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My 1.1L income vs 43L loan: How can I move forward?

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 03, 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 - May 14, 2025Hindi
Money

Hi Sir, Im for your suggestion on financial. I have home loan of 43 lakhs with emi 50k and rest of tenure is 150 months and have investment in equity market 4 lakhs and savings gurantee insurance for 6 lakhs. Could you suggest how can i move forward and monthly income is 110000

Ans: Income and EMI Assessment

You are earning Rs. 1,10,000 per month.



Your EMI is Rs. 50,000, which is nearly 45% of income.



Ideally, EMIs should not go beyond 35-40% of income.



You are close to the upper safe limit.



This restricts your ability to invest for long-term goals.



Still, some financial space is available.



Careful planning will help use this balance wisely.



We will structure everything based on this constraint.



Let’s now look at the rest of your finances.



Equity Market Investment Review

You have Rs. 4 lakhs in equity market.



It is not clear if this is in direct stocks or mutual funds.



Direct equity involves higher risk and skill.



Returns are uncertain and need active tracking.



Mutual funds give diversification and expert handling.



Equity funds are more stable than direct shares.



If this is direct equity, slowly shift to good mutual funds.



Focus on long-term active mutual fund schemes.



Avoid index funds due to passive strategy.



Index funds don’t protect against downside.



Active funds can manage risk during volatile markets.



Always invest via Certified Financial Planner with MFD support.



They guide with proper fund selection and review.



Regular plan is better than direct plan for most investors.



Regular plan gives access to CFP service and better tracking.



Don’t invest blindly in direct funds through online portals.



Direct funds miss out on ongoing expert guidance.



It can lead to wrong fund mix and poor returns.



So move from direct stocks or direct funds to regular mutual funds.



Savings Guarantee Insurance Policy Review

You have Rs. 6 lakhs in savings guarantee insurance.



This is likely a traditional insurance plan.



These plans mix insurance with investment.



They give poor returns around 4-5% per year.



There is no inflation beating potential.



You lose on long-term wealth creation.



These are illiquid and have long lock-ins.



If this is not for insurance need, better to surrender.



Redeploy the money in mutual funds for better growth.



If policy is old, check surrender value before exiting.



Evaluate cost vs benefit with help of Certified Financial Planner.



Going forward, keep insurance and investment separate.



Use term insurance for protection needs.



Use mutual funds for wealth building.



This is a simple and better structure.



Current Surplus and Potential

After EMI of Rs. 50,000, you are left with Rs. 60,000.



Of this, at least Rs. 20,000-25,000 can be invested.



Rs. 10,000 can be set aside for emergency fund.



Rs. 5,000-8,000 should go to insurance premium.



Rs. 20,000 can go to SIP in mutual funds.



Do not increase SIPs without emergency fund.



Slowly build Rs. 3 lakhs as emergency reserve.



Keep this amount in liquid mutual funds.



Do not mix this with other goals.



Once this is done, increase SIPs further.



Debt and Loan Management

You have 150 months of EMI left.



You can try to reduce loan tenure.



Part-pay loan every year using annual bonus.



Reduce principal slowly to save interest.



Don’t use mutual funds to prepay unless needed.



Keep loan healthy but focus on investing parallelly.



Aim to finish loan by 50 years of age.



After that focus more on retirement corpus.



Insurance and Risk Coverage

You haven’t mentioned life or health insurance.



First get term life insurance of at least Rs. 1 crore.



Buy a health insurance policy of Rs. 10-15 lakhs.



Don't rely on employer policy alone.



This gives protection to your family and savings.



Don’t delay this step as risk coverage is crucial.



Premiums are lower if taken early.



Do not buy savings-cum-insurance products.



Keep term and health covers as separate plans.



Retirement Planning View

You are 41 now.



Retirement goal should be top priority.



You have 15-18 years before retirement.



Invest monthly Rs. 15,000-20,000 in equity funds.



Focus on a mix of large-cap and flexi-cap funds.



Keep SIPs for long term and don’t stop mid-way.



Don’t worry about short-term returns or market fall.



Long-term investing gives compounding benefit.



Review the portfolio once a year with a CFP.



This will keep plan on track with changing needs.



Other Financial Goals

If you have children, plan for education goal separately.



Estimate cost in today’s value and plan SIPs.



Use goal-based mutual fund SIPs.



Don’t invest in gold or real estate for goals.



Real estate is illiquid and hard to exit.



Instead, focus on liquid and growth assets.



Track every goal with different SIPs.



Tag each SIP for clarity and monitoring.



Tax Planning and Filing

Use PPF and ELSS funds for tax benefit.



PPF can be used for debt portion of portfolio.



ELSS gives section 80C benefit and long-term growth.



Track capital gains from equity funds for taxes.



New rule taxes LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh at 12.5%.



STCG is taxed at 20% now.



Keep records of each sale for filing purposes.



Take help from tax expert or CFP for return filing.



