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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 30, 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
Shrikanth Question by Shrikanth on Apr 23, 2023Hindi
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Dear Sir, My name is Shrikanth S Kumar. My age is 38 and wife's age is 34. My total annual CTC is 16,10,000. My monthly expenses is 40 k. I have 15 lakhs in savings account which I can invest for Long term. Please suggest New SIPS or current good sips and investment avenues to continue. Started investing in equity sips from 5 years. I have a target net worth to reach of 5CR in 5years. I have 13 lakhs MF portfolio, and my running MF sip are 35k in quant active, 30k in parag parikh flexi cap,6k in DSP Nifty 50 equal wieght Index fund and 5k in nippon small cap.

Ans: It's great to see your proactive approach towards long-term financial planning. Given your income, expenses, and existing investments, here are some suggestions to help you achieve your target net worth of 5 crores in 5 years:

Increase SIP Contributions: Consider increasing your SIP contributions to align with your ambitious goal. You may also explore the option of stepping up SIP amounts annually to accelerate wealth accumulation.
Diversification: While your current SIPs are well-diversified, you can further enhance diversification by adding funds from different categories such as large-cap, mid-cap, and multi-cap funds. This helps spread risk and capture opportunities across market segments.
Explore Tax-Saving Investments: Utilize tax-saving investment avenues such as Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS) to optimize tax benefits while building wealth. ELSS funds offer the twin benefits of tax savings under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act and potential capital appreciation.
Regular Review and Rebalancing: Regularly review your investment portfolio to ensure it remains aligned with your financial goals and risk tolerance. Consider rebalancing your portfolio periodically to maintain the desired asset allocation mix.
Emergency Fund: Ensure you have an adequate emergency fund set aside in a liquid instrument like a savings account or liquid mutual fund to cover unforeseen expenses without disrupting your investment portfolio.
Seek Professional Advice: Given the ambitious nature of your financial goal, consider consulting with a certified financial planner who can provide personalized advice tailored to your specific circumstances and objectives.
Remember, achieving a significant target like 5 crores in 5 years requires disciplined savings, strategic investing, and periodic reassessment of your financial plan. Stay focused on your long-term objectives and remain patient during market fluctuations.
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  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 12, 2023Hindi
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Dear Sir, My name is Shrikanth S Kumar. My age is 38 and wife's age is 34. My total annual CTC is 16,10,000. My monthly expenses is 40 k. I have 15 lakhs in savings account which I can invest for Long term. Please suggest New SIPS or current good sips and investment avenues to continue. Started investing in equity sips from 5 years. Planning to buy a new apartment in Baroda of 70 lakhs in 5 years. I have a target net worth to reach of 5CR in 5years.
Ans: Given your financial situation and goals, here's a suggested approach:

Investment Allocation:

Allocate a portion of your savings towards SIPs in equity mutual funds for long-term wealth creation.
Since you have a target net worth of 5 crores in 5 years, consider a more aggressive allocation to equity funds.
SIP Selection:

Choose diversified equity funds with a proven track record of consistent performance.
Consider large-cap, multi-cap, and mid-cap funds to diversify across market segments.
Aim for a mix of growth-oriented and value-oriented funds to balance risk and return potential.
New SIPs and Investment Avenues:

Continue your current SIPs if they have been performing well and align with your risk tolerance and goals.
Consider adding new SIPs in well-managed funds with a focus on sectors or themes poised for growth.
Explore other investment avenues such as PPF, NPS, or direct stock investments to diversify your portfolio further.
Plan for Property Purchase:

Start a separate savings plan or investment portfolio specifically earmarked for the down payment on the new apartment.
Consider investing in relatively safer options like debt funds or fixed deposits for this short-term goal to minimize risk.
Regular Review and Adjustment:

Regularly review your investment portfolio to ensure it remains aligned with your financial goals and risk tolerance.
Adjust your SIP allocations and investment strategy as needed based on changes in market conditions, personal circumstances, and progress towards your goals.
Consult a Financial Advisor:

Given your ambitious target net worth and significant investment amount, consider consulting a financial advisor to tailor a comprehensive financial plan suited to your specific needs and objectives.
Remember to maintain a disciplined approach to investing, stay focused on your long-term goals, and avoid making impulsive decisions based on short-term market fluctuations.

