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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |4329 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 04, 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
Devendra Question by Devendra on Jun 25, 2024Hindi
Money

Sir , iam 29 year old male currently earning 20 lakh per annum , nexr year my promotion is due and post that it will be 48 lakh per annum . Promotion is fixed and due to operational reasons its happening next year . Till now i have no savings in whatever form it is Iam unmarried . I have a short term goal of buying a plot to construct house worth 2 cr along my brother who is having annual income of 50 lakh. Currently i stay with my parents in their house hence hardly any household expenses i have . There are currently no liabilities. I have an LIC policy for which i pay premium of1.3L annually and will return 55 L on maturity in 2040. Please guide me best option for investment to have a comfortablw corpus till i retire by the year 2040.

Ans: Great to hear about your promotion. Let’s dive into your financial planning and investment strategy.

Setting Financial Goals
You have a short-term goal of buying a plot worth Rs. 2 crore with your brother.

And a long-term goal of retiring comfortably by 2040.

These goals require disciplined planning and smart investments.

Assessing Your Current Situation
You currently earn Rs. 20 lakh per annum, which will increase to Rs. 48 lakh next year.

You have minimal household expenses since you live with your parents.

Your only financial commitment is the LIC policy with a premium of Rs. 1.3 lakh annually.

It's a good start, but you need a solid plan to achieve your goals.

Building an Emergency Fund
Before diving into investments, create an emergency fund.

Aim for 6-12 months of your current living expenses.

This ensures you can handle any unexpected expenses without disrupting your investment plan.

Investing in Mutual Funds
Mutual funds are a great way to grow your wealth over time.

They offer diversification, professional management, and the power of compounding.

Let's break down the types of mutual funds:

Equity Mutual Funds
These invest in stocks and have the potential for high returns.

Ideal for long-term goals like retirement.

Debt Mutual Funds
These invest in fixed-income instruments like bonds.

They offer stable returns with lower risk compared to equity funds.

Great for short-term goals and balancing your portfolio.

Hybrid Mutual Funds
These invest in a mix of equity and debt.

They offer a balance of risk and return.

Good for medium-term goals and reducing portfolio volatility.

The Power of Compounding
The longer you stay invested, the more your money grows due to compounding.

Starting early is crucial. Even small amounts can grow significantly over time.

Investment Strategy
Systematic Investment Plan (SIP)
Start with a SIP in equity mutual funds.

It's a disciplined way to invest regularly and benefit from market fluctuations.

Increasing SIP Amount
As your income increases, gradually increase your SIP amount.

This helps you reach your financial goals faster.

Diversifying Investments
Don’t put all your money in one type of investment.

Diversify across equity, debt, and hybrid funds to balance risk and return.

Active vs. Passive Funds
Actively Managed Funds
These funds have a fund manager making investment decisions.

They aim to outperform the market but come with higher fees.

Passively Managed Funds
These funds track a market index.

They have lower fees but may not outperform the market.

Given your situation, actively managed funds might be a better choice.

They offer potential for higher returns, which aligns with your goals.

Evaluating Risks
Every investment comes with risks.

Understand the risks associated with each type of mutual fund.

Equity funds are volatile but offer high returns.

Debt funds are stable but offer lower returns.

Hybrid funds balance risk and return.

Insurance and Investments
You have an LIC policy, which is good for insurance coverage.

However, investment-cum-insurance policies often offer lower returns.

Consider focusing more on pure investments for wealth growth.

Tax Planning
Tax-Saving Mutual Funds (ELSS)
ELSS funds offer tax benefits under Section 80C.

They have a lock-in period of 3 years and offer good returns.

Diversifying for Tax Efficiency
Diversify your investments to optimize tax benefits.

Consult a Certified Financial Planner for personalized tax planning.

Monitoring and Rebalancing
Regularly review your investment portfolio.

Rebalance it based on market conditions and your financial goals.

This ensures your investments stay aligned with your objectives.