Review and Monitoring

Personal finance is not a one-time event.



Review investments every 6 months.



Track loan balance and plan part-prepayments.



Rebalance mutual funds once a year.



Check asset allocation stays on track.



Take help from Certified Financial Planner for ongoing support.



Don’t use too many apps or platforms.



Simplicity and discipline bring results over time.



Finally

Your current financial base is decent.



Some key areas like insurance need action.



Move from poor instruments like savings insurance.



Use mutual funds via MFD with CFP guidance.



Avoid index funds and direct investments.



Build emergency fund as a top step.



Protect your family with right insurance.



Invest smartly and slowly increase SIPs.



Make sure every rupee has a clear goal.



Follow a structure and be patient.



Financial freedom is possible with right strategy.



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.
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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 29, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - May 25, 2025
Money
Sir I just purchased a home and loan started from May 2025 Total Loan 4959000/- and given tenure is 30 years. I have a car loan monthly emi is 12985/-, 2 years remaining. One persoal loan 4000/- per month, 86k remaining. Term insurance per month 2800/- Lic total yearly 45k Monthly sending money to home 15k Grossery travel and all other expenses- 41k I have a few fixed deposit 10lakhs, 7 lakhs and 3 lakhs. Mitual fund every month 7k investment going on. Sofar 1.8 lakhs is there PF till now I have around 2.5 lakhs. Salary 1.47 lakhs per month. I want to repay my homloan as soon as possible and want to invest more as well as want to keep emergency fund. Please help me.
Ans: You have taken some good financial steps already. You have a stable income, some good savings in fixed deposits, and you are aware of your expenses. This clarity will help us plan better.

Let us now work on how to:

Repay your home loan early

Keep emergency funds ready

Increase investments wisely

Improve your financial stability

Let us go step by step.

1. Your Current Financial Snapshot
Monthly Income: Rs. 1,47,000

Monthly Outgo:

Car Loan EMI: Rs. 12,985

Personal Loan EMI: Rs. 4,000

Term Insurance Premium: Rs. 2,800

LIC Premium (Yearly Rs. 45,000): Rs. 3,750

Home Support to Parents: Rs. 15,000

Household Expenses: Rs. 41,000

Mutual Fund SIP: Rs. 7,000

Total Monthly Outgo: Around Rs. 86,535

Monthly Surplus: Around Rs. 60,465

Home Loan: Rs. 49,59,000 – started May 2025 – Tenure: 30 years

Car Loan EMI: Rs. 12,985 – 2 years left

Personal Loan Balance: Rs. 86,000 – Rs. 4,000/month

Fixed Deposits: Rs. 10 lakh + Rs. 7 lakh + Rs. 3 lakh = Rs. 20 lakhs

Mutual Funds: Rs. 1.8 lakhs

Provident Fund: Rs. 2.5 lakhs

2. Emergency Fund Creation
You must keep 6 months of expenses aside as emergency fund.

Your monthly fixed expenses: approx Rs. 86,000

Emergency fund required: Around Rs. 5 to 5.5 lakhs

Keep this in a separate savings account or a liquid mutual fund.

Use Rs. 5 lakhs from your Rs. 20 lakhs FD for this purpose.

This emergency fund is not for investment. Use only in real emergency.

3. Settle Short-Term Loans First
Personal Loan:

Outstanding is Rs. 86,000 only

Use Rs. 86,000 from your FDs and close it immediately

You save interest and reduce one EMI immediately

This gives instant relief to your cash flow

Car Loan:

Two years of EMIs left at Rs. 12,985/month

If interest rate is above 10%, prepay some amount after personal loan closure

Use Rs. 2 lakhs from FD if affordable

Even partial prepayment helps save future interest

4. Home Loan Repayment Strategy
Home loan is large – Rs. 49.59 lakhs – tenure 30 years

Long tenure means huge interest burden over time

Try to reduce the tenure, not just EMI

Use part of your monthly surplus (Rs. 60,000 approx) for prepayment

Even Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 10,000 extra every month can cut tenure by years

Use Rs. 5 lakhs to Rs. 7 lakhs from your FD for lump sum prepayment

This reduces interest cost significantly

Aim to close loan in 15 to 18 years instead of 30

Keep a buffer from FD aside for any future cash flow gap

5. Increase Investments Gradually
After setting aside Rs. 5 lakhs for emergency

After paying Rs. 86,000 personal loan

You will still have approx Rs. 14 lakhs FD left

Invest Rs. 5 lakhs into mutual funds in phased manner

Do not invest full amount in one shot

Start STP (Systematic Transfer Plan) from liquid fund to equity fund

Continue your existing Rs. 7,000 SIP

Increase SIP by Rs. 2,000 every 6 months as your surplus grows

Long-term mutual fund investing can create wealth

Use only regular plans and invest through an experienced MFD with CFP certification