..Read more

Sanjeev

Sanjeev Govila  | Answer  |Ask -

Financial Planner - Answered on Jul 23, 2023

Sanjeev

Sanjeev Govila  | Answer  |Ask -

Financial Planner - Answered on Sep 20, 2023

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Dear Sir, My name is Shrikanth S Kumar. My age is 38 and wife's age is 34. My total annual CTC is 16,10,000. My monthly expenses is 40 k. I have 15 lakhs in savings account which I can invest for Long term. Please suggest New SIPS or current good sips and investment avenues to continue. Started investing in equity sips from 5 years. I have a target net worth to reach of 5CR in 5years. I have 16 lakhs MF portfolio, and my running MF sip are 35k in quant active, 30k in parag parikh flexi cap,6k in DSP Nifty 50 equal wieght Index fund and 5k in nippon small cap.
Ans: It is good that you are investing a good amount per month with a saving/investment ratio of 50%. To reach your goal with current accumulated portfolio, available investment surplus (Rs 15 Lakh) and current SIPs, you need to make additional SIPs of 4.71 Lakh per month, (assuming 12% annualised return). Obviously, this is not possible given current income and cash flows. Going with the current status of investment, you will be able to accumulate 1.18 Cr by the end of 5th Year.

Your stated scenario of accumulating Rs 5 Cr is definitely very difficult to achieve, but here we will suggest a practical and logical approach toward investment. Do the step up SIPs, which means you should increase the investible surplus (SIPs) every year as your income grows say 10%. With this, you should be able to accumulate approx Rs 1.29 Cr (Assuming 12% ROI). This will reduce the deficit required. Apart from this any windfall amounts received at any time should be invested towards facilitating the goal.

Currently, your SIPs are concentrated in 2 funds which is not good. You should work on diversifying the monthly investment wisely among different categories and sectors, based on your goal requirements.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 05, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 02, 2024Hindi
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I am 42yo and started SIP a year ago. My current SIPs (all Direct-G) 1) Mirae Asset ELSS (2000), 2) Quant ELSS (2000), 3) Canara Robeco ELSS (2000), 4) PPFAS ELSS (1500), 5) Nippon Multicap (1500),6) Quant Smallcap (3500), 7) PGIM Midcap (1000), 8) Quant Flexicap (2000), 9) Quant BFSI (5000). Altogether, my monthly SIP amounts to Rs. 20500. Additionally I am contributing 4000/m in NPS. I have a term plan of 25 Lakh, Health Insurance of 25 Lakh, Life Insurance of 6 lakhs. I have an EPF balance of 2 lakhs and contributing. Pls review my SIP portfolio and suggest. I want to stepup my SIP 10% annually. I have a investment horizon of 10 yrs for daughters education and 15 yrs horizon for retirement corpus. I am OK with High Risk considering 10 & 15 yrs horizon. Please suggest funds for an aggressive portfolio to accumulate 1 cr in 10 yrs.
Ans: Your current SIP portfolio seems well-diversified, but you may consider some adjustments to align with your goals and risk appetite. Given your long-term horizon and willingness to take high risk, you can consider the following suggestions:

Increase Allocation to Equity: Since you have a higher risk tolerance, you may consider increasing your allocation to equity funds, especially small-cap and mid-cap funds, which have the potential for higher returns over the long term.

Review ELSS Funds: While ELSS funds offer tax benefits, ensure you're comfortable with the lock-in period. You may want to diversify across different categories within equity funds for better risk management.

Evaluate NPS Contribution: Assess the performance and suitability of NPS vis-a-vis other retirement-focused investment options like equity mutual funds, considering your risk appetite and return expectations.

Regularly Review and Rebalance: Given your investment horizon, regularly review your portfolio's performance and make adjustments as necessary. Consider rebalancing your portfolio annually to maintain the desired asset allocation.

