Home > Money > Question
Need Expert Advice?Our Gurus Can Help

Can a 24-year-old earning 30k/month buy a 20L house in Bangalore without paying interest?

Sunil

Sunil Lala  | Answer  |Ask -

Financial Planner - Answered on Jul 28, 2024

Sunil Lala founded SL Wealth, a company that offers life and non-life insurance, mutual fund and asset allocation advice, in 2005. A certified financial planner, he has three decades of domain experience. His expertise includes designing goal-specific financial plans and creating investment awareness. He has been a registered member of the Financial Planning Standards Board since 2009.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Jul 25, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money

Hi I’m a 24 year old. Earning a salary of 30k a month. Planning on buying a individual house/plot/flat in Bangalore with a budget of 20L (I do not have the 20L) however, my religion doesn’t permit me to pay interests so I’m not sure if I can proceed for a home loan in this case. Please give me best suggestions to save 20L/buy a house. Thanks

Ans: Take interst free loan from family and friends
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.
Money

You may like to see similar questions and answers below

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10878 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 31, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - May 30, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money
Hi Sir, is buying a home in bangalore with 50lacs loan for a tenure of 20 year might be a good investment plan. I'm not interested in buying a home but due to Parents request Im forced to buy a home, I earn 70k monthly can pay 10lacs of down payment for the home.
Ans: Assessing the Decision to Buy a Home in Bangalore
Buying a home is a significant financial decision. In your case, the decision is influenced by parental pressure rather than personal interest. It's essential to evaluate the financial implications of this decision.

Monthly Income and Loan Repayment Capacity
Your monthly income is Rs 70,000. After paying Rs 10 lakhs as a down payment, you'll need a Rs 50 lakh loan. The EMI for a 20-year loan at 7% interest would be around Rs 38,765. This EMI consumes more than half your monthly income, leaving limited funds for other expenses.

Impact on Lifestyle and Savings
Paying a high EMI can strain your monthly budget. You may have to cut back on lifestyle expenses, savings, and investments. It's crucial to consider if this sacrifice aligns with your long-term financial goals.

Real Estate Market in Bangalore
Bangalore's real estate market has seen significant growth. However, market conditions can fluctuate. Property appreciation isn't guaranteed, and selling the property might take time if the market slows down.

Alternative Investment Opportunities
Instead of investing in real estate, consider other investment options. Diversifying your investments can provide better returns and liquidity. Mutual funds, stocks, and fixed deposits are worth exploring.

Emotional and Cultural Factors
Respecting your parents' wishes is important. However, it's also essential to make financially sound decisions. Discuss your concerns with your parents and explain the potential financial strain.

Long-term Financial Planning
Consult a Certified Financial Planner to create a long-term financial plan. This plan can help balance your desire to meet your parents' wishes with your financial stability and growth.

Evaluating the Decision
Let's break down the evaluation process into specific aspects:

1. Financial Burden
A Rs 50 lakh loan for 20 years means committing to long-term financial responsibility. Ensure you can handle this without compromising other financial goals.

2. Investment Returns
Real estate isn't the only way to grow wealth. Evaluate other investment avenues that might offer better returns with lower risk.

3. Flexibility and Mobility
Owning a home can limit your flexibility. If job opportunities or personal reasons require relocation, selling the property can be challenging.

4. Emotional Satisfaction
Owning a home can provide emotional satisfaction and a sense of stability. However, weigh this against the financial stress it may cause.

Conclusion
Buying a home in Bangalore with a Rs 50 lakh loan is a significant decision. It requires careful consideration of your financial capacity, long-term goals, and market conditions. Balancing parental wishes with financial prudence is key. Consulting a Certified Financial Planner can provide tailored advice for your situation.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10878 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 27, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 25, 2024Hindi
Money
Hi I am 27 newly married with a salary of 2lakhs per month in bengalore and my wife earns 1.5 lakh. We are planning to buy a house but currently we do not have any saving as we spent it on the wedding. We can afford the emis but without any savings currently we are not able to proceed. Also we are planning to buy a house of around 1.5cr so want to save up around 40-50 lakhs before we can proceed. Can you please guide me accordingly?
Ans: You are in a strong position, earning a combined income of Rs. 3.5 lakh per month. This is a good starting point to plan your future financial goals, such as buying a home worth Rs. 1.5 crore. Since you don’t have savings right now, your priority should be to build a solid financial foundation first.

Saving for the Home
You mentioned the goal of saving Rs. 40-50 lakh before buying the house. This is a practical approach because it helps you reduce the loan burden and increase your chances of securing a better mortgage rate. Here’s how you can go about it:

Emergency Fund: First, start by setting aside an emergency fund of around Rs. 6-8 lakh. This fund should cover 6 months of your expenses in case of unexpected events. You and your wife should have access to this fund in liquid forms like a savings account or liquid mutual funds.

Building Savings: You have the capacity to save a substantial amount. With your current income, you can aim to save Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 1.5 lakh each month. You should consider directing this amount into systematic investment plans (SIPs) in equity mutual funds, given your 5-7 year horizon before buying the house.

Investment Strategy
Given your goal of saving Rs. 40-50 lakh over the next few years, here’s how you can structure your investments:

Equity Mutual Funds for Long-Term Growth: Invest in actively managed equity funds with a long-term view. Equity funds have the potential to generate higher returns over the long term. Choose funds focusing on large-cap and flexi-cap categories, as they offer a good mix of stability and growth potential.