Avoid direct plans – no guidance, no review, no support during market fall

6. Review LIC Policies
LIC Premium: Rs. 45,000 yearly

If this includes traditional policies or ULIPs, they usually give low return

If it is not a pure term plan, consider surrendering

Reinvest the amount in mutual funds for better return

Check surrender value before taking decision

Keep your term plan running, it is needed for family security

7. Use Mutual Funds More Effectively
Your current SIP is Rs. 7,000

Your total mutual fund corpus is Rs. 1.8 lakhs

Mutual funds are more tax efficient and better for wealth creation

Use only actively managed funds through MFD with CFP guidance

Avoid index funds – they copy the market, cannot beat inflation consistently

Active funds are better for goals like home loan closure and retirement corpus

8. Provident Fund – Let It Grow
You have Rs. 2.5 lakhs in PF

Do not touch it now

Let it grow with interest over years

It is your long-term retirement safety net

9. Tax Planning Tips
Home loan interest: Use Section 24 up to Rs. 2 lakhs for tax deduction

Principal repaid: Eligible under Section 80C along with LIC and PF

Use ELSS mutual funds to claim extra benefit under Section 80C if needed

Avoid buying tax-saving schemes that give low returns

10. Protect Your Health and Family
You already have term insurance of Rs. 1 crore

That is a good base, review every 5 years

If you do not have health insurance, take personal health cover

Rs. 5 lakhs cover for yourself and family is minimum

11. Monthly Plan from Now
After closing personal loan, you get Rs. 4,000 extra

You can use it for SIP or loan prepayment

Gradually aim to:

Invest Rs. 20,000/month in mutual funds

Prepay Rs. 10,000/month towards home loan

Keep Rs. 30,000/month as flexible for other goals or savings

Maintain discipline for 5 years and you will see massive progress

12. Review Your Plan Every 6 Months
Track your expenses regularly

Monitor your SIP performance once in 6 months

Prepay home loan annually with any bonus or surplus

Review insurance and revisit all policies every 2 years

13. Financial Priorities Summary
Close personal loan immediately from FD

Keep Rs. 5 lakhs aside as emergency

Prepay Rs. 2 lakhs towards car loan from FD

Start prepaying Rs. 10,000/month home loan

Start STP of Rs. 5 lakhs into mutual fund

Increase SIP gradually every 6 months

Surrender LIC endowment or ULIP if any and reinvest wisely

Continue with PF and avoid withdrawals

Final Insights
With a steady income and no major liabilities, your position is strong.

Use your surplus wisely between loan prepayment and mutual fund investments.

Start by eliminating short-term loans for mental peace.

Then gradually reduce your home loan burden over the years.

Let your mutual fund portfolio grow systematically with market discipline.

Avoid direct plans, index funds, or any product without guidance.

Use the help of an experienced MFD guided by a Certified Financial Planner.

You will be on track for financial freedom and debt-free living before retirement.

Discipline is more important than timing in wealth creation.

Keep a simple plan and review it every 6 months.

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 27, 2025

Money
Sir I am govt servant having income around 1 .2 lakh IN HAND AROUND RS 90000/- from which 30000 home loan emi PL 4000 EMI CREDIT CARD amount minimum due 5000 monthly around , LIC for son emi 2100 , health insurance 10 lakh NO LIQUID FUNDS AS BUILT HOME , lots of things in home are still pending . Please suggest some financial advice . Regards
Ans: You are a responsible government employee. You are paying loans on time. You are also protecting your family with insurance. That shows sincerity and care for your loved ones. Your current phase is tight. But with a focused plan, you can recover and grow peacefully.

Now, let us work step-by-step. We will restructure your finances with clarity. This answer will cover all key areas. It will help you build strength in your money life.

Current Income and Obligations
Your monthly in-hand salary is around Rs. 90,000.

Let us look at your key monthly obligations:

Home Loan EMI: Rs. 30,000

Personal Loan EMI: Rs. 4,000

Credit Card Minimum Payment: Rs. 5,000

LIC Policy Premium (for son): Rs. 2,100

Health Insurance Premium: Already Paid (Rs. 10 lakh coverage)

So nearly Rs. 41,100 is going for loans and insurance monthly. That leaves Rs. 48,900 for other expenses.

This looks manageable. But due to home construction and pending purchases, cash stress has built up.

Let’s now look at each area and offer professional action points.

Step 1: Create a Zero-Based Monthly Budget
Start with a very simple budget. List your actual spending.

Write down every rupee spent. Include food, fuel, medicine, mobile, fees, utilities.

Do this:

Set Rs. 5000 aside for emergency savings. Start this every month. Even if small.

Limit monthly lifestyle spending to Rs. 25,000 maximum. Include all groceries, fuel, school, etc.

Leave Rs. 18,000–20,000 monthly for debt, dues, and future savings.

A Certified Financial Planner always starts with cash flow awareness. Without that, no progress happens.

