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Omkeshwar

Omkeshwar Singh  | Answer  |Ask -

Head, Rank MF - Answered on Nov 03, 2022

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Amit Question by Amit on Nov 03, 2022Hindi
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2) Superannuation: 22.5 lakh with a monthly investment of 11k

Ans: This can grow up to Rs. 83 lakh

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  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

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

Money
I am 50 + yr Engg Graduate and working in Pvt sector in NCR and having approx 10 yrs to retirement. # The Combined Family income (Including Dividend & Interest) : Rs. 22 Lac / Annum. # Yearly Expenditure : Rs.13.1 Lac / Annum (Includes Insurance Premium , fee , Rent etc); # I am Staying in Rent ; I am Have a old parental Flat at Lucknow (Vacant) which will be sold off inleu of a new Flat in next 4-5 years time (Present Value of Flat is approx Rs. 75 Lac ; ) # Term Insurance till age 62 yrs: Sum Insured : Rs. 1.70 Cr ; # Health Insurance Floater : Covered till Rs. 50 Lacs. Portfolio : * MF-SIP : 1.80 Cr.; Monthly investment in SIP: ~ 65000/-. [MF SIP Selection is self] * Combined PPF : Rs.40 Lac * Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana : Rs. 6.0 Lac * Share Value: Rs.50 Lacs * FD with Pvt Financial institutions : Rs. 43 Lac. * Cash in Hand : Rs. 4-5 Lacs Major Expenditure to be done: (a) Higher Studies of Daughter: Going for PG - 1st yr & maybe later Phd. (b) Marriage of Daughter. (c) Higher Studies of Son : Presently in Class IX. (d) Marriage of Son . (e) Buying a new House. Pls advise : 1. How much Corpus will I have in next 10 yrs.? 2. How much should be the minimum corpus I should have at the time of my retirement so that it can last maybe for 25 + years post retirement? 3. Will I be able to achieve the reqd corpus? 4. What is the Likely monthly expenditure post my retirement ? 5. Can I share my List of SIP Portfolio with you so that same can be restructured by you ? 6. Should I go for a Professional Financial Planner ? regards
Ans: You have already done a lot of planning. Your awareness and discipline are strong. This gives you a great advantage for your retirement and children’s future.

Understanding Your Present Financial Snapshot
 

You are above 50 years of age and have around 10 years to retire.

 

Your yearly family income is Rs.22 lakh. Expenses are around Rs.13.1 lakh.

 

That means you are saving close to Rs.8.9 lakh yearly. That’s a strong surplus.

 

Monthly SIP is Rs.65,000. You have a solid SIP discipline in place.

 

Current MF SIP corpus is Rs.1.8 crore. That’s a significant base.

 

PPF corpus is Rs.40 lakh. That’s a good stable portion of your savings.

 

Shares are worth Rs.50 lakh. FD value is Rs.43 lakh.

 

You have Rs.4–5 lakh in liquid cash. Sukanya balance is Rs.6 lakh.

 

You are staying on rent. You have an old flat in Lucknow worth Rs.75 lakh.

 

You want to sell the flat in 4–5 years. Use funds for buying a new flat.

 

Health insurance floater of Rs.50 lakh is excellent.

 

Term insurance of Rs.1.7 crore till age 62 is also strong.

 

Likely Corpus in Next 10 Years
 

Your existing investments are already close to Rs.3.7 crore.

 

With SIPs and expected growth, this corpus will rise steadily.

 

Assuming consistent investment, the corpus could cross Rs.6 crore in 10 years.

 

This figure depends on SIP continuation, market returns, and investment review.

 

If you sell the flat in 5 years, you may get Rs.80–85 lakh or more.

 

That can also be redirected to another house purchase.

 

But remember, house is not an investment. It’s a utility asset.

 

It will not support retirement income unless sold or rented.

 

How Much Corpus Is Needed at Retirement?
 

Your current annual spending is Rs.13.1 lakh.

