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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10879 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 26, 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 - Jun 26, 2025Hindi
Money

Hi...I lost so many lakhs in business by trusting my friends...I had cleared everything by taking a loan of 20 lacs personal loan and the deduction was around 50k and my salary was 80k...the loan tenure was for 5 years which was started just one month ago...I just want my financial freedom back Even faster...can you please guide me towards that

Ans: I understand how stressful this situation must be, and I appreciate your courage in seeking a better path forward. Let’s work through a thoughtful, 360?degree plan to regain financial freedom quickly and sustainably.

Personal Financial Snapshot
You took a personal loan of Rs.20 lakh with 5?year tenure, starting one month ago.

Your current take?home salary is Rs.80,000 per month.

Little has been saved so far; loan interest deductions have begun.

You want to regain financial freedom quickly and stay secure.

Immediate Objectives
Clear high?interest debt as fast as possible.

Build a stable emergency fund.

Create disciplined savings and investment habits.

Use active investing strategies under CFP guidance.

Restore confidence and control in your finances.

Debt Repayment Strategy
1. Prioritise Loan Repayment
Your Rs.20 lakh loan is the biggest liability now.

Accelerate repayment rather than making minimum timelined EMI.

Allocate extra salary and surplus funds to this loan.

Aim to clear at least half of the loan within 18–24 months.

Use any bonus or windfall for sizeable part?prepayment.

2. Budget Realignment
Your net salary is Rs.80,000.

Fixed monthly outflow includes EMI and essentials.

Trim non?essential spending ruthlessly.

Redirect as much as possible toward loan payments.

If possible, increase income with side income or upskilling.

Emergency Fund Formation
Once loan EMI reduces surplus, start building savings.

Aim for emergency corpus equal to 6 months’ expenses.

Keep this fund in safe liquid instruments.

This shields you from unexpected issues without new loans.

Investment Strategy for Wealth Rebuild
1. Equity with Active Mutual Funds
You may think of direct equity large?cap SIPs.

Direct funds lack impartial ongoing guidance.

Regular funds sold via MF Distributor and CFP cover needs.

Active funds are better because fund managers can adjust holdings.

They outperform index funds by managing downside in bear phases.

Index funds simply mirror benchmarks; no strategic shift.

Use actively managed large?cap and multi?cap funds for stable growth.

2. Diversify Across Asset Classes
Equity to grow wealth over long term.

Debt instruments like PPF, corporate bonds, liquid funds for stability.

Combine both to smoothen returns and reduce volatility.

Aim for equity?heavy mix (>60%) as recovery phase begins.

As loan reduces, debt allocation can increase gradually.

3. Systematic Investment Plans
Automate monthly SIP once emergency fund is built.

Choose 3–4 active funds across categories.

Regular review via CFP ensures you stay on track.

Annual top?up of SIP rates with salary increments is essential.

4. Side Investments
Use any additional income wisely – not all in equity.

If extra income comes, invest a portion, save a portion.

Avoid impulsive direct stock trading without CFP guidance.

Cashflow Projection and Surplus Allocation
Salary: Rs.80,000.

EMI portion may be about Rs.35,000–40,000.

After essentials, a small surplus remains.

Over time, as loan is paid, surplus grows.

this surplus fuels investment and rebuilding.

Insurance and Risk Mitigation
You may already have basic personal cover.

Ensure term cover is adequate for loan liabilities.

Consider term policy to cover outstanding loan and family needs.

If health cover exists, maintain or enhance it as income rises.

Avoid investment?cum?insurance plans like ULIPs tied to low returns.

Behavioural & Mindset Components
Stay disciplined: early loan clearance leads to freedom.

Automate regular investments once loan burden eases.

Avoid emotional reactions during market swings.

Use CFP advice to rebalance and review performance annually.

Tax Efficiency in Investments
Equity mutual funds gain long?term capital gains (LTCG) taxed at 12.5% after Rs.1.25 lakh exemption.

Short?term gains are taxed at 20%.

Debt fund gains are taxed as per income slab.

Use PPF/EPF for 80C tax shelter.

Plan redemption timing to stay within exemptions and lower tax.

Timeline for Recovery and Wealth Creation
Months 1–6: Lower expenses, boost EMI payments, track cashflow.

Months 6–18: Accelerated loan repayment using surplus and bonus.

Months 12+: Begin building emergency fund and small SIPs.

Months 18–36: Loan EMI becomes savings for SIP – ramp up investments.