Debt Mutual Funds for Stability: For the portion of savings you want to keep relatively safe, consider debt mutual funds. They provide better returns than savings accounts and fixed deposits, while keeping the risk lower than equity funds. This will balance out your portfolio and reduce the volatility in your savings.

SIPs: Set up SIPs for both types of funds. This will allow you to invest systematically, building wealth gradually, without trying to time the market. You could split Rs. 1 lakh into Rs. 70,000 in equity and Rs. 30,000 in debt funds, but feel free to adjust as per your risk tolerance.

Keep Track of Progress: Given your high savings rate, you should be able to accumulate Rs. 40-50 lakh in 3-4 years, assuming an average return of around 10-12% from equity investments.

Mortgage and Home Loan
Once you accumulate the required savings for the down payment, you can start looking for a home loan. Ideally, a down payment of 20-30% (around Rs. 30-45 lakh) is recommended. With your combined monthly income of Rs. 3.5 lakh, you should be eligible for a home loan. Ensure that your monthly EMI does not exceed 35-40% of your combined income, so that it remains manageable.

Key Points to Keep in Mind
Avoid Over-leveraging: Do not stretch your budget to the limit. Stick to your planned savings and down payment target. This will ensure that you do not end up with too high an EMI that affects your cash flow and lifestyle.

Review Your Expenses: Track your monthly expenses and cut down on non-essential spending. The money saved can be redirected towards your house savings or investments.

Spouse’s Income Utilization: Your wife’s income can also be used for the savings plan, particularly in the early years of your marriage. This can help you build the corpus faster.

Loan Eligibility: Once you have saved for the down payment, get in touch with banks to understand your loan eligibility. Keep a good credit score and avoid large purchases or credit card debts.

Final Insights
The combination of aggressive savings and systematic investments in equity and debt funds will allow you to reach your goal of Rs. 40-50 lakh within a few years. By setting aside a portion of your income for SIPs and maintaining a disciplined approach, you can gradually accumulate wealth and achieve your dream of buying a home. Moreover, always ensure that you keep a check on your lifestyle expenses to ensure that your savings rate remains high.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10878 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 15, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - May 13, 2025
Money
Hello Sir, I am 40 years old. My income is 1 lakh per month. Currently, I have a personal loan running at the rate of 13.25%. After paying prepayment and EMI, I have Rs 248547 left to pay. Apart from this, I have two more loans of Rs 80000 and Rs 200000 running without interest rate. HDFC Bank will levy penalty on prepayment of these. In my savings, I have Mutual Funds of Rs 12000 per month, PPF of Rs 1000 per month and LIC of Rs 110308 and Term Plan of Rs 20000 per year and Health Insurance Policy of Rs 20000 per year. My family consists of my wife and me. How do I plan to buy a house in future?
Ans: You have already taken a few disciplined steps which deserve appreciation. Your monthly savings in mutual funds, PPF, and insurance plans show commitment. You are also aware of your loan obligations. This clarity is important for long-term wealth creation and goal planning.

Let us now structure a 360-degree financial roadmap to help you plan for a house purchase in the future. This plan will ensure balance between loan repayment, savings, and future commitments.

Understanding Your Current Financial Position
You are 40 years old. Your household consists of you and your wife.

You earn Rs 1 lakh per month. This is your only source of income.

You have three loan liabilities. One is a personal loan of Rs 2.48 lakhs at 13.25% interest.

Other two loans of Rs 80,000 and Rs 2 lakhs carry no interest. But, prepayment penalty exists.

You invest Rs 12,000 monthly in mutual funds.

PPF contribution is Rs 1,000 monthly. This gives safe and long-term tax-free returns.

LIC policy of Rs 1,10,308 exists. Also, you have a term insurance of Rs 20,000 per year.

Health insurance premium of Rs 20,000 annually is also in place.

Step 1: Focus on Clearing High-Interest Debt First
Personal loan has the highest interest at 13.25%. Clear this loan first.

Avoid new investments till this loan is cleared. Your return from mutual funds is not guaranteed.

But your interest on the personal loan is guaranteed loss of 13.25%.

Pause SIPs temporarily, and divert that Rs 12,000 monthly towards personal loan prepayment.

Even pausing for 6-9 months will reduce your loan burden significantly.

This will also improve your credit score. Which will help in getting better home loan offers later.

Do not prepay zero-interest loans right now. Their prepayment penalty adds no value.

First, clear personal loan. Then revisit the other two loans.

Once this is done, restart your SIPs with a better mindset and structure.

Step 2: Review and Optimise Insurance Commitments
Term insurance of Rs 20,000 per year is ideal. Do not discontinue it.

You have health cover for Rs 20,000 annual premium. Please check sum insured.

Minimum Rs 10 lakh floater policy is advisable. Medical costs rise every year.

If your policy is under 5 lakh, consider upgrading it in future.

You hold a LIC policy of Rs 1,10,308. Most likely this is an endowment or traditional policy.

Such policies give poor returns, between 4 to 5% post-tax. Returns are not inflation-beating.

It also locks your money for long periods.

Please assess surrender value from your LIC agent.

If your policy is older than 3 years and surrender value is decent, consider surrendering it.

Reinvest that amount in mutual funds through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).