 

Post-retirement, this may reduce slightly. But not by much.

 

Assume 80% of current expenses will continue. That’s around Rs.10.5 lakh yearly.

 

Over 25+ years, this amount will rise due to inflation.

 

A safe minimum retirement corpus can be around Rs.5.5–6 crore.

 

This should cover lifestyle, healthcare, and emergency spending.

 

It also assumes a balanced investment portfolio post-retirement.

 

PPF, FDs, and some debt funds can give regular income.

 

Equity mutual funds should be continued partially for growth.

 

Can You Achieve the Required Corpus?
 

Yes, based on your present investments and habits, you are on track.

 

You must keep SIPs running without breaks for the next 10 years.

 

Increase your SIPs by 8–10% every year.

 

This single habit increases your total retirement corpus sharply.

 

Don’t withdraw from MF portfolio for house or other large expenses.

 

Use surplus from share sale or FD maturity for daughter’s or son’s needs.

 

Maintain separate goals. Don’t mix retirement and child-related funds.

 

Likely Monthly Expenses After Retirement
 

Your monthly spending may reduce, but not disappear.

 

House rent may go if you buy a flat. But other costs may rise.

 

Healthcare costs will rise as you age. So will travel and daily needs.

 

Monthly spending may be around Rs.80,000 to Rs.90,000 after retirement.

 

This will keep increasing due to inflation.

 

Plan for this by keeping a rising income source post-retirement.

 

Part of your MF portfolio must remain in equity to beat inflation.

 

Should You Restructure Your SIP Portfolio?
 

Yes. You can share your SIP portfolio. It should be reviewed in detail.

 

Fund selection must suit your goals, risk, and retirement timeline.

 

If SIPs are selected by self, mistakes may remain unnoticed.

 

Self-managed portfolios often carry duplication and poor diversification.

 

Review will ensure you hold right funds in correct proportion.

 

Regular rebalancing and fund replacement are also needed.

 

Avoid index funds. They copy the index. No expert decision-making involved.

 

Actively managed funds give better chances of outperformance.

 

A fund manager takes timely calls based on market data.

 

Direct Plans vs Regular Plans
 

Many people choose direct funds thinking returns will be more.

 

But direct plans give no advice, no monitoring, no fund review.

 

Wrong choices can erode gains, which you may not notice.

 

Investing through MFD with CFP support gives many advantages.

 

You get continuous guidance, strategy correction, and emotional discipline.

 

A small extra cost is worth it for safer long-term performance.

 

Use regular plans under a Certified Financial Planner to avoid mistakes.

 

Should You Hire a Certified Financial Planner?
 

Yes, it is the right time to do so.

 

You are close to retirement. No room for errors now.

 

One bad year or wrong withdrawal can hurt long-term stability.

 

A planner prepares a full retirement roadmap. Step-by-step.

 

Helps manage retirement income, investment allocation, and cashflow.

 

Plans for children’s education, marriage, and tax-saving.

 

Also prepares a Will, estate plan, and contingency system.

 

You have built wealth. A planner helps protect and grow it safely.

 

Other Action Points You Must Consider
 

Keep 6 months’ expenses in liquid mutual funds. That’s your emergency fund.

 

Keep track of new MF capital gains tax rules.

 

If equity MF gains exceed Rs.1.25 lakh in a year, excess is taxed at 12.5%.

 

If sold within one year, tax is 20% on profits.

 

For debt funds, all gains are taxed as per your income slab.

 

File taxes properly. Use Form 26AS and AIS to avoid mismatch.

 

Make a written Will. Register it if possible.

 

Update nominations in all mutual funds, FDs, and insurance.

 

Involve your spouse in all investment decisions. Keep them informed.

 

Retirement Income Management Strategy
 

Break your retirement portfolio into three buckets.

 

First: Emergency and liquidity. Use FDs and liquid funds here.

 

Second: Stable monthly income. Use PPF, debt mutual funds, and bonds.

