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Janak

Janak Patel  |71 Answers  |Ask -

MF, PF Expert - Answered on Jun 05, 2025

Janak Patel is a certified financial planner accredited by the Financial Planning Standards Board, India.
He is the CEO and founder of InfiniumWealth, a firm that specialises in designing goal-specific financial plans tailored to help clients achieve their life goals.
Janak holds an MBA degree in finance from the Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research, Mumbai, and has over 15 years of experience in the field of personal finance. ... more
Dhruvtara Question by Dhruvtara on May 30, 2025
Money

My monthly expenses are : Giving to my parents for their expenses: 34k (including 14k rent) Credit card payments: 15k ( including family shopping and fuel cost) Loans: 37.5k Family Home Expenses : 15k Kid School: 4.2k Invest : 1k Total approx 1.1Lakh This is my concern, there is lot of expenses ans income is 1.4Lakh So only 30k monthly I can deposit towards personal overdraft loan. So out of that 30k, Do I need to invest it in mutual fund or do personal loan payment. My MFs have 20% XIRR. Also I am learning trading and doing trading since 7 months actively, I am involved in stock market and learning since 2.5years but in this 7 months of trading I blown up 8 lakhs of my capital that also I took it from my personal overdraft loan. So please suggest me on that note also do I need to continue some safe trading and learning or stop trading from loan amount. I am more interested in trading as a profession rather that I am doing software job. Please suggest like my mentor or guide me the right path. To get rid of this difficult situation and be financially free.

Ans: Hi,

I understand that currently your expenses and EMI are a lot and you feel the strain of this with the current income.
But please look at this way - approx.% of income - your expenses = 50%, Home EMI = 11%, Personal OD Loan payment (53k) = 39%
Expenses are fine, they won't change drastically. Home EMI is also a healthy % of income.
The Personal OD loan payment is a big % and once that is over, that can be saving/investment % - that will look very good.
If you contribute 23k+30k towards your OD loan, then you will repay it in 4.5 years. This may seem long but it will close the OD loan and free up the same 53k for saving/investment. So stay on this course.

MFs giving you 20% XIRR is very good, so stay invested. Once OD loan is over, contribute in MFs and continue wealth building journey.

Stock Market Trading is very risky, You have learnt it the hard way by losing a big amount of money. I DO NOT encourage anyone to borrow money for trading. Simple logic, you borrow at 12.5% and expect to earn say 10%, that means you need to get return from the market @25% minimum. its not sustainable. Also with you current loss, you will need a big miracle to recover losses.
So my recommendation is stop the trading activities completely. You will only get trapped further in loans and money debts.
SEBI has also published reports in the last year that majority of traders are making losses, especially individual traders.
So do not get caught in this quick money thought process.
Even many professionals have made losses in the market.
When you have money in hand which you are willing to let go like a donation, that is the amount you should trade with. You my friend currently do not have any such amount to spare, at least not for the next 5-10 years.

So my recommendation is to stay the course to repay the OD loan and home EMI as mentioned above.
In 10 years with an SIP of 53k, you would accumulate over 1.2 crores (@12% XIRR).

Thanks & Regards
Janak Patel
Certified Financial Planner.
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  |10878 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 21, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - May 21, 2024Hindi
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Money
Sir, i am 51 years old...getting military pension 31k..later joined government service and earning 90k rs per month and have another nine years service left.. I have 8.2 lakhs in PPF due to mature in 2027. 25 lakhs in NPS..Have Military health scheme for family..Have constructed my house and having 52 lakhs loan..paying EMI of 52k per month..LIC Term insurance for 5 lakhs..SBI home loan insurance for 30 lakhs.. last month, i have started to invest in following MF.. Nippon india small cap direct 2k HSBC small cap direct 1k Aditya birla sunlife PSU equity fund 1k..Quant small cap direct fund 1k.. Motilal Oswal Nasdaq 100 FOF durect 1k.. Apart from that i have started to invest 20k in ETFs from last month. My daughter studying in 12th and son in 10th..10k is enough for monthly expenditure since have agricultural land...Kindly guide me , how i can overcome the debt, and accumulate money for my kids education.. one more question; Whether i should repay the loan on receiving any lumpsum amount or should i invest the same .. Thanks and regards..
Ans: Assessing Your Current Financial Position
You've built a strong financial foundation with your military pension and government job. Your disciplined approach to saving and investing is commendable. Understanding your current assets and liabilities is crucial for future planning.