Consider Professional Advice: Given the complexity of investment decisions and tax implications, consider seeking advice from a certified financial planner who can provide personalized recommendations based on your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 19, 2024

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Hi i am 34 years old. I have started a 4 SIP each of 5000?, HDFC midcap opportunity fund direct growth, HDFC Index nifty fifty, Parag parekh flexi fund and Nippon India Small cap fund. Kindly suggest any changes or need to add more sip. I want to retire in next 12 years
Ans: Congratulations on taking proactive steps towards building your retirement corpus through SIP investments. Let's review your current portfolio and make necessary adjustments to align it with your retirement goal in the next 12 years.

Evaluating Your Current SIP Portfolio
Portfolio Composition
You've initiated SIPs in four funds, focusing on mid-cap, index, flexi-cap, and small-cap categories. This shows a well-diversified approach towards wealth creation.

Risk Profile
Your portfolio reflects a moderate to high-risk appetite, with exposure to mid-cap and small-cap funds known for their volatility.

Assessing the Need for Changes
Mid-Cap Fund
Advantage: Mid-cap funds have the potential for high growth, suitable for long-term wealth creation.
Consideration: Ensure you're comfortable with the higher risk associated with mid-cap stocks.
Index Fund
Advantage: Index funds offer broad market exposure at low costs, ideal for passive investors.
Consideration: While index funds offer stability, they may not outperform actively managed funds in bull markets.
Flexi-Cap Fund
Advantage: Flexi-cap funds provide flexibility to invest across market caps based on prevailing market conditions.
Consideration: Ensure the fund manager's strategy aligns with your investment goals and risk tolerance.
Small-Cap Fund
Advantage: Small-cap funds have the potential for high growth, but they come with higher volatility.
Consideration: Be prepared for fluctuations in returns and market risks associated with small-cap stocks.
Recommendations for Portfolio Optimization
Rebalancing the Portfolio
Consider rebalancing your portfolio to maintain an optimal asset allocation based on your risk tolerance and investment horizon.
Assess the current market conditions and performance of individual funds to make informed decisions.
Reviewing Fund Performance
Regularly monitor the performance of your SIP funds and assess their consistency in delivering returns.
Evaluate fund managers' track records, investment strategies, and portfolio compositions to ensure alignment with your goals.
Potential Addition of Debt or Hybrid Funds
Given the aggressive nature of your current portfolio, consider adding debt or hybrid funds to balance risk and provide stability.
Debt funds can provide steady returns with lower volatility, suitable for risk-averse investors approaching retirement.
Benefits of Regular Funds Investing through MFD with CFP Credential
Investing through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) who is also a Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD) offers several advantages:

Personalized Advice: A CFP can provide tailored investment advice based on your financial goals, risk appetite, and investment horizon.

Portfolio Diversification: A CFP can help you build a diversified investment portfolio aligned with your objectives, spreading risk across various asset classes.

Ongoing Monitoring: With regular reviews and updates, a CFP ensures your investments stay on track to meet your goals.

Conclusion
Your current SIP portfolio demonstrates a proactive approach towards wealth creation for retirement. By reviewing and optimizing your portfolio periodically, you can ensure it remains aligned with your long-term financial goals. Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to receive personalized guidance and maximize your investment potential.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 06, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 06, 2025Hindi
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Dear Sir/Ma'am, I need some guidance and advice for continuing my mutual fund investments. I am a 36 year old male, married, no kids yet and no debts/liabilities as such. I have couple of savings in PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and long term investing in direct stocks. I recently started below mentioned SIPs for long term to grow wealth. Request you to review the same and let me know if I should continue with the SIPs or need to rationalize. Kindly also advice on how to invest a lumpsum amount of around 6lacs. invesco small cap 2000 motilal oswal midcap 2700 parag parikh flexicap 3000 HDFC flexicap 3100 ICICI prudential largecap 3100 HDFC large and midcap 3100 HDFC gold etf FOF 2000 ICICI Pru equity and debt fund 3000 HDFC balanced advantage fund 3000 nippon india silver etf FOF 2000
Ans: You already built a solid foundation. Many investors delay planning. But you started early at 36. That gives you a strong advantage. You have no liabilities. You have long term thinking. You also have diversified savings like PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and direct stocks. That shows clarity and discipline. This approach builds wealth with less stress over time.

