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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8284 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 09, 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
Asked by Anonymous - Jul 09, 2024Hindi
Money

Hi, I’m Abhi 34 years old, earning 1.25L monthly. I have a home loan of 20L and personal loan of 5L. Presently I am focusing on closing the personal loans and saving in MF and for home loan I keep paying emis. I got married last year and want to start family planning in 2025. I am looking for some advice on planning kid’s education, retirement fund. Also want to plan some fund for a premium car in near future apx 20L. Till now I have some 5L MF, 5L FD and a land worth 20L.

Ans: Hello Abhi,

First, let me commend you on your proactive approach towards managing your finances. Balancing loan repayments, investments, and future planning is no small feat. Let's dive into how you can effectively plan for your child's education, retirement, and your dream of owning a premium car.

Current Financial Overview
Income: Rs 1.25 lakhs per month.
Loans: Home loan of Rs 20 lakhs, personal loan of Rs 5 lakhs.
Investments: Rs 5 lakhs in mutual funds, Rs 5 lakhs in fixed deposits.
Assets: Land worth Rs 20 lakhs.
Immediate Focus Areas
Debt Management
You’re doing well focusing on closing the personal loan first. This will free up some cash flow and reduce your financial burden.

Priority: Continue prioritizing the repayment of the personal loan due to higher interest rates.
Home Loan: Keep paying EMIs regularly. Once the personal loan is cleared, you can channel additional funds towards the home loan if you wish to close it sooner.
Emergency Fund
Ensure you have a robust emergency fund. This fund should cover at least 6-12 months of your living expenses. Given your current income, setting aside Rs 7.5-10 lakhs in a liquid fund or high-interest savings account is advisable.

Investment Strategy
Mutual Funds
Mutual funds are a great way to build wealth over time. Your existing investment of Rs 5 lakhs is a good start. Let's expand on this.

Equity Mutual Funds
Continue investing in equity mutual funds for long-term growth. They are essential for beating inflation and accumulating wealth. Focus on large-cap, mid-cap, and multi-cap funds for a balanced portfolio.

Debt Mutual Funds
Include debt mutual funds for stability and predictable returns. These are less volatile compared to equity funds and are suitable for short to medium-term goals.

Fixed Deposits
Your Rs 5 lakhs in FDs is a safe investment, but the returns may not be sufficient for long-term goals. Consider diversifying a portion of these funds into more growth-oriented investments.

Planning for Child's Education
Starting a family in 2025 means planning ahead for education expenses is crucial. Education costs can be significant, especially for higher studies.

Education Fund
Start a dedicated education fund. Use a mix of equity and debt mutual funds to balance growth and safety.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP)
Set up an SIP in mutual funds. This allows for disciplined investing and takes advantage of market fluctuations.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
If you have a girl child, consider investing in SSY for tax-free returns and government-backed security.

Retirement Planning
Retirement planning should start early to ensure you have a substantial corpus by the time you retire.

Retirement Corpus
Aim to build a corpus that can generate a steady income stream during retirement.

National Pension System (NPS)
Consider investing in NPS for retirement. It provides tax benefits and a mix of equity and debt for balanced growth.

Employee Provident Fund (EPF)
Ensure regular contributions to EPF. It offers a secure return and tax benefits.

Mutual Funds for Retirement
Continue investing in equity mutual funds. The power of compounding will help grow your retirement corpus significantly over the long term.

Planning for a Premium Car
Buying a premium car worth Rs 20 lakhs requires careful planning.

Car Fund
Create a separate fund for your car purchase. Use a mix of liquid funds and short-term debt funds for stability and easy access.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP)
Set up an SIP in short-term debt funds. This will help you accumulate the required amount over a few years.

Risk Management
Health Insurance
Ensure you and your spouse have adequate health insurance coverage. Medical expenses can be substantial and having a good health insurance plan is crucial.

Life Insurance
Consider term insurance to cover any outstanding liabilities and provide financial security to your family. Ensure your coverage is sufficient to meet their needs in your absence.

Regular Review and Rebalancing
Financial planning is dynamic and requires regular review.

Annual Review
Review your financial plan annually. Adjust investments based on performance, market conditions, and changes in personal circumstances.

Rebalancing Portfolio
Regularly rebalance your portfolio to maintain the desired asset allocation. This ensures you are not overexposed to any single asset class and helps manage risk effectively.