 

Third: Long-term growth. Keep some mutual funds in equity.

 

Withdraw only what is needed. Keep rest invested.

 

Review once a year with your planner.

 

Children’s Education and Marriage Planning
 

PG for daughter is immediate. Use FD interest or surplus cash.

 

Don’t disturb mutual funds meant for retirement.

 

PhD is long-term. Plan SIPs separately for that.

 

Son’s education is 4–5 years away. Start new SIPs today.

 

Marriage cost is hard to predict. But start a separate investment for that now.

 

Keep gifts, bonuses, or land sale proceeds for such events.

 

Don’t allow such costs to delay or reduce your retirement corpus.

 

Final Insights
 

You are in a strong financial position. That itself is an advantage.

 

But with multiple goals ahead, clear planning becomes important.

 

Don’t self-manage complex portfolios at this stage.

 

Avoid real estate dependence. Use it only for living, not investing.

 

Stay away from index and direct funds. They don’t give personal strategy.

 

Increase SIPs each year. Tag each goal separately.

 

Use a Certified Financial Planner to guide your retirement strategy.

 

Update nominations, Will, and insurance coverage.

 

Monitor your retirement portfolio closely, but don’t panic with market ups and downs.

 

Stay invested. Think long-term. Follow a guided, reviewed plan.

 

You can retire comfortably and fulfil all family goals with peace of mind.

 

Best Regards,
 

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 30, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 21, 2025Hindi
Money
present age 45 Year Like to retire in 2036 Family members : wife and 14year old son Having following assets: One home of 65 L PPF of 26L (will continue investment till 2036) Gold 20 L in gold (coins and SGB) Plots INR 14 lakh (4500sqft) Equit 6 lakh in equity (adding 10000 monthly till 2036) NPS 2.5 lakh (will add 50K annually till 2036) Sip in ETFs present 7.2 lakh invested in ETFs and will continue investing 50K monthly till 2036 Nippon Nifty BeES, ICICI Prudential Nifty Next 50, Motilal Oswal Nasdaq 100, Motilal Oswal Midcap 150, ICICI Nifty India Consumption ETF, SBI PSU Bank ETF, and ICICI Infra ETF, with a 10% annual step-up. Our current monthly household expenses are around INR 40,000 Having 50L term insurance and 5L group medical insurance for family
Ans: You have built a very structured and balanced portfolio. Your commitment to disciplined investing deserves appreciation. You are consistently investing across asset classes with a long-term view. That gives you a strong foundation for financial freedom in 2036.

Now, let’s analyse each component step by step.

Let us create a 360-degree plan to improve safety, growth, and retirement readiness.

? Home Property Assessment

– Your house worth Rs. 65 lakh is a consumption asset.
– It provides stability but doesn’t generate income.
– Don’t treat it as a retirement asset.
– It should not be part of your retirement corpus plan.
– Ensure proper insurance for the house.
– That protects from damage and liability.

? PPF Contributions Till 2036

– Your PPF corpus of Rs. 26 lakh is a strong pillar.
– Continued contributions till 2036 is wise.
– It gives assured, tax-free returns.
– It also gives liquidity after maturity.
– Use this corpus as a cushion post-retirement.
– Use it only for unavoidable or health-related needs.
– Keep it intact for longer to earn interest.
– Don’t withdraw unless necessary.

? Gold Holdings – Coins and SGBs

– Rs. 20 lakh in gold is a sizable holding.
– If mostly SGB, it is earning interest.
– If mostly coins, it does not earn anything.
– Keep SGBs till maturity for 2.5% annual interest.
– Do not increase allocation further to gold.
– It is not productive and fluctuates.
– No inflation-beating power over 15 years.
– Cap gold at around 10–15% of total assets.
– Avoid more gold investments going forward.

? Plot Worth Rs. 14 Lakh

– This is not a retirement-ready asset.
– Plots do not give regular income.
– It needs time to sell and legal clarity.
– Future sale value is uncertain.
– Consider selling in future and shifting to mutual funds.
– That will make your money work.
– Don’t count this plot in your retirement corpus.