Step 2: Handle Credit Card Payments First
Credit cards charge the highest interest. More than personal loans. Sometimes 36–42% annually.

If you pay only minimum due, your loan doubles fast.

Here is the action plan:

Stop using the credit card completely. Only use cash or debit card now.

Pay at least Rs. 10,000 or more monthly, not just Rs. 5,000.

If not possible, take a low interest loan and clear the card fully.

Avoid rolling over payments. Interest is compounding daily.

After clearing, never delay card payment again.

This step alone will reduce your stress by half in 6 months.

Step 3: Reduce Unwanted EMIs
Personal loans are often taken to manage temporary needs. But they affect future planning.

Follow this:

Personal Loan EMI of Rs. 4,000 is not heavy. If interest rate is high, refinance.

Try closing this loan within 12 months. Use any bonus or extra income.

Don’t take new loans to buy home items. Buy in parts. Go slow.

Your home is already built. Focus now on comfort, not speed.

Patience is also a financial strategy.

Step 4: Pause or Review Insurance Premium
You are paying Rs. 2,100 monthly for your son’s LIC policy.

Please check:

If it is endowment or child money-back plan, you can surrender.

These plans give very low return. Usually 4% or less.

After surrender, invest same money in mutual funds. Returns can be double.

Insurance should be pure term policy only.

Check surrender value. If it is more than paid premiums, take it. Then stop the policy.

This step will free up monthly money for better investments.

Step 5: Emergency Fund Must Be Built
You mentioned that liquid funds are not created yet.

This is risky. Any small emergency can break your budget.

Please do this:

Start keeping Rs. 5,000 monthly aside. Use recurring deposit or liquid fund.

Do this for next 12 months. Target Rs. 60,000 corpus.

Use this fund only for hospital, job loss, or urgent travel.

Don’t mix it with savings for expenses. Keep it separate.

This is your financial shield. Always keep it active.

Step 6: Basic Mutual Fund Investment Plan
Once your credit card and personal loan are reduced, you will have extra money monthly.

Here is what to do then:

Start SIP of Rs. 2,000–3,000 in a good flexi-cap mutual fund.

Choose regular plan through a mutual fund distributor with CFP credential.

Avoid direct plans. They look cheaper but offer no guidance or support.

Review SIP performance every year. Keep it running for 10+ years.

This will grow into your wealth fund. Use for your child’s education or your retirement.

You don’t need to invest in real estate again. Home already done.

Step 7: Term Life Insurance for You
This is very important. Your family depends on your income.

Please ensure:

You buy pure term insurance of Rs. 50 lakh minimum.

Premium will be low. Less than Rs. 800 per month.

Do not mix insurance with investment.

This will protect your family’s future if anything happens to you.

Do this before investing anywhere else.

Step 8: Protect Health Fully
You already have Rs. 10 lakh health insurance. This is good.

Check these:

Is it family floater or individual? Family floater is better.

Check for room rent limit. Choose no-cap plans if possible.

Ensure critical illness cover is added. Small top-up may help.

Even a small hospitalisation can wipe out savings. This step gives peace of mind.

Step 9: Buy Home Needs One By One
Your house is built. Some items are still pending. That is okay.

No need to finish everything this year.

Here is what a certified financial planner will suggest:

List all pending items. Prioritise based on need. Not comfort.

Allocate Rs. 5,000–10,000 monthly for one-time buying.

Don’t take EMIs or swipe card for furniture or electronics.

Consider second-hand or refurbished items if money is tight.

Avoid trying to make your home perfect in one go. Take small steps. You will reach there.

Step 10: Family and Children’s Planning
You are a responsible parent. Keep these two things in mind:

Your child’s education is more important than gifting or luxuries.

Avoid pressure of giving too much now. Build wealth slowly.

Involve spouse in budgeting and planning. Helps reduce stress.

Every parent wants the best. But best comes with long-term discipline, not fast spending.

Step 11: Track Everything on Paper
Use a simple notebook or Excel sheet.

Write down every expense.

Update monthly EMI payments.

Track savings and goals.

This improves your money awareness. You will feel more in control.

Financial peace starts with clarity.

Step 12: Stay Away from These Mistakes
Please avoid these common traps:

Don’t use credit card for regular monthly shopping. Use only in emergencies.

Don’t fall for chit funds, quick schemes, or unregulated apps.

Don’t borrow from friends or relatives unless urgent.

If in doubt, always ask a certified financial planner.

Finally
You are already doing many things right. You are paying EMIs. You are insured. You have built a home.

Now just follow this structure:

Clear credit card dues fast.

Create emergency fund slowly.

Review insurance policies. Remove bad ones.

Start small SIP in good mutual funds later.

Buy household items one-by-one. No extra loans.

By following this plan, you will build financial peace. It may take time, but it will surely come.