Years 3–5: Loan likely cleared. Emergency fund secured. SIP now becomes main wealth vehicle.

Years 5 onward: Consistent investing, increasing SIP amounts with income growth.

Within 10 years, you could rebuild net worth and regain confidence.

360?Degree Summary
Debt: Pay aggressively, use windfalls for prepayment.

Cashflow: Tighten budget and maximise surplus.

Emergency: Build 6?month corpus ASAP.

Investment: Start SIPs in active equity and debt funds via CFP.

Insurance: Hold term and health cover; avoid ULIPs/real estate.

Monitoring: Annual review and rebalance with CFP.

Mindset: Control emotion, stay disciplined, rebuild steadily.

Final Insights
You have undergone a significant financial setback. Yet you also have strong motivation to recover fast. By aggressively clearing high?interest debt first, you free your future cashflow. Once loans reduce, that money becomes fuel for investments. Systematic active fund investing, guided by a Certified Financial Planner, will rebuild wealth steadily. Maintain insurance for protection, build an emergency cushion, and monitor progress with discipline. Over the years, careful allocation and perseverance can restore your financial freedom quicker than you expect.

Your journey ahead is a matter of months and years of steady steps. I appreciate your resolve. If you follow the plan with focus and professional counsel, you will regain control, strength, and financial peace.

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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Sanjeev

Sanjeev Govila  | Answer  |Ask -

Financial Planner - Answered on Nov 25, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 22, 2023Hindi
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Hi Sir, I lost job in 2017 and again I got a new job after 6 months. During this 6 months i lost all my savings including PF. So in last 5 yrs what ever I am earning it's not sufficient and my expenditure is more than salary. Meantime I started taking small small personal loans from app companies and my both my credit card is fully utilised This is my current situation. Salary is 1.66 lacs. Savings is 50,000. My loans are 1.2 lacs. Credit card Os is Rs 4 lacs. If I close personal loan then I am using credit card, if I pay credit card then I taking loan again. I don't know how to come out of this cycle. Pls suggest.
Ans: We can understand your current financial situation, you need to analysis you finance to break free from the debt cycle and regain control of your finances. Here are few steps you can use to get back on your track.

1. Assess Your Current Financial Situation
? Create a detailed list of all your debts, including the outstanding amounts, interest rates, and minimum payments.
? Track your income and expenses for a month to identify areas where you can cut back on spending.

2. Prioritize Debt Repayment:
? Make a budget that allocates more money towards debt repayment than the minimum payments. Consider using a budgeting app to track your income and expenses effectively.
? Explore debt consolidation options, such as a balance transfer with a lower interest rate or a personal loan with a lower interest rate than your current debts.

3. Reduce Expenses and Increase Income
? Identify unnecessary expenses and cut back on non-essential spending, such as dining out, entertainment, and impulse purchases.

4. Build an Emergency Fund
? Once you start making progress on your debt repayment, start building an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses. Aim to save at least 3-6 months of living expenses so that the situation does not re-occur.

Please remember getting out of debt takes time, discipline, and commitment. Don't be discouraged by setbacks along the way. Stay focused on your goals, stick to your plan, and you will eventually achieve financial freedom.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10879 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 07, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 27, 2025Hindi
Money
I am 38 years old with a monthly income of 46000, I made some financial mistakes hence incurred a Personal Loan burden of 1147000, My wife is supporting me with a monthly inlet of 15000, I have cancelled my HDFC Regalia Credit card which had 200000 Credit limit, with only two Credit cards remaining which have 40000 combined, I am also looking for other job opportunities with a up skill, Pease suggest or advise on how I can overcome this financial mess I made for myself though I have some personal saving which sum up to 200000 as a Safety net,
Ans: Acknowledging the problem is the first big step.
Now let’s work on a clear, step-by-step recovery plan.
You can definitely come out of this situation.
Let’s take a 360-degree approach to your finances.

Understanding Your Present Situation
Your age: 38 years

Monthly salary: Rs 46,000

Wife’s contribution: Rs 15,000 monthly

Combined income: Rs 61,000 monthly

Personal loan burden: Rs 11,47,000

Credit cards active: Two with Rs 40,000 combined limit

Credit card cancelled: HDFC Regalia of Rs 2 lakh limit

Emergency fund: Rs 2 lakh in savings

Job switch and upskilling: Actively exploring

You are under financial pressure due to loan EMIs.
But you have stable income and support from spouse.
You also have Rs 2 lakh as a safety net.
You have started taking action, which is very important.

