Need Expert Advice?Our Gurus Can Help

Ramalingam Kalirajan |10872 Answers |Ask -Follow

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 16, 2025

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

Question by Durga on Jul 15, 2025Hindi

Hi sir my name is raju 29 years, married and have 3 years kid(boy). My salary is 125000 per month I want to invest money for my chaild education and our retirement also I am thinking to invest 20 to 30k in mutual funds is this below funds are good please let me know and I also taken health insurance and term insurance also for that per year 45k I will pay yearly 60k in nps and we have savings 30lacks to buy house or land in coming months my wife was earning 30k per month. Parag parikh Nifty 50 BEes Nifty Next (optional) SBI contra

Ans: You're earning well and already thinking long-term, which is great. Let’s look at your financial goals, savings, and plan from all angles.

? Income and Household Financial Standing
– Your monthly salary is Rs. 1,25,000.
– Your wife earns Rs. 30,000 monthly.
– Your total monthly family income is Rs. 1,55,000.
– You are aged 29, married, with one child.
– You’ve already taken term and health insurance. Well done.
– Your annual premium of Rs. 45,000 is well justified.
– These protections reduce risk in emergencies.
– You save around Rs. 60,000 yearly in NPS.
– You have Rs. 30 lakhs savings for home or land.

? Existing Asset Strategy
– Rs. 30 lakh savings is a big milestone.
– Don’t rush into buying property.
– Real estate gives low returns, high costs, and poor liquidity.
– It locks up money for long and needs extra cash to maintain.
– Avoid using this full amount for a house.
– Consider investing part in mutual funds for better returns.
– Always check whether buying or renting suits your goals.
– Flexibility, liquidity, and simplicity matter in financial planning.

? Investment Approach You’re Considering
– You plan to invest Rs. 20,000–30,000 per month in mutual funds.
– This is a strong start for wealth creation.
– You mentioned some index funds and one contra fund.
– Let's review and guide you based on financial goals.

? Disadvantages of Index Funds You Mentioned
– Index funds copy the market, nothing more.
– They don’t try to beat the market.
– They offer no downside protection during crashes.
– Index funds don’t adapt to changing market cycles.
– Active funds are managed by skilled fund managers.
– Managers in active funds aim for better returns than index.
– Index funds offer no help in bad markets.
– They follow blindly without discretion.
– Avoid index funds if you want active management.
– Your mentioned funds like Nifty 50 Bees and Nifty Next fall here.
– Instead, choose actively managed diversified funds.
– These funds perform better over time with lower risk.
– They help adjust based on sectors, economy, and valuation.

? Long-term Goals to Focus On
– Your two main goals are child education and your retirement.
– Both are long-term goals and need early planning.
– Equity mutual funds are best for these goals.
– Start with Rs. 25,000 monthly in SIPs.
– Allocate Rs. 15,000 for child education fund.
– Allocate Rs. 10,000 for your retirement fund.
– Use actively managed funds guided by a CFP.
– Don’t invest in direct mutual fund plans.

? Why Avoid Direct Funds
– Direct plans offer no personal advice or periodic review.
– It’s like driving without a map.
– Many investors make mistakes without proper help.
– Wrong fund choice, emotional exits, or overexposure are common.
– Regular plans through MFD with CFP support avoid these issues.
– They offer coaching, guidance, and behavioural discipline.
– Performance reviews and course corrections are done on time.
– Long-term investing is more about staying invested than just choosing funds.
– A certified financial planner helps with that clarity and accountability.

? Child Education Planning – First Goal
– Your son is 3 years old now.
– You have 14–15 years to build a good fund.
– Education costs double every 7–8 years.
– Start SIP of Rs. 15,000 monthly in growth-oriented equity funds.
– Don’t choose child insurance policies or ULIPs.
– They underperform and are not flexible.
– Actively managed diversified funds give better growth over time.
– Review your investments every year.
– Increase SIP amount every year when income increases.
– Use goal-based approach. Don’t mix short-term needs.

? Retirement Planning – Second Goal
– You’re 29 now. Retirement is 30 years away.
– Time is your best friend here.
– You already invest Rs. 60,000 yearly in NPS.
– NPS gives tax benefit under Sec 80CCD(1B).
– But NPS alone is not enough.
– Add mutual fund SIP of Rs. 10,000 monthly for this goal.
– Choose actively managed hybrid and large cap funds.
– These give long-term wealth creation and inflation beating growth.
– Avoid ULIP pension plans or annuities.
– They are rigid, low-return and not liquid.
– Mutual funds give flexibility and smart asset allocation.

? Health and Life Insurance
– You are already paying Rs. 45,000 yearly for health and term insurance.
– This is essential and correctly placed.
– Make sure health cover is Rs. 10 lakh or more.
– Include family in one family floater plan.
– Review sum insured every 3–4 years.
– Life cover should be 15–20 times your annual income.
– You can increase term insurance later if needed.

? Emergency Fund – Maintain Liquidity
– Emergency fund is important.
– Keep 6 months of expenses in savings or liquid funds.
– Don’t mix this money with investment money.
– This gives confidence to invest aggressively elsewhere.
– Emergency fund prevents loan dependency during crisis.

? Property Planning – Use Caution
– Rs. 30 lakh savings can buy land or flat.
– But don’t use full amount for it.
– Property is illiquid and needs maintenance and registration costs.
– It doesn’t give regular income unless rented.
– Focus on mutual fund investments first.
– Let your capital grow and become flexible.
– If you still buy, don’t borrow heavily for it.

? Tax Planning Strategy
– You already save Rs. 60,000 in NPS.
– That gives you benefit under 80CCD(1B).
– Term insurance premium covers part of 80C.
– Use balance of 80C for ELSS mutual fund SIP.
– ELSS gives tax saving and equity growth.
– Avoid traditional policies like LIC or endowment plans.
– They give low returns and lock money.
– Mutual funds give higher tax-adjusted returns.
– LTCG on equity mutual funds above Rs. 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.
– STCG is taxed at 20%.
– Debt mutual funds are taxed as per income slab.

? SIP Execution and Monitoring
– Don’t invest in many mutual funds.
– Choose 3 or 4 funds based on risk profile.
– Track SIPs once in 6 months or yearly.
– Avoid changing funds too often.
– SIPs work best when continued for long.
– Use MFD channel with CFP for execution.
– Regular review, rebalancing, and guidance are important.

? Behavioural Discipline Matters
– Markets go up and down.
– Don’t stop SIPs during correction.
– That is when you accumulate more units.
– Keep calm and stick to the plan.
– Long-term success needs patience and trust in the process.
– Stay invested and don’t react emotionally.
– A CFP gives behavioural support during tough times.

? Family Financial Planning
– Involve your wife in financial discussions.
– Keep joint goals for future.
– Plan for child’s education, travel, retirement and healthcare.
– Write a will or basic nomination now itself.
– Keep all investments in joint or nominee mode.

? Asset Allocation Balance
– Don’t invest in only one asset type.
– Use equity, hybrid, liquid and EPF in right mix.
– Overexposure to land or gold limits flexibility.
– Equity mutual funds grow capital.
– Debt and liquid funds give short-term stability.
– Review asset mix yearly.

? Final Insights
– You are taking the right steps early.
– Your goals are clear and achievable.
– Avoid index and direct mutual fund options.
– Use actively managed funds via a MFD with CFP.
– Don’t get stuck in illiquid property assets.
– Keep investing regularly and review yearly.
– Focus on discipline, guidance, and simplicity.
– You are on the right path to build wealth.
– Stay consistent and take help when needed.

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

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.