Evaluating Your Financial Goals
Your goals include managing your home loan, saving for your children's education, and securing your financial future. Addressing these needs requires a balanced strategy that aligns with your moderate risk tolerance.

Managing Debt
Your home loan of Rs 52 lakhs with an EMI of Rs 52k per month is significant. Reducing this debt should be a priority to free up your cash flow.

If you receive a lump sum amount, consider using it to repay a portion of your loan. Paying down the principal reduces interest payments over time, easing your financial burden. Evaluate your loan's interest rate and compare it with potential investment returns to make an informed decision.

Investment Strategy
Actively Managed Funds Over Index Funds
Your current investments in small-cap and equity funds show a proactive approach. Actively managed funds have the potential to outperform index funds due to professional management. Although they come with higher fees, the potential for higher returns can be beneficial, especially for long-term goals.

Disadvantages of Direct Funds
While direct funds may offer lower expense ratios, investing through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) provides expert guidance. A CFP can help you select suitable funds, diversify your portfolio, and make necessary adjustments. Regular funds with CFP advice often lead to better outcomes than direct funds managed independently.

Saving for Children's Education
Your daughter in 12th and son in 10th will soon need funds for higher education. Starting now with systematic investments can help accumulate the necessary funds. Consider balanced funds or debt funds for safer, consistent returns aligned with your moderate risk tolerance.

Monthly Savings and Investments
Your monthly investments of Rs 6k in mutual funds and Rs 20k in ETFs show dedication. However, be cautious with ETFs, as they track market indices and may not align with your risk profile. Actively managed funds may be a better option due to professional oversight.

Emergency Fund and Health Insurance
Your military health scheme and existing savings provide a safety net. Ensuring you have an adequate emergency fund, ideally six months of expenses, is crucial. This ensures you can handle unexpected costs without disrupting your financial plans.

Importance of Regular Review
Regularly reviewing and adjusting your portfolio ensures it remains aligned with your goals and risk tolerance. Market conditions change, and so do personal circumstances. Periodic check-ins with a CFP help in making necessary adjustments and staying on track.

Conclusion
You've laid a solid foundation with your savings and investments. To manage your debt, consider using lump sums to repay the home loan, reducing interest payments. Focus on actively managed funds for potential higher returns, and seek CFP guidance to optimize your investments. Regularly review your portfolio to stay aligned with your financial goals.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10878 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 05, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - May 24, 2025
Money
Hi Sir, I'm a 37 yrs aged salaried employee working in Ahmedabad with monthly in hand salary of 150 k after tax and with 2 kids my son(his age is around 5 yrs) and my daughter (her age is around 2 yrs). My financial details are as below:- 1) Term Life Insurance (2 crore) 2) Health insurance from 2 companies (15 lakhs) 3) Emergency fund (8 lakhs) 4) MF 12 year old (31.50 lakhs as on date) 5) My House (Approx. 60 lakhs) My Monthly expenses 1) 30 k Mutual Funds SIP (Which I use to increase 10% per year) 2) Home Loan EMI 14.75 k(Loan o/s 20.00 lakhs) 3) The cost of running House 50.00 k 4) Monthly savings approx. 50 to 55 k Stock Market Portfolio 1) I am not professional trader but from last 8 years I am doing trading with my own methods & with proper hedging. My Trading capital is approx. 35 lakhs and I use to get 50-55 k monthly from this but I never withdraw amount it's get accumulated due to that my capital is now 35.00 lakhs. My question I want to make sure that my both Childs will not get any hurdle in their Higher Education. I am having monthly 50 k extra amount from my salary but I am totally confused that whether I should put it in My Trading portfolio or in Mutual fund. Because mutual funds are giving approx. 9.40% after all deductions including tax and all I calculated on my own. I am getting 17-18% yearly from my trading but it's Risky. I want to ask that whether should I put this extra 50k to secure my Childs Higher studies.
Ans: You’ve done a lot of good things already.

