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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

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

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 - Aug 15, 2025Hindi
Money

How much emi ratio towards income

Ans: – Your concern about EMI ratio shows financial maturity.
– Many people ignore this important measure.
– You are focusing on income to EMI balance, which is smart.

» Understanding EMI Ratio
– EMI ratio means share of income spent on loan repayments.
– It includes housing loan EMI, car loan EMI, or personal loan EMI.
– The balance income should support family expenses and future savings.

» Ideal EMI to Income Ratio
– For safe finance, EMI should not cross 40% of income.
– Housing loan EMI can be within 25–30% of income.
– Total EMIs from all loans together should stay below 40%.
– This ensures money left for savings, lifestyle, and emergencies.

» Why Higher EMI Ratio Is Risky
– High EMI reduces ability to save for retirement.
– Unexpected job loss can break repayment capacity.
– Medical expenses or family needs get compromised.
– Loan default spoils credit score and future borrowing ability.

» Benefits of Keeping Ratio Low
– More surplus for investments and wealth growth.
– Ability to create emergency fund without stress.
– Freedom to enjoy lifestyle without debt burden.
– Peace of mind in uncertain times.

» Steps to Control EMI Ratio
– Avoid taking multiple loans together.
– Prefer higher down payment when buying assets.
– Prepay high interest loans quickly.
– Keep repayment tenure moderate, not too long or short.

» Importance of Income Growth
– With rising income, EMI ratio automatically reduces.
– Salary hikes make existing EMIs lighter.
– But don’t increase loans just because of income growth.
– Use extra income for investments, not fresh debt.

» Role of Emergency Fund
– Keep 6 to 12 months of EMIs in reserve.
– This fund protects during job loss or illness.
– Without backup, EMI ratio feels heavier in tough times.

» Link With Insurance Protection
– Life insurance should cover outstanding loans.
– Health insurance avoids medical expense pressure.
– Both prevent EMIs from disturbing family security.

» Connection With Future Goals
– Low EMI ratio helps you save for retirement corpus.
– Children’s education and marriage funding need surplus.
– If EMIs eat income, long-term goals suffer.

» Common Mistakes People Do
– Taking personal loan for lifestyle upgrades.
– Running credit card EMI alongside housing EMI.
– Believing banks’ approval means affordability.
– Ignoring savings while focusing only on loan eligibility.

» How to Reduce EMI Burden
– Try part prepayments yearly.
– Transfer loan to lower interest lender when possible.
– Extend loan tenure temporarily if stress is high.
– Avoid new borrowing till ratio falls under 40%.

» Final Insights
– Keep housing EMI at 25–30% of income.
– Keep overall EMI ratio below 40% of income.
– Balance loans, savings, insurance, and lifestyle smartly.
– This creates security, growth, and peace for family.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 11, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money
I have a in hand salary of 1 lakh but my monthly emi is 3 lakhs.How to handle such scenario.Please advice
Ans: Your situation requires careful financial management and strategic adjustments. Here's a step-by-step approach to help you handle this challenge effectively.

