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Financial Planner - Answered on Feb 23, 2023

Anil Rego is the founder of Right Horizons, a financial and wealth management firm. He has 20 years of experience in the field of personal finance.
He’s an expert in income tax and wealth management.
He has completed his CFA/MBA from the ICFAI Business School.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Feb 10, 2023Hindi
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Hi, I am a regular follower of this column. I am working in a MNC. Currently my month salary:100000 My Investment: Mutual Fund SIP:20000 p.m(all in equity) Children Fund:1 lakh p.a (UTI CCF) PPF:1.50 lakh p.a P.F:14000 p.m NPS:6000 p.m Avg monthly expenses:30000. I have a kid age 6..My age is 39.. Is my Investment plan ok? Please let me know. Keep my name confidential.

Ans: You have done a pretty good distribution. Few inputs:
- I would think that you could take a slightly higher amount of risk, for a higher return and increase your SIPs by at least 5K per month. If you have no other option, you can reduce your PPF contribution.
- Not clear if your NPS is the one through salary or the investment under Sec 80ccd(1)- ie through salary; or 80ccd(1B)- investment for deduction under sec 80c upto Rs 50K. Suggestion is that you take advantage only till such limit that you get a tax deduction. You can use an equity-oriented fund there as well.
- Pls take care of your full tax savings if you are filing taxes in the old regime.
- I have assumed that you are comfortable only liquidity and looking for long term. If not, you would need to plan some investments towards the same.
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Hi, i am 42 years old 2 children 7 and 11 yrs each. earning currently 2 lakh net. I planning to create a retirement plan. I have done some investments but have never planned with specific goals so far. I intend to grow my money as much possible. And i am willing to take few risks, like i have started doing derivatives in options ( only nifty and I am not doing intra day). Please advice if my investment are reasonable and what are the other options i have to invest. Here are my assets and liability Land at current value : 70 lakhs Gold at current value : 21 lakhs Fixed Deposit : 10 lakhs PF balance : 11 lakhs Sukanya samridhi (annual1.5lakh) : 20 lakh Ppf for son ( annual 1.5 lakh): 14 lakh Direct equity ( 6 lakh invested) : current value : 17 lakhs Mutual Funds Franklin templeton tax saver growth( sip 4000) : 12 lakh Pp flexi cap growth(Sip 2000): 77 thousand Newly started Sip Quant small cap (sip 1000) Edelweiss momemtum (SIP) Liability ( car loan) : 20 lakhs
Ans: Given your age, income, and willingness to take risks, you have a decent mix of assets, but there are areas to focus on for a balanced retirement plan:

Assets:
Your assets are well-diversified with real estate, gold, fixed deposits, and various investment instruments like PF, Sukanya Samriddhi, PPF, direct equity, and mutual funds. However, your direct equity and derivatives trading can be volatile; ensure they align with your risk appetite.

Liabilities:
The car loan is a liability that can impact your monthly cash flow. Consider paying it off sooner to reduce interest costs and free up monthly income.

Suggestions:

Increase Equity Exposure: As you're willing to take risks, consider increasing exposure to equity mutual funds and direct equity investments.

Review Derivatives Trading: Be cautious with options trading due to its speculative nature. Ensure it doesn't dominate your portfolio.

Emergency Fund: Build a separate emergency fund to cover 6-12 months of expenses.

Health and Life Insurance: Ensure you have adequate health and life insurance coverage to protect your family's financial future.

Retirement Corpus: Calculate the required corpus for retirement based on your desired lifestyle post-retirement. Use a retirement calculator to estimate the monthly contributions needed to achieve this goal.

Diversify Investments: Explore other investment avenues like debt funds, international funds, to further diversify your portfolio and manage risks better.

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Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9852 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - May 07, 2024Hindi
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Hi, My age is 37 years and need suggestion if my investment strategy is correct .I dont have specific plans for withdrawal,However looking to save for my kids higher education and comfortable retirement. Currently my monthly investment is distributed as below: i) 130000 SIP in Mutual Fund ( Large Cap 50% : a)DSP equal weight Index fund b)Canara Rob Bluechip C) SBI Contra Midcap 25%: a) Motilal mid b) Quant Mid Smallcap 15%: a) Quant Small b) Canara Rob small Misc. fund 10%: a) ICICI Nasdaq b) Edelweiss Gold+Silver I do step up in SIP based = salary increment I get. ii) 12700 in NPS iii) 40000 in FD instead of debt fund iv) 12000 to PPF 50000 every year in NPS for additional tax saving. Additionally I am already have mutual fund accumulation value of 60 Lakhs (XIRR 21%) and 12lakhs in direct stocks. Term life insurance of 50lakhs. Together with me ,I have one 9year old son and wife living together with my parents. I have no investment in real estate as had very bad experience in past . Staying in parental home. Everyone says one should have real estate investment which currently i dont hav. Please advice about my investment strategy for next 13 years till I reach 50 years of age.
Ans: Evaluating and Optimizing Your Investment Strategy for Long-Term Goals
Comprehensive Portfolio Review
Your diversified investment portfolio reflects a prudent approach towards achieving your financial objectives of funding your children's education and securing a comfortable retirement. Let's assess each component to ensure alignment with your goals and risk tolerance.

