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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 29, 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
Asked by Anonymous - Apr 29, 2025
Money

Hi Sir, I have a property in Mumbai suburb (approx 40L) and its location is perfect near station, bus stop, heart of the city etc. It's very old around 36 years old. I have just inherited it and I am finishing the legal procedure of it. The monthly maintenance is increasing every year and we are still waiting for redevelopment to happen. I am housewife and require monthly income. We also have loans around 25 L. My husband is int IT field and I am German language expert. We have a son 3 years. Some are saying to give it on rent and some are saying to sell it off for repaying loans. Even if I sell it I would like to reinvest it somewhere for getting monthly income, preferably a property. I want a secure investment for meeting the requirements for my son's education as my husband's field is very volatile due to regular layoffs and stuff. Kindly guide

Ans: You have inherited a 36-year-old property worth around Rs 40 lakh.
You have Rs 25 lakh loans to repay.
You are a housewife but a German language expert, and your husband is in IT.
You want monthly income and secure future planning, especially for your son.

You have inherited a valuable property in Mumbai suburb.

You are completing the legal formalities rightly, which is very important.

You are thinking ahead for monthly income, child education, and loan repayment.

Very few people show this kind of foresight. You deserve appreciation.

Challenges You Are Facing Now

Property is old, around 36 years, and needs maintenance.

Maintenance charges are rising every year, increasing burden.

Redevelopment is uncertain and unpredictable.

You have Rs 25 lakh loans creating stress.

Husband's IT field is unstable due to layoffs.

You want a secure monthly income and financial stability.

Option 1: Giving Property on Rent

You can earn monthly rental income by renting it out.

Typical rent may be around Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000 per month.

Rental yield will be hardly 2%-3% on Rs 40 lakh value.

This is very low compared to your needs and loan burden.

Maintenance charges, property tax, repairs will further reduce your income.

Vacancy risk is also there if tenants leave.

Overall, rental income may not fully support your financial goals.

Option 2: Selling the Property

Selling can give you around Rs 40 lakh.

You can immediately clear Rs 25 lakh loans.

After repaying loans, you will still have around Rs 15 lakh.

Loan closure will bring huge mental peace and cash flow freedom.

No more EMI burden means husband's salary can be saved better.

You can use balance Rs 15 lakh wisely to generate monthly income.

Important Insights on Redevelopment

Redevelopment can take 5-10 years easily.

Many projects get delayed due to disputes and permissions.

Till redevelopment happens, maintenance and repair costs rise.

You may have to stay invested without any income for long.

Your immediate needs for income and loan closure will not be solved.

Depending on redevelopment alone is very risky at this stage.

What You Should Ideally Do

Prefer selling the property now while market is still decent.

Clear all Rs 25 lakh loans fully and become completely debt-free.

Debt-free life is the biggest financial freedom you can gift your family.

With balance money, create a secure income plan.

Stay light without property burdens and maintenance worries.

Focus on building an education corpus for your son and retirement corpus.

Where to Invest After Selling

Do not buy another property immediately for investment.

Property rental yields are low, and liquidity is very poor.

Instead, create a mix of debt mutual funds and hybrid mutual funds.

These can give you monthly income using Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP).

This method protects your capital and gives you flexible monthly payouts.

Debt mutual funds can provide 6%-7% returns safely with low risk.

Balanced advantage funds can give 8%-10% returns over 3-5 years.

Always choose regular mutual fund plans through a MFD who is also a Certified Financial Planner.

Why Not Property for Reinvestment?

Property is illiquid; selling it again takes months or years.

Property has heavy costs like stamp duty, registration, brokerage, repairs.

Rentals are taxed fully as income, eating away returns.

If tenant defaults or property is vacant, you get zero income.

Maintaining property is a headache, especially in old buildings.

Mutual funds offer better flexibility, better tax-efficiency, and better liquidity.

Disadvantages of Direct Plans (Important for You to Know)

If you invest in direct mutual fund plans yourself, you miss expert guidance.

Wrong fund selection, wrong withdrawal rate can destroy your capital.

Regular plans through a CFP-backed MFD give proper fund selection and review.

Charges in regular plan are justified because it protects your long-term wealth.

Getting professional hand-holding is very important for your peace of mind.

Additional Steps You Must Take

Keep a separate emergency fund of Rs 3 lakh in liquid mutual funds.

Buy a good term insurance cover for husband (at least Rs 1 crore).

Ensure you have a good health insurance for the whole family.

Start a small SIP for your son’s education goal systematically.

Slowly explore freelancing as a German language expert to earn extra income.

Future Planning for Your Son

Education costs are rising 10%-12% every year in India.

For good education after 15 years, you will need a large corpus.

Start small SIPs in good mutual funds focused on child education.

Stay committed for long-term without withdrawals.

Education planning must be top priority after loan closure.

Final Insights

Renting out the old property will not solve your loan and income issues properly.

Selling the property now and clearing the loans is the better, safer step.

Remaining money should be invested wisely for monthly income generation.

Avoid buying new properties now. Focus on mutual fund income plans.

Build emergency reserves, insurance covers, and an education fund for your son.

Stay light, stay debt-free, and keep life flexible financially.

Your thinking is already mature. With correct action, your future will be very secure.