Stay consistent. Stay simple. That is the only real way to build wealth.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 03, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - May 28, 2025Hindi
Money
Sir I just purchased a home and loan started from May 2025 Total Loan 4959000/- and given tenure is 30 years. I have a car loan monthly emi is 12985/-, 2 years remaining. One persoal loan 4000/- per month, 86k remaining. Term insurance per month 2800/- Lic total yearly 45k Monthly sending money to home 15k Grossery travel and all other expenses- 41k I have a few fixed deposit 10lakhs, 7 lakhs and 3 lakhs. Mitual fund every month 7k investment going on. Sofar 1.8 lakhs is there PF till now I have around 2.5 lakhs. Salary 1.47 lakhs per month. I want to repay my homloan as soon as possible and want to invest more as well as want to keep emergency fund. Please help me.
Ans: You have shared openly about your income, expenses, loans, and investments.

That helps in offering clear and useful recommendations.

Below is a detailed 360-degree review and action plan.

Income and Cash Flow Overview

Monthly salary is Rs. 1.47 lakhs.

Current fixed monthly outflow is about Rs. 85,000.

This includes all EMIs, LIC premium, expenses, and family support.

You are saving Rs. 7,000 monthly in mutual funds.

Cash surplus is around Rs. 55,000 per month.

It is good that you are already investing and sending support home.

But the loans and long tenure need careful attention.

Loan Assessment and Prioritisation

Home loan: Rs. 49.59 lakhs, 30-year tenure.

EMI details not shared. We assume approx. Rs. 38,000–Rs. 40,000 EMI.

Car loan EMI: Rs. 12,985. Will end in 2 years.

Personal loan: Rs. 4,000 EMI with Rs. 86,000 balance. Low balance.

Home loan interest is usually lowest. So pay other loans first.

First, close the personal loan fully using existing FD.

Rs. 86,000 can be paid from the Rs. 3 lakh FD.

This will save interest and reduce EMI load.

Car loan has 2 years left. Consider closing in the next 6–9 months.

Don’t touch all your FDs at once. Emergency fund is important.

For home loan, don’t rush closure immediately.

Focus on building fund first and invest smartly.

Emergency Fund Planning

Ideal emergency fund: 6 to 9 months of expenses.

Your current fixed monthly cost is Rs. 85,000.

Emergency fund required is Rs. 5 lakhs to Rs. 7.5 lakhs.

From your existing FDs of Rs. 20 lakhs, keep Rs. 7.5 lakhs aside.

This fund should be kept in a separate bank account.

Use sweep-in FD or liquid mutual fund to earn returns.

Emergency fund gives peace of mind and avoids future debt.

Review of Existing Fixed Deposits

You hold FDs of Rs. 10 lakhs, Rs. 7 lakhs, and Rs. 3 lakhs.

Keep Rs. 7.5 lakhs as emergency fund as discussed.

Use Rs. 86,000 from Rs. 3 lakh FD to close personal loan.

Remaining approx. Rs. 12.5 lakhs can be reinvested.

FD interest is taxable. Returns are around 5–6% post tax.

Long-term wealth creation needs better options.

You can invest in mutual funds with a longer horizon.

Systematic Transfer Plan (STP) from liquid fund to equity is better.

Mutual Fund Strategy – Need to Scale Up

Monthly SIP is Rs. 7,000. Total corpus is not shared.

With Rs. 1.47 lakh income and Rs. 55,000 surplus, SIP can increase.

Step up SIP gradually to Rs. 20,000 over 6–12 months.

You may follow below breakup:

Rs. 8,000 in large cap

Rs. 4,000 in flexi cap

Rs. 4,000 in multi-cap

Rs. 4,000 in mid cap

Avoid small cap at this stage due to higher volatility.

Avoid index funds. They track the market but can’t beat it.

Index funds don’t have downside protection.

They lack active fund manager expertise.

Actively managed funds adjust to market cycles.

They reduce risk and enhance performance.

Direct mutual funds may appear cheaper but can be risky.

Without guidance, mistakes are common.

Choosing and rebalancing direct funds is not easy.

It is better to invest through a Certified Financial Planner.

Regular mutual funds via a CFP-managed MFD offer better handholding.

It ensures suitability, reviews, and adjustments as per your goals.

LIC and Insurance Coverage

You pay Rs. 2,800 per month for term insurance.

This is good. Continue this without any changes.

LIC premium of Rs. 45,000 yearly is a concern.

LIC traditional plans give low returns (4% to 5%).

Check if any of these are ULIP or Endowment plans.

Surrender them only if minimum years are over.

Reinvest that amount in mutual funds after careful analysis.

Insurance and investment must be kept separate.

Home Loan Strategy and Early Closure

Many feel early closure of home loan is best.

But this needs to be balanced with other goals.

Your home loan interest is likely lowest among all debts.

Instead of full prepayment now, start a separate fund.

Create a “Home Loan Prepayment Fund”.

Invest Rs. 20,000 monthly into a balanced fund.

After 3–4 years, use the amount to part pay the loan.

