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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7838 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 11, 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 - Apr 11, 2024Hindi
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Sir. Im 35 yrs old with 2 kids aged 3 and 10 months respectively. I have 3 lakhs in MF and 4.5 lakhs in ppf. 5 lakhs FD. Started MF SIP in my kids names each 5k. Where else should I invest ?

Ans: Considering your age and financial goals, you may want to consider diversifying your investments further. Here are some options to consider:

Equity Mutual Funds: Since you have already started SIPs in your kids' names, you could continue investing in diversified equity mutual funds for potential long-term growth. These funds offer exposure to stocks across various sectors and market capitalizations.

Debt Mutual Funds: To balance your portfolio and reduce overall risk, consider investing in debt mutual funds. These funds primarily invest in fixed-income securities such as government bonds, corporate bonds, and money market instruments. They offer relatively stable returns compared to equity funds.

Child Education Planning: Since your children are young, you may want to start planning for their education expenses. Consider setting up separate investment accounts or education funds specifically designated for their future educational needs.

Term Insurance: As a parent, it's essential to ensure financial protection for your family in case of unforeseen events. Consider purchasing a term insurance policy to provide financial security to your dependents in the event of your untimely demise.

Emergency Fund: Build an emergency fund equivalent to at least 6-12 months of your household expenses. This fund should be easily accessible and kept in liquid assets such as savings accounts or liquid mutual funds to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies.

Retirement Planning: Start planning for your retirement by investing in retirement-focused instruments such as the National Pension System (NPS), Public Provident Fund (PPF), or Employee Provident Fund (EPF). These instruments offer tax benefits and help in building a corpus for your post-retirement years.

It's essential to assess your risk tolerance, investment objectives, and time horizon before making any investment decisions. Consider consulting with a financial advisor to develop a customized investment plan tailored to your specific needs and goals.
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  |7838 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 20, 2024

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Sir I am 34 year old My 02 Child what Iam Mutual fund start the SIP monthly/Qutraily pay then u give me advice what type start of investment for next 15 year
Ans: Starting Mutual Fund SIPs for Your Children's Future
It's wonderful that you're considering investing for your children's future at such a young age. Let's explore suitable investment options for the next 15 years.

Understanding Your Goals
Genuine Compliments: Your proactive approach towards securing your children's future through mutual fund investments is commendable.

Empathy and Understanding: I understand the importance of providing financial stability and opportunities for your children's growth and development.

Selecting Mutual Fund SIPs
Long-Term Horizon: With a 15-year investment horizon, you have the advantage of harnessing the power of compounding to grow your investments.

Diversification: Investing across different mutual fund categories such as equity, debt, and balanced funds can help spread risk and optimize returns.

Disadvantages of Direct Funds: Direct funds require active management and may not be suitable for all investors, especially those lacking time or expertise.

Benefits of Regular Funds Investing through MFD with CFP Credential: Investing through Mutual Fund Distributors (MFD) with Certified Financial Planner (CFP) credentials provides personalized guidance and ongoing portfolio management.

Tailoring Investment Strategy
Equity Funds: Allocate a significant portion of your SIPs to equity funds for long-term capital appreciation, albeit with higher volatility.
Debt Funds: Consider debt funds for stability and regular income, particularly as your children approach higher education or other milestones.
Balanced Funds: Opt for balanced funds to enjoy the benefits of both equity and debt exposure, suitable for a moderate risk appetite.
Review and Adjustments
Periodic Review: Regularly review your investment portfolio to ensure it remains aligned with your children's goals and your risk tolerance.
Adjust as Needed: Make adjustments to your SIPs based on changes in market conditions, investment performance, and evolving financial goals.
Conclusion
By starting mutual fund SIPs for your children's future and working with a Certified Financial Planner, you can build a robust investment portfolio that helps secure their financial well-being over the next 15 years.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7838 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 11, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 10, 2025Hindi
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I am 40 years old with net savings of 3k monthly. U haven’t invested in any MF or shares till date. My daughter will turn 6 next month. I want to safeguard her future studies and teenage. I have corpus savings of 1 lakh. Where to invest
Ans: Current Financial Snapshot
Age: 40 years.
Monthly Savings: Rs. 3,000.
Corpus Savings: Rs. 1 lakh.
Daughter’s Age: 6 years next month.
Goal: Secure funds for her studies and teenage needs.
Your current savings habit is commendable. Regular investments can grow into a solid corpus.

Step 1: Define Clear Financial Goals
1. Education Costs

Focus on accumulating funds for her higher education.
Estimate the cost for undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
2. Teenage Needs

Plan for school expenses and extracurricular activities.
Allocate funds separately for these milestones.
3. Emergency Fund

Maintain Rs. 50,000 as an emergency fund.
This ensures liquidity for unexpected situations.
Step 2: Start Investing Systematically
Use a Balanced Investment Approach
1. Equity Mutual Funds

Allocate 50% of your Rs. 1 lakh corpus (Rs. 50,000).
Invest monthly Rs. 2,000 into actively managed diversified funds.
Choose large-cap, multi-cap, and hybrid funds for stability.
Advantages of Actively Managed Funds

Professional fund managers aim for higher returns.
These funds adapt to market conditions.
Investing through a Certified Financial Planner ensures expert guidance.
Avoid Direct Funds