Mutual Fund SIPs Allocation
Your allocation to mutual fund SIPs across large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap categories is well-diversified, aiming for growth potential while managing risk. Consider periodically reviewing fund performance and rebalancing your portfolio to maintain optimal asset allocation.

National Pension System (NPS) Contributions
Continuing NPS contributions provide tax benefits and long-term retirement savings. Evaluate the suitability of your NPS investment strategy based on your risk profile and retirement goals. Consider adjusting your asset allocation within the NPS to align with your overall portfolio.

Fixed Deposits vs. Debt Funds
Reassess the rationale for allocating funds to Fixed Deposits instead of debt mutual funds. Debt funds offer potentially higher returns and tax efficiency compared to FDs. Evaluate your risk appetite and liquidity needs to determine the optimal allocation between fixed income instruments.

Public Provident Fund (PPF) Contributions
PPF contributions provide tax benefits and long-term wealth accumulation. Evaluate whether the current allocation aligns with your overall asset allocation strategy and consider maximizing contributions to leverage the tax advantages and potential compounding benefits.

Additional NPS Contributions for Tax Saving
Contributing 50,000 annually to NPS for tax savings is beneficial, but ensure it aligns with your retirement goals and risk profile. Evaluate the impact of additional NPS contributions on your overall portfolio diversification and consider alternative tax-saving options if necessary.

Risk Management and Insurance
Your term life insurance coverage provides financial protection for your family. Consider reviewing your insurance needs periodically to ensure adequate coverage based on your evolving financial situation and responsibilities.

Real Estate Investment Consideration
While real estate can be a valuable asset class, your past negative experience warrants caution. Evaluate alternative investment avenues that offer diversification, liquidity, and potential returns aligned with your risk tolerance and long-term goals.

Seeking Professional Guidance
Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to conduct a comprehensive review of your investment strategy. A CFP can provide personalized recommendations, optimize your portfolio, and align your investments with your financial objectives and risk tolerance.

Conclusion
By regularly reviewing and optimizing your investment strategy, you can enhance the probability of achieving your financial goals over the next 13 years. Stay disciplined in your savings and investment approach, and seek professional guidance to navigate market dynamics and optimize portfolio performance.

Best Regards,

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9852 Answers  |Ask -

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

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Im 33 yers old earning 1.9L per month I have 6L in MF, 2L in PPF, 7.5L in EPF, 1.5L in NPS, emergency fund 3L FD, APY 20K and 7.5L in stock market making a sip of 32k in MF, 24K EPF, PPF 5k, NPS 5k , APY 0.5K, gold 11k, digital gold 2k, cheet fund 12k and other monthly expenses 40k(includes rent, groceries and other home expenses) every month. I am debt free and I don't have any parent/own property. I have started from zero. Please help me are my investment planning is good where I should investment my goal to achieve good corpus for my daughter education and she is 1 month old.
Ans: Current Investment Snapshot
You have built a well?diversified base:

Rs?6?L in mutual funds

Rs?2?L in PPF

Rs?7.5?L in EPF

Rs?1.5?L in NPS

Emergency fund Rs?3?L FD

APY approx Rs?20?k per year

Rs?7.5?L in stock market

Monthly SIPs:

MF Rs?32?k

EPF Rs?24?k

PPF Rs?5?k

NPS Rs?5?k

APY Rs?0.5?k

Gold Rs?11?k

Digital gold Rs?2?k

Chit fund Rs?12?k

Monthly expenses Rs?40?k

Debt?free, no property holdings yet

Daughter is one month old

You have made commendable progress from zero in short time. Well done.

Assessing Your Financial Strength
Good monthly savings – You save major part of income.

Emergency fund in FD – Proper liquidity of Rs 3?L.

Debt?free – You carry no liabilities.

Tax?friendly vehicles – PPF, EPF, NPS give tax relief.

Diversified across assets – Equity, debt, gold, secure funds.

This foundation is solid for future planning.

Clarify Your Goals
Define your future targets clearly:

Education corpus for daughter (age 18 in 17 years)

Retirement planning (age 50–60)

Yearly family needs and inflation buffer

Shorter term goals like overseas trip or gadget purchase

Clear goal estimates will shape portfolio alignment.