Final Insights
You’re on the right track with your financial planning. By focusing on debt management, creating a solid investment strategy, and planning for future goals, you can achieve financial stability and growth.

Keep prioritizing your loan repayments and continue investing in mutual funds for long-term growth. Establish separate funds for your child’s education, retirement, and car purchase. Ensure you have adequate insurance coverage to protect your financial well-being.

Regularly review and rebalance your portfolio to stay aligned with your financial goals. Your proactive approach and disciplined investing will pave the way for a secure and prosperous future.

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.
Money

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8284 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 25, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 13, 2024Hindi
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I am 44 years old having a kid 10 years old.I have home loan of 70 lac and my & my spouse monthly salary is 1.6 lacs.I have a plot work 70 lakhs. I have a term insurance of 60 lacs & health insurance of 10 lac. FD of 5 lacs and PPF of 10 lacs.I have no other savings. I need to plan for my kids education. And also please help in my financial planning.
Ans: Current Financial Overview
You are 44 years old with a 10-year-old child. Your monthly household income is Rs. 1.6 lakhs. You have a home loan of Rs. 70 lakhs. You own a plot worth Rs. 70 lakhs. You have a term insurance of Rs. 60 lakhs and health insurance of Rs. 10 lakhs. You have Rs. 5 lakhs in fixed deposits and Rs. 10 lakhs in PPF. You have no other savings.

Financial Goals
Kid's Education
Your child's education is a key priority. Let's focus on creating a fund for higher education.

Debt Management
Managing your home loan effectively is important. Reducing this liability will free up funds for other investments.

Wealth Creation
With no other savings, you need to build a robust investment portfolio. This will ensure long-term financial stability.

Emergency Fund
An emergency fund is crucial. This will cover unforeseen expenses without disrupting your savings.

Action Plan
Kid's Education Fund
Start a dedicated investment for your child's education.
Consider equity mutual funds for long-term growth. These funds generally offer higher returns.
Regularly invest a fixed amount monthly. This will leverage the power of compounding.
Debt Management
Prioritize paying off your home loan. This reduces interest burden over time.
Allocate any bonus or extra income towards loan repayment.
Increase EMI payments if possible. This will shorten the loan tenure.
Building an Investment Portfolio
Diversify your investments. Include a mix of equity, debt, and hybrid funds.
Actively managed funds can outperform index funds. Professional fund managers can adjust the portfolio based on market conditions.
Invest through regular plans with a Certified Financial Planner. They provide valuable advice and ongoing support.
Emergency Fund
Maintain a separate account for emergencies. This should cover 6-12 months of expenses.
Use liquid funds or short-term debt funds for this purpose. They offer easy access to funds and better returns than a savings account.
Insurance Review
Term Insurance
Your term insurance of Rs. 60 lakhs is a good safety net. Ensure the coverage is adequate for your family's needs.
Health Insurance
A health insurance cover of Rs. 10 lakhs is essential. Check if it covers all family members and includes critical illnesses.
Fixed Deposits and PPF
Continue with your fixed deposits and PPF. They provide safety and moderate returns.
Consider using some of the FD amount for higher-yielding investments. Equity and hybrid funds can offer better returns over time.
Retirement Planning
Although not mentioned, retirement planning is crucial. Start a retirement fund to ensure a comfortable post-retirement life.
Regular investments in equity or hybrid funds can build a substantial retirement corpus.
Final Insights
Your financial journey involves balancing current needs with future goals. Focus on reducing debt, building an education fund, and creating an emergency reserve. Diversify investments for long-term growth. Seek guidance from a Certified Financial Planner to optimize your strategy.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

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Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8284 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 14, 2024Hindi
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Money
Hi, I'm 33 yr old and have dependent house wife, 3 yr kid and both parents of 60 yr age. I've in-hand salary after tax is 1.4 Lacs per month and have 40 lac home loan for 10 yrs for a home in village, and I'm staying in rented flat in different city. No Fd, mutual funds and have 12 Lacs in pf. Current Monthly expenses of 50 thousand per month. Home Loan emi if 48k monthly. Have a life insurance of 10 lac for 20 yrs and emergency fund of 5lcs How do I plan my child education and my retirement at the age of 45 yrs.?
Ans: Current Financial Situation
You are 33 years old with a monthly in-hand salary of Rs 1.4 lakhs.