Insurance should be only for protection. Never mix investment with insurance.

Step 3: Restructure and Reassess Monthly Investments
After clearing personal loan, reassign the Rs 12,000 SIP amount properly.

You should invest in regular mutual funds with help from a qualified CFP and MFD.

Avoid direct funds. Direct plans lack handholding, market timing, and asset rebalancing support.

A certified planner gives holistic asset allocation advice, goal planning and emotional support.

Also avoid index funds. Index funds follow market blindly. No downside protection during market crash.

Actively managed funds can outperform during volatility. A good fund manager makes a difference.

Structured allocation among flexi-cap, large and mid-cap, and multi-asset is best suited for you.

Debt funds for short term needs. Hybrid or equity for long term goals like house purchase.

All this should be personalised through a planner, not based on online trends.

Step 4: Set a Clear Time Frame for House Purchase
You must decide when you want to buy the house.

If your goal is to buy within 2-3 years, avoid equity-based instruments for this goal.

Use high quality debt mutual funds or recurring deposit to build down payment.

Your EMI eligibility depends on income, credit score, existing loan burden and age.

After personal loan closure, your CIBIL score will improve.

You can save Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 monthly post-loan repayment.

Save this into a dedicated goal-based mutual fund or recurring deposit for house purchase.

If the time horizon is 5-7 years, balanced advantage or hybrid mutual funds are suitable.

These offer better returns than FD and lesser risk than pure equity.

Your down payment target should be at least 25% of the house cost.

Do not commit EMI more than 35-40% of your monthly income. Keep it comfortable.

Plan for additional costs like registration, interiors and moving expenses.

Also keep emergency fund ready before taking the house loan.

Step 5: Create Emergency Reserve
You must keep an emergency fund of minimum 4-6 months of expenses.

This fund helps in medical emergency, job loss or delay in loan processing.

Emergency fund can be kept in a liquid mutual fund or high yield savings account.

This reserve should be available before you take a home loan.

Avoid touching your PPF for emergencies. PPF is for long-term retirement planning.

Step 6: Optimise Your PPF Contributions
Rs 1,000 per month in PPF is a good start.

If you get bonus or extra cash in hand, increase this to Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 monthly.

PPF gives tax-free returns and is best suited for retirement planning.

This can become your future pension pool when you retire at 60.

Do not use PPF to fund the house. Let it grow silently in background.

Step 7: Build Your Credit Worthiness for Home Loan
Close all high-interest loans as discussed earlier.

Keep all EMIs paid on time without default. This improves your credit score.

Avoid taking new credit cards or loans in short term.

Keep your existing credit usage within 30% of card limit.

When applying for home loan, a clean credit history gets you best rate offers.

With high credit score, your home loan interest rate will be lower.

A lower interest rate reduces EMI burden and total outflow.

Step 8: Estimate Property Budget and EMI Affordability
Do not fix the property budget first. First assess EMI affordability.

With Rs 1 lakh income, EMI should not cross Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000.

Plan your house cost in a way where down payment is 25% and EMI is within limits.

Take a home loan only when you are mentally and financially ready.

Avoid rushing into real estate out of pressure or comparison.

A house is not an investment. It is a utility and emotional asset.

Invest only after all other goals are aligned properly.

Step 9: Post-Loan Strategy for Wealth Creation
Once the house is purchased, continue mutual fund SIPs.

Have separate portfolios for retirement, emergencies and future goals.

Do not over-leverage your income with too many EMIs.

As income rises, increase SIPs accordingly.

Review portfolio every year with a CFP.

Stay focused on asset allocation. Avoid chasing hot schemes or trends.

Retirement planning should not get delayed due to house buying decision.

Your wife should also be part of the financial planning discussion.

Financial planning is not about products. It is about achieving your life goals.

Final Insights
You have financial awareness. That itself is your biggest strength.

Clearing personal loan is your first and most urgent priority.

Surrendering traditional insurance plan and redirecting to mutual funds can create more wealth.

Regular mutual fund investments through a CFP will give long-term structure to your portfolio.

Buying a house is a big goal. But it should not derail your other life goals.

Make sure you build an emergency fund, protect your health and optimise your taxes.

Stay consistent, plan ahead and follow a disciplined approach.

A 360-degree financial strategy is about balance, not chasing returns.

With proper steps, your home dream can become reality in a few years.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10878 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 15, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - May 14, 2025
Money
Hi Sir, I am 36years old with 14years of IT Experience drawing take home 1.75 lakhs per month. Below are my monthly expenses structure: House Rent: 30k Land and Vehicle Loan: 35k SIP: 40k Credit Cards: Monthly Groceries - 10k + Miscellaneous Recurrent Deposit: 25k --> Term and Insurance Policy Amount Fuel Charges: 2k ( Bike, Car) Other EMI: 10k EPF : 10lakhs. We are planning to buy a house for self use. I have zero cash or savings for booking house in Bangalore. Can you please suggest me to fulfill my dream house to purchase.
Ans: You are earning well. You have built good discipline in SIP and insurance savings. Buying a house in Bangalore is a worthy goal. But there are few important steps needed before that. Let us now assess your full situation in a structured and complete manner.

Please go through this detailed and step-by-step assessment.

?

Monthly Income and Commitments
Take-home salary is Rs. 1.75 lakhs. This gives you a strong cash flow base.

