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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |6240 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 19, 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 - Jul 04, 2024Hindi
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Hi - I am married with two young kids and I am planning to create fund for kids education and my after retirement life. Expected monthly expenses is around 50K. Currently investing in 5 MF invested monthly for last 1.5 years (Nippon Small cap for 4k, Mirae ELSS Tax Saver for 3k, ICICI prudential Passive Multi Asset Fund of Funds for 3k, Zerodha ELSS Tax Saver Nifty LargeMidcap 250 Index fund for 2k [from last 8 months] and Quant Absolute Fund for 3k). Has NPS of 1lac.. Can you help guide if the amount invested is appropriate to meet the desired results?

Ans: Current Financial Situation
Family Status: Married with two young kids

Expected Monthly Expenses: Rs 50,000

Current Investments:

Nippon Small Cap Fund: Rs 4,000
Mirae ELSS Tax Saver Fund: Rs 3,000
ICICI Prudential Passive Multi Asset Fund of Funds: Rs 3,000
Zerodha ELSS Tax Saver Nifty LargeMidcap 250 Index Fund: Rs 2,000
Quant Absolute Fund: Rs 3,000
National Pension System (NPS): Rs 1 lakh

Financial Goals
Fund children's education
Ensure a comfortable retirement
Evaluation and Analysis
Current Investment Strategy
Nippon Small Cap Fund: This provides high growth potential but comes with higher risk.

Mirae ELSS Tax Saver Fund: Offers tax benefits and good returns over the long term.

ICICI Prudential Passive Multi Asset Fund of Funds: Provides diversification across asset classes but has limited growth potential compared to actively managed funds.

Zerodha ELSS Tax Saver Nifty LargeMidcap 250 Index Fund: Offers tax benefits but may not outperform actively managed funds.

Quant Absolute Fund: This is a balanced fund with moderate risk and return.

NPS: A good long-term investment for retirement with tax benefits.

Recommendations
Diversify and Increase SIP Contributions
To better achieve your goals, consider the following adjustments:

Large Cap Fund: Increase your SIP in a large cap fund to Rs 5,000 monthly. Large cap funds provide stability and steady growth.

Mid Cap Fund: Start a SIP of Rs 5,000 monthly in a mid cap fund. Mid cap funds offer higher growth potential with moderate risk.

Flexi Cap Fund: Start a SIP of Rs 3,000 monthly in a flexi cap fund. Flexi cap funds adjust investments across market caps based on market conditions.

International Fund: Start a SIP of Rs 2,000 monthly. This adds geographical diversification and reduces country-specific risks.

Review Existing SIPs
Nippon Small Cap Fund: Continue with your current SIP of Rs 4,000. Small cap funds can deliver high returns over the long term.

Mirae ELSS Tax Saver Fund: Continue your SIP of Rs 3,000. ELSS funds provide tax benefits and good returns.

ICICI Prudential Passive Multi Asset Fund of Funds: Consider reducing or shifting your SIP to an actively managed fund for higher returns.

Zerodha ELSS Tax Saver Nifty LargeMidcap 250 Index Fund: Consider shifting to an actively managed ELSS fund for better performance.

Quant Absolute Fund: Continue your SIP of Rs 3,000. This balanced fund offers moderate risk and returns.

Increase Contributions to NPS
Increase your NPS contribution to Rs 1.5 lakh annually. This will maximize your tax benefits and ensure a secure retirement.
Build an Emergency Fund
Ensure you have an emergency fund that covers at least 6 months of expenses. This fund should be in a liquid and easily accessible form.
Health and Life Insurance
Secure comprehensive health insurance for yourself and your family. This is crucial to cover medical emergencies and prevent financial strain.

Review your life insurance coverage to ensure it is adequate to cover your family's needs in case of an unforeseen event.

Final Insights
Increase your SIP contributions in large cap, mid cap, and flexi cap funds for balanced growth.

Add an international fund for geographical diversification.

Review and adjust your existing SIPs for better performance.

Increase your NPS contribution to maximize tax benefits and ensure a comfortable retirement.

Maintain an emergency fund and secure comprehensive health insurance.