Building Wealth for Retirement
Long-Term Equity Investments
Focus on equity mutual funds for long-term growth.

They have the potential to generate significant wealth over time.

Balancing with Debt Funds
As you approach retirement, gradually shift towards debt funds.

This reduces risk and ensures stable returns.

Planning for the Plot Purchase
You and your brother aim to buy a plot worth Rs. 2 crore.

Start saving and investing for this goal separately.

Consider short to medium-term debt funds for stability.

Final Insights
Your promotion and increased income provide a great opportunity.

Start with a disciplined investment plan focusing on mutual funds.

Diversify across equity, debt, and hybrid funds.

Leverage the power of compounding by starting early and increasing investments over time.

Monitor and rebalance your portfolio regularly.

With consistent effort and smart planning, you'll achieve your financial goals and retire comfortably by 2040.

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  |4329 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 29, 2023Hindi
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I am 60 years old. Will be retiring in 3 to 4 years. I have mediclaim for my family of Rs. 7.5 lakhs each. LIC policy Rs. 5 lakhs each. Each meaning husband and wife. I have funds of Rs. 40 lakhs to invest for 5 years. Kindly please advise. Currently invested Rs. 15 lakhs in equity. Need at least to create another Rs. 50 lakhs in 7 years.
Ans: Given your age and the nearing retirement, it's essential to prioritize capital preservation while aiming for moderate growth. Here are some considerations for investing your funds:

Diversification: Given the proximity to retirement, consider diversifying your investments across asset classes to manage risk. Allocate a portion of your funds to fixed-income instruments like bonds, fixed deposits, or debt mutual funds. This can provide stability and regular income.
Equity Allocation: While you have already invested Rs. 15 lakhs in equity, it's crucial to review your equity exposure considering your timeline to retirement. You may consider reallocating a portion of your equity investments to less volatile assets to protect your capital.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP): If you need regular income from your investments post-retirement, consider setting up a systematic withdrawal plan (SWP) from your mutual fund investments. This allows you to withdraw a fixed amount regularly while potentially benefiting from market returns.
Tax-Efficient Investments: Given your investment horizon, consider tax-efficient investment options like tax-free bonds or tax-saving fixed deposits to optimize your post-tax returns.
Professional Advice: It's advisable to consult with a certified financial planner who can assess your financial situation comprehensively and provide personalized advice based on your goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon. They can help you create a tailored investment plan that aligns with your objectives and ensures financial security during retirement.
Remember to regularly review your investment portfolio and adjust your strategy as needed, especially as you approach retirement. Prioritize capital preservation and steady income generation to meet your financial goals and enjoy a comfortable retirement.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |4329 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 10, 2024

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Sir, Myself 31 yr married and a working professional in Pvt sector with an emergency Corpus of 1,50,000 which would be okay for me till 4-6 months. I already have term insurance of 1 cr and health insurance for my family. I want to seek advice on investment. I have still not started any investment in stocks or MF. My financial goals are as below: Short term : 1. Car under 10 lac after 6 - 7 years 2. House (2bhk) in 10-12 years (i already stay at our parents own house so not in a hurry to purchase my own house) Long term : 1. Child education after 17 years with a Corpus of 20-25 lacs 2. Child marriage after 22 years with a Corpus of 25-30 lacs 3. Retirement after 25 years with a Corpus of 1 cr. My current salary is 50k in hand. Pls suggest.
Ans: Given your financial goals and current situation, it's great to see that you've already established an emergency corpus and have adequate insurance coverage. Now, let's focus on your investment strategy to achieve your goals.

For your short-term goals like buying a car and a house, which are 6-12 years away, consider investing in a mix of equity and debt instruments. Equity mutual funds can provide the potential for higher returns over the long term, which aligns well with your time horizon. Debt instruments like fixed deposits or debt mutual funds can offer stability for your shorter-term goals.

