Im a 42 year old single parent. I have 2 home loan emi of 60k(35 lakh remaining to pay) and 40k(2 lakh remaining to pay) currently. I have about 32 lakh invested in stocks and 10 lakhs in mutual funds. My monthly income is 2.5lakh. I wanted to know if buying a higher value property would be a good idea at this time? I'm planning to sell off one of 2 existing property but not immediately. What is a safe amount I should pay in EMIs? in order to keep something for investing for my child's future education + occassional travel plans

Ans: You are doing well as a single parent. Managing EMIs, savings, and a child’s future alone is a big task. You are already making smart choices. Let’s now analyse your situation with a 360-degree approach.

We will go point-by-point to assess your options and give clarity on your plan.

Understanding Your Current Financial Snapshot
You are 42 years old and a single parent.

Your monthly income is Rs 2.5 lakh. That gives you a strong cash flow.

You have two home loan EMIs. One EMI is Rs 60K, loan outstanding is Rs 35 lakh.

Another EMI is Rs 40K, loan outstanding is Rs 2 lakh. This loan will close soon.

You have investments worth Rs 32 lakh in stocks and Rs 10 lakh in mutual funds.

You are planning to sell one property later, not now.

You are thinking of buying a higher-value property.

You want to know the safe EMI amount to leave room for investing for your child and travel.

First Let’s Review Your Current EMI Outflows
Your total EMI outflow is Rs 1 lakh per month.

After closing the Rs 2 lakh loan, your EMI will drop by Rs 40K.

You will be left with only Rs 60K EMI, which is manageable.

Your EMI-to-income ratio now is 40%. This is on the higher side.

Once the second loan is cleared, the ratio comes down to 24%. Much better.

Ideally, EMI should not exceed 30% of your monthly income.

Evaluating the Plan to Buy a Higher Value Property
Buying a higher-value property now may stretch your finances.

You already have two properties. One will be sold later.

Your stock and mutual fund portfolio is sizeable. That is a good sign.

However, committing to another large EMI now may limit flexibility.

You also need to keep room for your child’s future.

Education, college, or overseas education may need large funds.

If you increase EMI now, you will need to cut investments.

That is not ideal, especially at this life stage.

Disadvantages of Real Estate as a Financial Move Now
Real estate has low liquidity. You cannot access money quickly in emergencies.

Selling property takes time. Also, buyer demand is uncertain.

Maintenance costs, taxes, and documentation are ongoing burdens.

Capital appreciation is slow. Returns may not match mutual fund growth.

You may face emotional and legal issues while selling later.

As a Certified Financial Planner, I don’t suggest real estate now.

You already own two properties. That gives enough exposure.

Ideal EMI You Should Be Comfortable With
Your monthly income is Rs 2.5 lakh.

Maximum EMI should be 25% to 30% of monthly income.

That means, safe EMI should be Rs 60K to Rs 75K.

This keeps space for lifestyle, investing, and emergencies.

Since you already pay Rs 60K, avoid increasing it beyond Rs 75K.

If you buy a higher-value property, EMI may exceed Rs 1 lakh again.

That will squeeze investment for your child’s education.

Let Us Focus on Your Child’s Future Goals
This should be your top priority now.

If your child is in school, you have around 6 to 10 years for college.

Education, especially abroad, may need Rs 30 lakh to Rs 60 lakh.

You must start structured SIPs now to build this.

Don’t delay this by locking money in real estate.

Create goal-based mutual fund portfolios.

Invest in actively managed equity funds through a Certified Financial Planner.

Why You Should Not Invest in Index Funds or Direct Plans
Index funds are passive. They copy an index and cannot beat it.

Actively managed funds have expert managers to beat market returns.

You get better results when a CFP monitors and rebalances your plan.

Also, if you invest in direct funds, there’s no guidance or monitoring.

Many investors in direct funds panic during market falls.

With regular plans through MFD and CFP, you get emotional support.

You stay disciplined and goal-focused.

Suggested Structure for Your Investments Now
Let us plan from a 360-degree view.

1. Emergency Fund

Keep 6 months of expenses in liquid mutual funds or savings.

This is important for a single parent.

Don’t touch this for EMI or travel.

2. Child’s Education

Start a long-term SIP right away.

Based on age, target corpus, and time left.

Your current MF investment is Rs 10 lakh. Grow this for child’s needs.

3. Retirement Plan

Don’t delay this goal.

Your current age is 42. Start a dedicated SIP for retirement.

Minimum 20 years left to retire. Use this time well.

4. Occasional Travel

For travel, create a separate short-term fund.

Invest in ultra-short-duration mutual funds.

Do not use credit cards or break investments.

When Should You Sell One Property?
You said you plan to sell one property. Timing is key.

Wait until loan is cleared and market is favourable.

Use part of proceeds to prepay existing home loan.

Use balance to invest in mutual funds for child and retirement.

Do not use entire amount to buy another high-value property.

Keep your financial flexibility intact.

Should You Close the Rs 2 Lakh Loan Now?
This loan is small and almost over.

You may prepay it now if there’s no penalty.

That will reduce EMI burden and improve monthly savings.

Other Points You Must Review
Life Insurance

Buy a pure term insurance of at least Rs 1 crore.

Single parents must protect child’s future.

Avoid ULIPs or investment-linked policies.

Health Insurance

Take minimum Rs 10 lakh health cover for you and child.

Add critical illness cover if possible.

Don’t rely only on employer-provided policy.

Travel Planning and Lifestyle Budget
Allocate a fixed monthly amount for travel savings.

Build a travel fund slowly over the year.

Use this fund only for planned vacations.

Don’t mix travel and child’s education fund.

Behavioural and Emotional Decisions to Watch Out
Property gives emotional comfort. But it limits flexibility.

Mutual funds give freedom and growth.

Don’t buy property just for prestige or fear of rent.

Focus on child’s safety and your own retirement.

Finally
Your current EMI outgo is high. Limit it to max Rs 75K per month.

Avoid buying a higher-value property now.

First clear existing loan and focus on child’s goals.

Build mutual fund portfolio with goal-based SIPs.

Don’t invest in index funds or direct funds. Choose regular funds with CFP guidance.

Sell one existing property later. Use that to prepay loan and invest wisely.

Keep emergency fund, life insurance, and health cover in place.

Set separate budgets for travel and education.

Don’t stretch finances just to add another property.

With current income and discipline, your goals are achievable.

Stay consistent, review every year with a Certified Financial Planner.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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