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Purshotam

Purshotam Lal  | Answer  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Aug 29, 2025

Purshotam Lal has over 38 years of experience in investment banking, mutual funds, insurance and wealth management.
He is an Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI)-registered mutual fund distributor, an Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)-certified insurance advisor and founder of Finphoenix Services LLP.
He holds an MBA in finance from the Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi University and a chartered financial analyst (CFA) degree. He also holds certified associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB), fellow of the Insurance Institute of India (FIII) and National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) certifications.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Aug 22, 2025Hindi
Money

Hi, My monthly take home is 2.2L and as of now I have 20L invested in FD,RD,debt fund. 18L invested in direct equity, 7L in equity mutual funds, 61L together in pf, ppf and nps. I own a flat and emi is 51K. Since last few months I am investing around 56k in SIP and paying additional 20k (making total 71k) emi payment to close the loan earlier. Inhave an additional 15 to 20k savings per month that inwant to invest and also move some of my investment in FD/rd/debt to little more high return investment like newly launched SIF. What is your take and suggestions on this.

Ans: Your portfolio is largely invested in FD, RD, Debt Fund, PF, PPF etc., ie. 65-70% and rest in Equity MF/Direct Equities. Detail of NPS Funds and MF SIP MFs not given. However your financial management discipline seems commendable. Sure you can plan for additional investment per month. SIFs are being launched / launched only by a few Mutual Funds houses as of now. SIFs are inherently more riskier than normal mutual funds although it will depend on SIF's Investment Strategies. Minimum investment amount in SIFs is Rs 10 Lakh and eligible Investor are HNIs and accredited investors. Please contact your investment advisor in this regard.
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  |11192 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 13, 2024Hindi
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I am 34 years old, living in Chennai. My take home salary was 90K before 2years but I did upskilling and now my salary is 1.9Lakhs from 2022. I am paying 25K emi for my 36 lakhs home loan tenure 25Yrs. My current holding as below: Gold coin:250gram Mutual Fund:7 Lakhs Gold bees: 2lakhs PPF: 3lakhs PF:6Lakhs Emergency fund in FD: 6Lakhs Savings : 3Lakhs Car: 15lakhs (bought without loan paid full cash, saved for two years to get this). My savings allocation as below: MF: 54500/-(started from last October) PPF,SSA - 5000/- Chit - 12000 Home loan part payment -12000 I split my MF contribution to separate goals like retirement,child education I will always ensure minimum I save my 50% of income going into savings and investment. I will note my everyday spending and monitor my spent. And track %of my income sent below is my monthly average spent split. Savings -60% Living -20% EMI-10% On hand -10% Can you help me whether I am going on the right track or do I need to change anything here ?
Ans: Evaluating Your Financial Plan
Assessing your current financial strategy and future outlook:

Income and Expense Analysis
Your salary increased significantly post upskilling.
EMI for your home loan is 10% of your income, which is manageable.
Your savings rate of 60% reflects a strong commitment to financial security.
Asset Allocation
Gold holdings and mutual funds provide diversification.
Emergency fund and savings in FDs are adequate for short-term needs.
Car purchase without a loan shows disciplined savings.
Investment Strategy
MF investments split for various goals: retirement, child education.
Regular contributions to PPF and SSA for long-term savings.
Chit fund investment adds to your investment portfolio diversification.
Financial Health Check
Monitor daily expenses to track spending habits.
Regularly review income allocation and budget adjustments.
Ensure emergency fund covers 6 months of expenses.
Future Recommendations
Consider enhancing equity exposure for higher long-term growth.
Evaluate tax-saving options like ELSS funds for efficient tax planning.
Review insurance coverage periodically to align with current needs.
Final Insights
You're on a positive trajectory with a disciplined savings approach and diversified investments. Regular monitoring and adjustments will help achieve your financial goals effectively.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |11192 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 28, 2024Hindi
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Money
Hello sir, I (33yr) and my wife(30) are earning monthly salary as 3.5L.We are paying monthly 30K EMI for home loan with outstanding of 25L. We are investing below mf's with monthly 40K as SIP and will continue these investments next 10-15 years with annual 5% increase.Currently my portfolio value is 10L with 38% return(35.65% XIRR). And i have invested some amount in real-estate as well.The current market price of that investment is 1.25Cr. 1)Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund Direct Growth-5000 2)SBI Contra Direct Plan Growth-10000 3)Nippon India Small Cap-5000 4)Canara Robaco Small Cap-5000 5)Quant Small Cap Fund Direct Plan Growth-5000 6)Tata Digital India Direct Growth-10000 And my wife is investing monthly 15% of basic salary for ESOP in her company(US listed company). The market value of current stocks price is 25L. We have 1yr kid and will plan another one later.Our goal is to create good corpus fund(appx 5-10cr) to maintain kids education and retirement. Are we in current path to reach our goal or need to make any adjustments?
Ans: Financial Situation Overview