Review your investment portfolio annually with a Certified Financial Planner to stay on track for your financial goals.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
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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Asked by Anonymous - Apr 24, 2024Hindi
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Hi Sir . I am a 34-year-old man with a monthly income of 1.4 Lakh. I have a 1-year-old son. I haven't invested in mutual fund investments before and seek your guidance on how much to invest and in which mutual funds. My financial goals are as follows: Accumulate atleast 6 crores before retirement (in the next 20 years). Save atleast 1 crore for my son's higher education in the next 15 years. Set aside atleast 50 lakhs for my son's marriage in the next 20-25 years. My current investments include: PPF - 1.5 Lakhs per annum for the last 5 years. NPS - 50000 per annum for the last 3 year. ULIP - 1.2 Lakh per annum for last 1 year One SBI scheme - 1.2 Lakhs per annum for last 3 years My wife is also working with monthly income of 1.4 Lakhs. I would greatly appreciate your advice on how to structure my mutual fund investments to achieve these goals. Thank You.
Ans: Given your financial goals and current investments, here's a suggested approach to structure your mutual fund investments:

Retirement Corpus (6 Crores in 20 years):
Start SIPs in diversified equity mutual funds with a focus on long-term growth. Allocate a significant portion of your investments towards equity funds to harness their wealth-building potential over the long term. Consider a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and multi-cap funds to diversify across market segments and manage risk effectively. Review and increase your SIP amounts periodically, considering your income growth and inflation.
Son's Higher Education (1 Crore in 15 years):
Allocate a portion of your mutual fund investments specifically towards your son's education goal. Since the timeframe is relatively shorter, consider a balanced approach with a mix of equity and debt funds to balance growth potential with capital preservation. Gradually shift towards debt-oriented funds as the goal approaches to safeguard against market volatility and ensure capital protection.
Son's Marriage (50 Lakhs in 20-25 years):
Similar to the education goal, allocate a portion of your investments towards your son's marriage goal. Since the timeframe is longer, you can afford a more aggressive approach with a higher allocation towards equity funds. As the goal approaches, gradually shift towards more conservative investments to protect the accumulated corpus.
Review and Rebalance:
Regularly review your mutual fund investments and rebalance your portfolio as needed to ensure alignment with your financial goals and risk tolerance. Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner to periodically reassess your goals, investment strategy, and progress towards achieving them.
Remember, investing is a long-term commitment, and staying disciplined, diversified, and focused on your goals is key to achieving financial success.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |6240 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 25, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 25, 2024Hindi
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Hi Sir . I am a 34-year-old man with a monthly income of 1.4 Lakh. I have a 1-year-old son. I haven't invested in mutual fund investments before and seek your guidance on how much to invest and in which mutual funds. My financial goals are as follows: Accumulate atleast 6 crores before retirement (in the next 20 years). Save atleast 1-2 crore for my son's higher education in the next 20 years. Set aside atleast 50 lakhs for my son's marriage in the next 25 years. My current investments include: PPF - 1.5 Lakhs per annum for the last 5 years. NPS - 50000 per annum for the last 3 year. ULIP - 1.2 Lakh per annum for last 1 year One SBI scheme - 1.2 Lakhs per annum for last 3 years My wife is also working with monthly income of 1.4 Lakhs. I would greatly appreciate your advice on how to structure my mutual fund investments to achieve these goals. Thank You.
Ans: It's commendable that you're planning ahead for your family's future. With clear financial goals and a steady income, you're already on the right path. Given your aspirations, mutual funds can play a pivotal role in achieving these milestones.

For your retirement goal of accumulating 6 crores in 20 years, systematic and disciplined investing will be key. Similarly, for your son's education and marriage funds, a structured approach can make a significant difference.

Considering your current investments in PPF, NPS, ULIP, and other schemes, mutual funds can complement these by offering diversification and potential growth opportunities. A Certified Financial Planner can help you tailor an investment strategy aligned with your goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon.

Remember, investing is a journey, not a race. It requires patience, diligence, and periodic review. By investing wisely and staying committed to your goals, you can pave the way for a secure and prosperous future for your family. Best wishes on your financial journey!