Assessing the Current Situation
Income and EMI Mismatch
Your monthly EMI of Rs 3 lakhs significantly exceeds your in-hand salary of Rs 1 lakh.
This gap could lead to financial stress and defaults if not addressed promptly.
Asset and Liability Analysis
Check if you have savings, investments, or other income sources to bridge the gap.
Identify the loans contributing to this high EMI burden.
Prioritising Loan Repayment
Analyse Loan Types
Separate high-interest loans (personal loans, credit cards) from low-interest loans (home loans).
Focus on clearing high-interest loans first to reduce the burden.
Opt for Loan Restructuring
Approach lenders for EMI restructuring to extend the tenure.
Longer tenure reduces EMI but increases total interest outflow.
Partial Prepayment
Use any liquid assets to make partial prepayments on high-interest loans.
This reduces principal and future EMIs effectively.
Exploring Additional Income
Secondary Income Sources
Consider freelancing or part-time opportunities to boost income.
Rent out any property or assets for additional cash flow.
Liquidating Non-Essential Assets
Sell underperforming or unnecessary assets to generate funds.
Use these funds to partially prepay or clear debts.
Cutting Down on Expenses
Essential vs Non-Essential Expenses
Categorise expenses into essential (rent, groceries) and non-essential (luxuries).
Cut down on discretionary spending to allocate more towards EMI payments.
Lifestyle Adjustments
Opt for a minimalist lifestyle until financial stability improves.
Reduce costly habits like dining out or premium subscriptions.
Building an Emergency Fund
Short-Term Emergency Corpus
Keep at least three months of EMIs in liquid funds for emergencies.
This ensures you don’t miss payments due to unexpected situations.
Protecting Long-Term Investments
Avoid withdrawing from long-term investments like PPF or EPF.
These are crucial for your future financial security.
Strengthening Your Financial Foundation
Credit Score Management
Ensure timely EMI payments to avoid damaging your credit score.
A good credit score will help in negotiating better loan terms.
Insurance Protection
Maintain adequate health and life insurance coverage.
This safeguards your family in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Consulting with Experts
Certified Financial Planner Guidance
Work with a Certified Financial Planner to restructure your portfolio.
They can help optimise investments and manage debt efficiently.
Debt Counselling
Seek professional debt counselling for expert advice on repayment strategies.
Final Insights
Managing a high EMI with a limited salary is challenging but achievable. Focus on restructuring your loans, cutting unnecessary expenses, and exploring additional income sources. Avoid liquidating critical long-term investments unless absolutely necessary. Strategic planning and disciplined execution will help you regain financial stability over time.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 30, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 14, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi my salary is 70,000. But currently I don't have to pay any emi. I am trying to buit a house and to purchase a new car How to plan accordingly suggest
Ans: Earning Rs.70,000 with no EMI is a great stage to begin. Wanting to build a house and buy a car is natural. You can achieve both with the right steps and priorities.

? Define the Timelines for Each Goal
– When do you want to build the house?
– When do you want to buy the car?
– Are these goals 1 year away or 5 years?
– Short-term and long-term goals need different planning.
– Write down both timelines and expected amounts.
– Prioritise which comes first and which can wait.
– This clarity helps in proper fund allocation.

? Avoid Emotional or Rushed Decisions
– A house or car are emotional purchases.
– But don’t act in a hurry.
– Planning gives better comfort and long-term control.
– Don't borrow fully for both together.
– That creates unnecessary EMI pressure later.
– Always align purchases with income and future goals.

? Start Saving Aggressively Right Away
– No EMI now means more saving power.
– Save at least 30–40% of income.
– That means Rs.21,000 to Rs.28,000 monthly.
– Divide savings between house and car goals.
– Use goal-based mutual fund investments for this.
– Don’t keep savings idle in bank accounts.

? Use Mutual Funds Based on Goal Duration
– Car goal is likely short-term, within 2–3 years.
– Use hybrid or short-term debt mutual funds.
– Don’t use equity funds for short-term goals.
– For house, if goal is 5+ years away, use equity funds.
– Equity gives better compounding over time.
– Always use actively managed funds, not index funds.
– Index funds don’t avoid weak stocks during fall.
– Active funds have professional guidance.
– Fund manager decisions add value and protect downside.

? Avoid Direct Fund Route
– Don’t invest in direct mutual fund plans.
– Direct plans save cost but give no support.
– You won’t get alerts or reviews in direct mode.
– Wrong fund choice can delay your house or car plan.
– Regular plans through a CFP provide clarity.
– CFPs help avoid mistakes and track fund health yearly.
– Direct plans are risky when goal dates are fixed.

? Build Emergency Fund First
– Before planning big purchases, save 6 months’ expenses.
– Keep Rs.2 to 2.5 lakh in liquid mutual funds.
– This protects you in case of job loss or health issue.
– Never use this for house or car plans.
– Emergency fund gives you peace and confidence.

? Plan Car Purchase Smartly
– Buying a car needs careful budgeting.
– Avoid high down payments if savings are limited.
– Try to save at least 50–60% of the car cost.
– Balance can be taken as car loan.
– But avoid choosing loan just for full price car.
– Don’t go for luxury car in first step.
– Consider fuel, insurance and maintenance cost too.
– Check if public transport can delay car need.
– This gives more time to save without EMI stress.

? Plan House Based on Real Income
– Don’t plan house beyond your capacity.
– Avoid stretching too much into future earnings.
– Decide house cost based on how much EMI is safe.
– Usually 30–35% of monthly salary is max safe EMI.
– This means Rs.20,000 to Rs.24,000 EMI limit.
– If EMI crosses that, other life goals get delayed.
– Also keep money for interiors and shifting.
– House purchase is not just flat cost.

