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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 09, 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 - Mar 16, 2024Hindi
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I want to make a balanced portfolio for 15 yrs pls suggest good mutual funds

Ans: Creating a balanced portfolio for a 15-year investment horizon requires a thoughtful approach to asset allocation and fund selection. Here's a diversified portfolio strategy across different asset classes:
1. Equity Funds (60-70%):
• Select a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and multi-cap equity funds to capture growth opportunities across market segments.
• Large-cap funds offer stability and consistent returns, while mid-cap funds provide growth potential. Multi-cap funds offer flexibility to invest across market caps.
2. Debt Funds (20-30%):
• Include a mix of short-term, medium-term, and long-term debt funds to provide stability and income generation.
• Short-term debt funds offer liquidity and lower interest rate risk, while long-term debt funds provide higher yields with some interest rate risk.
3. Hybrid Funds (10-20%):
• Consider balanced hybrid or aggressive hybrid funds to provide a blend of equity and debt exposure.
• These funds offer diversification, income generation, and potential for capital appreciation, suitable for long-term investors.
4. Sectoral/Thematic Funds (Optional,
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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Vivek

Vivek Shah  | Answer  |Ask -

Financial Planner - Answered on Mar 08, 2023

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Best mutual fund which gives me 15% per annually
Ans: Hello,

First of all as an investor and also managing your family finances, you need to answer following questions before deciding on which instrument you want to invest

1) Goal or financial goal or purpose of doing investment. This will matter a lot as a goal of child education and retirement needs to see with different perspective and also should have asset allocation and market cap exposure accordingly.

2) Time Horizon of your goals- this is very important as it will help you to select the asset class and it's allocation based on your time period of financial goals. This is where investor makes biggest mistake of misalignment of asset time cycle and goals time period. If you allign this properly, your journey will be quite smooth.

3) Optimum Return expectations on your capital invested-
If you are saving and investing for some better future to fulfill your goals offcourse you will ask something in return which should be respectable higher returns than inflation for long term period( more than 7 years). If you are investing in India than equity return assumptions and calculations should be based on 12% return expectations and debt it should be 6.5%. Remember that you should assume practical return assumptions ( not the highest or what your friend says) as you can put any number in the excel sheet for your mental satisfaction😃

4) Risk taken on your capital-
Risk is a very negative word being taken in india but actually it's the risk appetite and risk acceptance of an investor which makes his outcome/ returns favourable. Understand one thing that if you want high returns you have to assume high risk and there is no option for it or an investor has to be happy with sub optimal returns if he is not ready to take risk.

Risk according to me is the capacity of a person until where and when he will not have any palpation in his stomach and he can absorb the downside easily( both realised and majority of time unrealised).

After looking at all these parameters you can think of taking allocations to mutual funds and decide how much allocation to Large cap, midcap or smalll cap funds.

And after all that, i would say it's your behaviour and emotions management which will help you create wealth in the equity market.

I hope this helps. Happy investing

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 23, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 04, 2023Hindi
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My age is 24 years old I investing in mutual fund. For 1 years. 1 Axis Blue chip fund 1000rs 2 Axis small cap fund 1000rs 3 Mirrae asset tax sever Elsa 1000rs 4 Mirrae asset mid cap fund 1000rs 5 quant flexi cap fund 1000 I want to creat 50 lakh in 15 years Plz suggest me about my portfolio
Ans: Your investment journey at such a young age reflects foresight and financial prudence. The portfolio you've crafted showcases a blend of large-cap, small-cap, and diversified funds, which is a good start.

To aim for a 50 lakh corpus in 15 years, let's delve into some considerations:

Consistency is Key: Regularly investing small amounts over time can harness the power of compounding. Stick to your SIPs diligently, and avoid reacting to short-term market fluctuations.
Diversification: While your current portfolio has a mix of funds, consider diversifying further by exploring international funds or sector-specific funds to spread risk and capture global growth opportunities.
Risk and Reward: Understand the risk associated with each fund. Small-cap and mid-cap funds can offer higher returns but come with increased volatility. Ensure your portfolio aligns with your risk tolerance.
Review and Rebalance: Periodically review your portfolio to ensure it remains aligned with your financial goals and market conditions. Rebalance if necessary to maintain desired asset allocation.
Stay Invested, Stay Patient: Investing is a long-term game. Embrace the journey with patience, and resist the temptation to make frequent changes based on market noise.
Remember, investing is not just about chasing returns but aligning your investments with your life goals and aspirations. Continue your financial journey with confidence and discipline.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Sep 03, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 25, 2024Hindi
Money
Hi Sir, For a long term perspective (15 years) which mutual funds would you recommend. I plan to invest 50k per month and ready to take high risk. Please advice.
Ans: For a 15-year investment horizon, you have a significant advantage. Long-term investments benefit from compounding, allowing wealth to grow steadily over time. Your readiness to take on high risk aligns well with growth-oriented investments, which can potentially deliver substantial returns.

