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32-Year-Old IT Professional with High Income: How to Save and Maintain Lifestyle?

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8292 Answers  |Ask -

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

Ramalingam Kalirajan has over 23 years of experience in mutual funds and financial planning.
He has an MBA in finance from the University of Madras and is a certified financial planner.
He is the director and chief financial planner at Holistic Investment, a Chennai-based firm that offers financial planning and wealth management advice.... more
sumit Question by sumit on Jun 28, 2024Hindi
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Hi, my name is Sumit and I am 32 years old IT professional. My and my wife's combined income is 2.08 lakh per month. Our home loan is running at 65k monthly emi. Currently i have 2 SIPs which are 5k in Elss and 5k in Flexi cap. Can you suggest best investment plan in which we can save as much as possible and maintain life style as well.

Ans: Sumit. Your combined monthly income is Rs 2.08 lakh. Your home loan EMI is Rs 65,000. You also have SIPs of Rs 10,000 in ELSS and Flexi Cap funds.

Let's break down your financial plan for maximum savings and maintaining your lifestyle.

Current Monthly Income and Expenses

Combined Income: Rs 2.08 lakh
Home Loan EMI: Rs 65,000
SIPs: Rs 10,000
This leaves you with Rs 1.33 lakh for other expenses and savings.

Investment Strategy for Maximum Savings

1. Emergency Fund

Maintain an emergency fund equivalent to 6-12 months of expenses. This fund should be in a savings account or liquid funds.

2. Increasing SIP Contributions

Consider increasing your SIP contributions in equity mutual funds for long-term growth.

Flexi Cap Fund: Continue with your Rs 5,000 SIP in Flexi Cap funds.

ELSS Fund: Continue with your Rs 5,000 SIP in ELSS for tax savings under Section 80C.

3. Diversifying Your Portfolio

Diversify your investments to balance risk and returns. Here are some recommendations:

Large Cap Funds: Allocate Rs 5,000 monthly to large cap funds for stable returns.
Mid Cap Funds: Allocate Rs 5,000 monthly to mid cap funds for potential growth.
Small Cap Funds: Allocate Rs 5,000 monthly to small cap funds for high growth potential.
4. Retirement Planning

Start planning for retirement early. Allocate Rs 5,000 monthly to a retirement fund or a Public Provident Fund (PPF). PPF offers tax benefits and secure returns.

5. Child Education and Future Goals

If you have children or plan to, start saving for their education. Allocate Rs 5,000 monthly to a child education plan or a balanced mutual fund.

6. Health Insurance

Ensure adequate health insurance for your family. This protects your savings in case of medical emergencies.

Monthly Investment Plan

Emergency Fund: Maintain liquidity for emergencies.
Flexi Cap Fund: Rs 5,000 SIP
ELSS Fund: Rs 5,000 SIP
Large Cap Fund: Rs 5,000 SIP
Mid Cap Fund: Rs 5,000 SIP
Small Cap Fund: Rs 5,000 SIP
Retirement Fund/PPF: Rs 5,000
Child Education/Goal Fund: Rs 5,000
Total Monthly Investment: Rs 35,000

Managing Expenses and Lifestyle

Track Expenses: Use apps or spreadsheets to track and manage expenses.
Budgeting: Create a monthly budget to ensure you live within your means.
Discretionary Spending: Allocate a portion of your income for leisure and lifestyle expenses. This ensures you enjoy your lifestyle while saving.
Tax Planning

ELSS Funds: Continue investing in ELSS for tax benefits.
Section 80C: Maximize deductions under Section 80C through PPF, ELSS, and other eligible investments.
Professional Guidance

Consult with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) for personalized advice. A CFP can help tailor your investments to your goals and risk tolerance.

Final Insights

Sumit, focus on building an emergency fund, increasing SIPs in diversified equity funds, and planning for retirement and children's education. Track your expenses and budget wisely to maintain your lifestyle while saving effectively.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information to be as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision.
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Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 05, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - May 05, 2024Hindi
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Hi sir am 41yrs old and earning 91k per month and have saving of 1 lac . I have invested 15L in M.I.S ,6.38L in equities and 5k every month in s.i.p.I have two kids , am planning to buy house after 4 years worth 50L kindly tell me any investment plan ...so that I can cover the expense of kids education and marriage
Ans: It's great to see your proactive approach towards financial planning, especially considering your children's education and marriage expenses, as well as your goal of buying a house. Here's a tailored investment plan to help you achieve your objectives:

Education Fund for Children:
Open separate education funds or investment accounts for each child to save specifically for their education expenses.
Consider investing in Equity Mutual Funds or Equity Linked Saving Schemes (ELSS) for long-term growth potential, given your investment horizon.
Start a systematic investment plan (SIP) in diversified equity funds, aiming to accumulate sufficient funds by the time your children reach college age.
Marriage Fund for Children:
Similarly, create dedicated investment accounts for your children's marriage expenses to ensure you have adequate funds when needed.
Explore a mix of equity and debt investments based on your risk tolerance and time horizon.
Consider fixed-income instruments like Public Provident Fund (PPF), Fixed Deposits (FDs), or Debt Mutual Funds for stability and capital preservation.
House Purchase Fund:
Since you plan to buy a house in four years, focus on short to medium-term investment options to accumulate the required down payment.
Consider investing in Debt Mutual Funds or Fixed Maturity Plans (FMPs) for capital protection and relatively higher returns compared to traditional savings accounts.
Evaluate your risk appetite and liquidity needs when selecting investment vehicles for your house purchase fund.
Regular Review and Adjustment:
Periodically review your investment portfolio to ensure it remains aligned with your financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon.
Adjust your investment strategy as needed, considering changes in market conditions, personal circumstances, and goal priorities.
Emergency Fund:
Maintain a separate emergency fund equivalent to at least six months' worth of living expenses to cover unforeseen financial challenges or expenses.
Keep this fund in a liquid and easily accessible account such as a savings account or liquid mutual fund.
Consult with Financial Advisor:
Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner or investment advisor to tailor an investment plan that suits your specific goals, risk profile, and financial situation.
A professional advisor can provide personalized guidance and help you navigate the complexities of investment planning, ensuring you make informed decisions.
By implementing a structured investment plan tailored to your goals and financial circumstances, you can work towards securing your children's future education and marriage expenses while also saving for your own house purchase. Stay disciplined in your savings and investment approach, and regularly monitor your progress towards achieving these important milestones

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8292 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 18, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 27, 2024Hindi
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Hi, me and my husband' s monthly salary is 1,30,000. We apply home loan for 60lac which has emi 52k monthly. I have outsourcing money too like 60k for three months. We both have health insurance only for 15k yearly. I have sip of 15k per month and 10k Mutual fund. No other investment. Can you suggest me some plan how can I manage and how much money I required to get safe future and retirement. We both are 31 and 32 years old. Private jobs.
Ans: You and your husband have a combined monthly salary of Rs. 1,30,000. You have a home loan EMI of Rs. 52,000 and an outsourcing income of Rs. 60,000 every three months. You both have health insurance costing Rs. 15,000 annually. Your current investments include a SIP of Rs. 15,000 and a mutual fund investment of Rs. 10,000 monthly.

Financial Goals
Debt Management: Efficiently manage your home loan EMI.
Savings and Investments: Build a secure future and plan for retirement.
Risk Management: Ensure adequate insurance coverage.
Creating a Financial Plan
1. Budget and Expense Management
Track Expenses: Record all income and expenses to understand your cash flow.
Prioritize Spending: Focus on essential expenses and loan repayments.
2. Emergency Fund
Safety Net: Maintain an emergency fund equal to 6-12 months of expenses. This ensures financial security in case of unforeseen events.
Liquid Assets: Keep this fund in liquid assets like savings accounts or short-term deposits for easy access.
3. Increase Investment Contributions
Systematic Investment Plan (SIP): Continue with your current SIP of Rs. 15,000. Increase contributions as your income grows.
Diversify Investments: Allocate funds to a mix of equity, debt, and balanced mutual funds. This will optimize growth and reduce risk.
4. Retirement Planning
Long-Term Savings: Invest in retirement plans like PPF or EPF. These plans offer tax benefits and long-term growth.
Regular Contributions: Make regular contributions to build a substantial retirement corpus.
5. Adequate Insurance Coverage
Health Insurance: Ensure your health insurance coverage is adequate. Consider increasing the sum insured as needed.
Life Insurance: If you don't have life insurance, consider getting a term insurance policy to cover any liabilities and secure your family's future.
Analytical Insights
Managing Home Loan EMI
Prepayments: Whenever possible, make prepayments on your home loan. This reduces the interest burden and loan tenure.
Budget Adjustment: Adjust your budget to prioritize EMI payments and avoid missing any installments.
Investment Strategy
SIPs: SIPs are a disciplined way to invest and can benefit from rupee cost averaging.
Diversification: A diversified portfolio with equity, debt, and balanced funds can provide growth and stability.
Long-Term Horizon: Investing with a long-term horizon allows you to benefit from compounding returns.
Risk Management
Health Insurance: Ensure your health insurance coverage is sufficient for medical emergencies.
Life Insurance: Adequate life insurance is essential to cover liabilities and secure your family's future.
Key Considerations
Risk Tolerance: Assess your risk tolerance to determine the right mix of investments.
Financial Goals: Align your investments with your long-term financial goals, such as retirement and building a corpus.
Regular Review: Review your financial plan annually and adjust investments based on performance and goals.
Final Insights
To achieve financial security and a comfortable retirement, focus on efficiently managing your home loan EMI and increasing your investment contributions. Maintain a balanced portfolio and an emergency fund for financial security. Ensure adequate insurance coverage for health and life. By tracking your budget, making disciplined investments, and regularly reviewing your financial plan, you can build a substantial corpus for a secure future.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8292 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 20, 2025