You have a dependent wife, a 3-year-old child, and parents aged 60 years.

You have a home loan of Rs 40 lakhs for 10 years, with a monthly EMI of Rs 48,000.

You live in a rented flat in a different city.

Your monthly expenses are Rs 50,000.

You have no fixed deposits or mutual funds.

You have Rs 12 lakhs in your provident fund.

You have a life insurance policy worth Rs 10 lakhs for 20 years.

You have an emergency fund of Rs 5 lakhs.

Financial Goals
Plan for your child’s education.

Retire at the age of 45.

Evaluation and Analysis
Emergency Fund
Your emergency fund is a good start. Ensure it covers at least six months of expenses.

Provident Fund
Your provident fund of Rs 12 lakhs is a secure investment. Continue contributing to it regularly.

Life Insurance
Your life insurance coverage is low. Increase it to at least Rs 1 crore to protect your family.

Home Loan
Your home loan EMI of Rs 48,000 is manageable but limits your savings capacity.

Recommendations
Increase Savings
Allocate a portion of your salary to increase your savings.

Aim to save at least 20% of your monthly income.

Child’s Education Fund
Start a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) in a diversified equity mutual fund.

Invest Rs 10,000 per month for your child’s education.

Consider education-specific funds for better returns.

Retirement Planning
Increase your retirement corpus by starting another SIP in an equity mutual fund.

Invest Rs 20,000 per month towards your retirement fund.

Diversify into debt funds for stability as you approach retirement age.

Health Insurance
Secure a comprehensive health insurance plan for your family.

Ensure your parents are also covered under a separate health insurance policy.

Review Investments
Avoid direct mutual funds; instead, invest through a Certified Financial Planner.

Actively managed funds can offer better returns than index funds.

Reduce Debt
Aim to prepay your home loan whenever possible to reduce the interest burden.

Use any bonuses or extra income to make prepayments.

Final Insights
Your financial discipline is commendable. Increase your life insurance coverage and savings.

Start SIPs in diversified equity mutual funds for your child's education and retirement.

Secure comprehensive health insurance for your family.

Plan for home loan prepayments to reduce debt faster.

Review your investments annually with a Certified Financial Planner.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

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Sir my daughter is doing Btech EEE at BIT Mesra Patna campus , she is securing 8 CGPA there . She is little bit upset due to poor placement there , what to do
Ans: Hello Alok.
Nothing will happen with an upset mood, and there is no point in blaming the institute at this stage. It is better to search for another path while completing the B.Tech. @ BIT Mesra. Here are a few suggestions for your daughter: (1) Start preparing for the GATE exam, which opens the doors for MTech at IITs/NITs or PSU jobs (like BHEL, NTPC, ONGC). (2) Focus on GRE and MBA (3) Join online Platforms: Coursera, NPTEL, Udemy, LinkedIn for advanced learning techniques related with EEE and CSE (4) Focus on Off-Campus Job Preparation, in which she can prepare for Aptitude, Coding, Core concepts etc (5) While in final year, create accounts on LinkedIn, Indeed, AngelList, naukri.com etc/ (5) If possible, join CDAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) offer excellent 6-month PG diplomas with placement support (great ROI).(6) Talk to seniors/alumni for realistic inspiration and off-campus job guidance. (7) Consider a mock placement drive or aptitude training course in the final year.
Best of luck to your daughter for her upcoming bright future.
Follow me if you like the reply. Thanks
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Nayagam P

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Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 23, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 23, 2025
Career
My daughter 90percentile in jee mains 2025,and puc board exam 95.6 percentage and kcet is 101 marks we are obc ncl and catgory 1 reservation can we get nit surathkal college for admission or other top 3 college in bangalore and she want to take jee advance 2025 , which branchas scope and high package
Ans: As far as KCET is concerned,? here are the some approximate expected KCET opening and closing ranks for the OBC-NCL category across four top engineering colleges in Bengaluru:?

RV College of Engineering (RVCE)
Computer Science & Engineering: Opening – 2,000 | Closing – 3,000
Electronics & Communication Engineering: Opening – 2,500 | Closing – 3,500
Electrical & Electronics Engineering: Opening – 3,000 | Closing – 4,500
Mechanical Engineering: Opening – 4,000 | Closing – 6,000
Civil Engineering: Opening – 5,000 | Closing – 7,000?