?

Your EMI for land and vehicle is Rs. 35,000.

?

You are investing Rs. 40,000 in SIPs. This shows your long-term vision.

?

Recurring deposit of Rs. 25,000 is mostly for insurance. That needs a closer review.

?

Groceries and other house needs cost Rs. 10,000 monthly.

?

You spend Rs. 2,000 for fuel. This is modest and manageable.

?

Another Rs. 10,000 is going in some EMI. We need to examine this EMI purpose.

?

EPF corpus is Rs. 10 lakhs. This is a good start for long term wealth.

?

You have zero cash savings. This is a concern for your dream house plan.

?

House rent is Rs. 30,000. This is already similar to a future home EMI.

?

Let us now examine your expenses and priorities closely.

?

Cash Flow Optimisation Needed
Total fixed monthly outgo is more than Rs. 1.50 lakhs.

?

Only Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000 remains for flexible use.

?

This is a red flag if you wish to buy a house soon.

?

Most of your salary is already committed.

?

There is no margin for booking advance or emergencies.

?

You need to first create surplus from within.

?

Action Plan to Free Up Cash
Review your SIP of Rs. 40,000. Reduce it by Rs. 20,000 for 12 months.

?

Stop the RD of Rs. 25,000 for now. Focus should be on building cash reserve.

?

Review the Rs. 10,000 EMI. If it’s for consumer loan, close it faster.

?

Set a goal to build Rs. 5 lakhs in cash over next 12–15 months.

?

Create a separate SB account only for dream house booking.

?

Put this Rs. 45,000 monthly surplus into that SB account.

?

This gives you house booking power in a year.

?

Review of Existing Insurance and RD
If your RD is linked to insurance policy, recheck the plan.

?

If it is a ULIP or traditional plan, surrender value needs to be evaluated.

?

Most insurance-cum-investment plans give poor returns.

?

You may continue the term policy separately. Term cover is essential.

?

A Certified Financial Planner can analyse the surrender value of this RD-linked policy.

?

If value is decent, surrender and invest smartly into mutual funds.

?

Mutual funds have better flexibility and potential growth.

?

Always invest through regular plan via an MFD with CFP credential.

?

This way, you get support and strategic reviews.

?

About Buying a House in Bangalore
It’s a great life goal and worth working towards.

?

But do not rush to buy without down payment ready.

?

Don’t take personal loan for booking. It adds more stress.

?

A 15% to 20% booking amount is usually needed.

?

For a Rs. 80 lakh property, you need Rs. 12 to 15 lakhs ready.

?

This will come only if SIPs and RDs are optimised.

?

Take 12 months to prepare. Don't hurry.

?

Ensure emergency fund of Rs. 2 lakhs before booking house.

?

After that, move steadily into home loan with good credit score.

?

Keep EMI within 40% of net income. This is very important.

?

Don’t stretch EMI to 50% or more. It affects your cash flow and life quality.

?

You are already paying Rs. 35,000 as EMI. So plan EMI mix carefully.

?

Ideally, complete your land and vehicle loan before you take housing loan.

?

This gives breathing space for new EMI.

?

Also, rent will stop once house is ready. So EMI becomes easier to handle.

?

About Zero Cash Savings
This is a clear weakness in your current setup.

?

Start with Rs. 1 lakh goal for emergency fund in 6 months.

?

Use FD or liquid mutual fund for short-term savings.

?

Emergency fund is non-negotiable. It protects your long-term goals.

?

Once Rs. 1 lakh is built, keep adding every month.

?

Don’t touch SIPs after 1 year. Let them grow long term.

?

After house booking, start SIP again with new strength.

?

Always keep 3 to 6 months of expenses as buffer savings.

?

Cash savings help avoid personal loans in future.

?

Smart Steps for 12-Month Plan
Step 1: Reduce SIP by Rs. 20,000 for 12 months.

?

Step 2: Pause RD and evaluate policy. Consider surrender if needed.

?

Step 3: Stop EMI if it is not productive. Check if loan can be closed early.

?

Step 4: Save Rs. 45,000 monthly towards house booking.

?

Step 5: Build Rs. 5 lakhs in one year. Also build Rs. 1 lakh emergency fund.

?

Step 6: After that, check loan eligibility and credit score.

?

Step 7: Resume SIPs after house plan is on track.

?

Step 8: Avoid credit card balance buildup. Pay full dues every month.

?

Step 9: Increase EPF or NPS later for retirement focus.

?

Step 10: Don’t invest in direct mutual funds. Use regular plan through MFD with CFP.

?

Long-Term Discipline Suggestions
House is not your final goal. Think about retirement and child education too.

?

Don’t pause all wealth-building activities for just one goal.

?

Protect your family with a term insurance. Not with investment policies.

?

Keep health insurance separate and updated.

?

Review your EPF nominations and update them.

?

Do not over depend on EPF alone. Build outside wealth too.

?

Use goal-based mutual fund strategy for future plans.

?

Keep one goal, one SIP. This creates clarity.

?

Rebalance your portfolio every year with help from MFD with CFP.

?

Avoid direct stocks unless you have time and knowledge.

?

Stay away from ULIPs and traditional insurance savings.

?

These plans block your liquidity and give low return.

?

They also come with poor surrender value in early years.

?

Final Insights
You are earning well. You have the right intention. But your cash flow is tightly blocked now.