For your long-term goals, such as your child's education, marriage, and your retirement, you can afford to take more risk and invest primarily in equity mutual funds. These investments have the potential to generate higher returns over a longer period, helping you build the required corpus.

Since you're new to investing in stocks or mutual funds, it's advisable to start with systematic investment plans (SIPs). SIPs allow you to invest regularly in mutual funds, helping you benefit from rupee-cost averaging and reducing the impact of market volatility.

Considering your current salary of 50k in hand, assess your monthly surplus after meeting your expenses and allocate a portion towards SIPs for each of your goals. A Certified Financial Planner can assist you in creating a customized investment plan tailored to your goals, risk tolerance, and financial situation.

Remember to review your investments periodically and make adjustments as needed to stay on track towards achieving your financial goals. With discipline and patience, you can build a solid foundation for your future financial security.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |4329 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 18, 2024

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Hello sir, Myself Prakash, age 31. I am a salaried person (married) working in private sector and my in hand salary is 50k. I have joint bank loan of 33L for 20 years for our house jointly by three of us (brothers) in which I am paying 9-9.5k per month (4 yrs already passed). My monthly expenses are approx 35k. I have a Emergency Corpus of 1.5L. I have a term insurance policy of 1 cr with a premium of 1.7k to be paid till 2032. I have health insurance also for my family with premium of 1.5k We also have covered our parents in separate health policy of premium 40-42k per year split equally between three of us. Pls suggest investment for my below mentioned goals. A. Short term goal 1. Small Car after 6 yrs of approx 7-8L 2. Own house after 15 years of approx 35-40L B. Long term goal 1. Child education fund after 17 yrs of 15L 2. Child marriage fund after 24 yrs of 25 L 3. Retirement fund after 24 yrs which would give me monthly 50k. Pls advise.
Ans: Dear Prakash,

It's great to see your proactive approach towards financial planning, especially with such diverse goals. Let's outline a comprehensive investment strategy to help you achieve your short and long-term objectives.

Your dedication to securing your family's future through meticulous financial planning is truly commendable and sets a strong example for responsible wealth management.

Short-Term Goals
Small Car Purchase (6 Years):
Savings Approach:
Allocate a portion of your monthly savings towards a dedicated fund for the small car purchase. Aim to save at least 7-8 lakhs over the next 6 years.
Own House (15 Years):
Investment Strategy:
Consider long-term investment options such as mutual funds or Public Provident Fund (PPF) to accumulate the required down payment for your future house. Aim for a corpus of 35-40 lakhs in 15 years.
Long-Term Goals
Child Education Fund (17 Years):
Systematic Investment Plan (SIP):
Start a SIP in equity mutual funds or balanced funds to build a corpus of 15 lakhs for your child's education over the next 17 years. Opt for a diversified portfolio to manage risk.
Child Marriage Fund (24 Years):
Strategic Investing:
Begin investing in equity-oriented instruments or a combination of equity and debt to accumulate 25 lakhs for your child's marriage expenses over 24 years. Review and adjust your investment portfolio periodically.
Retirement Fund (24 Years):
Retirement Planning:
To generate a monthly income of 50,000 post-retirement, focus on building a substantial retirement corpus through a mix of equity, debt, and other income-generating assets.
Diversified Portfolio:
Invest systematically in retirement-oriented mutual funds, National Pension System (NPS), and other retirement-focused investment avenues. Ensure a balanced allocation to minimize risk and maximize returns.
Risk Management and Insurance
Term Insurance:

Your existing term insurance coverage of 1 crore provides essential financial protection for your family. Continue paying premiums regularly to maintain coverage.
Health Insurance:

Maintain your health insurance coverage for your family and parents to safeguard against unforeseen medical expenses. Consider reviewing your policy periodically to ensure adequate coverage.
Conclusion
By adopting a disciplined approach to saving and investing, you can effectively achieve your short and long-term financial goals. Remember to periodically reassess your financial plan and make necessary adjustments to stay on track.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

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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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