? Equity Mutual Fund Investment

– Rs. 6 lakh equity investment with Rs. 10,000 monthly SIP is a good approach.
– Keep this SIP running consistently till 2036.
– This investment will grow well over time.
– Ensure allocation is spread across large, mid, and flexi-cap funds.
– Actively managed funds do better than ETFs long term.
– They adjust based on market trends.
– Choose regular funds through an MFD guided by a Certified Financial Planner.
– Avoid direct mutual funds.
– Direct funds don’t give personalised service or portfolio reviews.
– Regular funds offer advice and handholding from experts.

? NPS Annual Investment

– You have Rs. 2.5 lakh in NPS.
– You are adding Rs. 50,000 annually.
– This is tax-efficient.
– But 60% maturity proceeds are taxable.
– And 40% goes into annuity which gives low returns.
– NPS is locked till 60.
– Keep your contribution limited.
– Don't use NPS as your main retirement plan.
– Use it only as a small portion of your retirement asset mix.

? Current ETF Investments – Areas of Concern

– You have invested Rs. 7.2 lakh in ETFs.
– Investing Rs. 50,000 monthly in ETFs with a 10% step-up sounds aggressive.
– These include Nifty, Next 50, Midcap, Nasdaq 100, Infra, PSU Bank, Consumption.
– Many are high-risk sector-specific ETFs.
– This exposes you to concentration risk.
– ETFs don't have fund managers who adjust holdings.
– They mirror index, even if stocks underperform.
– In falling markets, ETFs fall fully.
– No cushion or downside protection.
– In long term, actively managed mutual funds have better performance.
– They manage market conditions better.
– Fund managers book profits, rebalance sectors.
– ETFs lack this human advantage.
– You are also missing asset allocation flexibility.
– Consider shifting to regular mutual funds.
– Choose diversified equity funds with a professional planner.
– Reduce reliance on index investing.

? Insurance Coverage – Needs Reassessment

– You have a Rs. 50 lakh term cover.
– You have Rs. 5 lakh group medical cover for family.
– This is not enough.
– At your stage, Rs. 1.5 crore term cover is ideal.
– It should cover 10 to 12 times your annual income.
– Group health insurance is not portable.
– It ends when you leave your job.
– Buy a personal floater health policy for family.
– At least Rs. 15 lakh cover with Rs. 5 lakh top-up.
– That protects your savings in medical emergencies.
– Don’t ignore insurance gaps.

? Monthly Expenses and Retirement Corpus

– Your current household expense is Rs. 40,000.
– In 11 years, it can double with inflation.
– After retirement, you need income for at least 25 years.
– You will need Rs. 1 crore to Rs. 1.5 crore at retirement.
– This depends on inflation and lifestyle.
– Your current SIPs, PPF, equity MF, and gold can help.
– But ETF-heavy portfolio is risky for retirement.
– Mutual funds with rebalancing and planning are more suitable.
– Retirement should not depend on market-linked passive funds.
– Safety and predictability matter more after retirement.

? Key Actionable Steps

– Stop further gold and ETF investments.
– Sell the plot after proper evaluation and reinvest in mutual funds.
– Increase term insurance cover to at least Rs. 1.5 crore.
– Start a separate family health insurance plan of Rs. 15–20 lakh.
– Reduce NPS contribution and don’t treat it as your core plan.
– Shift your ETF SIPs gradually to actively managed mutual funds.
– Use regular funds through a certified MFD with guidance from a Certified Financial Planner.
– Stay invested consistently in equity mutual funds.
– Use multi-cap, flexi-cap, and hybrid funds for balance.
– Review asset allocation every year.
– Keep PPF till 2036, but don’t rely on it for regular income.
– Treat gold as safety buffer, not growth engine.
– Plan income withdrawal post-retirement carefully.
– Don’t withdraw all equity at once after retirement.
– Use Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) from mutual funds.
– That helps you get monthly income with less tax.
– Plan one-time expenses like son’s education separately.
– Keep some money in liquid funds from age 55.
– Create a retirement bucket strategy – safety, moderate, and growth buckets.