BMS College of Engineering (BMSCE)
Computer Science & Engineering: Opening – 2,500 | Closing – 4,000
Electronics & Communication Engineering: Opening – 3,000 | Closing – 5,000
Electrical & Electronics Engineering: Opening – 4,500 | Closing – 6,500
Mechanical Engineering: Opening – 6,000 | Closing – 8,000
Civil Engineering: Opening – 7,000 | Closing – 9,000?

M S Ramaiah Institute of Technology (MSRIT)
Computer Science & Engineering: Opening – 2,200 | Closing – 3,800
Electronics & Communication Engineering: Opening – 3,500 | Closing – 5,500
Electrical & Electronics Engineering: Opening – 5,000 | Closing – 7,000
Mechanical Engineering: Opening – 6,500 | Closing – 8,500
Civil Engineering: Opening – 7,500 | Closing – 9,500?

Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering (DSCE)
Computer Science & Engineering: Opening – 3,000 | Closing – 5,000
Electronics & Communication Engineering: Opening – 4,500 | Closing – 6,500
Electrical & Electronics Engineering: Opening – 6,000 | Closing – 8,000
Mechanical Engineering: Opening – 7,500 | Closing – 9,500
Civil Engineering: Opening – 8,500 | Closing – 10,500?

Note: The above ranks are indicative and based on available data for the OBC-NCL category. Every year, actual cutoffs may vary based on factors like seat availability, reservation policies, and candidate preferences.

?Regarding the chances of getting seats through JEE/JoSAA Counselling, here is, How to Predict Your Chances of Admission into NIT or IIIT or GFTI After JEE Main Results – A Step-by-Step Guide.

Providing precise admission chances for each student can be challenging. Some reputed educational websites offer ‘College Predictor’ tools where you can check possible college options based on your percentile, category, and preferences. However, for a more accurate understanding, here’s a simple yet effective 9-step method using JoSAA’s past-year opening and closing ranks. This approach gives you a fair estimate (though not 100% exact) of your admission chances based on the previous year’s data.

Step-by-Step Guide to Check Your Daughter's Admission Chances Using JoSAA Data
Step 1: Collect Your Daughter's Key Details
Before starting, note down the following details:

Her JEE Main percentile
Her category (General-Open, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD categories)
Her Preferred institute types (NIT, IIIT, GFTI)
Her Preferred locations (or if you're open to any location in India)
List of at least 3 preferred academic programs (branches) as backups (instead of relying on just one option)
Step 2: Access JoSAA’s Official Opening & Closing Ranks
Go to Google and type: JoSAA Opening & Closing Ranks 2024
Click on the first search result (official JoSAA website).
You will land directly on JoSAA’s portal, where you can enter your details to check past-year cutoffs.
Step 3: Select the Round Number
JoSAA conducts five rounds of counseling.
For a safer estimate, choose Round 4, as most admissions are settled by this round.
Step 4: Choose the Institute Type
Select NIT, IIIT, or GFTI, depending on your preference.
If your daughter is open to all types of institutes, check them one by one instead of selecting all at once.
Step 5: Select the Institute Name (Based on Location)
It is recommended to check institutes one by one, based on your preferred locations.
Avoid selecting ‘ALL’ at once, as it may create confusion.
Step 6: Select her Preferred Academic Program (Branch)
Enter the branches you are interested in, one at a time, in your preferred order.
Step 7: Submit and Analyze Results
After selecting the relevant details, click the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
The system will display Opening & Closing Ranks of the selected institute and branch for different categories.
Step 8: Note Down the Opening & Closing Ranks
Maintain a notebook or diary to record the Opening & Closing Ranks for each institute and branch you are interested in.
This will serve as a quick reference during JoSAA counseling.
Step 9: Adjust Your Expectations on a Safer Side
Since Opening & Closing Ranks fluctuate slightly each year, always adjust the numbers for safety.
Example Calculation:
If the Opening & Closing Ranks for NIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | OPEN Category show 8622 & 26186 (for Home State), consider adjusting them to 8300 & 23000 (on a safer side).
If the Female Category rank is 34334 & 36212, adjust it to 31000 & 33000.