? Don’t Rush into Real Estate as Investment
– House for living is fine.
– But don’t consider another property for investment now.
– Real estate lacks liquidity.
– You can’t sell part of house during need.
– It also gives no monthly income.
– Property taxes and upkeep add hidden costs.
– Mutual funds are better for growth and flexibility.

? Avoid Buying Car and House at Same Time
– Two loans together increase monthly burden heavily.
– It reduces your future saving ability.
– Focus on one goal first, then plan the next.
– Space out both goals by 1–2 years minimum.
– This keeps your financial health strong.

? Don’t Touch PPF or EPF for These Goals
– These are for retirement and long-term safety.
– Withdrawing now reduces future security.
– Let these grow untouched till retirement.
– Don’t break them for house or car.

? Use Bonus or Hike to Boost Goals
– Any annual bonus can go to goal fund.
– Don’t spend bonus on luxury items now.
– Every extra Rs.10,000–20,000 adds faster progress.
– It reduces need for loans later.

? Consider Loan Only When You’re Ready
– Once you save part of the amount, loan is fine.
– Avoid full loan planning.
– Never take loan just because bank offers pre-approval.
– Loan should fit your saving pattern, not ego.
– EMI should not disturb your SIP and lifestyle.

? Keep Insurance Protection Before Loan
– If planning home loan, take term insurance.
– Loan cover gives peace to your family.
– Health insurance is also important.
– Hospital bills can disrupt savings if uninsured.
– Secure your income first before committing EMIs.

? Use SIPs to Save for Each Goal
– Start separate SIP for house and for car.
– Assign right funds based on goal period.
– SIP gives disciplined saving monthly.
– Start small but don’t stop.
– As salary grows, increase SIP gradually.
– SIP grows corpus faster than irregular savings.

? Track Progress Every 6 Months
– Use a simple sheet to track goals.
– Note how much saved and how much is left.
– Celebrate progress quietly.
– Don’t take early success as final target.
– Stay focused till goal is reached fully.

? Avoid Luxury Temptations Before Goal
– You may feel like spending when salary increases.
– But stay focused on goal.
– Small luxuries now can delay your car or home.
– Stick to budget till major goals are achieved.
– Self-control now gives freedom later.

? Use Regular Funds and CFP Support
– Always invest through regular plans.
– You get expert advice and guidance.
– Certified Financial Planners track and guide the right way.
– Don’t manage goal funds on own if unsure.
– Professional help keeps you goal-focused.
– Regular funds bring that long-term support.

? Don't Rely on Index Funds
– Index funds give market average.
– No protection in crash times.
– No switching of bad stocks.
– Active funds are better for life goals.
– Professional fund managers make decisions in active funds.
– You need that expertise for home and car plans.

? Keep Credit Score Clean for Loan
– When time comes to take home or car loan, credit score matters.
– Don’t delay bills or EMIs.
– Keep credit card usage under 30% of limit.
– Pay on time every month.
– Check credit score yearly.

? Once House Is Bought, Restart SIP
– After house goal is done, don’t relax.
– Restart SIP immediately.
– Next goal could be retirement or child education.
– Use compounding from early years.

? Finally
– You have strong savings capacity now.
– Start saving for goals before taking loans.
– Don’t combine both goals at once.
– Use goal-based SIP in mutual funds.
– Avoid index funds and direct mode.
– Use regular plans with CFP support.
– Keep emergency fund ready.
– Don’t break long-term instruments like EPF, PPF.
– Control lifestyle till goals are done.
– Take term and health insurance before loans.
– Review progress every 6 months.
– Stay patient, focused, and financially disciplined.
– You can build house and buy car stress-free.

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 06, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 06, 2025Hindi
Money
Dear Sir/Ma'am, I need some guidance and advice for continuing my mutual fund investments. I am a 36 year old male, married, no kids yet and no debts/liabilities as such. I have couple of savings in PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and long term investing in direct stocks. I recently started below mentioned SIPs for long term to grow wealth. Request you to review the same and let me know if I should continue with the SIPs or need to rationalize. Kindly also advice on how to invest a lumpsum amount of around 6lacs. invesco small cap 2000 motilal oswal midcap 2700 parag parikh flexicap 3000 HDFC flexicap 3100 ICICI prudential largecap 3100 HDFC large and midcap 3100 HDFC gold etf FOF 2000 ICICI Pru equity and debt fund 3000 HDFC balanced advantage fund 3000 nippon india silver etf FOF 2000
Ans: You already built a solid foundation. Many investors delay planning. But you started early at 36. That gives you a strong advantage. You have no liabilities. You have long term thinking. You also have diversified savings like PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and direct stocks. That shows clarity and discipline. This approach builds wealth with less stress over time.