Investment Objectives
Wealth Accumulation: With a 15-year timeline, the goal is to grow your wealth significantly.

High Growth Potential: Given your high-risk tolerance, investing in equity-oriented mutual funds makes sense.

Inflation-Beating Returns: Over a long period, your investments should outperform inflation, ensuring the value of your money grows.

Advantages of Active Management
Expertise: Actively managed funds benefit from the expertise of fund managers. They can adapt to market changes, aiming to outperform benchmarks.

Flexibility: Active funds are not tied to a particular index. Fund managers can choose the best-performing sectors and companies.

Potential for Higher Returns: Active management can potentially offer higher returns compared to passive strategies, especially over long periods.

Disadvantages of Index Funds
Lack of Flexibility: Index funds simply mirror a market index. This means they cannot adapt to changing market conditions.

No Outperformance: Index funds aim to match, not beat, the market. In times of market volatility, they might underperform compared to active funds.

Limited Downside Protection: In a declining market, index funds fall as much as the market. Active funds, on the other hand, may employ strategies to mitigate losses.

Disadvantages of Direct Funds
Absence of Professional Guidance: Direct funds do not provide access to a certified financial planner (CFP). This can lead to uninformed decisions.

Time-Consuming: Managing investments without professional help requires constant attention. This may not be ideal for everyone.

Possibility of Mistakes: Without expert advice, there’s a risk of choosing the wrong funds, which can negatively impact returns.

Benefits of Regular Funds
Professional Management: Regular funds come with the expertise of a CFP, ensuring your investments are well-managed.

Stress-Free Investing: With regular funds, you don’t have to constantly monitor your investments. The CFP takes care of it for you.

Better Fund Selection: A CFP can recommend funds that align with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

Portfolio Diversification
Equity Funds: Considering your high-risk tolerance, equity funds are a good choice. They offer high growth potential over the long term.

Mid-Cap and Small-Cap Funds: These funds invest in mid-sized and small companies, which can offer higher returns. However, they also come with higher risk.

Sectoral/Thematic Funds: These funds focus on specific sectors like technology or healthcare. They can provide high returns but require careful selection.

Balanced Approach: While equity should be the primary focus, consider adding a small percentage to debt funds for stability. This balances the risk, especially during market downturns.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP)
Consistent Investment: A SIP allows you to invest Rs. 50,000 monthly, providing consistency and discipline in your investment strategy.

Rupee Cost Averaging: By investing regularly, you benefit from rupee cost averaging. This helps in buying more units when prices are low and fewer when prices are high, reducing the overall cost.

Mitigating Volatility: SIPs help in managing market volatility. Regular investments can smooth out market fluctuations over time.

Sectoral and Thematic Funds
Growth Potential: Sectoral funds, especially in sectors like technology and pharmaceuticals, have high growth potential. They are suited for investors willing to take risks.

Cyclical Nature: Be aware that sectoral funds are cyclical. They may perform exceptionally well during certain periods but could underperform during others. A balanced mix is essential.

International Exposure
Diversification Beyond India: Consider funds that invest in international markets. This offers exposure to global growth opportunities and reduces reliance on the Indian market alone.

Currency Advantage: Investing in international funds can provide currency diversification. If the rupee weakens, your international investments could gain in value.

Role of Debt Funds
Risk Mitigation: Even with a high-risk appetite, it’s wise to allocate a small portion to debt funds. They offer stability and act as a cushion during market downturns.

Regular Income: Debt funds can also provide a steady income, which can be reinvested to compound growth.

Regular Review and Rebalancing
Periodic Assessment: Regularly review your portfolio to ensure it aligns with your goals. Market conditions and personal circumstances may change, necessitating adjustments.

Rebalancing: Over time, your asset allocation may shift due to market movements. Rebalancing ensures that your portfolio remains aligned with your risk tolerance and goals.

Importance of a Certified Financial Planner
Tailored Advice: A CFP can provide personalized advice based on your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon.

Ongoing Support: Investing through a CFP ensures ongoing support and advice, helping you navigate market changes and adjust your strategy as needed.

Maximizing Returns: With the help of a CFP, you can maximize your returns while managing risk effectively. Their expertise in fund selection and portfolio management is invaluable.

Final Insights
Long-Term Commitment: With a 15-year horizon, stay committed to your investment plan. The market will have ups and downs, but long-term growth is likely.

Diversify Wisely: Diversify across equity, mid-cap, small-cap, sectoral, and a small percentage of debt funds. This balance will help manage risk while seeking growth.

Monitor and Adjust: Regular monitoring and adjusting of your portfolio are essential. This ensures your investments stay aligned with your goals.

Seek Expert Guidance: Investing with the help of a CFP ensures you get expert advice tailored to your needs. This enhances your chances of achieving your financial goals.

Investing Rs. 50,000 per month for 15 years can significantly grow your wealth. However, it’s important to choose the right mix of funds and manage them carefully to achieve the best results.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Latest Questions
Anu

Anu Krishna  |1746 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Dec 08, 2025

Ramalingam

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

Ramalingam

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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