Kindly let me know whether Senior Citizens staying in their own house are allowed to claim any deductions towards Property Tax Paid and Monthly Maintenance paid to RWA from their IT Returns. I shall be grateful for your prompt Mihir Tanna on the above matter.

Ans: Based on the information you’ve shared, let us assess your situation and provide insights into your potential retirement corpus.

Current Financial Position
Take-home salary: Rs. 2.5 Lacs per month
Car EMI: Rs. 5,000 per month (ending Dec 2026)
Health insurance: Rs. 25 Lacs
Term insurance: Rs. 2 Crores
Monthly SIP: Rs. 1 Lac
Lump-sum investment in mutual funds: Rs. 75 Lacs (current value)
Education loan repayment: Rs. 20 Lacs starting after 2.5 years
Retirement age: 58 years (4 years from now)
Assumptions for Projection
Your SIP of Rs. 1 Lac per month continues until retirement.
Your lump-sum mutual fund investment grows at an assumed annual rate of 10%.
Monthly SIP investments grow at an assumed annual rate of 10%.
Education loan repayment starts in 2.5 years. Let’s consider this doesn’t disrupt your SIPs.
Estimated Retirement Corpus
1. Growth of Existing Lump-Sum Investment
Current value: Rs. 75 Lacs
Growth for 4 years at 10%: Approximately Rs. 1.1 Crores
2. Future Value of Monthly SIPs
SIP: Rs. 1 Lac per month
Duration: 48 months (4 years)
Growth at 10%: Approximately Rs. 63 Lacs
Total Corpus at Retirement
Lump-sum mutual fund value: Rs. 1.1 Crores
SIP investments: Rs. 63 Lacs
Total corpus: Rs. 1.73 Crores
Recommendations
Education Loan Repayment: The repayment may require adjustments in your budget. Consider partial withdrawals or rebalancing investments if necessary to avoid disrupting your SIPs.
Increasing Savings: Once your car loan ends in 2026, channel the Rs. 5,000 EMI into SIPs to further enhance your corpus.
Financial Review: Regularly review your investments and retirement goals with a Certified Financial Planner to ensure alignment with market conditions.
Final Insights
If your investments grow at an average rate of 10%, you may have a retirement corpus of approximately Rs. 1.73 Crores by age 58. Focus on maintaining your SIP contributions and ensuring liquidity to manage upcoming education loan repayments effectively.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

Ans: Meharban Sir, Thank you for your question. I have responded to a similar question recently. You may check my answer here
If you are looking for more details, I would be happy to assist/guide you. All the BEST for Your Prosperous Future.

To know more on ‘ Careers | Education | Jobs’, ask / follow Us here in RediffGURUS.

Ans: Miles Talent Hub's offer to go to the US for a year to do a STEM program and then stay for three years on a work visa could be a good chance, especially if you want to work and travel abroad and advance your career. Before you decide, here are some things to think about:

If you go to a STEM school in the US, especially in a field like healthcare, you might be able to find new job opportunities in advanced medical technologies, research, or management that you might not be able to find in India. It's possible that the 3-year work visa will help you learn about the global healthcare industry while also letting you make money.

Effects on your finances and your life: Studying abroad can be pricey, so make sure you look at all of the costs, such as tuition, living costs, and any scholarships or other financial help that might be available. Think about whether you can handle being away from home for a long time.

Opportunities in India: The United States has a lot of great opportunities, but India also has room to grow, especially since the need for healthcare workers is growing. In India, look for job openings, higher education programs, or specialized certifications that could help you move up in your business. Think about where you want to be in 5 to 10 years. This could be a good first step if you want to grow in a foreign setting or go to school abroad to study nursing or healthcare management. All the BEST for Your Prosperous Future.

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Ans: The OBC-NCL (Other Backward Classes - Non-Creamy Layer) ID number is a unique identifier that candidates need to provide while filling out their application. The number itself typically contains 8 to 12 digits, and the format can vary slightly depending on the issuing state or region.For example, an OBC-NCL certificate ID number might look like: 1XXXXXXXXXX or OBCL12345678. However, please refer to the specific certificate issued by your state’s authorities for the exact format and length, as it can differ based on the state's documentation system. All the BEST for Your Prosperous Future.

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Ans: I think you should be congratulated for the efforts you have made.

The blood sugar levels are still in range of pre-diabetic. Therefore, it is advisable that while you continue the lifestyle modifications, it will be useful if you take atleast metformin, which works as insulin sensitiser. Once your HbA1c is below 6 and fasting sugar below 100, you can discuss with a physician and stop medications.