? Final Insights

– You are already disciplined and structured.
– That gives you a great head start.
– But, ETFs and plots are not suitable for retirement income.
– Actively managed regular funds offer better control and stability.
– Medical emergencies can destroy savings.
– Don’t wait to fix health and term insurance.
– Reduce exposure to passive and risky assets.
– Build a mutual fund-based plan with periodic review.
– Secure your family first, then focus on wealth.
– Don’t chase returns alone.
– Plan safety, growth, and income together.
– Use a Certified Financial Planner to customise the plan.
– With right steps, your 2036 retirement is absolutely achievable.
– Retirement is not a finish line.
– It is a new beginning.
– Plan it like a second life, not an ending.

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Anu

Anu Krishna  |1746 Answers  |Ask -

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Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 08, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 08, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi i am 40M. would request your help to understand what should be the corpus required for retirement as i want to get retired in next 3-5yrs. currently my take home is 2.3L monthly & my wife also works but leaving the job in next 2-3 months. we have a daughter 10yrs, currently i stay on rent and total monthly expense is 1.1L month. once i will retire we will shift in our own parental flat, where hopefully there will be no rent. current Investments 1. 50L in REC bonds getting matured in 2029 2. 42L in stocks 3. 17L in MF 4. 16L FD 5. 15L in PPF 6. 1.3L SIP monthly i do My Wife Investments 1. 30L corpus 2. flat with current value 40L and we get rental of 10K monthly. Please guide what should be the retirement corpus required combined to retire, assuming i need 75L for my daughter post grad and marriage and we would be requiring 75K monthly for our expenses after retiring
Ans: You have explained your income, goals, current assets, and future plans with great clarity. Your early planning spirit is strong. This gives a very good base. You can reach a peaceful retirement with smart steps in the next few years.

» Your Current Position

You are 40 years old. You plan to retire in 3 to 5 years. You earn Rs 2.3 lakh per month. Your wife also works but will stop working soon. You have one daughter aged 10. Your current monthly cost is around Rs 1.1 lakh. This cost will reduce after retirement because you will shift to your parental flat.

Your investment base is already good. You have saved in bonds, stocks, mutual funds, PPF, FD, and SIP. Your wife also has her own savings and rental income from a flat. All these create a good starting point.

This early base helps you plan stronger. It also gives room for more shaping. You are on the right road.

» Your Family Goals

You need Rs 75 lakh for your daughter’s higher education and marriage.

You want Rs 75,000 per month for family living after retirement.

You want to retire in 3 to 5 years.

You will shift to your parental flat after retirement.

You will have rental income of Rs 10,000 from your wife’s flat.

These goals are clear. They give direction. They allow a strong plan.

» Your Present Investments

Your investments include:

Rs 50 lakh in REC bonds maturing in 2029.

Rs 42 lakh in stocks.

Rs 17 lakh in mutual funds.

Rs 16 lakh in fixed deposits.

Rs 15 lakh in PPF.

Rs 1.3 lakh as monthly SIP.

Your wife holds:

Rs 30 lakh corpus.

A flat worth Rs 40 lakh with rent of Rs 10,000 each month.

Your combined net worth is healthy. This gives good power to build your retirement fund in the coming years.

» Understanding Your Expense Need After Retirement

You expect Rs 75,000 per month after retirement. This includes all basic needs. You will not have rent. That reduces cost. This assumption looks fair today.

Your cost will rise with inflation. So you must plan for rising needs. A strong retirement corpus must support rising cost for 40 to 45 years because you are retiring early.

An early retirement needs a large buffer. So you need safety along with growth. Your plan must include growth assets and safety assets.