This gives better returns than FD or loan prepayment now.

Don’t compromise emergency fund or investment for EMI savings.

Regular part payments every 1–2 years help reduce tenure.

This gives both flexibility and tax benefits.

Provident Fund and Retirement

PF corpus is Rs. 2.5 lakhs.

Continue your monthly contributions.

Do not withdraw PF even during financial pressure.

Let this grow for retirement.

It offers safe, long-term and tax-free returns.

Support to Family and Monthly Expenses

Rs. 15,000 sent home monthly. Keep continuing as per family need.

Rs. 41,000 for grocery, travel, and expenses is acceptable.

Try to track and reduce unnecessary spends.

Use simple tools like Excel or app to budget.

Saving Rs. 5,000 more monthly helps in long term.

Suggested Monthly Allocation Going Forward

Let’s assume you build Rs. 7.5 lakhs emergency fund and close personal loan.

Here is an ideal monthly plan:

Home Loan EMI: Rs. 38,000

Car Loan EMI: Rs. 12,985

LIC Premium (average monthly): Rs. 3,750

Term Insurance: Rs. 2,800

Family Support: Rs. 15,000

Expenses: Rs. 41,000

SIP in Mutual Funds: Rs. 15,000

Home Loan Prepay Fund SIP: Rs. 15,000

Total: Rs. 1,43,535

Surplus: Rs. 3,000 buffer monthly for flexibility

Finally

You have steady income, good saving habit, and valuable assets.

Closing small loans first is more efficient.

Keep strong emergency fund. Don’t skip this step.

Grow your investments smartly with proper asset allocation.

Don't rush to close home loan fully now.

Use SIP and part payments every few years.

Stay away from direct funds or index funds.

Seek help from a Certified Financial Planner for better guidance.

This gives clarity, confidence, and better wealth growth.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10881 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 29, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 06, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi Sir, I am 37 years old and have a monthly income of 2.5lakhs.. I have a home loan of 79lakhs with emi of 66k and 17 years remaining. Also have a home improvement loans of 10 lakhs with emi of 10k with 14 years remaining. I have 2 kids with monthly school fees coming to 32k. Monthly household expenses come to 40k-50k. I have a sip of 50k per month which is now 4 lakhs. A paid up ULIP which is 6 lakhs now. A piece of land which is around 50lakhs. I am confused and not sure about the way forward. Please help
Ans: – You are earning Rs. 2.5 lakhs per month. That gives good planning potential.
– You are managing EMIs, school fees and SIPs. That shows discipline.
– You are also aware of your confusion. That is a sign of maturity.

? Current Financial Snapshot
– You have two loans: Rs. 79 lakhs home loan and Rs. 10 lakhs improvement loan.
– Total EMI is Rs. 76,000 per month.
– School fees come to Rs. 32,000 monthly.
– Household expenses are Rs. 40,000–50,000 per month.

– You are investing Rs. 50,000 per month via SIPs.
– SIP corpus is Rs. 4 lakhs now.
– You also have a paid-up ULIP worth Rs. 6 lakhs.
– You own a land worth Rs. 50 lakhs.

? Assessing Loan Exposure
– Home loan tenure is 17 years.
– Improvement loan tenure is 14 years.
– Long tenures keep interest payout high.
– It also affects future flexibility and peace of mind.

– You are paying nearly 30% of income as EMI.
– That is acceptable, but not ideal.
– A more efficient plan can reduce this pressure.

? School and Household Commitments
– Rs. 32,000 per month for school is high.
– Kids' education is an important responsibility.
– You are meeting that well. That’s a good sign.

– Household expenses are within range.
– Total fixed outgo is around Rs. 1.5 lakhs.
– You are left with Rs. 1 lakh monthly.

– This is a strong position to build future wealth.
– It allows space for structured and secure investments.

? SIP and Mutual Fund Review
– You are investing Rs. 50,000 monthly in SIP.
– SIPs are a strong tool for long-term wealth.
– Your existing corpus is Rs. 4 lakhs.
– You have started well, but more consistency is needed.

– Please ensure funds are regular plans, not direct.
– Direct plans lack handholding and behavioural guidance.
– Regular plans via MFD with CFP support offer full-service engagement.
– Portfolio gets rebalanced, reviewed, and corrected periodically.

– Avoid index funds. They do not suit Indian markets well.
– Actively managed funds have better flexibility and expertise.
– Indian markets are still evolving, needing active stock picking.

– Stay invested with long horizon.
– Don’t redeem early unless for clear goal.
– Add goal-wise SIPs going forward.

? Regarding the Paid-Up ULIP
– ULIPs are low-return, high-cost products.
– Insurance and investment should not be mixed.
– A paid-up ULIP is often stagnant in returns.

– Surrender the ULIP if lock-in is over.
– Reinvest proceeds in goal-based mutual funds.
– That will improve long-term returns.