Your combined monthly income of Rs. 3.5 lakhs is impressive.
Home loan EMI of Rs. 30,000 with Rs. 25 lakhs outstanding is manageable.
Monthly SIP of Rs. 40,000 shows good commitment to investing.
Your diverse investment portfolio is praiseworthy.

Current Investment Analysis

Your mutual fund portfolio of Rs. 10 lakhs shows good growth.
The 38% return (35.65% XIRR) is excellent. Keep monitoring it.
Real estate investment of Rs. 1.25 crores adds to your wealth.
Your wife's ESOP worth Rs. 25 lakhs is a valuable asset.

Investment Strategy Evaluation

Your mix of flexi-cap, contra, and small-cap funds is well-diversified.
The technology sector fund adds a growth element to your portfolio.
Annual 5% increase in SIP is a good strategy for long-term growth.
Consider adding some mid-cap funds for better balance.

Risk Assessment

Your portfolio seems tilted towards high-risk small-cap funds.
The technology sector fund also carries higher risk.
Consider balancing with some large-cap or multi-cap funds.
Review your risk tolerance as you approach your goals.

Goal Analysis

Your goal of Rs. 5-10 crores for education and retirement is ambitious.
With your current savings rate, you're on a good path.
Consider increasing your investments as your income grows.
Factor in inflation when planning for long-term goals.

Asset Allocation

Your investments are heavily skewed towards equity.
Consider adding some debt funds for stability.
Rebalance your portfolio annually to maintain desired asset allocation.
Don't forget to factor in your real estate investment.

Tax Planning

Ensure you're maximizing tax benefits under Section 80C.
Consider tax-efficient withdrawal strategies for the future.
Review the tax implications of your wife's ESOP regularly.

Insurance Planning

Ensure you have adequate life insurance coverage.
Review your health insurance needs, especially with a growing family.
Consider disability insurance to protect your income.

Emergency Fund

Set aside 6-12 months of expenses in an easily accessible fund.
This will help you avoid disturbing your investments during emergencies.

Child Education Planning

Start a separate fund for your children's education.
Consider education-focused mutual funds for this purpose.
Factor in potential overseas education costs.

Retirement Planning

Your current investments will contribute significantly to retirement.
Consider starting a separate retirement-focused portfolio.
Review your retirement needs and adjust investments accordingly.

Finally

Your financial planning is on the right track. Keep it up!
Regularly review and rebalance your portfolio.
Stay disciplined with your investments, even during market fluctuations.
Consider consulting a Certified Financial Planner for personalized advice.