Strong insurance, growing MF corpus, steady income, and careful trading discipline.

You’re asking the right question at the right time — How do I secure my children’s education without any risk?

This is a perfect moment to design a 360-degree financial strategy focused on certainty, not just returns.

Let’s assess this together.

Priority: Ensure Certainty for Your Children’s Future
Higher education is a non-negotiable financial goal

You must ensure it happens with 100% confidence, even in worst-case scenarios

For this, you should not take unnecessary risk on this goal

Your Rs. 50K/month surplus must work safely towards this target

Your trading income can continue — but should not be used for this goal

That money can be used later for early retirement or wealth building

Let us now break this down in practical terms.

Education Goals Should Be Firewalled from Market Risk
Your son is 5. He will need funds at 18. That’s 13 years ahead.

Your daughter is 2. Her goal is about 16 years away.

You have a clear time horizon, which is a huge advantage

This allows disciplined planning using equity mutual funds

But not every kind of equity exposure is suitable for this purpose

Volatility is good for long-term wealth — but not for goal-specific milestones

Hence, use mutual funds wisely, not randomly

Why Trading Is NOT Right for Education Goals
Let’s accept — you are skilled in trading.

Still, it has no place in goal-based investing.

Trading is always risky, no matter how skilled you are

A single bad year can wipe out returns or even capital

For children’s education, you need stability, not thrills

Trading may be used to create wealth, not to meet fixed goals

It’s like doing stunts when taking your kids to school — not required

So, don’t mix trading portfolio with education funding

Keep both completely separate

Mutual Funds: The Better Path for Goal Certainty
You already have Rs. 31.5 lakhs in mutual funds.

This is a great start.

Add your Rs. 50K/month to these investments for next 10 to 15 years

Stick to diversified equity mutual funds managed by experienced professionals

Prefer regular funds through Certified Financial Planner

Avoid direct funds — they give no support or guidance when markets fall

Regular funds help you stay on track through proper advice and handholding

Most investors in direct plans panic or make mistakes during corrections

Also avoid index funds — let me explain why.

Why Index Funds Are Wrong for Education Goals
Index funds are popular because of low cost.

But cost is not the full story.

Index funds blindly follow the index, good or bad

They cannot switch sectors or stocks during market crisis

In 2008 and 2020, index funds fell hard and took long to recover

No strategy, no protection, no risk filter — only blind following

For children’s education, this is not acceptable

You need actively managed funds with clear strategy and consistent performance

Fund manager must take calls during bull and bear phases

That’s why actively managed funds in regular plans are ideal.

Suggested Mutual Fund Strategy (Without Scheme Names)
You should have a structured portfolio with these layers:

Flexi Cap Fund: Core growth, across market caps

Large & Mid Cap Fund: Balanced growth with limited volatility

Aggressive Hybrid Fund: Mix of equity and debt, smoother ride

Mid Cap Fund (Optional): Only if risk appetite is high

You don’t need small cap, sectoral, or international funds for this goal.

Keep portfolio simple, diversified and review annually

Avoid new fund offers or thematic stories — no relevance to education goals

SIPs with Annual Step-Up = Perfect Tool
You are already stepping up SIP by 10% yearly

This is an excellent habit.

It helps fight education inflation (around 8% yearly in India)

It uses compounding effectively with growing contribution

Continue Rs. 50K SIP in 3-4 carefully selected schemes

Review performance yearly with your Certified Financial Planner

If any fund underperforms for 3 years, switch it safely to better option

Don’t decide based on one-year returns or market noise

Use Goal-Specific Buckets for Children
It helps to break your SIPs into 2 buckets:

Bucket A: Son’s Higher Education

SIP for next 13 years

Use Flexi Cap + Large & Mid Cap + Hybrid mix

Bucket B: Daughter’s Higher Education

SIP for next 16 years

Slightly more aggressive portfolio acceptable

This way, goals remain separate, tracked, and managed individually

Don’t combine all goals into one single MF portfolio

Use STP for Final 3 Years Before Goal
When each child is 15, shift SIP value to low-risk funds

Use Systematic Transfer Plan (STP) to move from equity to debt gradually

This protects the amount from sudden market crashes

This should be planned in advance

CFP will help manage these switches without emotional panic

Many investors ignore this and lose money just before goal date

You must protect capital when goal is near

Tax Awareness Is Also Important
New tax rules are simple:

Equity mutual funds:
LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%
STCG taxed at 20%

Debt mutual funds:
Taxed as per your income slab

Keep records of all redemptions for capital gain tracking

During withdrawal, your Certified Financial Planner will help with efficient tax management

Emergency Fund and Insurance Are Strong Already
You already have Rs. 8 lakh emergency fund.