You also started systematic investments in equity funds. That is a positive step. Your selection covers multiple categories like large cap, mid cap, small cap, flexi cap, hybrid and precious metals. So the intent is right. You are trying to create a broad portfolio. That gives balance.

» Your Portfolio Composition Understanding
Your current SIP list includes:

Small cap

Mid cap

Flexi cap

Large cap

Large and mid cap

Hybrid category

Gold and Silver FoF

Equity and Debt allocation fund

Dynamic hybrid fund

This shows you are trying to cover many segments. But too many categories can create overlap. When there is overlap, you get confusion during review. It also makes portfolio discipline difficult. You may think you are diversified. But the holdings inside may repeat. That reduces efficiency.

Your portfolio now looks like:

Equity dominant

Hybrid for stability

Metals for hedge

So the broad direction is fine. But simplifying helps in long-term habit building.

» Fund Category Duplication
You hold:

Two flexi cap funds

One large and mid cap fund

One pure large cap fund

One mid cap fund

One small cap fund

Flexi cap funds already invest across large, mid, small. Then large and mid also overlaps. So the large cap exposure gets repeated. That may not add extra benefit. But it increases monitoring complexity.

So I suggest rationalising. Keep one fund per category in core. Keep satellite space for only high conviction.

» Core and Satellite Strategy
A structured portfolio follows core and satellite method.

Core portfolio should be:

Simple

Long term

Stable

Satellite portfolio can be:

High growth

Concentrated

Based on your thinking level, you can structure like this:

Core funds:

One large cap

One flexi cap

One hybrid equity and debt fund

One balanced advantage type fund

Satellite funds:

One mid cap

One small cap

One metal allocation if needed

This division gives clarity. You can continue SIPs with review every year. No need to stop and restart often. That reduces behavioural mistakes.

» Your Current SIP List Review with Suggested Streamlining

You can consider continuing:

One flexi cap

One large cap

One mid cap

One small cap

One balanced advantage

One equity and debt hybrid

You may reconsider keeping both flexi caps and both gold silver funds. One of each category is enough. Because too many funds do not increase returns. It complicates tracking.

Precious metal funds should not be more than 5 to 7 percent in your portfolio. This is because metals are hedge assets. They do not create compounding like equity. They act as protection during cycles. So keep them small.

» How to Use the Rs 6 Lakh Lump Sum
You asked about lump sum investing. This is important. Lump sum should not go fully into equity at one time. Markets move in cycles. So use a staggered method. You can invest the lump sum through STP (Systematic Transfer Plan). You can keep the amount in a liquid fund and set STP toward your chosen growth funds over 6 to 12 months.

This reduces timing risk. It also creates discipline. So your Rs 6 lakh can be deployed gradually. You may use 50% towards core equity funds and 30% toward satellite growth category. The remaining 20% can go into hybrid category. This gives balance and comfort.

» Regular Funds Over Direct Funds
One important point many investors miss. Direct funds look cheaper. But they demand deep knowledge, discipline, and behaviour control. Most investors lose more through emotional selling and wrong timing than they save on expense ratio.

With regular funds through a Mutual Fund Distributor with Certified Financial Planner qualification, you get guidance, structure and correction. The advisory discipline protects you during market extremes. That is more valuable than a small saving in expense ratio.

A personalised planner also tracks portfolio drift, rebalancing need and category shifts. So regular fund investing gives long-term benefit and behaviour coaching.

» Actively Managed Funds over Index or ETF
Some investors choose index funds or ETF thinking they are simple and cheap. But they ignore drawbacks.

Index funds or ETF will not avoid weak companies in the index. They will invest whether the company grows or struggles. There is no fund manager decision making. So when markets are at peak, index funds continue aggressive exposure. In downturns also they fall fully. There is no cushion.

Actively managed funds work with research teams. They can avoid bad sectors. They can shift allocation based on market and economy. Over long term, this gives better alpha and stability. So continuing with actively managed funds creates better wealth compounding.