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Hey Team, Looking for a ideal investment plan to gain higher returns. I am a working professional , me and my wife earn 3 Lakh PM ex Taxes. Have two kids 11 and 3 yrs old. Have a home loan (site) 70K PM with I investing 25Lakh . Looking for an ideal investment plan to cover our retirement, health, Term, and Children education. I currently invested and bought a flat at 1 CR with limited corpus left in accounts. Have 5-6 Lakh in SIP of 20K PM, 1.5 Lakh in Equity, What would be the apt investment plan to have 8-10 CR for retirements, 2 CR for Elder Kids (11 Yr) Higher education, 3 Cr for 2nd Kid (3Yr) education, plus health Insurance Yrly (currently have 10Lakh Insured from Office) 1 Cr Term Life from Office.
Ans: Current Financial Overview
Combined monthly income: Rs 3 lakh post-tax.
Home loan EMI: Rs 70,000 for a site.
Flat worth Rs 1 crore bought; limited liquid savings available.
SIP investments: Rs 20,000/month, with Rs 5-6 lakh corpus.
Equity investments: Rs 1.5 lakh.
Term insurance: Rs 1 crore from your employer.
Health insurance: Rs 10 lakh covered by your office.
You have specific financial goals requiring planned action. Let's address each one.

1. Retirement Planning
Goal: Rs 8-10 crore corpus for retirement.

Start a dedicated retirement-focused mutual fund SIP. Increase your current SIP investment. Consider allocating Rs 50,000/month towards this goal.

Choose equity mutual funds for long-term growth. Actively managed funds perform better in volatile markets. They can provide better returns than index funds.

Gradually increase SIP contributions by 10-15% yearly, aligned with salary increments. This is critical to match inflation.

Use retirement calculators periodically to ensure progress toward your goal.

2. Children's Education Planning
Elder Child (11 years old)
Goal: Rs 2 crore for higher education in 7-10 years.
Dedicate a SIP of Rs 40,000/month in balanced funds. These offer moderate risk and steady returns.
As the goal approaches, move funds to debt mutual funds to protect the corpus.
Avoid education loans unless absolutely necessary.
Younger Child (3 years old)
Goal: Rs 3 crore for higher education in 15-18 years.
Allocate Rs 25,000/month in equity-focused funds.
Start early to benefit from compounding and longer investment horizons.
3. Health Insurance
Office-provided insurance of Rs 10 lakh may be insufficient.
Purchase an additional family floater health insurance policy for Rs 20-30 lakh.
Ensure it covers critical illnesses, daycare procedures, and rising medical costs.
4. Term Life Insurance
A Rs 1 crore term policy from your employer is inadequate.
Opt for an additional term insurance policy of Rs 2 crore.
It ensures comprehensive coverage for your family’s financial security.
5. Debt Management and Emergency Fund
Home loan EMI of Rs 70,000 is a significant expense.
Consider prepaying the loan partially if you receive bonuses or windfall gains.
Maintain an emergency fund of Rs 9-12 lakh, equivalent to six months’ expenses. Keep it in liquid funds or savings accounts.
6. Investment Diversification
Avoid direct stock investments if you're inexperienced. They require constant monitoring and analysis.

Regular mutual funds via a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) offer better guidance and expertise.

Ensure a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds for portfolio balance.

Avoid ULIPs or investment-linked insurance policies. Their returns are often lower than mutual funds.

7. Tax Planning
Optimize investments under Section 80C (up to Rs 1.5 lakh yearly).
Explore ELSS funds for tax savings while providing equity exposure.
LTCG on equity funds above Rs 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%. Plan redemptions carefully to minimize tax liability.
8. Steps to Achieve Goals
Monthly SIP Allocation:

Rs 50,000 for retirement.
Rs 40,000 for elder child's education.
Rs 25,000 for younger child's education.
Insurance:

Additional health insurance of Rs 20-30 lakh.
Additional term insurance of Rs 2 crore.
Emergency Fund: Rs 9-12 lakh in liquid assets.

Debt Management: Prioritize prepayments when feasible.

Incremental Investments: Increase SIPs annually.

Finally
Your financial goals are achievable with disciplined planning and consistent efforts. Prioritize investments based on timelines and risk appetite. Work with a Certified Financial Planner for detailed strategies and regular portfolio reviews. Stay invested for the long term to enjoy compounding benefits.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

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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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