservation.

b. Consider Your Tax Bracket

If you are in a higher tax bracket, maximizing tax-saving instruments under Section 80C can provide significant tax relief. ELSS, PPF, and tax-saving FDs all qualify, so diversifying among them can spread risk and optimize tax benefits.

c. Assess Liquidity Needs

Ensure you have sufficient liquidity for unforeseen expenses. While ELSS has a shorter lock-in compared to PPF, both still tie up funds for a few years. Maintain a separate emergency fund in a more liquid form, such as a savings account or liquid mutual funds.

d. Review Your Risk Tolerance

At 48, with retirement possibly 10-20 years away, a moderate risk appetite might be suitable. ELSS can offer growth potential, while PPF and FDs provide stability.

4. Additional Considerations

• Emergency Fund: Ensure you have 6-12 months' worth of expenses saved in a highly liquid form.
• Insurance: Adequate health and life insurance are crucial, especially with dependents.
• Debt Management: If you have any high-interest debt, prioritize paying it off before locking funds in fixed instruments.

5. Consult a Financial Advisor

While the above guidelines provide a general framework, it's advisable to consult with a certified financial planner or advisor. They can offer personalized advice tailored to your specific financial situation, goals, and risk tolerance.

Finally, both ELSS and traditional instruments like PPF and FDs have their unique advantages. A diversified investment strategy that leverages the strengths of each can help you achieve a balanced portfolio, ensuring both growth and security. Given your age and family responsibilities, striking the right balance between risk and safety is essential for long-term financial well-being.

...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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