– Use a regular mutual fund route.
– Connect with a Certified Financial Planner to guide fund selection.

? Real Estate Holding: Rs. 50 Lakhs Land
– Land as an asset is illiquid.
– It does not generate monthly income.
– Also, price discovery and resale is unpredictable.

– Please do not depend on this for retirement.
– Use it only for lifestyle needs or family use.
– Do not use it as a core investment pillar.

? Short-Term Priorities to Focus
– Maintain an emergency fund of Rs. 3–6 lakhs.
– That protects against health or income disruption.
– Right now, this fund is not mentioned. Please prioritise it.

– Review insurance. You need term life cover.
– Should be 15–20 times your annual income.
– Health insurance must cover family and self adequately.

– Avoid depending on employer coverage only.
– Personal policies are more stable and independent.

– Avoid new loans. That can spoil the cash flow.
– Instead, build liquid financial reserves.

? Optimising Loan Management
– Consider prepaying small chunks of improvement loan.
– Start with Rs. 1–2 lakhs yearly part prepayment.
– This will reduce tenure significantly.

– Home loan can continue with EMI for tax benefits.
– But in future, any surplus should reduce principal.
– That builds ownership faster and saves interest.

– Avoid investing aggressively while loan interest is high.
– Balance is the key.

? Financial Goals Clarity Needed
– List short-term and long-term goals.
– Child education, higher studies, retirement and family security.
– Each goal needs a clear cost and time estimate.

– Link SIPs to these goals.
– For example: Rs. 20,000 for retirement, Rs. 15,000 for education.
– This creates a focused investment plan.

– Add step-up SIP every year.
– As income increases, SIPs should increase too.

– This helps stay ahead of inflation and life costs.

? Risk Protection Measures
– Term insurance is essential. Check current coverage.
– Get separate health insurance for family.
– Evaluate accidental and critical illness policies too.

– Insurance gives peace and financial backup.
– Don’t rely on investment-based policies for protection.

? Kids’ Education and Future Planning
– Plan for two stages: school and higher education.
– Higher education will cost 20–40 lakhs per child in future.
– Use mutual funds for this.

– Start SIPs in equity mutual funds for long term.
– Goal should be 10–12 years away.
– Use 70–80% equity and balance in debt or hybrid.

– Use STP (systematic transfer plan) to shift funds before usage.

? Retirement Readiness and Strategy
– At 37, retirement may be 20+ years away.
– But planning must start now.
– Use a dedicated SIP for this purpose.

– EPF, PPF, and NPS can be support tools.
– But main retirement corpus should be in mutual funds.

– Revisit every 3 years with a Certified Financial Planner.
– Use goal reviews to stay aligned.

? Tax Planning Optimisation
– Continue claiming home loan interest and principal benefits.
– Also claim school fees for 2 kids under Section 80C.

– Invest in ELSS funds via regular plans.
– That gives tax benefit and long-term growth.

– Avoid tax-saving insurance plans or annuity options.
– They lock money and offer poor returns.

? Behavioural and Cash Flow Discipline
– Don’t withdraw SIPs for lifestyle use.
– Avoid lump sum investments without a goal.
– Invest only through verified MFD under CFP guidance.

– Review expenses every 6 months.
– Keep credit card use minimal.
– Track monthly budget and set targets.

– Spend only after saving, not before.

? Action Steps from Here
– Maintain Rs. 3–6 lakhs emergency fund immediately.
– Review and surrender ULIP. Reinvest amount in mutual fund.
– Rebalance SIP portfolio with goal-wise approach.

– Start small annual part-prepayment on improvement loan.
– Take adequate term and health insurance cover.
– Work with Certified Financial Planner regularly.

– Prepare a goal sheet with year-wise and amount-wise layout.
– Add step-up in SIP each year by 10%.
– Stick to mutual funds only for wealth creation.

? Finally
– You are already doing many things right.
– You are earning well, investing steadily, and aware of debt.
– With proper alignment and professional guidance, growth is assured.

– Avoid mixing investment and insurance.
– Focus on liquidity, flexibility, and clear goal-based investing.
– Follow this structured approach to stay stress-free and wealthy.