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

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Nitin

Nitin Narkhede  | Answer  |Ask -

MF, PF Expert - Answered on Sep 15, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 14, 2024Hindi
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Money
Hi Sir - I'm 35 years. Both myself and a better half are working with a monthly income of 3.65L together (2.8L mine + 85K wife's). We have a 5 year old male kid. We have a SBI max gain home loan account with a debt of 12.65L and a parked amount of 26.5L apart from the EMI paid so far from previous 5 years. No EMI on car purchased. EPF ~29L, PPF started for both of us an year back. Also started a monthly SIP of ~1.2-1.5L in MF from Jan'2024 with 8.5L balance so far and will continue the SIP in the below funds atleast for next 10 years. Not considering debt funds as I'm already having EPF and PPF components and will periodically review these funds. 1. Nifty next 50 Index, 2. Small Cap 250 Index, 3. Multi Cap, Active 4. Mid Cap, Active 5. Flexi Cap, Active Better half may quit her job by Mar'2025. We are looking to close home loan by March'2025 and stay EMI/debt free with a peace of mind. Is it a wise decision to close a home loan by this financial year and increase the monthly SIP to 2L from next financial year? Or) invest the home loan balance amount in real estate (preferably buying a land)? especially when the home loan interest of upto 3.5L are tax fee in the old tax regime. Thanks!
Ans: Dear Friend, Given your current financial standing, closing your home loan by March 2025 seems like a wise choice. You have Rs 26.5L parked in the SBI Max Gain account, which already reduces your interest liability. By clearing the remaining Rs 12.65L, you can become debt-free, providing peace of mind and freeing up your EMI payments for additional investments. While the home loan offers tax benefits under the old regime, the psychological comfort of being debt-free may outweigh the potential tax savings, especially since your financial portfolio is already strong.
Once the loan is closed, increasing your monthly SIPs to Rs 2L would be a smart move. Over the next 10 years, equity mutual funds, which historically offer returns of 10-12% annually, can significantly grow your wealth. Since you are already investing in a diversified portfolio of index, small-cap, mid-cap, and flexi-cap funds, increasing these investments aligns well with your long-term goals.
Investing in real estate, particularly land, can provide diversification. However, real estate is typically less liquid and the returns can be location-dependent. If you're confident in the property’s growth potential, this can be a good long-term investment. However, your existing strategy of focusing on equity mutual funds will likely offer better returns and flexibility, given your 10-year investment horizon.
So closing your home loan by March 2025 and redirecting the freed-up funds into increased SIPs appears to be the best route. It balances peace of mind, tax efficiency, and long-term wealth creation, while real estate can be considered for diversification if you find a promising opportunity.
There are many real estate opportunities like REIT or Partial ownership in commercial properties which can also yield between 14 to 22% overall return with about 5 to 8% monthly return and 10 to 12% of Growth in the Asset Value at end of tenure.
Investment is commodities like gold and silver can also yield a return of 8 to 10% with reducing the risk in one sector.
Diversification is the mantra, do not depend on only one or two type of investment avenues. Explore other options as well.

Best regards,
Nitin Narkhede
Founder & MD, Prosperity Lifestyle Hub https://Nitinnarkhede.com
Free Webinar https://bit.ly/PLH-Webinar

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |11192 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 29, 2025

Money
Hi Sir, I need your guidance regarding my financial planning. I Am 36 yrs old, working in a product-based semiconductor company. Housewife and One daughter 8 yrs old. My current salary is 3.5L after deduction take home is around 2.5L(without PF and NPS deductions). Home and housing plot worth 1cr (No EMIs). Having only one liability loan (28k per month for the next 4yrs). My current portfolio MF 12.2L, Indian shares 8.5L, US Shares 25L, SSY 5.5L, NPS 3.5L, PF 14.5L. 3.5cr personal term policy, 1cr term policy from company. Ancient properties ~1Cr. 22L health insurance (personal+company) Present my monthly savings Corporate NPS: -16.3k PF: -39k ESPP: -49K SSY: -4k Gold saving scheme for ornaments: -20k Edelweiss small cap: -11k Parag parikh Felix cap: -8k Quant Active fund: -8k Kotak equity opportunities: -4k ICICI pro blue-chip fund: -5K ICICI pro manufacturing fund: -3k ICICI pro Nifty next 50: -2k ICICI pro value discovery: -4k Apart from Salary I will get RSUs of 12-15L worth company shares at every AR cycle (25L worth US shares I mentioned are RSU+ESPP) I purchased the plot and a house by selling my last 5 years accumulated company shares. I am planning to purchase one more house in my native place, which yields 4-5% rental income, is it good or should I diversify money in MFs? My aim is to accumulate 6cr retirement carpus (excluding real estate), 2cr for my kid higher studies and marriage. In the next 14 years I want to make this corpus and retire at the age of 50. Please review my current portfolio and suggest if any changes are needed. Also I need one more suggestion, 5 years back my father passed away, we have got 20L insurance amount. Me and my brother discussed and opened a savings account on my mother’s name (60yrs old now) to have liquid cash flow for her personal expenses, in IDFC, giving 7% interest and crediting interest in monthly basis. Also, we are getting 20K rent from ancient property that amount also funding to my mother account. Should we continue in the same way, or we have any investment options with low risk? my mother’s medical expenses will be covered in my and my brother’s insurance policy.
Ans: When there are too many follow-up questions in one go, it becomes difficult to collate and address everything effectively. It’s better to connect directly with a Mutual Fund Distributor + Certified Financial Planner like us for a proper review and action plan.