Step-by-Step Actions to Fix the Situation
1. Assess Your Loan EMI Structure Clearly

Find the interest rate and tenure of your personal loan

Check your exact EMI amount and the number of EMIs pending

Don’t miss a single EMI – protect your credit score

Avoid increasing EMI just to close early – it may hurt cash flow

Don't take a top-up or consolidate using credit card – risky move

If possible, speak with the lender and check:

Is there a lower interest loan balance transfer available?

Can the tenure be extended slightly to reduce EMI?

Can you part pre-pay using Rs 2 lakh in savings later?

Keep in mind: Safety net must be preserved till things improve
Use prepayment only if your income becomes stable

2. Control and Monitor All Household Expenses

Create a monthly budget for your household

Prioritise essentials – food, rent, utilities, children’s needs

Stop all luxury or non-essential spending temporarily

Avoid online shopping and impulse buys

Don’t use credit cards for new expenses

Avoid EMI-based purchases

Track expenses using an app or notebook.
If possible, reduce your monthly lifestyle cost by 15–20%

Use wife’s Rs 15,000 monthly only for planned expenses
Keep your income primarily for loan repayment

3. Stop All New Investments or SIPs Temporarily

At this stage, no SIPs or fresh investments needed
Focus 100% on debt repayment and emergency corpus

Pause all investment activity
Restart only when loan EMI is manageable

4. Build a Simple Emergency Buffer

You already have Rs 2 lakh in savings
Keep Rs 1 lakh in a liquid mutual fund or savings account
Keep Rs 1 lakh in sweep-in FD or ultra short fund

This should only be used if:

There is a health emergency

You lose your job

Unexpected family crisis

Don’t use this for EMI or regular spending

5. Stay Away from Credit Cards for Now

You have two cards with Rs 40,000 limit
Do not use them unless it’s an emergency

Don’t carry any outstanding balance
Pay entire bill before due date
Avoid using credit cards for EMI or cash withdrawal

Do not apply for new credit cards
That increases your credit enquiry and reduces your score

Use debit card for all regular spends

6. Plan a Structured Prepayment Strategy

Once you increase income or get a bonus, follow this order:

Prepay 10–15% of loan principal every 6 months

This will reduce total interest paid

Don’t touch emergency fund unless absolutely safe to do so

Keep track of reducing principal after each prepayment

Try to close personal loan in 2.5–3.5 years
Don’t aim for faster closure unless income improves
Maintain balance between mental peace and financial burden

7. Income Growth Is the Real Solution

You mentioned you're looking for better job
That is very important now

Focus areas:

Upgrade skills in your domain

Take short-term certifications (affordable ones)

Build resume, network actively, use LinkedIn

Join online webinars and hiring platforms

Explore weekend freelancing if skilled in writing, editing, etc.

Even a 20–30% jump in salary will make things easy
Don't delay this – start today

Once income increases:

Increase prepayments

Start fresh SIPs of Rs 1,000–2,000

Build investment portfolio slowly again

8. Don't Consider Index Funds or Direct Plans Later

Once you start investing again, avoid index funds
They don’t protect in down markets
No human judgment in allocation
They fall fully with the market

Actively managed mutual funds are better
They give better returns through strategy
They handle volatility more smartly

Also, avoid direct plans in future
They look cheaper but have major issues:

No expert support or advice

No goal mapping

No exit strategy

No emotional guidance during market fall

Use regular plans via Certified Financial Planner and MFD
They give structure, planning, review, and support

9. Think Mental Health Also

You may feel regret and pressure
That’s natural – you are human

Speak to someone if stress builds up
Stay positive and take one step at a time
Do not compare with others
You are already on the right path

Keep your partner in the loop
Work as a team – not alone

Finally
You made some mistakes, but you are already correcting them
You have income, support, and a small cushion
Avoid new debt and focus on repaying current loan
Stop credit card use and luxury expenses
Upgrade skills and change job as soon as possible
Rebuild investments once loan is handled
Avoid index and direct mutual funds later
Invest via CFP and stay consistent

This phase will pass
Take control with small daily steps
Your future can still be very bright

