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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8442 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 25, 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
drishika Question by drishika on Apr 25, 2025
Money

I will invest 6k per month please suggest some safe plan

Ans: Thank you for sharing your plan to invest Rs 6,000 every month. You are already one step ahead. Most people do not even think about investing. You are thinking early. And taking action. That is really good.

Now let us look at how to use this Rs 6,000 monthly in a smart and safe way.

Let me give you a full and simple 360-degree plan.

We will talk about:

What does safe investing mean?

Where to invest Rs 6,000 monthly?

How to keep your money protected?

How to grow your money slowly and steadily?

What risks to avoid?

What not to do?

What you can expect in return?

What you should track and how?

Let us begin step by step.





Understanding What "Safe Investment" Means

There is no investment that is 100% risk-free.





Even bank fixed deposits have some risk. Not all banks are safe.





But we can choose options that are more stable and time-tested.





Safe does not mean no return. But safe usually means moderate return.





You will not get very high returns. But you will also avoid big losses.





When you invest regularly, even small growth becomes big in long term.





So safety and patience work together for success.





Setting a Goal for Your Rs 6,000 Per Month

What is your goal for this Rs 6,000? Is it for retirement?





Is it for child’s education? Or for a future home? Or for monthly income later?





Knowing the goal helps you choose the right investment path.





If your goal is more than 5 years away, you can take slightly more risk.





If your goal is less than 3 years away, you must stay very safe.





Please fix your goal first. That is the starting point.





Best Way to Invest Rs 6,000 Monthly – Step-by-Step Plan

Let me now share a safe and step-wise plan.





Emergency Corpus First

Do you already have 6 months of expenses saved?





If not, keep Rs 6,000 in a bank recurring deposit.





Or use a liquid mutual fund with good safety record.





Build an emergency fund of at least Rs 50,000–Rs 1,00,000.





Only after this, start regular mutual fund investing.





Choose a Regular Plan of Mutual Fund

Please do not choose direct plans of mutual funds.





Direct plans may look cheap. But they do not give personal service.





A Certified Financial Planner can help through regular plans.





Direct plans are like driving without a GPS.





Regular plans give better tracking, support and timely advice.





Avoid Index Funds for Safety

Index funds copy the market. They are not managed actively.





In a bad market, they fall badly. No one protects you.





In actively managed funds, the fund manager reduces risk.





You need active management when you want safety.





So always choose actively managed mutual funds.





Choose Funds Based on Goal Period

If your goal is within 3 years, choose short-duration debt mutual funds.





If your goal is 5–7 years away, use hybrid funds or conservative balanced funds.





If your goal is 7+ years away, use equity mutual funds in small amount.





Your Rs 6,000 can be split as per time.







Suggested Asset Allocation for Rs 6,000 Monthly (General Model)

Assuming long-term goal (5+ years), you can follow:





Rs 3,000 – Conservative Hybrid Mutual Fund





Rs 2,000 – Equity Mutual Fund (Large and Mid-Cap)





Rs 1,000 – Liquid Fund or Short-Term Debt Fund





This mix gives safety, moderate growth, and steady liquidity.





How to Monitor Your Investment

Check once every 6 months. Do not check every week.





Look at performance compared to a fixed deposit.





Your funds should beat FD by 2% or more.





If any fund gives low return for 3 years, change it.





Take help from a Certified Financial Planner.





Use only regular plans through a good MFD and CFP.





Mutual Fund Tax Rules You Must Know

Equity mutual fund returns held for over 1 year are called long term.





Gains above Rs 1.25 lakh yearly are taxed at 12.5%.





Gains below Rs 1.25 lakh yearly are tax-free.





Debt mutual fund returns are taxed as per your income tax slab.





You can use tax-saving mutual funds if needed.





What You Should Not Do

Do not keep all Rs 6,000 in a bank FD. Inflation will eat your returns.





Do not go for chit funds or ponzi schemes. They look safe but are risky.





Do not buy any investment product from insurance agents.





Do not fall for ULIPs or investment cum insurance plans.





Do not stop SIP when market goes down. That is when you get more benefit.





Do not chase the highest return funds. Focus on stable and consistent ones.