Also Rs. 2 crore term life cover and Rs. 15 lakh health cover.

This makes your foundation very strong.

So your Rs. 50K/month can be safely invested for future goals.

You don’t need more insurance, ULIPs, or endowment plans.

If you had LIC or any investment-cum-insurance — I would ask you to surrender.

Thankfully, your structure is clean and efficient.

Your Trading Portfolio Can Be Used Differently
Right now you have Rs. 35 lakh trading capital.

You are not withdrawing anything, which is fine.

Continue this — but use it for building long-term corpus.

Maybe for early retirement, luxury purchases or legacy.

But don’t consider this as children’s education backup

Because it’s not protected from market risk or psychological pressure

Use this power responsibly, not emotionally

Discipline is key — don’t mix trading and long-term investing

Simple Action Plan for You
Continue current SIPs with 10% step-up

Add new Rs. 50K SIP in carefully selected mutual funds

Keep children’s education funds separate from other goals

Avoid index funds, direct plans, ULIPs, and NFOs

Stick to regular plans through Certified Financial Planner

Review all funds every 12 months

From age 15 of child, shift money to debt slowly through STP

Let trading profits accumulate separately — don’t rely on it for family goals

Maintain emergency fund as it is — don’t use for investing

Keep tracking your goals, not the market

Finally
You are a responsible father and thoughtful investor.

Your current lifestyle, savings, and planning show high maturity.

Your children’s future can be secured easily — if you separate goal-based investing from trading returns.

Use mutual funds as your education engine.

Stay disciplined and guided by Certified Financial Planner.

That’s how you will not just grow wealth, but achieve goals without stress.

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

..Read more

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Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10878 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 10, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 10, 2025Hindi
Money
I am 47 years old. I have started investing in mutual fund (SIP) only since last one year due to some financial obligations. Currently I am investing Rs.33K per month in various SIPS. The details are: Kotak Mahindra Market Growth (Rs. 1500), Aditya BSL Low Duration Growth (Rs. 1400), HDFC Mid-cap Growth (Rs. 12000), Nippon India Large Cap Growth (Rs. 3000), Bandhan small cap (Rs. 5000), Motilal Oswal Flexicap Growth (Rs. 5000), ICICI Pru Flexicap growth (Rs. 5000). I have also started to invest Rs. 1,50,000 per year in PPF since last year. Can I sustain if I retire by the age of 62?
Ans: I can help you with your retirement planning.
You have given a very detailed picture of your investments.
You have also shown strong intent to build wealth at 47.
This itself is a big positive start.

Your Current Efforts

– You started late due to obligations.
– That is understandable.
– You still took charge.
– You now invest Rs.33K every month.
– You also invest Rs.1,50,000 a year in PPF.
– You follow discipline.
– You follow consistency.
– These habits matter the most.
– These habits will help your retirement.
– You deserve appreciation for this foundation.

» Your Current Investment Mix

– You invest in various equity funds.
– You also invest in one low duration debt fund.
– You invest across mid cap, large cap, flexi cap, and small cap.
– This gives you some spread.
– You also invest in PPF.
– PPF gives safety.
– PPF gives steady growth.
– This mix creates balance.

– Please note one point.
– You hold direct plans.
– Direct plans look cheaper outside.
– But they are not always helpful for long-term investors.
– Many investors pick wrong funds.
– Many investors track markets wrongly.
– Many investors redeem at wrong times.
– This affects returns more than the saved expense ratio.
– Regular plans through a MFD with CFP support give guidance.
– Regular plans also help you stay on track.
– Behaviour gap is a major cost in direct funds.
– Thus regular plans with CFP support work better for long-term investors.
– They can correct mistakes.
– They can help with asset mix.
– They can help you stay steady during market drops.
– This gives higher final wealth than direct funds in most cases.