?

Cut down unnecessary fixed commitments for next 12 months.

?

Focus on cash savings, house booking fund, and emergency buffer.

?

Pause some investments for short time to focus on bigger life goal.

?

SIP and EPF can continue later with better balance.

?

Get your housing plan on track with right preparation.

?

Don’t buy in a hurry and later feel trapped.

?

Work on discipline, patience and plan step-by-step.

?

Buy your dream house only when your cash flow is ready.

?

Make sure home EMI replaces rent. Not in addition to rent.

?

And always protect your future with diversified wealth creation.

?

Stay consistent. Take guidance when needed. You will achieve your dream.

?

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10878 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 10, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 10, 2025Hindi
Money
I am 47 years old. I have started investing in mutual fund (SIP) only since last one year due to some financial obligations. Currently I am investing Rs.33K per month in various SIPS. The details are: Kotak Mahindra Market Growth (Rs. 1500), Aditya BSL Low Duration Growth (Rs. 1400), HDFC Mid-cap Growth (Rs. 12000), Nippon India Large Cap Growth (Rs. 3000), Bandhan small cap (Rs. 5000), Motilal Oswal Flexicap Growth (Rs. 5000), ICICI Pru Flexicap growth (Rs. 5000). I have also started to invest Rs. 1,50,000 per year in PPF since last year. Can I sustain if I retire by the age of 62?
Ans: I can help you with your retirement planning.
You have given a very detailed picture of your investments.
You have also shown strong intent to build wealth at 47.
This itself is a big positive start.

Your Current Efforts

– You started late due to obligations.
– That is understandable.
– You still took charge.
– You now invest Rs.33K every month.
– You also invest Rs.1,50,000 a year in PPF.
– You follow discipline.
– You follow consistency.
– These habits matter the most.
– These habits will help your retirement.
– You deserve appreciation for this foundation.

» Your Current Investment Mix

– You invest in various equity funds.
– You also invest in one low duration debt fund.
– You invest across mid cap, large cap, flexi cap, and small cap.
– This gives you some spread.
– You also invest in PPF.
– PPF gives safety.
– PPF gives steady growth.
– This mix creates balance.

– Please note one point.
– You hold direct plans.
– Direct plans look cheaper outside.
– But they are not always helpful for long-term investors.
– Many investors pick wrong funds.
– Many investors track markets wrongly.
– Many investors redeem at wrong times.
– This affects returns more than the saved expense ratio.
– Regular plans through a MFD with CFP support give guidance.
– Regular plans also help you stay on track.
– Behaviour gap is a major cost in direct funds.
– Thus regular plans with CFP support work better for long-term investors.
– They can correct mistakes.
– They can help with asset mix.
– They can help you stay steady during market drops.
– This gives higher final wealth than direct funds in most cases.

» Your Retirement Age Goal

– You plan to retire at 62.
– You are 47 now.
– You have 15 years left.
– Fifteen years is still a strong time line.
– You can allow compounding to work well.
– Your corpus can grow meaningfully by 62.
– You can also improve your savings rate during this time.

» Assessing If Your Current Plan Supports Retirement

– There are many parts to assess.
– You need to look at your saving rate.
– You need to look at your growth rate.
– You need to look at your future lifestyle cost.
– You need to look at inflation.
– You need to look at post-retirement income need.
– You need to see if your present plan matches this.

– Right now, your total yearly investment is:
– Rs.33K per month in SIP.
– That is Rs.3,96,000 per year.
– Plus Rs.1,50,000 in PPF each year.
– So your total yearly investment is Rs.5,46,000.
– This is a good number.
– This can help your retirement journey.

» Understanding Equity Funds in Your Mix

– You invest in mid cap.
– Mid cap can give good growth.
– Mid cap also carries higher swings.
– You invest in small cap.
– Small cap is the most volatile.
– It can give high returns if held for long.
– But it needs patience.
– You invest in large cap exposure.
– Large cap gives stability.
– You invest in flexi cap.
– Flexi cap funds adjust strategy.
– Flexi cap funds give managers more control.
– Active management is useful in Indian markets.
– Fund managers can shift between market caps.
– They can pick good sectors.
– This improves return potential.
– This is a benefit that index funds do not have.
– Index funds just copy the index.
– Index funds do not avoid weak companies.
– Index funds cannot take smart calls.
– Index funds also rise in cost whenever the index churns.
– Active funds can protect downside.
– Active funds can find better opportunities.
– This is helpful for long-term wealth building.
– So your move towards active funds is fine.

» Understanding PPF in Your Mix

– Your PPF adds stability.
– It gives assured growth.
– It also gives tax benefits.
– It builds a stable part of your retirement base.
– It reduces overall risk in your portfolio.
– It works well over long years.
– You have also chosen a steady long-term asset.
– This is beneficial for retirement.

» Gaps That Need Attention

– Your funds are scattered.
– You hold too many schemes.
– Each additional scheme overlaps with others.
– This reduces impact.
– It also becomes hard to track.
– You can reduce your scheme count.
– A more focused mix can give smoother progress.
– Rebalancing becomes easier.
– You can keep fewer funds but maintain asset spread.
– You can also map each fund to a purpose.

– You also need clarity about your retirement income need.
– Many investors skip this.
– You must know how much money you need per month at 62.
– You must add inflation.
– You must add health needs.
– You must also add lifestyle goals.