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Ramalingam Kalirajan  |6240 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 08, 2024

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Hi Sir ,I am a teacher and Have two children. I am investing in the following for my retirement and child s education. Ppf 6000 Mutual fund in Sbi focused equity 2000 Tata small cap 1500 Quant small cap 2000 Motilal midcap 2000 Kotak emerging equity 2000 Hdfc balanced fund 3000 Hdfc flexi cap 2000 Sbi nifty index fund 2000 Uti momentum 30 index 2000 Please suggest if all the funds are well and it will manage my goals like children studies in 10 to 15 years?
Ans: It's wonderful to see your proactive approach towards securing your retirement and your children's education. Let's review your investment portfolio to ensure it aligns with your goals:

PPF: This is a great choice for long-term savings due to its tax benefits and safety. Keep contributing regularly to maximize its potential.
Mutual Funds: Your selection of mutual funds seems well-diversified across different categories, including large-cap, small-cap, mid-cap, balanced funds, and index funds. However, having too many funds can sometimes lead to overlap and complexity. Consider consolidating your portfolio to a manageable number of funds while ensuring diversification across asset classes.
Child's Education: For your children's education, ensure that you are investing in a mix of equity and debt instruments to balance risk and returns. Also, consider starting a separate SIP specifically for their education expenses to build a dedicated corpus over time.
Retirement: While investing in equity funds can provide higher returns over the long term, ensure you have a balanced approach considering your risk tolerance and investment horizon. Additionally, review your asset allocation periodically and make adjustments as needed to stay on track towards your retirement goals.
Regular Review: It's essential to review your portfolio regularly and make adjustments based on changes in your financial situation, market conditions, and investment goals. Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner periodically to ensure your investment strategy remains optimal.
Overall, your investment choices appear well-thought-out, but it's crucial to monitor and fine-tune your portfolio regularly to ensure it continues to meet your financial objectives.

Keep up the excellent work, and continue your disciplined approach towards investing for a secure financial future for you and your family!

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Ramalingam Kalirajan  |6240 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 17, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 26, 2024Hindi
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We have invested 3k from last 4 years in Aditya Birla mutual fund equity based. And last year kotak mid cap and small cap of 7k and 3k respectively. Other than this we invest in NPS 50k per year from last 5 years and have two lic policies of 5 lalk sum assured. We have two kids aged 7 and 4. Earning is 1 lakh . Expenses are home loan 31k for 32 lakh loan of 15 years , 3 years are done. Monthly expenses are 31k emi, 30k home, 15 k parents. Please suggest if this is a good way to invest for future of our children or any changes that need to be done we plan to keep investing in mutual funds for long term. Kotak Balanced Advantage Fund Growth (Regular Plan) and Kotak Small Cap Fund - Growth (Regular Plan) (Erstwhile Kotak Mid-Cap). No term insurance and there is company health insurance of my husband. I earn 10k per month.
Ans: Current Financial Situation

You have a combined monthly income of Rs. 1.10 lakh.

You have two kids aged 7 and 4.

Your monthly expenses include:

Rs. 31k home loan EMI
Rs. 30k home expenses
Rs. 15k for parents
Current Investments

You invest Rs. 3k per month in Aditya Birla mutual fund (equity-based) for the last 4 years.

You invest Rs. 7k per month in Kotak Mid Cap fund and Rs. 3k per month in Kotak Small Cap fund (last year).

You invest Rs. 50k per year in NPS for the last 5 years.

You have two LIC policies with a sum assured of Rs. 5 lakhs each.

Assessment of Current Investments

Your current mutual fund investments are good for long-term growth.

Equity mutual funds, especially mid-cap and small-cap, offer high growth potential.

NPS is a good investment for retirement savings, with tax benefits.

LIC policies provide some security but have lower returns compared to mutual funds.

Recommended Changes

Increase SIP in Mutual Funds

Consider increasing your SIPs in equity mutual funds.

This will help in wealth accumulation for your children's future.

Focus on a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds.

Balanced Advantage Fund

Balanced Advantage Funds balance equity and debt.

They provide moderate growth with lower risk.

Consider allocating more to these funds for stability.

Avoiding Direct Funds

Direct funds need active management and expertise.

Regular funds, through a Certified Financial Planner, offer professional guidance.

They provide personalized advice and ongoing support.

Health and Term Insurance

You mentioned company health insurance.

Ensure it covers your entire family adequately.

Consider taking a separate term insurance policy for your husband.

Term insurance provides financial security in case of unforeseen events.

Review LIC Policies

LIC policies have lower returns compared to mutual funds.

Consider surrendering or partially surrendering them.

Reinvest the proceeds in high-return mutual funds.

Emergency Fund

Maintain an emergency fund for unforeseen expenses.

This should cover 6-12 months of living expenses.

Keep this fund in a liquid asset like a savings account or liquid mutual fund.

Final Insights

Your current investments are on the right track.

Increasing SIPs and adding balanced advantage funds can provide stability.

Ensure adequate insurance coverage and maintain an emergency fund.

Regular reviews and professional advice will help you stay on track.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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