» How Much Monthly Income You Will Need Later

Rs 75,000 per month is Rs 9 lakh per year. In future years, this cost can rise. If we assume steady rise, your future cost will be much higher.

So the retirement corpus must be designed to:

Give monthly income.

Beat inflation.

Support you for 40 to 45 years.

Protect your family even in market down cycles.

Allow flexibility if your needs change.

A strong retirement fund must support both safety and long-term growth.

» How Much Corpus You Should Target

A safe target is a large and flexible corpus that can support long years without running out of money. For early retirement, the usual thumb rule suggests a very high number. This is because you need income for many decades.

You need a corpus big enough to produce rising income. You also need a cushion for unexpected health costs, lifestyle shocks, and inflation changes.

Your target retirement corpus should be in a strong range. For your needs of Rs 75,000 per month and for goals like daughter’s education and marriage, you should aim for a combined retirement readiness corpus in the higher bracket.

A safe range for your family would be a very large number crossing multiple crores. This large range gives you:

Income safety.

Inflation protection.

Peace during market cycles.

Comfort in long life.

Room for daughter’s future.

Strong backup for health.

You are already on the way due to your existing assets. You will reach close to this range with systematic building over the next 3 to 5 years.

» Why You Need This Larger Corpus

You will retire early. That means more years of living from your corpus. Your corpus must not fall early. It must grow even after retirement. It must give monthly income and long-term family protection.

This is only possible when the corpus is strong and well-structured. A weak corpus creates stress. A strong corpus creates freedom.

Also, your daughter’s future cost must be kept aside. This must be parked in a separate fund. This must not touch your retirement money.

A strong corpus makes these two worlds separate and safe.

» Your Existing Assets and Their Strength

You already have good diversification:

Bonds give safety.

Stocks give growth.

Mutual funds give managed growth.

FD gives stability.

PPF gives tax-free long-term savings.

This blend is already a good start. But you need to make the blend more structured for early retirement.

Your Rs 1.3 lakh monthly SIP is also strong. It builds your future fast. You should continue.

Your wife’s rental income is small but steady. This adds strength.

Your combined financial base can reach your retirement target if you refine your allocation now.

» Your Daughter’s Future Fund Need

You need Rs 75 lakh for your daughter’s education and marriage. You should keep this goal separate from your retirement goal.

Your current SIP and future allocations should create a dedicated fund for this goal. A long-term fund can grow well when managed actively.

Do not mix this fund with your retirement needs. Mixing leads to shortage in old age. Always keep this corpus ring-fenced.

» A Strong Asset Mix For Your Retirement Path

A balanced mix is needed. You need growth assets to beat inflation. You also need stable assets for income.

You must avoid index funds because they do not give flexibility. Index funds follow a fixed index. They cannot make active changes in different markets. They cannot move to better stocks when markets change. They force you to stay in weak sectors for long. They also do not help you in down cycles because they cannot protect you by shifting to safer options. This can hurt retirement planning.

Actively managed funds are better because:

They give active asset selection.

They give scope for better returns.

They give flexibility to change sectors.

They give downside management.

They give access to a skilled fund manager.

They support long-term planning more safely.

Direct plans also carry risk. Direct plans do not give guidance. They do not give behavioural support. They do not give market timing help. They do not give portfolio shaping. They leave all the judgement to you. One mistake can cost years of wealth.

Regular plans with guidance from a Certified Financial Planner help you shape decisions. They help you remain disciplined. They help you avoid panic. They help you decide allocation changes at the right time. This saves wealth in long-term.

» How Your Investment Journey Should Grow in the Next 3–5 Years

Continue your SIP.

Increase SIP when your income rises.

Shift part of your stock holding into planned long-term mutual funds to reduce concentration risk.

Build a defined daughter’s education fund.

Keep a part of your REC bond maturity amount for long-term.

Avoid locking too much into fixed deposits for long periods.

Build a safety fund for one year of expenses.

This will create a full structure.