» Your Future Lifestyle Cost

– Your cost will rise with inflation.
– Inflation affects food, transport, medical needs.
– Medical inflation is higher than normal inflation.
– Retirement planning must consider this.
– You also need to consider family responsibilities.
– You must consider emergencies.
– You must also consider rising cost of daily life.
– This helps estimate the required retirement corpus.

» Your Future Corpus From Current Savings

– Without giving strict numbers, you can expect growth.
– You invest steadily.
– You invest for 15 years.
– Your equity portion can grow better over long time.
– Your PPF gives predictable growth.
– Your mix can create a decent retirement base.
– But you will need to increase your SIP over time.
– You can raise your SIP by 5% to 10% each year.
– Even small increases help.
– This builds a stronger corpus.
– Your final retirement amount becomes much higher.

» Need for Periodic Review

– Markets change.
– Life situations change.
– Your goals may shift.
– Your income may rise.
– Your responsibilities may change.
– Review every year.
– Adjust as needed.
– A Certified Financial Planner can help.
– This gives clarity.
– This gives structure.
– This gives confidence.
– You can reduce mistakes.
– You can follow proper asset allocation.

» Asset Allocation Approach for Smooth Growth

– You must decide your ideal equity percentage.
– You must decide your ideal debt percentage.
– If you take too much equity, risk increases.
– If you take too little equity, growth reduces.
– You must keep balance.
– It must match your risk comfort.
– It must support your retirement goal.
– Right allocation brings discipline.
– Rebalancing once a year helps.
– Rebalancing controls emotion.
– Rebalancing increases long-term returns.
– Rebalancing keeps your portfolio healthy.

» Importance of Staying Invested During Market Swings

– Markets move up and down.
– Swings are normal.
– Equity grows over long time.
– Equity needs patience.
– People often fear drops.
– They exit at wrong time.
– This hurts long-term wealth.
– You must stay steady.
– You must trust your long-term plan.
– You must follow guidance.
– This improves retirement success.

» Avoiding Common Mistakes

– Many investors pick funds based on recent returns.
– This is risky.
– Fund selection needs deeper view.
– Fund must match your risk.
– Fund must match your time horizon.
– Fund must have consistent process.
– Fund must show reliable pattern.
– Avoid sudden changes.
– Avoid chasing trends.
– Stay with a disciplined plan.
– This ensures better results.

– You must avoid mixing too many categories.
– Focused mix works better.
– Smaller set makes control easy.
– This reduces confusion.

– Do not rely on direct funds for long-term goals.
– Direct funds lack guided support.
– Behavioral mistakes cost more than the lower expense ratio.
– Regular plans help you stay invested.
– They help avoid panic.
– They help during reviews.
– They help create proper asset allocation.
– They help you use the fund in the right way.
– Investment discipline is more important than low cost.
– Regular plans with CFP support deliver this discipline.

» Inflation Protection Through Growth Assets

– Equity protects from inflation.
– PPF adds safety.
– Balanced mix protects your purchasing power.
– Retirement needs this balance.
– Long-term equity portion helps create a healthy corpus.
– This allows you to meet rising living cost.

» How to Strengthen Your Retirement Plan From Now

– Increase SIP every year.
– Even slight hikes help.
– Be consistent.
– Avoid stopping during market drops.
– Do a yearly check-up.
– Reduce scheme count.
– Keep a clear structure.
– Assign each fund a purpose.
– Build an emergency fund.
– This will protect your SIP flow.
– Continue PPF.
– It gives stability.
– It protects your long-term needs.

» Possibility of Sustaining Life After Retirement

– Yes, you can sustain.
– But it depends on three things:
– Your future living cost.
– Your total corpus at retirement.
– Your discipline during retirement.

– If you continue your present saving, your base will grow.
– If you raise your SIP each year, your base will grow faster.
– If you keep a proper asset mix, your base will grow safely.
– If you avoid emotional mistakes, your base will stay strong.
– If you review yearly, your plan will stay on track.

– So sustaining life after retirement is possible.
– You just need stronger structure.
– You also need steady guidance.
– This ensures confidence.

» Retirement Income Planning After Age 62

– Your retirement income must come from a mix.
– Part from equity.
– Part from debt.
– Part from stable instruments.
– Do not depend on one source.
– Plan your withdrawal pattern.
– Take small and stable withdrawals.
– Keep some equity even after retirement.
– This helps your corpus last longer.
– Do not shift everything to debt at retirement.
– That reduces growth too much.
– Balanced approach keeps your money alive.
– This supports your life for long years.

» Health and Emergency Preparedness

– Health costs rise fast.
– You must plan for it.
– Keep health insurance active.
– Keep top-up if needed.
– Keep separate emergency money.
– Do not depend on your investments during emergencies.
– Emergency fund protects your retirement portfolio.
– This keeps compounding intact.
– You can handle shocks with ease.

» Tax Awareness

– Be aware of mutual fund tax rules.
– Equity long-term gains above Rs.1.25 lakh per year are taxed at 12.5%.
– Equity short-term gains are taxed at 20%.
– Debt funds are taxed as per your slab.
– Plan redemptions wisely.
– Do not redeem often.
– Keep long-term horizon.
– This reduces tax impact.
– This helps wealth building.