Why Safety Does Not Mean Zero Equity

Some equity exposure is good even if you want safety.





Without equity, your money will not beat inflation.





But choose only large and mid-cap equity funds.





And keep percentage low, like 25%-35% of Rs 6,000.





Rebalance every year. Keep your original ratio same.





If You Already Have Insurance or ULIP

If you hold LIC endowment, money-back or ULIP policies, stop future premiums.





Surrender them if lock-in is over and you will get fair value.





Reinvest the maturity or surrender amount in mutual funds.





Keep insurance and investment separate always.





How a CFP Can Help You

A Certified Financial Planner is trained to guide you step by step.





They will not just sell. They plan your whole money journey.





They help in fund selection, monitoring, withdrawal planning, and rebalancing.





They also help in taxes and documentation.





You will not be alone in the process.





What Can You Expect from Rs 6,000 Monthly?

You can create Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh in 10 to 15 years.





This depends on fund selection and market movement.





But this is possible with patience and discipline.





Start now and stay regular. Do not skip SIP.





What to Do if Goal Changes Midway?

Suppose you need money early. You can stop SIP.





You can start SWP (Systematic Withdrawal Plan) after 3 years.





You can move money to safer funds when you reach the goal.





A CFP can guide how to change funds without big tax impact.





Safe Exit Plan Later

Do not withdraw full amount at once.





Start a SWP after your goal period.





You can take Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 monthly from corpus.





This gives income and keeps capital partly invested.





It is better than FD interest.





Finally

Investing Rs 6,000 per month can create big wealth.





Do it in regular mutual funds with active management.





Keep goal clear. Start small. Stay patient.





Do not chase hot tips or risky schemes.





Choose safety first. Add growth slowly.





Review every year with a Certified Financial Planner.





Always keep emergency fund separate.





If you follow this path, your future will be safer and stronger.





Money grows slowly but surely with regular SIP.





Take the first step today. Your future self will thank you.





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 Kalirajan  |8442 Answers  |Ask -

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I want to invest monthly 10000 pls suggest
Ans: Tailored Monthly Investment Plan Recommendation

Personalized Investment Strategy Assessment

It’s commendable that you’re taking proactive steps to invest ?10,000 monthly, reflecting a commitment to building wealth over time. Let’s explore customized strategies to optimize returns and manage risk effectively within your budget.

Understanding Your Financial Goals and Risk Profile

Before diving into investment options, it's essential to understand your financial objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance. By aligning investments with your goals, we can create a tailored plan for long-term wealth accumulation.

Balancing Risk and Return with Equity Funds

Given your investment horizon, allocating a portion of your monthly budget towards equity funds can offer growth potential over the long term. Equity funds provide exposure to stocks of companies across different market capitalizations.

Mitigating Risk through Diversification

Diversifying your portfolio across various mutual fund categories can help spread risk and enhance stability. Consider allocating funds to a mix of small-cap, mid-cap, and large-cap funds to capture growth opportunities while mitigating volatility.

Benefits of Regular Funds Investing through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

Investing through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) offers several advantages, including personalized guidance, disciplined investing, and ongoing portfolio monitoring. A CFP can help navigate market fluctuations and optimize your investment strategy.

Disadvantages of Direct Funds

Direct funds require investors to conduct their own research and make investment decisions independently. However, this approach may not be suitable for all investors, especially those lacking expertise or time for thorough analysis.

Highlighting Benefits of Regular Funds Investing through MFD with CFP Credential

Investing through a Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD) with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) credential provides access to professional guidance and comprehensive financial planning services. MFDs offer expertise in selecting suitable funds and monitoring portfolio performance.

Exploring Additional Investment Options

Consider exploring other investment avenues such as debt funds, gold ETFs, and systematic investment plans (SIPs) in mutual funds to further diversify your portfolio. Each option offers unique benefits and can complement your existing investment strategy.

Conclusion

By adhering to a disciplined investment approach and diversifying across asset classes, you can optimize returns and manage risk effectively over the long term. Regularly review your portfolio, reassess your financial goals, and seek guidance from a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to ensure alignment with your objectives.

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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