You also started systematic investments in equity funds. That is a positive step. Your selection covers multiple categories like large cap, mid cap, small cap, flexi cap, hybrid and precious metals. So the intent is right. You are trying to create a broad portfolio. That gives balance.

» Your Portfolio Composition Understanding
Your current SIP list includes:

Small cap

Mid cap

Flexi cap

Large cap

Large and mid cap

Hybrid category

Gold and Silver FoF

Equity and Debt allocation fund

Dynamic hybrid fund

This shows you are trying to cover many segments. But too many categories can create overlap. When there is overlap, you get confusion during review. It also makes portfolio discipline difficult. You may think you are diversified. But the holdings inside may repeat. That reduces efficiency.

Your portfolio now looks like:

Equity dominant

Hybrid for stability

Metals for hedge

So the broad direction is fine. But simplifying helps in long-term habit building.

» Fund Category Duplication
You hold:

Two flexi cap funds

One large and mid cap fund

One pure large cap fund

One mid cap fund

One small cap fund

Flexi cap funds already invest across large, mid, small. Then large and mid also overlaps. So the large cap exposure gets repeated. That may not add extra benefit. But it increases monitoring complexity.

So I suggest rationalising. Keep one fund per category in core. Keep satellite space for only high conviction.

» Core and Satellite Strategy
A structured portfolio follows core and satellite method.

Core portfolio should be:

Simple

Long term

Stable

Satellite portfolio can be:

High growth

Concentrated

Based on your thinking level, you can structure like this:

Core funds:

One large cap

One flexi cap

One hybrid equity and debt fund

One balanced advantage type fund

Satellite funds:

One mid cap

One small cap

One metal allocation if needed

This division gives clarity. You can continue SIPs with review every year. No need to stop and restart often. That reduces behavioural mistakes.

» Your Current SIP List Review with Suggested Streamlining

You can consider continuing:

One flexi cap

One large cap

One mid cap

One small cap

One balanced advantage

One equity and debt hybrid

You may reconsider keeping both flexi caps and both gold silver funds. One of each category is enough. Because too many funds do not increase returns. It complicates tracking.

Precious metal funds should not be more than 5 to 7 percent in your portfolio. This is because metals are hedge assets. They do not create compounding like equity. They act as protection during cycles. So keep them small.

» How to Use the Rs 6 Lakh Lump Sum
You asked about lump sum investing. This is important. Lump sum should not go fully into equity at one time. Markets move in cycles. So use a staggered method. You can invest the lump sum through STP (Systematic Transfer Plan). You can keep the amount in a liquid fund and set STP toward your chosen growth funds over 6 to 12 months.

This reduces timing risk. It also creates discipline. So your Rs 6 lakh can be deployed gradually. You may use 50% towards core equity funds and 30% toward satellite growth category. The remaining 20% can go into hybrid category. This gives balance and comfort.

» Regular Funds Over Direct Funds
One important point many investors miss. Direct funds look cheaper. But they demand deep knowledge, discipline, and behaviour control. Most investors lose more through emotional selling and wrong timing than they save on expense ratio.

With regular funds through a Mutual Fund Distributor with Certified Financial Planner qualification, you get guidance, structure and correction. The advisory discipline protects you during market extremes. That is more valuable than a small saving in expense ratio.

A personalised planner also tracks portfolio drift, rebalancing need and category shifts. So regular fund investing gives long-term benefit and behaviour coaching.

» Actively Managed Funds over Index or ETF
Some investors choose index funds or ETF thinking they are simple and cheap. But they ignore drawbacks.

Index funds or ETF will not avoid weak companies in the index. They will invest whether the company grows or struggles. There is no fund manager decision making. So when markets are at peak, index funds continue aggressive exposure. In downturns also they fall fully. There is no cushion.

Actively managed funds work with research teams. They can avoid bad sectors. They can shift allocation based on market and economy. Over long term, this gives better alpha and stability. So continuing with actively managed funds creates better wealth compounding.

» SIP Continuation Strategy
Once the rationalisation is done, continue SIPs every month without interruption. Pause and restart behaviour damages compounding power. SIP works best when you go through all market cycles. You benefit more during corrections because cost averaging works.