» Summary of Your Retirement Possibility

– You have a good start.
– You have a workable time frame.
– You have a steady contribution.
– You must refine your portfolio.
– You must increase SIP yearly.
– You must reduce scheme count.
– You must follow asset allocation.
– You must stay disciplined.
– You must get yearly review from a CFP.
– If you follow these, you can reach a healthy retirement base.

» Final Insights

– You are on the right path.
– You have taken the key step by starting.
– You can still create a strong retirement corpus even at 47.
– Fifteen years is enough if you stay consistent.
– Your mix of equity and PPF is good.
– With discipline and structure, your future can stay secure.
– With yearly guidance, you can avoid mistakes.
– With increased SIP, you can boost your corpus.
– You can aim for a peaceful and confident retirement at 62.

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

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10878 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 10, 2025

Money
I am 43 yrs old, have sip in Nifty 50 - 3500 Nifty next 50 - 3000 Nippon large cap - 3500 Hdfc midcap - 2500 Parag Flexicap - 3000 Tata small cap - 1300 Gold sip - 500 Hdfc debt fund - 700, lumsum of 10000 in motilal midcap and 20k in quant small cap. accumulated around 2.30 lakhs, started from June, 2024. But overall xirr is very less 3.11. Should I continue the above sips or which sips should be stopped?
Ans: You have started early in 2024, and you already built Rs 2.30 lakhs. This shows discipline. This shows patience. This gives you a good base for your future wealth.

Your XIRR looks low now. This is normal. You started only a few months back. SIPs show low return in the start. Markets move up and down. Early numbers look flat. They look small. They look discouraging. But they improve with time. They improve with longer SIP flow. So please stay calm. The start is always slow. The finish is always strong.

Your effort is strong. Your SIP list is wide. Your savings habit is good. You started at 43 years, but you still have good time to grow your wealth. Every disciplined month builds confidence. Your choices show that you want growth. You want stability. You want balance. This is a good sign.

» Current Portfolio Snapshot
You invest in many groups.

– You invest in Nifty 50.
– You invest in Nifty Next 50.
– You invest in a large cap fund.
– You invest in a midcap fund.
– You invest in a flexicap fund.
– You invest in a small cap fund.
– You invest in gold.
– You invest in a debt fund.
– You put lumpsum in a midcap and small cap fund.

This looks wide. But wide does not mean effective. You hold too many funds in similar areas. That gives duplication. That reduces clarity. That reduces control. You need sharper structure. You need cleaner lines.

» Why Your XIRR Is Low
Your XIRR is only 3.11%. This is normal. Here is why.

– SIP started in June 2024. Very new.
– SIP amount spread across many funds.
– Market volatility in 2024 made early returns look low.
– SIP returns always look weak in early days. They grow with time.

Low short-term return is not a sign of failure. It is not a sign to stop. It is only a sign of market timing. SIP is for long periods. Not for few months.

» Problem of Index Funds in Your Portfolio
You invest in Nifty 50 and Nifty Next 50. Both are index funds. Index funds follow a fixed rule. They copy the index. They do not use research. They do not use fund manager skill. They do not adjust during bad markets. They do not protect much in down cycles. They lock you into index ups and downs.

In India, active fund managers add value. They find better stocks. They exit weak stocks faster. They manage risk better. They use research teams. They use market cycles well. They often beat index returns over long periods.

Index funds look simple. But they lack decision power. They lack flexibility. They lack protection. They give average results. They track the market exactly. They cannot outperform it.

So index funds are not the best choice for your long-term goal. Active funds give more control and more upside over long years.

» Problem of Too Many Funds
You hold too many funds across the same categories. This creates overlap. Two different schemes may hold same stocks. You think you diversify. But you repeat exposure. This weakens your plan.

Too many funds also keep your attention scattered. It reduces discipline. You waste time comparing each fund. You feel lost. You feel uncertain.

Better to keep fewer funds but stronger funds.

» Problem of Direct Funds
If any of your funds are in direct plans, please take note. Direct plans look cheaper because they have lower expense ratio. But they do not give guidance. They do not give personalised strategy. They do not give support during market falls. They do not give behavioural guidance.

Many investors make wrong moves in market dips. They stop SIPs. They redeem at the wrong time. They switch funds too often. They chase returns. This reduces wealth.

Regular plans through a Certified Financial Planner keep you disciplined. They give structure. They give long-term guidance. They reduce errors. They reduce behaviour risk. This helps more than small cost savings.

Regular plans also offer better hand-holding for asset mix, review and goal clarity. This adds real value.

» Fund-by-Fund Assessment
Let me now look at each SIP.

Nifty 50 – This is an index fund. It is passive. It is rigid. Active large-cap funds do better in many years. You may stop this over time.

Nifty Next 50 – Another index fund. Very volatile. Very narrow. You may stop this too.

Nippon large cap – This is active. This is fine. It can stay.

HDFC midcap – This is active. Good long-term category. You can keep this.

Parag flexicap – Flexicap is versatile. Useful for long-term. You can keep this.

Tata small cap – Small caps can grow well. But they need patience. They also need limited allocation. You can keep, but maintain control.

Gold SIP – Small gold SIP is okay for safety.

HDFC debt fund – Debt brings stability. Small SIP is fine.

Lumpsum in midcap and small cap – Keep these invested. They will grow with cycles.