» Your Retirement Age Goal

– You plan to retire at 62.
– You are 47 now.
– You have 15 years left.
– Fifteen years is still a strong time line.
– You can allow compounding to work well.
– Your corpus can grow meaningfully by 62.
– You can also improve your savings rate during this time.

» Assessing If Your Current Plan Supports Retirement

– There are many parts to assess.
– You need to look at your saving rate.
– You need to look at your growth rate.
– You need to look at your future lifestyle cost.
– You need to look at inflation.
– You need to look at post-retirement income need.
– You need to see if your present plan matches this.

– Right now, your total yearly investment is:
– Rs.33K per month in SIP.
– That is Rs.3,96,000 per year.
– Plus Rs.1,50,000 in PPF each year.
– So your total yearly investment is Rs.5,46,000.
– This is a good number.
– This can help your retirement journey.

» Understanding Equity Funds in Your Mix

– You invest in mid cap.
– Mid cap can give good growth.
– Mid cap also carries higher swings.
– You invest in small cap.
– Small cap is the most volatile.
– It can give high returns if held for long.
– But it needs patience.
– You invest in large cap exposure.
– Large cap gives stability.
– You invest in flexi cap.
– Flexi cap funds adjust strategy.
– Flexi cap funds give managers more control.
– Active management is useful in Indian markets.
– Fund managers can shift between market caps.
– They can pick good sectors.
– This improves return potential.
– This is a benefit that index funds do not have.
– Index funds just copy the index.
– Index funds do not avoid weak companies.
– Index funds cannot take smart calls.
– Index funds also rise in cost whenever the index churns.
– Active funds can protect downside.
– Active funds can find better opportunities.
– This is helpful for long-term wealth building.
– So your move towards active funds is fine.

» Understanding PPF in Your Mix

– Your PPF adds stability.
– It gives assured growth.
– It also gives tax benefits.
– It builds a stable part of your retirement base.
– It reduces overall risk in your portfolio.
– It works well over long years.
– You have also chosen a steady long-term asset.
– This is beneficial for retirement.

» Gaps That Need Attention

– Your funds are scattered.
– You hold too many schemes.
– Each additional scheme overlaps with others.
– This reduces impact.
– It also becomes hard to track.
– You can reduce your scheme count.
– A more focused mix can give smoother progress.
– Rebalancing becomes easier.
– You can keep fewer funds but maintain asset spread.
– You can also map each fund to a purpose.

– You also need clarity about your retirement income need.
– Many investors skip this.
– You must know how much money you need per month at 62.
– You must add inflation.
– You must add health needs.
– You must also add lifestyle goals.

» Your Future Lifestyle Cost

– Your cost will rise with inflation.
– Inflation affects food, transport, medical needs.
– Medical inflation is higher than normal inflation.
– Retirement planning must consider this.
– You also need to consider family responsibilities.
– You must consider emergencies.
– You must also consider rising cost of daily life.
– This helps estimate the required retirement corpus.

» Your Future Corpus From Current Savings

– Without giving strict numbers, you can expect growth.
– You invest steadily.
– You invest for 15 years.
– Your equity portion can grow better over long time.
– Your PPF gives predictable growth.
– Your mix can create a decent retirement base.
– But you will need to increase your SIP over time.
– You can raise your SIP by 5% to 10% each year.
– Even small increases help.
– This builds a stronger corpus.
– Your final retirement amount becomes much higher.

» Need for Periodic Review

– Markets change.
– Life situations change.
– Your goals may shift.
– Your income may rise.
– Your responsibilities may change.
– Review every year.
– Adjust as needed.
– A Certified Financial Planner can help.
– This gives clarity.
– This gives structure.
– This gives confidence.
– You can reduce mistakes.
– You can follow proper asset allocation.