If you'd like to reach me for a detailed one-on-one consultation, please use the website link in my signature.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

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Archana

Archana Deshpande  |126 Answers  |Ask -

Image Coach, Soft Skills Trainer - Answered on Jun 08, 2026

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My husband is out of job since the past 4 years after we came to India following COVID. He was working as Senior Accountant in Dubai and after his company's layoff we shifted base to India. Thought he joined two jobs for a very short time he quit and has been since only applying for job opportunities. Unfortunately he has not been receiving any calls for any interview nor has made any attempts to personally look for any job. I have ever since joined work and is the only breadwinner of the family.My husband doesn't want to contribute anything to the household expenditure except for daughters school fees.He is of the opinion that he has done his contribution earlier when he was working and as I am working need to be responsible for the family. Considering all the circumstances I am confused as none of my advice has any affect on his behaviour. Please advise
Ans: Hi!!
It is nice to know that he is contributing towards the fees of his children! Have you asked him how he is managing it?
The financial responsibility is on both the partners… it doesn’t matter who is at home and who is working. You sit across and discuss how much money comes in and how much money goes out. The how and why of savings for the future is also a joint venture!!
Now with this background decide whether it is enough if one of you works and the other manages everything at home. Segregate work, share responsibility.
Losing a job can be very hard on mental well being, then not finding a fulfilling job can worsen it.
Check whether your husband is truly unwilling to find a job or he has gotten comfortable/ lazy sitting at home.
I am sure you have been married long enough to sit across and talk lovingly with concern and care, and come up with solutions.
Please do not nag…
If nothing works, seek help of a professional!!

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Archana

Archana Deshpande  |126 Answers  |Ask -

Image Coach, Soft Skills Trainer - Answered on Jun 07, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - May 07, 2026
Career
My wife doesn't like dogs. I have two dogs who are like family to me. She screams and disrespects them saying she is scared of them. I am feeling very betrayed because I had mentioned this condition while sending our proposal to her family. It was also written in my matrimonial profile that we have two dogs who stay with us. We rejected so many proposals for this very reason but the family including my wife ignored it and now it is affecting our marriage. It has only been two months and I have to keep my dogs on a leash for the first time. They are deeply hurt and affected. I respect her too but how do I explain to her that my dogs are safe? Everyone in my family is equally concerned but my in-laws feel that dogs should be treated as pets not family. I strongly disagree. If my partner cannot accept my dogs, would it be right to file for divorce? Please help.
Ans: Hi!!
I can empathise with this whole situation at your home!
Let’s start tackling each issue that you have mentioned one by one…
1. There is surely a breach of trust here bfr marriage.. you did mention that your pets are an integral part of the family… you need to sit down and discuss this… find a common ground.This discussion is between you and your wife only.
2. Ask the in- laws to stay out of the discussion about how your family treats pets.
3. Take the pets out of the scenario and check the equation between you and your wife. How much value you attach to this relationship and each other? What lengths will both of you go to ensure that this partnership works?
If it’s a win - win situation, then sit down and chalk out a plan to make it work…
5. Both of you be part of solutions….ask her what was she expecting from you knowing that you are a pet lover and this was a precondition for marriage, yet she went ahead and got married to you…
6.There is no black and white solution here… I am also thinking aloud as I write to you…
After all the heart to heart talk… tell her that tying the dogs is not an option.. they are like children to you! Ask her to come up with solutions… tell her you want the marriage to work..you also from your end try to make her comfortable slowly get her used to the dogs, show her that they are harmless. The fear of dogs can be taken away slowly… consult a psychologist/ marriage counsellor to help you out if your efforts don’t yield results!
7. It’s been just 02 months. Both of you try to make the marriage work . You are both equally responsible for this marriage!!

All the very best!

...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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