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.
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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 27, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 26, 2025Hindi
Listen
Money
I am 66 years old and retired and have one daughter married and well settled and has 2 children aged 5 years son and 3 years daughter. I have no liabilities and have a family income of Rs.3 lakhs per month thru rental. My monthly expenses is Rs 50 K per month and annual payments of medical, vehicle and property tax is Rs.3.25 Lakhs. I have direct equity invested around 1.2 CR and Invested in PMS now valued at Rs.85 Lakhs. I have plot valued at 1.6 CR and 2 independent house valued at 3cr. I have a commercial property which gives me above rental is valued at Rs.5 CR. Now kindly advise me how i should investment my earnings which will help my daughter and 2 grand children for for their future education. My above income is after paying the taxes to the government. I lead a simple life and travel every year 2 times.
Ans: Your financial position is strong with no liabilities.

Monthly rental income of Rs. 3 lakhs covers your expenses and lifestyle.

Monthly expenses of Rs. 50,000 and annual expenses of Rs. 3.25 lakhs leave ample surplus.

You have diversified assets, including equity (Rs. 1.2 crore), PMS (Rs. 85 lakhs), real estate (Rs. 9.6 crore), and regular rental income.

You lead a simple life, which allows significant potential for wealth accumulation and legacy planning.

Investment Goals
Your primary focus is to:

Ensure financial security for your family.

Support your daughter and grandchildren’s education and future needs.

Maintain sufficient liquidity for personal travel and unexpected medical costs.

Recommendations for Asset Allocation
1. Equity Investments
Your current direct equity portfolio (Rs. 1.2 crore) and PMS (Rs. 85 lakhs) are commendable.

Direct equity requires active tracking and expertise.

Shift part of your direct equity to regular mutual funds through a Certified Financial Planner.

Regular funds offer professional management and long-term growth.

Retain PMS if it meets your return expectations and aligns with your risk appetite.

2. Emergency Fund
Allocate 6–12 months of expenses to liquid funds.

This ensures liquidity for unexpected expenses or emergencies.

Investments for Daughter and Grandchildren
1. Education Fund for Grandchildren
Start investing in child-focused mutual funds for their education.

Choose regular funds through an experienced Certified Financial Planner.

These funds offer professional management and goal-based growth.

Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) in equity funds can help accumulate the required corpus.

2. Legacy Fund
Invest in diversified mutual funds for wealth creation.

Choose a mix of large-cap, flexi-cap, and balanced advantage funds.

This portfolio can grow steadily while preserving wealth.

Real Estate Diversification
Avoid further investments in real estate.

Real estate is illiquid and challenging to manage during retirement.

Liquidate one property if diversification is needed.

Use the proceeds to invest in mutual funds or bonds.

Fixed Income Options
Consider investing in corporate bonds or debentures for steady income.

Choose bonds rated “AAA” for safety.

Avoid annuities as they provide low returns and limited flexibility.

Tax-Efficient Planning
Review tax-saving strategies with a Certified Financial Planner.

Equity investments (LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%) are tax-efficient.

Ensure proper tax documentation for real estate and rental income.

Track PMS returns and tax implications yearly.

Liquidity and Annual Expenses
Set aside Rs. 25–30 lakhs in a liquid fund.

This covers your annual travel, property taxes, and medical expenses.

Keep medical insurance for yourself and your family updated.

Succession and Estate Planning
Create a will to ensure smooth asset transfer.

Include clear instructions for property distribution.

Discuss creating a trust for your grandchildren’s education and future needs.

Travel and Lifestyle Funding
Use rental income surplus to fund annual travel.

Avoid withdrawing from long-term investments for discretionary expenses.

Final Insights
You have built a strong financial foundation.

Focus on simplifying investments for better management.

Diversify and invest in professionally managed mutual funds.

Plan for family needs with a balanced approach to risk and growth.

Regularly review your portfolio with a Certified Financial Planner.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Milind

Milind Vadjikar  | Answer  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Jan 27, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 27, 2025Hindi
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Money
Hello Respected sir, I have an old land worth 2 crore which I am planning to sell.Original sale deed is of Rs 1 lakh Can you please help me: 1. How much tax have to pay? 2. Where should I invest rest for max return? 3. Currently living on rent but planning to buy 2 flats around 50 lacks each. I will stay in one and the second one will sell. Is this correct? 4. My current income is 2 lakh a month and I have kid only. Investments already in PPF monthly 10K, Sukanya Yojna monthly 20K rest expenses 60K monthly. I am a 44 year old married. My Goal is to have: 25 Lakhs for Education in next 7 yrs and Retirement income 1Lakh a month.
Ans: Hello;

1. You have 2 options of long term capital gain tax working because you have old land.
a.200-1=199 Lakhs on this a tax of 12.5% i.e.24.875 Lakhs
b.200-x=xyz Lakhs on this a tax of 20%
Where "x" is the inflation indexed cost of acquisition
You may consult a CA for calculating "x" for you and also recommending ways in which you can avoid payment of this tax based on provisions of income tax act.

If you can save on entire tax payment by reinvesting the capital gain from land sale into real estate then it makes sense to invest in real estate. You may rent out part of your real estate to earn rental income.

You may do a monthly sip of `90 K in an equity savings type mutual fund with low to moderate risk for 7 years.

It may grow into a sum of 1 Cr after 7 years assuming modest return of 9%. It may be utilised to fund higher education of your kid and partially funding your retirement income in addition to rental income.

Best Wishes;
X: @mars_invest

..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
Money
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.

...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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