» Asset Allocation Approach for Smooth Growth

– You must decide your ideal equity percentage.
– You must decide your ideal debt percentage.
– If you take too much equity, risk increases.
– If you take too little equity, growth reduces.
– You must keep balance.
– It must match your risk comfort.
– It must support your retirement goal.
– Right allocation brings discipline.
– Rebalancing once a year helps.
– Rebalancing controls emotion.
– Rebalancing increases long-term returns.
– Rebalancing keeps your portfolio healthy.

» Importance of Staying Invested During Market Swings

– Markets move up and down.
– Swings are normal.
– Equity grows over long time.
– Equity needs patience.
– People often fear drops.
– They exit at wrong time.
– This hurts long-term wealth.
– You must stay steady.
– You must trust your long-term plan.
– You must follow guidance.
– This improves retirement success.

» Avoiding Common Mistakes

– Many investors pick funds based on recent returns.
– This is risky.
– Fund selection needs deeper view.
– Fund must match your risk.
– Fund must match your time horizon.
– Fund must have consistent process.
– Fund must show reliable pattern.
– Avoid sudden changes.
– Avoid chasing trends.
– Stay with a disciplined plan.
– This ensures better results.

– You must avoid mixing too many categories.
– Focused mix works better.
– Smaller set makes control easy.
– This reduces confusion.

– Do not rely on direct funds for long-term goals.
– Direct funds lack guided support.
– Behavioral mistakes cost more than the lower expense ratio.
– Regular plans help you stay invested.
– They help avoid panic.
– They help during reviews.
– They help create proper asset allocation.
– They help you use the fund in the right way.
– Investment discipline is more important than low cost.
– Regular plans with CFP support deliver this discipline.

» Inflation Protection Through Growth Assets

– Equity protects from inflation.
– PPF adds safety.
– Balanced mix protects your purchasing power.
– Retirement needs this balance.
– Long-term equity portion helps create a healthy corpus.
– This allows you to meet rising living cost.

» How to Strengthen Your Retirement Plan From Now

– Increase SIP every year.
– Even slight hikes help.
– Be consistent.
– Avoid stopping during market drops.
– Do a yearly check-up.
– Reduce scheme count.
– Keep a clear structure.
– Assign each fund a purpose.
– Build an emergency fund.
– This will protect your SIP flow.
– Continue PPF.
– It gives stability.
– It protects your long-term needs.

» Possibility of Sustaining Life After Retirement

– Yes, you can sustain.
– But it depends on three things:
– Your future living cost.
– Your total corpus at retirement.
– Your discipline during retirement.

– If you continue your present saving, your base will grow.
– If you raise your SIP each year, your base will grow faster.
– If you keep a proper asset mix, your base will grow safely.
– If you avoid emotional mistakes, your base will stay strong.
– If you review yearly, your plan will stay on track.

– So sustaining life after retirement is possible.
– You just need stronger structure.
– You also need steady guidance.
– This ensures confidence.

» Retirement Income Planning After Age 62

– Your retirement income must come from a mix.
– Part from equity.
– Part from debt.
– Part from stable instruments.
– Do not depend on one source.
– Plan your withdrawal pattern.
– Take small and stable withdrawals.
– Keep some equity even after retirement.
– This helps your corpus last longer.
– Do not shift everything to debt at retirement.
– That reduces growth too much.
– Balanced approach keeps your money alive.
– This supports your life for long years.

» Health and Emergency Preparedness

– Health costs rise fast.
– You must plan for it.
– Keep health insurance active.
– Keep top-up if needed.
– Keep separate emergency money.
– Do not depend on your investments during emergencies.
– Emergency fund protects your retirement portfolio.
– This keeps compounding intact.
– You can handle shocks with ease.

» Tax Awareness

– Be aware of mutual fund tax rules.
– Equity long-term gains above Rs.1.25 lakh per year are taxed at 12.5%.
– Equity short-term gains are taxed at 20%.
– Debt funds are taxed as per your slab.
– Plan redemptions wisely.
– Do not redeem often.
– Keep long-term horizon.
– This reduces tax impact.
– This helps wealth building.

» Summary of Your Retirement Possibility

– You have a good start.
– You have a workable time frame.
– You have a steady contribution.
– You must refine your portfolio.
– You must increase SIP yearly.
– You must reduce scheme count.
– You must follow asset allocation.
– You must stay disciplined.
– You must get yearly review from a CFP.
– If you follow these, you can reach a healthy retirement base.