» Your Rental Income Role

Your rental income of Rs 10,000 per month is small but steady. Over time it will rise. This income will support your monthly cash flow after retirement.

You can use this for utilities or health insurance premiums. This gives a cushion.

» Your Emergency Buffer

You should keep at least one year of essential cost in a safe place. This can be in a liquid account or short-term fund. This protects you in shocks.

Since you plan early retirement, a strong buffer is important. It gives peace even in low months.

» A Structured Retirement Approach

A complete retirement plan for you should include:

A clear monthly income plan after retirement.

A corpus that can grow and protect.

A rising income system that matches inflation.

A separate daughter’s future fund.

A health cover plan for your family.

A tax-efficient withdrawal plan.

A market cycle plan to protect you in tough times.

This holistic approach keeps your family strong for decades.

» What You Should Build by Retirement Year

Your aim should be to reach a strong multi-crore range in investments before retirement. You already hold a large amount. You will add more in the next 3 to 5 years through SIP, stock growth, bond maturity, and disciplined saving.

Once you reach your target range, you can start the shifting process:

Move a part to stable assets.

Keep a part in long-term growth assets.

Create a monthly income strategy.

Keep a reserve bucket.

Keep a child future bucket.

Keep a long-term growth bucket.

This structure protects you in all market conditions.

» Final Insights

Your financial journey is already strong. You have a good income. You have saved well. You have multiple asset types. You have a clear timeline. And you have clear goals. This foundation is solid.

In the next 3 to 5 years, your focus should be on growing your combined corpus to a strong multi-crore range, keeping a separate fund for your daughter, reducing risk in unplanned assets, and building a stable long-term structure.

With the present path and a disciplined structure, you can retire peacefully and support your family with confidence for many decades.

Best Regards,

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

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

...Read more

Samraat

Samraat Jadhav  |2499 Answers  |Ask -

Stock Market Expert - Answered on Dec 08, 2025

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Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 08, 2025

Money
Hello my name is saket, I monthly salary is 43k and my saving is zero. My Rent is 15 k and 10 k i send to my parents. How can i save money and investments.
Ans: 1. Your Current Monthly Numbers

Salary: Rs 43,000

Rent: Rs 15,000

Support to parents: Rs 10,000

Left with: Rs 18,000 for food, travel, bills, and savings

You have very little room, but saving is still possible if done smartly.

2. First Step: Build a Small Emergency Buffer

You must build Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 emergency money.
This protects you from taking loans for small issues.

How to build it:

Save Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 every month in a simple bank savings account

Do this for the next few months

Don’t touch it unless truly needed

3. Create a Mini Budget (Very Simple One)

Try this split from the remaining Rs 18,000:

Daily living (food + transport): Rs 10,000 – 11,000

Personal expenses (phone, internet, basics): Rs 3,000 – 4,000

Savings + investments: Rs 3,000 – 5,000

If this feels difficult, reduce food/transport costs by small adjustments.

4. Where to Invest Once You Have Emergency Money

(For minors: This is general education. For actual investing, get guidance from a trusted adult or family member.)

After you build emergency money, start small monthly investing.

You can begin with:

Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 SIP in a simple, diversified equity fund

Increase the SIP whenever salary increases or expenses reduce

Avoid complicated products.
Keep it simple.
Focus on consistency.

5. Easy Practical Ways to Increase Saving

These small moves help a lot:

Avoid food delivery

Use public transport as much as possible

Reduce subscriptions you don’t use

Fix a daily expense limit

Keep a separate bank account only for savings

Even Rs 200 saved daily = Rs 6,000 monthly.

6. Increase Income Slowly

Try small income boosters:

Weekend tutoring

Freelancing

Part-time projects

Selling old gadgets

Learning new skills for future salary growth

Even Rs 3,000 extra income changes your savings life.

7. Build the Habit First

The amount doesn’t matter in the beginning.
The habit matters more.

Even saving Rs 500 every month is better than zero.
Once salary grows, you will already know how to save.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

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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