Follow this approach for Other State candidates and different categories.
Pro Tip: Adjust your expected rank slightly lower than the previous year's cutoffs for realistic expectations during JoSAA counseling.

Can This Method Be Used for JEE April & JEE Advanced?
Yes! You can repeat the same steps after your April JEE Main results to refine your admission possibilities.
You can also follow a similar process for JEE Advanced cutoffs when applying for IITs.

Want to Learn More About JoSAA Counseling?
If you want detailed insights on JoSAA counseling, engineering entrance exams, preparation strategies, and engineering career options, check out EduJob360’s 180+ YouTube videos on this topic!

Hope this guide helps! All the best for your daughter's admissions!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know more on 'Careers | Health | Money | Relationships'.

...Read more

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4453 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 23, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 23, 2025
Career
I got 98.02%ile in JEE MAINS session 2 . (EWS) Can I get TOP NIT (CSE) ?? EWS RANK 4146
Ans: Here is, How to Predict Your Chances of Admission into NIT or IIIT or GFTI After JEE Main Results – A Step-by-Step Guide.

Providing precise admission chances for each student can be challenging. Some reputed educational websites offer ‘College Predictor’ tools where you can check possible college options based on your percentile, category, and preferences. However, for a more accurate understanding, here’s a simple yet effective 9-step method using JoSAA’s past-year opening and closing ranks. This approach gives you a fair estimate (though not 100% exact) of your admission chances based on the previous year’s data.

Step-by-Step Guide to Check Your Admission Chances Using JoSAA Data
Step 1: Collect Your Key Details
Before starting, note down the following details:

Your JEE Main percentile
Your category (General-Open, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD categories)
Preferred institute types (NIT, IIIT, GFTI)
Preferred locations (or if you're open to any location in India)
List of at least 3 preferred academic programs (branches) as backups (instead of relying on just one option)
Step 2: Access JoSAA’s Official Opening & Closing Ranks
Go to Google and type: JoSAA Opening & Closing Ranks 2024
Click on the first search result (official JoSAA website).
You will land directly on JoSAA’s portal, where you can enter your details to check past-year cutoffs.
Step 3: Select the Round Number
JoSAA conducts five rounds of counseling.
For a safer estimate, choose Round 4, as most admissions are settled by this round.
Step 4: Choose the Institute Type
Select NIT, IIIT, or GFTI, depending on your preference.
If you are open to all types of institutes, check them one by one instead of selecting all at once.
Step 5: Select the Institute Name (Based on Location)
It is recommended to check institutes one by one, based on your preferred locations.
Avoid selecting ‘ALL’ at once, as it may create confusion.
Step 6: Select Your Preferred Academic Program (Branch)
Enter the branches you are interested in, one at a time, in your preferred order.
Step 7: Submit and Analyze Results
After selecting the relevant details, click the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
The system will display Opening & Closing Ranks of the selected institute and branch for different categories.
Step 8: Note Down the Opening & Closing Ranks
Maintain a notebook or diary to record the Opening & Closing Ranks for each institute and branch you are interested in.
This will serve as a quick reference during JoSAA counseling.
Step 9: Adjust Your Expectations on a Safer Side
Since Opening & Closing Ranks fluctuate slightly each year, always adjust the numbers for safety.
Example Calculation:
If the Opening & Closing Ranks for NIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | OPEN Category show 8622 & 26186 (for Home State), consider adjusting them to 8300 & 23000 (on a safer side).
If the Female Category rank is 34334 & 36212, adjust it to 31000 & 33000.

Follow this approach for Other State candidates and different categories.
Pro Tip: Adjust your expected rank slightly lower than the previous year's cutoffs for realistic expectations during JoSAA counseling.

Can This Method Be Used for JEE April & JEE Advanced?
Yes! You can repeat the same steps after your April JEE Main results to refine your admission possibilities.
You can also follow a similar process for JEE Advanced cutoffs when applying for IITs.

Want to Learn More About JoSAA Counseling?
If you want detailed insights on JoSAA counseling, engineering entrance exams, preparation strategies, and engineering career options, check out EduJob360’s 180+ YouTube videos on this topic!

Hope this guide helps! All the best for your admissions!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know more on 'Careers | Health | Money | Relationships'.

...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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