However, one of the key factor to determine blood sugar levels is going to be your age. So, if you are younger than 60, remission is a good target.


Dr Chandrakant Lahariya
Centre for Health: The Specialty Practice,
Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi

Ans: Fat is never a good source of cooking.
The unsatured fats/the oils are preffered mode of cooking medium. No matter which source of oil for cooking, we need to reduce the quantity of fat in our deit.

Dr Chandrakant Lahariya
Centre for Health: The Specialty Practice,
Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi

Ans: a close relationship with someone outside your marriage, especially when emotions are involved, introduces challenges. You’re aware of this already, and it seems your friend has also recognized the complexities, likely explaining his sudden need for distance. Often, when feelings come to the surface, they carry a weight that makes people reconsider their boundaries to protect the larger relationships at play—in this case, both of your marriages and family dynamics. This pullback doesn’t negate his admiration or the value he places on your friendship but rather reflects the reality of the situation and the need to guard against further complications.

You might find it helpful to explore what exactly you’re drawn to in your friend’s qualities. It could be that he reflects an aspect of yourself you wish to bring into your own relationship. Identifying these qualities is powerful, as it can help you shape a conversation with your husband, potentially bringing deeper fulfillment to your marriage. Many couples find new dimensions in their relationship when they openly discuss what they yearn for and ways to bring those qualities to life together. While it may feel challenging, these conversations can foster intimacy and growth.

It’s also worth noting that maintaining your friend’s respect and allowing him space is likely the best way to preserve your connection long-term, even if it feels painful right now. His distance might ultimately help both of you return to a place of friendship, but pushing for that too soon might complicate things further. In the meantime, remember that it’s natural to feel a loss or a longing for a friend’s company when circumstances shift. Practicing self-compassion and care can be grounding during times like this, as can seeking other outlets for support, such as close friends, hobbies, or moments of solitude that allow you to process your emotions.

Time and patience may help bring this friendship back to a more natural and comfortable place, but focusing on your marriage and yourself will allow you to stay true to your values and find a sense of peace, regardless of the ultimate outcome with your friend.

Ans: Hello;

Kudos for holding judicious blend of assets in equity(stocks and MFs), real estate, EPF.

Your thought process is absolutely spot on. You should prepay the car loan through shares corpus and close the EMI.

If you maintain monthly sip of 1 L with yearly top-up of 10% for 15 years then you may accumulate a corpus of around 8.68 Cr.

Stock holding of 1.27 Cr(13 L considered to be deducted for car loan prepayment) is expected to grow into a sum of 5.31 Cr in 15 years.

EPF balance of 40 L will grow into a corpus of 1.27 Cr over 15 years. Fresh contributions, if any, will be bonus.

So cumulatively your total corpus at the end of 15 years from now will be 8.68+5.31+1.27=15.26 Cr.

Due to your sound financial planning you may not need education loan for son's education.

Modest return of 12%, 10% and 8% are considered from mutual funds, direct stocks and EPF respectively.

Happy Investing;

Ans: Hello
For toddlers and young children, it's essential to choose a toothpaste that is safe and effective for their developing teeth and gums. Here are some recommendations:

1. *Fluoride-free toothpaste* (0-2 years): For infants and toddlers, a fluoride-free toothpaste is recommended. Look for a toothpaste specifically designed for this age group, like "Baby Toothpaste" or "Training Toothpaste". Please note that Fluoride, although extremely beneficial when used locally can lead to fluorosis if accidentally ingested. This is the reason toddlers need to use fluoride-free toothpastes.

2. *Children's toothpaste with low fluoride* (2-6 years): For young children, a toothpaste with a low fluoride concentration (around 500-600 ppm) is suitable. This helps prevent fluorosis (white spots on teeth) while still providing cavity protection.

3. *Gentle ingredients*: Opt for a toothpaste with gentle ingredients, to minimize irritation.

5. *Flavor and texture*: Select a toothpaste with a child-friendly flavor and texture to make brushing teeth a fun experience!

Most popular toothpaste brands offer multiple options for toddlers and young children.
In addition to these there are a few brands specially formulated for children which are ethically promoted (not commercially advertised, but sold through chemists on dentists' prescriptions) You may speak to your child's dentist for specific recommendations.

Remember to always supervise your child while brushing teeth and teach them proper oral hygiene habits from an early age!