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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |1280 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 18, 2024

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 - Nov 03, 2023Hindi
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Hi Sir/maam, due to highly unavoidable reasons I am in a debt of 63 lakhs. I am a corporate employee with 1 lakh take home salary. This debt is only growing with each passing month. Request you to please guide me on how to come out of this debt trap.

Ans: Managing a significant debt can be challenging, but with a structured plan, it's possible to get back on track. Here's a brief guide:

Assess Your Debt: List all debts, their interest rates, and monthly payments. Prioritize high-interest debts.
Budgeting: Create a strict monthly budget to track income and expenses. Cut unnecessary expenses and allocate more to debt repayment.
Debt Repayment Strategy:
Snowball Method: Pay off the smallest debts first to build momentum.
Avalanche Method: Focus on high-interest debts first to minimize interest payments.
Increase Income: Consider part-time jobs, freelancing, or selling assets to increase income.
Negotiate with Creditors: Contact creditors to negotiate lower interest rates or a repayment plan.
Seek Professional Help: Consider consulting a credit counselor or financial advisor for personalized advice and debt management strategies.
Focus on reducing expenses, increasing income, and prioritizing debt repayment to gradually reduce and eliminate the debt. Stay committed and disciplined in following the plan.
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  |1280 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 16, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 09, 2023Hindi
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Dear expert I am caught in a debt trap with loans and credit card outstandings. All my investments which were significant at point of time have now been nullified except FDs worth 5 lacs. Also i have a house of my own I need your help in how to get out of a debt trap..I stay with my parents, who are retired bank employees and pensioners who have significant income. My wife and I have a total monthly income of around 1 lac
Ans: I'm sorry to hear about your situation, but I'm glad you're seeking guidance to get out of the debt trap. Here's a step-by-step approach to help you manage and reduce your debts:

Assess Your Debts: List down all your debts, including loans and credit card outstandings, along with their interest rates and monthly EMIs.

Create a Budget: Prepare a monthly budget to track your income and expenses. Allocate a portion of your income towards debt repayment.

Prioritize Debts: Prioritize debts with higher interest rates or those with smaller outstanding amounts for quick elimination (Debt Snowball Method) or focus on debts with larger outstanding amounts (Debt Avalanche Method).

Negotiate with Creditors: Contact your creditors to negotiate lower interest rates or request a repayment plan that suits your financial situation.

Cut Unnecessary Expenses: Identify and cut down on unnecessary expenses to free up more money for debt repayment.

Increase Income: Explore ways to increase your income, such as taking up a part-time job, freelancing, or selling unused items.

Emergency Fund: While focusing on debt repayment, start building an emergency fund to avoid taking on more debt in case of unexpected expenses.

Seek Financial Counseling: Consider seeking help from a financial counselor or debt management agency to guide you through the process and negotiate with creditors on your behalf.

Avoid Taking on More Debt: Stop using credit cards and avoid taking on more loans until you have paid off your existing debts.

Review and Adjust: Regularly review your budget and debt repayment plan to make necessary adjustments based on your progress and changing financial situation.

Regarding Your Investments and FDs:

FDs: Keep the FDs as an emergency fund or use them to pay off high-interest debts if needed.
Regarding Your House and Parents' Income:

House: If possible, consider downsizing or renting out a portion of your house to generate additional income.
Parents' Income: Discuss your situation with your parents and explore the possibility of them assisting you financially, either by lending you money or helping with debt repayment.
Remember: It's essential to stay committed, disciplined, and patient throughout this process. With determination and a well-thought-out plan, you can overcome your debt and achieve financial freedom.

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Sanjeev

Sanjeev Govila  |458 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner - Answered on Aug 09, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 09, 2023Hindi
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I have multiple loan with outstanding of 32 lakhs. My salary is 1.3L pm and paying emi of 82k.Not able to figure it out how to get out this debt trap
Ans: My inputs sent for a magazine article yesterday may help you. Please go through it:-

Strategy to get out of debt trap

1. Debt Consolidation: This is streamlining your debts for clarity. Debt without consolidation is like juggling a bunch of puzzle pieces while presuming that you’re in control. Merge your scattered debts into one manageable loan, reducing confusion and the risk of missing payments. This smart move can lead to lower interest rates and simplified monthly payments, giving you a clearer path out of the debt maze.

2. Debt Avalanche Strategy: This strategy treats your debts as mountains and tells you to start climbing the steepest ones first, that is, tackling the highest peaks first and the lower peaks will then automatically become a cake-walk. So, with this strategy, you focus on the high-interest loans while making minimum payments on others. As you conquer one peak after another, your momentum builds, and soon you'll find yourself on the summit of debt-free living.

3. Credit Card Balance Transfer: IN this strategy, you swap the high-interest credit card debts for friendlier ones. Through a balance transfer, you move your existing credit card debt to a new card with lower interest, that is, shifting to a smoother terrain. This gives you breathing room to pay off the principal without being weighed down by sky-high interest.

4. Practical Tips to Conquer Debt:
1. Budget with Purpose: Lay out a clear budget that allocates extra funds to debt repayment while covering essentials.
2. Cut Unnecessary Expenses: Trim down on luxuries, and redirect the saved money towards settling your debts faster.
3. Build an Emergency Fund: Having a financial safety net prevents you from resorting to more debt during unexpected setbacks.
4. Negotiate with Lenders: Reach out to your lenders for potential interest rate reductions or extended payment plans.
5. Financial Windfalls: Put unexpected bonuses, tax refunds, or gifts towards debt reduction to accelerate your progress.

Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day – the same applies to debt repayment. By combining strategic methods and prudent financial habits, you can pave the way to a debt-free horizon.