Direct funds lack personalised advice.
Regular funds give better support through a Certified Financial Planner.
2. Debt Mutual Funds

Allocate 30% of your corpus (Rs. 30,000).
Choose short-duration or corporate bond funds.
These funds provide safety and predictable returns.
3. Balanced Funds

Invest Rs. 20,000 from the corpus into balanced or hybrid funds.
These funds combine equity growth with debt stability.
Step 3: Leverage Government Schemes
1. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)

Open an SSY account for your daughter.
Invest Rs. 1,000 monthly for long-term, tax-free returns.
The scheme ensures her financial security.
2. Public Provident Fund (PPF)

Allocate Rs. 1,000 monthly to PPF for steady, risk-free growth.
Use it for your daughter’s education when needed.
Step 4: Build a Long-Term Plan
1. Increase Monthly Savings

Gradually increase savings to Rs. 5,000 or more.
Allocate additional income to investments.
2. Diversify Investment Portfolio

Add gold mutual funds later for diversification.
Gold offers protection against market volatility.
3. Review Investment Progress Regularly

Review portfolio performance every six months.
Adjust funds based on market conditions and goals.
Step 5: Avoid Common Pitfalls
1. Avoid Real Estate Investments

Real estate is illiquid and requires high capital.
It doesn’t align with your immediate goals.
2. Don’t Depend Solely on Fixed Deposits

Fixed deposits have limited returns.
Mutual funds can outperform fixed deposits over the long term.
3. Avoid High-Cost Insurance Policies

Skip ULIPs or endowment plans with low returns and high charges.
Choose term insurance for life coverage and invest the rest.
Step 6: Secure Adequate Health and Life Cover
1. Health Insurance

Ensure health insurance for your family.
Coverage should include yourself, your spouse, and your daughter.
2. Term Life Insurance

Get term insurance with coverage 15-20 times your annual income.
This secures your daughter’s future in case of unforeseen events.
Final Insights
Your steady savings habit is a great start.

Investing Rs. 1 lakh and Rs. 3,000 monthly can meet your daughter’s needs.

Use equity funds for growth and government schemes for safety.

Review progress regularly with a Certified Financial Planner.

This disciplined approach ensures a bright future for your daughter.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

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Mayank Chandel  |1994 Answers  |Ask -

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7838 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Feb 05, 2025

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Hello Sir, this is Dhiraj DM, I am 48 year's old married with no kids, we have any flat worth 1. 5 cr given on rent around 50 lakhs of equity 20 lacs mutual funds we want to retire in next 3 years,please guide. We live in a metro no liability, we r into Gifting business now want to retire in next 3 years
Ans: Your retirement is just three years away. You have built a strong foundation with real estate, equity, and mutual funds. Now, the goal is to structure your investments for steady income, security, and long-term sustainability.

1. Assessing Your Current Financial Position
Flat Worth Rs. 1.5 Crore: This generates rental income, but liquidity is limited.
Equity Portfolio of Rs. 50 Lakh: Market-linked investments with potential for high returns but volatile.
Mutual Funds of Rs. 20 Lakh: Offers diversification and moderate risk exposure.
No Liabilities: This is a strong advantage for financial freedom.
Gifting Business: If planning to exit, ensure business-related finances are sorted before retirement.
2. Estimating Post-Retirement Income Needs
Calculate expected monthly expenses, including medical, travel, lifestyle, and emergency costs.
Factor in inflation, as expenses will rise over time.
Consider long-term costs such as medical care and home maintenance.
3. Structuring Retirement Income
Rental Income as a Fixed Source
Your flat generates rental income, which helps with stability.
Consider reinvesting this income for further growth.
Portfolio Rebalancing for Stability
Equity exposure is beneficial but risky close to retirement.
Shift some funds to low-risk instruments for safety.
Keep some allocation to equity to combat inflation.
Maintaining Liquidity for Emergencies
Create an emergency fund of at least 2 years' expenses in liquid assets.
Avoid relying solely on investments that require selling in volatile markets.
4. Health and Insurance Planning
Ensure comprehensive health insurance for both of you, at least Rs. 15-20 lakh coverage.
If you hold any old insurance policies with low returns, consider restructuring them.
Create a separate healthcare fund for long-term medical expenses.
5. Tax Efficiency in Retirement
Structure withdrawals smartly to reduce tax burden on capital gains.
Use tax-free instruments where applicable.
Rental income is taxable, so deduct maintenance expenses to lower tax outgo.
6. Planning Investments for Retirement Income
Avoid complete reliance on fixed-income instruments, as they may not beat inflation.
A mix of mutual funds, debt instruments, and systematic withdrawal plans (SWP) will ensure steady cash flow.
Keep some investments growth-oriented to sustain wealth over decades.
7. Estate and Legacy Planning
Prepare a clear will to ensure smooth asset transfer.
If you plan to donate or support causes, structure funds accordingly.
Finally
Ensure liquidity and stability in your investments.
Reduce risk in equity but keep exposure for growth.
Maintain a dedicated healthcare fund and strong insurance coverage.
Structure investments to minimise taxes and ensure steady income.
Plan legacy and succession to avoid future complications.
Would you like a detailed plan on how to allocate your investments for steady retirement income?

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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