The two index funds are the most unnecessary parts of your plan. These can be stopped. These can be replaced with good active funds already in your system.

» Suggested Structure
You need a cleaner layout.

Keep one large cap active fund.

Keep one midcap active fund.

Keep one flexicap fund.

Keep one small cap fund.

Keep one debt fund.

Keep a small gold part.

This is enough. This gives balance. It gives clarity. It gives growth. It avoids overlap. It avoids confusion.

» SIP Continuation Guidance
Here is the simple view.

Continue your large cap SIP.

Continue your midcap SIP.

Continue your flexicap SIP.

Continue your small cap SIP.

Continue gold SIP.

Continue debt SIP in small proportion.

Stop the Nifty 50 SIP.

Stop the Nifty Next 50 SIP.

Move those two SIP amounts into your existing active funds. This gives you better long-term power.

» Behaviour and Patience
Your returns will not show big numbers for now. You need time. You need patience. You need consistency. SIP is not a race. SIP is a habit. SIP grows slowly. Then it grows big.

Do not judge your plan by the first few months. Judge it after many years. That is where SIP wins. That is where compounding works. That is where discipline shines.

» What Matters More Than Fund Names
The biggest cornerstones are:

Your discipline.

Your patience.

Your time in market.

Your stable SIP flow.

Your emotional stability.

These matter more than any fund selection. You are building them well.

» Asset Mix Guidance
Your mix of equity, debt and gold is good. But you should review this once a year. As you move closer to retirement, increase debt slowly. Reduce small cap slowly. This protects you. This stabilises your progress.

A Certified Financial Planner can help align your asset mix to your goals. This adds real value. This gives stronger structure.

» Taxation View
If you redeem equity funds in future, then keep the current rule in mind. Long-term capital gains above Rs 1.25 lakhs per year are taxed at 12.5%. Short-term gains are taxed at 20%. For debt funds, both gains are taxed as per your income slab.

This will matter only when you redeem. For now, your focus should be growth, not selling.

» Your Long-Term Wealth Path
You have good earnings years ahead. You have strong potential for growth. Your SIP habit is strong. You only need to clean your portfolio. You only need better structure. Then your money will grow well.

You can grow a meaningful corpus if you stay steady. You can even increase SIP when income grows. This gives faster results.

» Emotional Balance
Do not check returns every week. Do not check every month. Check once in six months. Check once in twelve months. SIP is a long game. Treat it like a long game.

Your small XIRR today does not decide your future. Your discipline decides it. You already have it.

» Step-by-Step Action Plan

Step 1: Stop Nifty 50 SIP.

Step 2: Stop Nifty Next 50 SIP.

Step 3: Keep all the remaining SIPs.

Step 4: Shift the stopped SIP amount into your existing large cap and flexicap funds.

Step 5: Continue gold and debt in small amounts.

Step 6: Review once a year with a Certified Financial Planner.

Step 7: Increase SIP amount slowly when income grows.

Step 8: Stay invested for long term.

Step 9: Do not judge returns too early.

Step 10: Keep your patience strong.

» Finally
Your foundation is strong. Your habit is disciplined. Your mix only needs refinement. Your returns will grow with time. Your portfolio will gain strength with consistency. Your path is steady. Your plan will reward you if you follow it with calm and clarity.

Best Regards,

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

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

...Read more

Shalini

Shalini Singh  |180 Answers  |Ask -

Dating Coach - Answered on Dec 10, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 10, 2025Hindi
Relationship
Hi. I have been in a long distance relationship since 6 months,and i have known my boyfriend since 10 months. He is very understanding, caring,and honest person. He had already told everything about us for his parents and their parents agreed. We both are financially independent. I told my relationship to my parents and they are against it as my boyfriend is from lower caste, different region, not done his degree from a reputed college but a local engineering college, and his status. They are thinking about relatives, and society what will they say, about their pride, status, and all the respect they have earned uptill now will vanish because of my decision. My parents are very protective of me and have given me everything and like me a lot.They are saying its long distance you might have met only 15 times you don't see this person daily to judge his character. If you have known this person for atleast 2/3 years, with u meeting him daily it would be different. But the person i met is honest from the start. They are hurting daily because of my decision. I cant go against them and be happy.
Ans: 1. It is wonderful you have met someone special and in last 10 months you have met him 15 times which averages to meeting him 1.5 times a month. Is it possible to increase this and meet over every second weekend. Can you both travel once.

2. Parents are parents they worry and all parents are protective of their children as are yours. But if they are declining you because of caste etc then please question them asking them to give you an assurance that if they marry you to someone of their choice things will work - In reality there can be no assurance given for any relationship - found by you or introduced by parents as relationships need work by both...both need to grow up, both of you need to be happy individuals for relationship to work + if colleges were the deciding factor then we would not see divorces of those who married in the same caste or are from Stanford, MIT, IIT, IIMs, Inseads of the world.

Here is a suggestion/ recommendation
- meet his family
- get him to meet your parents
- let both set of parents meet

all the best

...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.

Close  

You haven't logged in yet. To ask a question, Please Log in below
Login

A verification OTP will be sent to this
Mobile Number / Email

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to

Resend OTP in120seconds

Dear User, You have not registered yet. Please register by filling the fields below to get expert answers from our Gurus
Sign up

By signing up, you agree to our
Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Already have an account?

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to Mobile

Resend OTP in120seconds

x