» Final Insights

– You are on the right path.
– You have taken the key step by starting.
– You can still create a strong retirement corpus even at 47.
– Fifteen years is enough if you stay consistent.
– Your mix of equity and PPF is good.
– With discipline and structure, your future can stay secure.
– With yearly guidance, you can avoid mistakes.
– With increased SIP, you can boost your corpus.
– You can aim for a peaceful and confident retirement at 62.

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

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10878 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 10, 2025

Money
I am 43 yrs old, have sip in Nifty 50 - 3500 Nifty next 50 - 3000 Nippon large cap - 3500 Hdfc midcap - 2500 Parag Flexicap - 3000 Tata small cap - 1300 Gold sip - 500 Hdfc debt fund - 700, lumsum of 10000 in motilal midcap and 20k in quant small cap. accumulated around 2.30 lakhs, started from June, 2024. But overall xirr is very less 3.11. Should I continue the above sips or which sips should be stopped?
Ans: You have started early in 2024, and you already built Rs 2.30 lakhs. This shows discipline. This shows patience. This gives you a good base for your future wealth.

Your XIRR looks low now. This is normal. You started only a few months back. SIPs show low return in the start. Markets move up and down. Early numbers look flat. They look small. They look discouraging. But they improve with time. They improve with longer SIP flow. So please stay calm. The start is always slow. The finish is always strong.

Your effort is strong. Your SIP list is wide. Your savings habit is good. You started at 43 years, but you still have good time to grow your wealth. Every disciplined month builds confidence. Your choices show that you want growth. You want stability. You want balance. This is a good sign.

» Current Portfolio Snapshot
You invest in many groups.

– You invest in Nifty 50.
– You invest in Nifty Next 50.
– You invest in a large cap fund.
– You invest in a midcap fund.
– You invest in a flexicap fund.
– You invest in a small cap fund.
– You invest in gold.
– You invest in a debt fund.
– You put lumpsum in a midcap and small cap fund.

This looks wide. But wide does not mean effective. You hold too many funds in similar areas. That gives duplication. That reduces clarity. That reduces control. You need sharper structure. You need cleaner lines.

» Why Your XIRR Is Low
Your XIRR is only 3.11%. This is normal. Here is why.

– SIP started in June 2024. Very new.
– SIP amount spread across many funds.
– Market volatility in 2024 made early returns look low.
– SIP returns always look weak in early days. They grow with time.

Low short-term return is not a sign of failure. It is not a sign to stop. It is only a sign of market timing. SIP is for long periods. Not for few months.

» Problem of Index Funds in Your Portfolio
You invest in Nifty 50 and Nifty Next 50. Both are index funds. Index funds follow a fixed rule. They copy the index. They do not use research. They do not use fund manager skill. They do not adjust during bad markets. They do not protect much in down cycles. They lock you into index ups and downs.

In India, active fund managers add value. They find better stocks. They exit weak stocks faster. They manage risk better. They use research teams. They use market cycles well. They often beat index returns over long periods.

Index funds look simple. But they lack decision power. They lack flexibility. They lack protection. They give average results. They track the market exactly. They cannot outperform it.

So index funds are not the best choice for your long-term goal. Active funds give more control and more upside over long years.

» Problem of Too Many Funds
You hold too many funds across the same categories. This creates overlap. Two different schemes may hold same stocks. You think you diversify. But you repeat exposure. This weakens your plan.

Too many funds also keep your attention scattered. It reduces discipline. You waste time comparing each fund. You feel lost. You feel uncertain.

Better to keep fewer funds but stronger funds.

» Problem of Direct Funds
If any of your funds are in direct plans, please take note. Direct plans look cheaper because they have lower expense ratio. But they do not give guidance. They do not give personalised strategy. They do not give support during market falls. They do not give behavioural guidance.

Many investors make wrong moves in market dips. They stop SIPs. They redeem at the wrong time. They switch funds too often. They chase returns. This reduces wealth.

Regular plans through a Certified Financial Planner keep you disciplined. They give structure. They give long-term guidance. They reduce errors. They reduce behaviour risk. This helps more than small cost savings.