So continue SIP amount. You can also review SIP increase every year based on income. Increasing SIP by 10 to 15 percent every year helps you reach large corpus faster.

» Asset Allocation Based Approach
One key point in wealth creation is having the right asset mix. Equity gives growth. Hybrid gives balance. Metals give hedge. Debt gives safety. Your asset allocation should stay aligned to your risk profile and time horizon.

Since you are young and have long term horizon, higher equity allocation is fine. But as time moves, rebalancing is important. Rebalancing protects gains and restores allocation.

So review your asset allocation every year or during major life events like child birth, home buying or retirement planning.

» Behaviour Management
Many portfolios fail not due to bad funds. They fail due to bad decisions. Selling during correction. Stopping SIP when market falls. Chasing past return performance. These mistakes reduce wealth.

Your discipline so far is good. Continue to stay patient during volatility. Equity rewards patience and time.

» Financial Goals Clarity
Since you have no children now, you can decide your long-term goals. Typical goals may include:

Retirement

Future child education

Dream lifestyle purchase

Health care reserves

When goals are clear, investment purpose becomes stronger. So you can map each fund category to goal horizon. Short-term goals should not use equity. Long-term goals should use equity with hybrid support.

» Role of Review and Monitoring
Review once in a year is enough. Frequent review can create anxiety. Annual review helps check:

Fund performance

Expense drift

Category relevance

Allocation balance

Then adjust only if needed. This progress helps you stay confident and aligned.

» Taxation Awareness
Equity mutual funds taxation rules are:

Short term (below one year holding) taxable at 20 percent

Long term (above one year holding) gains above Rs 1.25 lakh taxable at 12.5 percent

Debt mutual funds are taxed as per your income slab.

So always hold equity funds for long term. That reduces tax impact and gives better growth.

» SIP Increase Plan
You can create a simple plan to increase SIP over time. For example:

Increase SIP at every salary increment

Increase SIP during bonus time

Use rewards or extra income for investing

This habit accelerates wealth. So by the time you reach 45 to 50 years, your investments could reach a strong level.

» Insurance and Protection
Before investing large, ensure you have term insurance and health insurance. If not already done, it is important. Insurance protects wealth. Without insurance, even a small medical event can impact investment plan. So review this part also. Since you are married, cover both.

» Wealth Behaviour Mindset
You are already disciplined. Just keep these simple principles:

Invest without stopping

Review once a year

Avoid funds overlap

Follow asset allocation

Avoid reacting to media noise

This helps you reach long term milestones.

» Finally
You are on the right track. Only fine tuning and simplification is needed. Your discipline is visible. Your portfolio will grow well with structure, patience and periodic review. Use the Rs 6 lakh with STP approach. And continue SIP with rationalised categories.

With time and consistency, wealth creation becomes effortless and peaceful. You just need to stay committed and avoid overthinking during market movements.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1837 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 05, 2025

Career
Dear Sir, I did my BTech from a normal engineering college not very famous. The teaching was not great and hence i did not study well. I tried my best to learn coding including all the technologies like html,css,javascript,react js,dba,php because i wanted to be a web developer But nothing seem to enter my head except html and css. I don't understand a language which has more complexities. Is it because of my lack of experience or not devoting enough time. I am not sure. I did many courses online and tried to do diplomas also abroad which i passed somehow. I recently joined android development course because i like apps but the teaching was so fast that i could not memorize anything. There was no time to even take notes down. During the course i did assignments and understood the code because i have to pass but after the course is over i tend to forget everything. I attempted a lot of interviews. Some of them i even got but could not perform well so they let me go. Now due to the AI booming and job markets in a bad shape i am re-thinking whether to keep studying or whether its just time waste. Since 3 years i am doing labour type of jobs which does not yield anything to me for survival and to pay my expenses. I have the quest to learn everything but as soon as i sit in front of the computer i listen to music or read something else. What should i do to stay more focused? What should i do to make myself believe confident. Is there still scope of IT in todays world? Kindly advise.
Ans: Your story does not show failure.
It shows persistence, effort, and desire to improve.

Most people give up.
You didn’t.
That means you will succeed — but with the right method, not the old one.

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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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