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

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Latest Questions
Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |10854 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Dec 14, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2025Hindi
Career
Hello, I am currently in Class 12 and preparing for JEE. I have not yet completed even 50% of the syllabus properly, but I aim to score around '110' marks. Could you suggest an effective strategy to achieve this? I know the target is relatively low, but I have category reservation, so it should be sufficient.
Ans: With category reservation (SC/ST/OBC), a score of 110 marks is absolutely achievable and realistic. Based on 2025 data, SC candidates qualified with approximately 60-65 percentile, and ST candidates with 45-55 percentile. Your target requires scoring just 37-40% marks, which is significantly lower than general category standards. This gives you a genuine advantage. Immediate Action Plan (December 2025 - January 2026): 4-5 Weeks. Week 1-2: High-Weightage Chapter Focus. Stop trying to complete the entire syllabus. Instead, focus exclusively on high-scoring chapters that carry maximum weightage: Physics (Modern Physics, Current Electricity, Work-Power-Energy, Rotation, Magnetism), Chemistry (Chemical Bonding, Thermodynamics, Coordination Compounds, Electrochemistry), and Maths (Integration, Differentiation, Vectors, 3D Geometry, Probability). These chapters alone can yield 80-100+ marks if practiced properly. Ignore topics you haven't studied yet. Week 2-3: Previous Year Questions (PYQs). Solve JEE Main PYQs from the last 10 years (2015-2025) for chapters you're studying. PYQs reveal question patterns and difficulty levels. Focus on understanding why answers are correct, not memorizing solutions. Week 3-4: Mock Tests & Error Analysis. Take 2-3 full-length mock tests weekly under timed conditions. This is crucial because mock tests build exam confidence, reveal time management weaknesses, and error analysis prevents repeated mistakes. Maintain an error notebook documenting every mistake—this becomes your revision guide. Week 4-5: Revision & Formula Consolidation. Create concise formula sheets for each subject. Spend 30 minutes daily reviewing formulas and key concepts. Avoid learning new topics entirely at this stage. Study Schedule (Daily): 7-8 Hours. Morning (5:00-7:30 AM): Physics concepts + 30 PYQs. Break (7:30-8:30 AM): Breakfast & rest. Mid-morning (8:30-11:00): Chemistry concepts + 20 PYQs. Lunch (11:00-1:00 PM): Full break. Afternoon (1:00-3:30 PM): Maths concepts + 30 PYQs. Evening (3:30-5:00 PM): Mock test or error review. Night (7:00-9:00 PM): Formula revision & weak area focus. Strategic Approach for 110 Marks: Attempt only confident questions and avoid negative marking by skipping difficult questions. Do easy questions first—in the exam, attempt all basic-level questions before attempting medium or hard ones. Focus on quality over quantity as 30 well-practiced questions beat 100 random questions. Master NCERT concepts as most JEE questions test NCERT concepts applied smartly. April 2026 Session Advantage. If January doesn't deliver desired results, April gives you a second chance with 3+ months to prepare. Use January as a practice attempt to identify weak areas, then focus intensively on those in February-March. Realistic Timeline: January 2026 target is 95-110 marks (achievable with focused 50% syllabus), while April 2026 target is 120-130 marks (with complete syllabus + experience). Your reservation benefit means you need only approximately 90-105 marks to qualify and secure admission to quality engineering colleges. Stop comparing yourself to general category cutoffs. Most Importantly: Consistency beats perfection. Study 6 focused hours daily rather than 12 distracted hours. Your 110-mark target is realistic—execute this plan with discipline. All the BEST for Your JEE 2026!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

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Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1841 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 13, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 12, 2025
Career
Dear Sir/Madam, I am currently a 1st year UG student studying engineering in Sairam Engineering College, But there the lack of exposure and strict academics feels so rigid and I don't like it that. It's like they don't gaf about skills but just wants us to memorize things and score a good CGPA, the only skill they want is you to memorize things and pass, there's even special class for students who don't perform well in academics and it is compulsory for them to attend or else the student and his/her parents needs to face authorities who lashes out. My question is when did engineering became something that requires good academics instead of actual learning and skill set. In sairam they provides us a coding platform in which we need to gain the required points for each semester which is ridiculous cuz most of the students here just look at the solution to code instead of actual debugging. I am passionate about engineering so I want to learn and experiment things instead of just memorizing, so I actually consider dropping out and I want to give jee a try and maybe viteee , srmjeee But i heard some people say SRM may provide exposure but not that good in placements. I may not be excellent at studies but my marks are decent. So gimme some insights about SRM and recommend me other colleges/universities which are good at exposure
Ans: First — your frustration is valid

What you are experiencing at Sairam is not engineering, it is rote-based credential production.

“When did engineering become memorizing instead of learning?”

Sadly, this shift happened decades ago in most Tier-3 private colleges in India.

About “coding platforms & points” – your observation is sharp

You are absolutely right:

Mandatory coding points → students copy solutions

Copying ≠ learning

Debugging & thinking are missing

This is pseudo-skill education — it looks modern but produces shallow engineers.

The fact that you noticed this in 1st year already puts you ahead of 80% students.

Should you DROP OUT and prepare for JEE / VITEEE / SRMJEEE?

Although VIT/SRM is better than Sairam Engineering College, but you may face the same problem. You will not face this type of problem only in some top IITs, but getting seat in those IITs will be difficult.
Instead of dropping immediately, consider:

???? Strategy:

Stay enrolled (degree security)

Reduce emotional investment in college rules

Use:

GitHub

Open-source projects

Hackathons

Internships (remote)

Hardware / software self-projects

This way:

College = formality

Learning = self-driven

Risk = minimal

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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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