Regular plans also offer better hand-holding for asset mix, review and goal clarity. This adds real value.

» Fund-by-Fund Assessment
Let me now look at each SIP.

Nifty 50 – This is an index fund. It is passive. It is rigid. Active large-cap funds do better in many years. You may stop this over time.

Nifty Next 50 – Another index fund. Very volatile. Very narrow. You may stop this too.

Nippon large cap – This is active. This is fine. It can stay.

HDFC midcap – This is active. Good long-term category. You can keep this.

Parag flexicap – Flexicap is versatile. Useful for long-term. You can keep this.

Tata small cap – Small caps can grow well. But they need patience. They also need limited allocation. You can keep, but maintain control.

Gold SIP – Small gold SIP is okay for safety.

HDFC debt fund – Debt brings stability. Small SIP is fine.

Lumpsum in midcap and small cap – Keep these invested. They will grow with cycles.

The two index funds are the most unnecessary parts of your plan. These can be stopped. These can be replaced with good active funds already in your system.

» Suggested Structure
You need a cleaner layout.

Keep one large cap active fund.

Keep one midcap active fund.

Keep one flexicap fund.

Keep one small cap fund.

Keep one debt fund.

Keep a small gold part.

This is enough. This gives balance. It gives clarity. It gives growth. It avoids overlap. It avoids confusion.

» SIP Continuation Guidance
Here is the simple view.

Continue your large cap SIP.

Continue your midcap SIP.

Continue your flexicap SIP.

Continue your small cap SIP.

Continue gold SIP.

Continue debt SIP in small proportion.

Stop the Nifty 50 SIP.

Stop the Nifty Next 50 SIP.

Move those two SIP amounts into your existing active funds. This gives you better long-term power.

» Behaviour and Patience
Your returns will not show big numbers for now. You need time. You need patience. You need consistency. SIP is not a race. SIP is a habit. SIP grows slowly. Then it grows big.

Do not judge your plan by the first few months. Judge it after many years. That is where SIP wins. That is where compounding works. That is where discipline shines.

» What Matters More Than Fund Names
The biggest cornerstones are:

Your discipline.

Your patience.

Your time in market.

Your stable SIP flow.

Your emotional stability.

These matter more than any fund selection. You are building them well.

» Asset Mix Guidance
Your mix of equity, debt and gold is good. But you should review this once a year. As you move closer to retirement, increase debt slowly. Reduce small cap slowly. This protects you. This stabilises your progress.

A Certified Financial Planner can help align your asset mix to your goals. This adds real value. This gives stronger structure.

» Taxation View
If you redeem equity funds in future, then keep the current rule in mind. Long-term capital gains above Rs 1.25 lakhs per year are taxed at 12.5%. Short-term gains are taxed at 20%. For debt funds, both gains are taxed as per your income slab.

This will matter only when you redeem. For now, your focus should be growth, not selling.

» Your Long-Term Wealth Path
You have good earnings years ahead. You have strong potential for growth. Your SIP habit is strong. You only need to clean your portfolio. You only need better structure. Then your money will grow well.

You can grow a meaningful corpus if you stay steady. You can even increase SIP when income grows. This gives faster results.

» Emotional Balance
Do not check returns every week. Do not check every month. Check once in six months. Check once in twelve months. SIP is a long game. Treat it like a long game.

Your small XIRR today does not decide your future. Your discipline decides it. You already have it.

» Step-by-Step Action Plan

Step 1: Stop Nifty 50 SIP.

Step 2: Stop Nifty Next 50 SIP.

Step 3: Keep all the remaining SIPs.

Step 4: Shift the stopped SIP amount into your existing large cap and flexicap funds.

Step 5: Continue gold and debt in small amounts.

Step 6: Review once a year with a Certified Financial Planner.

Step 7: Increase SIP amount slowly when income grows.

Step 8: Stay invested for long term.

Step 9: Do not judge returns too early.

Step 10: Keep your patience strong.

» Finally
Your foundation is strong. Your habit is disciplined. Your mix only needs refinement. Your returns will grow with time. Your portfolio will gain strength with consistency. Your path is steady. Your plan will reward you if you follow it with calm and clarity.

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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