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Sushil

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Study Abroad Expert - Answered on May 02, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - May 01, 2024Hindi
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My doughter completed mbbs internship in india Karnataka she wants. Study pg in outside india
Ans: Hello,

To begin with, thank you for contacting us. I am glad to hear that your daughter has completed her MBBS internship in Karnataka, India and now wishes to pursue her postgraduate (PG) studies abroad. Based on her choices, professional objectives, as well as the programs that are offered in her chosen field of expertise, I would like to tell you that she can apply to countries viz., the USA, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Australia, and Singapore for the same. Besides the ones mentioned above, there are a number of other nations that provide outstanding programs for postgraduate medical education. I would recommend that your daughter takes into account these steps:

Firstly, she should conduct a comprehensive study on countries and universities offering postgraduate medical programs, taking into account variables viz., the reputation, course offerings, experience of the faculty members, clinical placements, as well as the specializations that are available. Next, she should look into the entry prerequisites for overseas students applying to PG medical programs in the country she has chosen. Remember that prerequisites may differ, including academic credentials, language competency (viz., scores of the TOEFL or IELTS tests), and perhaps even medical licensing exams like the PLAB or USMLE. Next, as part of the application procedure, your daughter will need to submit her academic marksheets, a statement of purpose (SOP), endorsement letters, and at times, scores of standardized tests. Make sure she adheres to all the prerequisites and deadlines for every program that she applies to. I would suggest that your daughter takes into account the cost of studying overseas, including costs of living, healthcare, tuition, as well as any prospective scholarships or possibilities for monetary assistance. She should look into scholarships available to overseas students. In addition, help her locate appropriate housing, be it private rentals, university accommodation, or homestays whilst taking into account variables viz., safety, closeness to the university, and the cost. Not just that, also make sure that your daughter possesses adequate medical insurance coverage that satisfies the university and host country's criteria. I would recommend that your daughter gets in touch with alumni, former and current international students, faculty members, as well as experts in her academic field. Remember that developing a robust network can offer advice, invaluable assistance, as well as chances to collaborate. I would suggest that your daughter learns about the visa prerequisites and immigration procedures for the nation she has chosen. Ensure that she applies for the right visa on schedule and completes all the required paperwork. I would recommend that you assist your daughter in preparing for her study abroad experience, including adjusting to a new culture, adapting to a new academic setting, as well as overcoming any possible homesickness. Lastly, keep abreast on any updates or advancements pertaining to travel abroad, immigration laws, and healthcare rules. I would like to tell you that by adhering to these steps and examining her possibilities, your daughter can successfully pursue her postgraduate medical education abroad.

For more information, you can visit our website.

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |1280 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 02, 2024

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |1280 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 02, 2024

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |1280 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 02, 2024

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I recently received 10 lakhs which was invested earlier. Currently i invest 18k in parag parekh flexi, 15k in Navi nifty50, 15k ICICI pru s&p index, 8k quant mid, 8 k quant small,8k Motilal Oswal mid, 8k Nippon India small, 12.5k elss quant, 7.5k gold, 20k debt. Will be doing this for next 20yrs. How do I put my lumpsum of 10lakhs in this? Should I bulk invest or slowly put money in to these over next 6 months
Ans: Congratulations on receiving the 10 lakhs! That's a great opportunity to boost your investments for the next 20 years. Here's a breakdown of the two approaches for your lump sum:

Bulk Invest:

Pros: Takes advantage of rupee-cost averaging. The market fluctuates, so by investing everything at once, you capture some units at potentially lower prices. It's also simpler to manage, requiring just one investment decision.
Cons: If the market takes a dip right after you invest, your entire sum goes in at a potentially higher price.
SIP over 6 Months:

Pros: Provides a form of averaging as you invest across different market conditions. Offers some peace of mind if you're concerned about market volatility.
Cons: Misses out on the potential benefit of rupee-cost averaging if the market trends upwards. Requires more discipline to consistently invest each month.
Choosing the Right Approach:

There's no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on your risk tolerance:

Comfortable with some risk? A bulk investment might be suitable.
Prefer to spread the risk? Consider SIPs over 6 months.
Here's a suggestion: Talk to a certified financial planner. They can analyze your existing portfolio (diversified across equity, debt, and gold - that's good!) and risk profile to recommend the best way to deploy your lump sum. They can even suggest a hybrid approach, investing a portion upfront and the rest via SIPs.

Remember, you've got a long investment horizon of 20 years. Stay focused and make well-informed decisions to grow your wealth!

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |1280 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 02, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 16, 2024Hindi
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I am an NRI, 60 years old. Trying for the first time to invest in India. My friend suggest I do invest in SIP and recommend 4 funds - Nippon India large cap, DSP small cap, HDFC flexi cap and ICICI Pru multi assest funds. What do you recommend? How much should I start with? Is 5 k in each fund is ok and monitor? Pl.let mr know. Thank you.
Ans: Ah, coming back to invest in India after all these years, must be a wonderful feeling! It's like reconnecting with a piece of your history. But times change, and so do investments. SIPs (Systematic Investment Plans) are a brilliant way to build your nest egg over time, a bit by bit, just like that proverbial rice bag!

Your friend's suggestion of diversifying across large, small, and flexi-cap funds makes perfect sense. Think of it as having a well-rounded meal – you wouldn't want just dal, would you? You want the whole thali! Diversification helps spread the risk, just like having a strong support system in life.

Now, 5k in each fund is a good starting point. But remember, the amount depends on your overall financial goals. How much do you want this nest egg to be? Visualize it - a comfortable retirement by the beach? Helping your grandchildren with their education? Once you have that vision, a Certified Financial Planner can help you tailor your SIP contributions to reach it.

So, take that first step! It's like planting a sapling – it might seem small now, but with careful nurturing, it can grow into a magnificent tree. Happy investing!

...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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