» SIP Continuation Strategy
Once the rationalisation is done, continue SIPs every month without interruption. Pause and restart behaviour damages compounding power. SIP works best when you go through all market cycles. You benefit more during corrections because cost averaging works.

So continue SIP amount. You can also review SIP increase every year based on income. Increasing SIP by 10 to 15 percent every year helps you reach large corpus faster.

» Asset Allocation Based Approach
One key point in wealth creation is having the right asset mix. Equity gives growth. Hybrid gives balance. Metals give hedge. Debt gives safety. Your asset allocation should stay aligned to your risk profile and time horizon.

Since you are young and have long term horizon, higher equity allocation is fine. But as time moves, rebalancing is important. Rebalancing protects gains and restores allocation.

So review your asset allocation every year or during major life events like child birth, home buying or retirement planning.

» Behaviour Management
Many portfolios fail not due to bad funds. They fail due to bad decisions. Selling during correction. Stopping SIP when market falls. Chasing past return performance. These mistakes reduce wealth.

Your discipline so far is good. Continue to stay patient during volatility. Equity rewards patience and time.

» Financial Goals Clarity
Since you have no children now, you can decide your long-term goals. Typical goals may include:

Retirement

Future child education

Dream lifestyle purchase

Health care reserves

When goals are clear, investment purpose becomes stronger. So you can map each fund category to goal horizon. Short-term goals should not use equity. Long-term goals should use equity with hybrid support.

» Role of Review and Monitoring
Review once in a year is enough. Frequent review can create anxiety. Annual review helps check:

Fund performance

Expense drift

Category relevance

Allocation balance

Then adjust only if needed. This progress helps you stay confident and aligned.

» Taxation Awareness
Equity mutual funds taxation rules are:

Short term (below one year holding) taxable at 20 percent

Long term (above one year holding) gains above Rs 1.25 lakh taxable at 12.5 percent

Debt mutual funds are taxed as per your income slab.

So always hold equity funds for long term. That reduces tax impact and gives better growth.

» SIP Increase Plan
You can create a simple plan to increase SIP over time. For example:

Increase SIP at every salary increment

Increase SIP during bonus time

Use rewards or extra income for investing

This habit accelerates wealth. So by the time you reach 45 to 50 years, your investments could reach a strong level.

» Insurance and Protection
Before investing large, ensure you have term insurance and health insurance. If not already done, it is important. Insurance protects wealth. Without insurance, even a small medical event can impact investment plan. So review this part also. Since you are married, cover both.

» Wealth Behaviour Mindset
You are already disciplined. Just keep these simple principles:

Invest without stopping

Review once a year

Avoid funds overlap

Follow asset allocation

Avoid reacting to media noise

This helps you reach long term milestones.

» Finally
You are on the right track. Only fine tuning and simplification is needed. Your discipline is visible. Your portfolio will grow well with structure, patience and periodic review. Use the Rs 6 lakh with STP approach. And continue SIP with rationalised categories.

With time and consistency, wealth creation becomes effortless and peaceful. You just need to stay committed and avoid overthinking during market movements.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1837 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 05, 2025

Career
Dear Sir, I did my BTech from a normal engineering college not very famous. The teaching was not great and hence i did not study well. I tried my best to learn coding including all the technologies like html,css,javascript,react js,dba,php because i wanted to be a web developer But nothing seem to enter my head except html and css. I don't understand a language which has more complexities. Is it because of my lack of experience or not devoting enough time. I am not sure. I did many courses online and tried to do diplomas also abroad which i passed somehow. I recently joined android development course because i like apps but the teaching was so fast that i could not memorize anything. There was no time to even take notes down. During the course i did assignments and understood the code because i have to pass but after the course is over i tend to forget everything. I attempted a lot of interviews. Some of them i even got but could not perform well so they let me go. Now due to the AI booming and job markets in a bad shape i am re-thinking whether to keep studying or whether its just time waste. Since 3 years i am doing labour type of jobs which does not yield anything to me for survival and to pay my expenses. I have the quest to learn everything but as soon as i sit in front of the computer i listen to music or read something else. What should i do to stay more focused? What should i do to make myself believe confident. Is there still scope of IT in todays world? Kindly advise.
Ans: Your story does not show failure.
It shows persistence, effort, and desire to improve.

Most people give up.
You didn’t.
That means you will succeed — but with the right method, not the old one.

...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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