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10879 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 11, 2025Hindi
Money
Hello Sir, I am 56 yrs old with two sons, both married and settled. They are living on their own and managing their finances. I have around 2.5 Cr. invested in Direct Equity and 50L in Equity Mutual Funds. I have Another 50L savings in Bank and other secured investments. I am living in Delhi NCR in my owned parental house. I have two properties of current market worth of 2 Cr, giving a monthly rental of around 40K. I wish to retire and travel the world now with my wife. My approximate yearly expenditure on house hold and travel will be around 24 L per year. I want to know, if this corpus is enough for me to retire now and continue to live a comfortable life.
Ans: You have built a strong base. You have raised your sons well. They live independently. You and your wife now want a peaceful and enjoyable retired life. You have created wealth with discipline. You have no home loan. You live in your own house. This gives strength to your cash flow. Your savings across equity, mutual funds, and bank deposits show good clarity. I appreciate your careful preparation. You deserve a happy retired life with travel and comfort.

» Your Present Position
Your current financial position looks very steady. You hold direct equity of around Rs 2.5 Cr. You hold equity mutual funds worth Rs 50 lakh. You also have Rs 50 lakh in bank deposits and other secured savings. Your two rental properties add more comfort. You earn around Rs 40,000 per month from rent. You also live in your owned house in Delhi NCR. So you have no rent expense.

Your total net worth crosses Rs 5.5 Cr easily. This gives you a strong base for your retired life. You plan to spend around Rs 24 lakh per year for all expenses, including travel. This is reasonable for your lifestyle. Your savings can support this if planned well. You have built more than the minimum needed for a comfortable retired life.

» Your Key Strengths
You already enjoy many strengths. These strengths hold your plan together.

You have zero housing loan.

You have stable rental income.

You have children living independently.

You have a balanced mix of assets.

You have built wealth with discipline.

You have clear goals for travel and lifestyle.

You have strong liquidity with Rs 50 lakh in bank and secured savings.

These strengths reduce risk. They support a smooth retired life with less stress. They also help you handle inflation and medical costs better.

» Your Cash Flow Needs
Your yearly expense is around Rs 24 lakh. This includes travel, which is your main dream for retired life. A couple at your stage can keep this lifestyle if the cash flow is planned well. You need cash flow clarity for the next 30 years. Retirement at 56 can extend for three decades. So your wealth must support you for a long period.

Your rental income gives you around Rs 4.8 lakh per year. This covers almost 20% of your yearly spending. This reduces pressure on your investments. The rest can come from a planned withdrawal strategy from your financial assets.

You also have Rs 50 lakh in bank deposits. This acts as liquidity buffer. You can use this buffer for short-term and medium-term needs. You also have equity exposure. This can support long-term growth.

» Risk Capacity and Risk Need
Your risk capacity is moderate to high. This is because:

You own your home.

You have rental income.

Your children are financially independent.

You have large accumulated assets.

You have enough liquidity in bank deposits.

Your risk need is also moderate. You need growth because inflation will rise. Travel costs will rise. Medical costs will increase. Your lifestyle will change with age. Your equity portion helps you beat inflation. But your equity exposure must be managed well. You should avoid sudden large withdrawals from equity at the wrong time.

Your stability allows you to keep some portion in equity even during retired life. But you should avoid excessive risk through direct equity. Direct equity carries concentration risk. A balanced mix of high-quality mutual funds is safer in retired life.

» Direct Equity Risk in Retired Life
You hold around Rs 2.5 Cr in direct equity. This brings some concerns. Direct equity needs frequent tracking. It needs research. It carries single-stock risk. One mistake may reduce your capital. In retired life, you need stability, clarity, and lower volatility.

Direct funds inside mutual funds also bring challenges. Direct funds lack personalised support. Regular plans through a Mutual Fund Distributor with a Certified Financial Planner bring guidance and strategy. Regular funds also support better tracking and behaviour management in volatile markets. In retired life, proper handholding improves long-term stability.

Many people think direct funds save cost. But the value of advisory support through a CFP gives higher net gains over long periods. Direct plans also create more confusion in asset allocation for retirees.

» Mutual Funds as a Core Support
Actively managed mutual funds remain a strong pillar. They bring professional management and risk controls. They handle market cycles better than index funds. Index funds follow the market blindly. They do not help in volatile phases. They also offer no risk protection. They cannot manage quality of stocks.

Actively managed funds deliver better selection and risk handling. A retiree benefits from such active strategy. You should avoid index funds for a long retirement plan. You should prefer strong active funds under a disciplined review with a CFP-led MFD support.