Equity Mutual Funds Strategy
Your equity exposure is via MF and direct stock.

Mutual fund SIP Rs 32?k/month – Good steady investment.

Direct stocks Rs 7.5?L – Adds return, but with higher volatility.

Enhancement suggestions:

Review stock holdings for concentration risk.

Prefer actively managed funds through Certified Financial Planner.

Avoid index funds – limited protection in bear or volatile markets.

Follow regular plans via MFD. This brings advisor support and review.

Why actively managed regular plans?

Fund managers adjust holdings dynamically.

You avoid regular portfolio reviews.

Helps prevent emotional investment actions.

Better alignment with daughter’s goal timeline.

Debt & Safe Funds Allocation
Current: PPF, EPF, NPS, FD, APY, chit fund, digital gold.

Your safety buffer:

Emergency fund Rs 3?L FD – Sufficient but could shift to liquid debt funds.

Chit fund allocation Rs 12?k/month – Higher risk and less transparency.

APY and digital gold small – OK for diversification.

Suggestions:

Gradually move FD into liquid/money?market funds for slightly better returns.

Evaluate chit fund risk; consider reallocating to safer debt funds.

Continue PPF, EPF, NPS – good for tax and disciplined saving.

Gold Exposure
You invest Rs 11?k in gold fund and Rs 2?k digital gold.

Gold adds stability and inflation hedge.

Keep gold at 5–10% of total portfolio.

Regularly review gold percentage yearly.

National Pension Scheme (NPS)
NPS helps retirement and tax saving.

Your Rs 5?k/month SIP is good start.

Ensure allocation across equity, government bonds.

Check exit rules and mode of annuity at retirement.

Daughter’s Education Corpus Planning
Start early and invest systematically:

Use hybrid or balanced funds with equity/debt mix.

A roll?over strategy: invest in equity now, shift to debt near goal.

Regular reviews every 6 months to rebalance.

Retirement Corpus Planning
At age 33, retirement likely in 55–60 age bracket.

Continue SIP in equity funds via regular route.

Increase NPS contributions gradually.

Consider increasing EPF and PPF contributions.

Review allocation mix every 2 years.

Tax Planning and Efficiency
Equity funds: LTCG taxed at 12.5% above Rs?1.25?L; STCG 20%.

Debt funds: Taxed as per slab.

PPF/EPF/NPS provide deductions now with tax benefit.

Digital gold & gold funds taxed as debt (no indexation).

Use annual gains efficiently—redeem under limit to avoid tax.

Maintain KYC, FATCA, NRI status updated.

Role of Certified Financial Planner
A CFP adds value by:

Designing diversified, goal?aligned portfolio

Rebalancing to adjust risks

Updating plan lifestyle or changes

Handling tax implications and compliance

Advising on reallocation, especially chit and liquid funds

Investment Allocation Suggestion
Using Rs 1.9?L monthly income:

Emergency Funds

Keep ~Rs 3–4?L in liquid debt funds

Equity Mutual Funds

Invest Rs 35–40?k monthly in actively managed regular plans

Hybrid Funds

Allocate Rs 10–15?k monthly for education goals

NPS

Keep Rs 5?k monthly; consider increasing when income rises

Gold Mutual Funds

Continue Rs 11?k monthly; keep 5–10% exposure

PPF/EPF

Continue as is; consider top?ups during higher income years

Debt/Liquid Funds

Replace chit fund gradually; shift to safer debt schemes

Direct Stock Portfolio

Monitor performance; avoid concentration; adjust under guidance

Reviewing Portfolio Periodically
Rebalance once every 6 months

Increase SIPs on salary hikes

Shift assets from risky to safer instruments as goals near

Adjust risk as daughter's education gets closer

Avoid Certain Mistakes
Avoid index funds – they lack active risk management

Avoid direct plans without expert guidance

Avoid high?fee or illiquid chit funds

Avoid over-reliance on gold or fixed deposits

Avoid skipping annual tax and KYC review

Summary of Action Steps
Maintain emergency fund in liquid funds

Continue diversified SIPs across equity, debt, gold

Shift chit fund to safer debt schemes

Manage stock investments under guidance

Use actively managed regular funds for equity exposure

Balance for daughter’s education through hybrid funds

Regularly review and rebalance yearly

Use CFP to plan taxes, goals, and compliance

Final Insights
Your investment journey shows discipline and clarity.

You are creating a balanced portfolio with long-term goals in focus.

Continue investing steadily via regular mutual fund plans.

Limit risky, unregulated investments.

Use CFP guidance for periodic review and rebalancing.

With this structure, you can build strong corpus for daughter's future and your retirement.

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

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