» Why Regular Plans Work Better for Retirees
Direct plans give no guidance. Retired investors often face emotional decisions. Some panic during market fall. Some withdraw heavily during market rise. This harms wealth. Regular plan under a CFP-led MFD gives a relationship. It offers disciplined rebalancing. It improves long-term returns. It protects wealth from poor behaviour.

For retirees, the difference is huge. So shifting to regular plans for the mutual fund portion will help long-term stability.

» Your Withdrawal Strategy
A planned withdrawal strategy is key for your case. You should create three layers.

Short-Term Bucket
This comes from your bank deposits. This should hold at least 18 to 24 months of expenses. You already have Rs 50 lakh. This is enough to hold your short-term cash needs. You can use this for household costs and some travel. This avoids panic selling of equity during market downturn.

Medium-Term Bucket
This bucket can stay partly in low-volatility debt funds and partly in hybrid options. This should cover your next 5 to 7 years. This helps smoothen withdrawals. It gives regular cash flow. It reduces market shocks.

Long-Term Bucket
This can stay in high-quality equity mutual funds. This bucket helps beat inflation. This bucket helps fund your travel dreams in later years. This bucket also builds buffer for medical needs.

This three-bucket strategy protects your lifestyle. It also keeps discipline and clarity.

» Handling Property and Rental Income
Your properties give Rs 40,000 monthly rental. This helps your cash flow. You should maintain the property well. You should keep some funds aside for repairs. Do not depend fully on rental growth. Rental yields remain low. But your rental income reduces pressure on your investments. So keep the rental income as a steady support, not a primary source.

You should not plan more real estate purchase. Real estate brings low returns and poor liquidity. You already own enough. Holding more can hurt flexibility in retired life.

» Planning for Medical Costs
Medical costs rise faster than inflation. You and your wife need strong health coverage. You should maintain a reliable health insurance. You should also keep a medical fund from your bank deposits. You may keep around 3 to 4 lakh per year as a buffer for medical needs. Your bank savings support this.

Health coverage reduces stress on your long-term wealth. It also avoids large withdrawals from your growth assets.

» Travel Planning
Travel is your main dream now. You can plan your travel using your short-term and medium-term buckets. You can take funds annually from your liquidity bucket. You can avoid touching long-term equity assets for travel. This approach keeps your wealth stable.

You should plan travel for the next five years with a budget. You should adjust your travel based on markets and health. Do not use entire gains of equity for travel. Keep travel budget fixed. Add small adjustments only when needed.

» Inflation and Lifestyle Stability
Inflation will impact lifestyle. At Rs 24 lakh per year today, the cost may double in 12 to 14 years. Your equity exposure helps you beat this. But you need careful rebalancing. You also need disciplined review with a CFP-led MFD. This will help you manage inflation and maintain comfort.

Your lifestyle is stable because your children live independently. So your cash flow demand stays predictable. This makes your plan sustainable.

» Longevity Risk
Retirement at 56 means you may live till 85 or 90. Your plan should cover long years. Your total net worth of around Rs 5.5 Cr to Rs 6 Cr can support this. But you need a proper drawdown strategy. Avoid high withdrawals in early years. Keep your travel budget steady.

Do not depend on one asset class. A mix of debt and equity gives comfort. Keep your bank deposits as cushion.

» Succession and Estate Planning
Since you have two sons who are settled, you can plan a clear will. Clear distribution avoids conflict. You can also assign nominees across accounts. You can also review your legal papers. This gives peace to you and your family.

» Summary of Your Retirement Readiness
Based on your assets and cash flow, you are ready to retire. You have enough wealth. You have enough liquidity. You have enough income support from rent. You also have good asset mix. With proper planning, your lifestyle is comfortable.

You can retire now. But maintain a disciplined withdrawal strategy. Shift more reliance from direct equity into professionally managed mutual funds under regular plans. Keep your liquidity strong. Review once every year with a CFP.

Your wealth can support your travel dreams for many years. You can enjoy retired life with confidence.

» Finally
Your preparation is strong. Your intentions are clear. Your lifestyle needs are reasonable. Your assets support your dreams. With a balanced plan, steady review, and mindful spending, you can enjoy a comfortable retired life with your wife. You can travel the world without fear of running out of money. You deserve this peace and joy.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

Dr Nagarajan J S K

Dr Nagarajan J S K   |2577 Answers  |Ask -

NEET, Medical, Pharmacy Careers - Answered on Dec 10, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 10, 2025Hindi
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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