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Pune resident, 48, with two kids: ELSS for tax saving or PPF/FD?

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Financial Planner - Answered on Oct 06, 2024

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Asked by Anonymous - Oct 05, 2024Hindi
Money

I’m from Pune. I’m 48 with two children. Should I invest in ELSS funds to save tax, or should I focus on traditional instruments like PPF and fixed deposits?

Ans: Deciding between Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS) and traditional investment instruments like Public Provident Fund (PPF) and Fixed Deposits (FDs) depends on various factors, including your financial goals, risk tolerance, investment horizon, and tax-saving needs. Here's a comprehensive comparison to help you make an informed decision:

1. Understanding the Investment Options

a. ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Schemes)

• Nature: Equity Mutual Funds with a tax-saving component.
• Lock-In Period: 3 years (shortest among tax-saving instruments under Section 80C).
• Returns: Potentially higher returns as they are invested in equities, but subject to market volatility.
• Tax Benefits: Investments up to ?1.5 lakh per annum are eligible for deduction under Section 80C.
• Liquidity: Relatively higher liquidity post the lock-in period compared to other tax-saving instruments.

b. PPF (Public Provident Fund)

• Nature: Government-backed long-term savings scheme.
• Lock-In Period: 15 years.
• Returns: Moderate and tax-free returns, revised periodically by the government (typically around 7-8% p.a.).
• Tax Benefits: Investments up to ?1.5 lakh per annum qualify for deduction under Section 80C. The interest earned and the maturity amount are tax-free.
• Safety: Very low risk as it's backed by the government.

c. Fixed Deposits (FDs)

• Nature: Fixed-term investment with banks or post offices.
• Lock-In Period: Varies; typically no lock-in for regular FDs, but tax-saving FDs have a 5-year lock-in.
• Returns: Fixed interest rates, generally lower than ELSS but higher than savings accounts. Current rates vary but are around 5-7% p.a. for tax-saving FDs.
• Tax Benefits: Investments up to ?1.5 lakh in tax-saving FDs qualify for deduction under Section 80C.
• Safety: Low risk, especially with reputable banks.

2. Factors to Consider

a. Risk Appetite

• ELSS: Suitable if you are willing to take on market-related risks for potentially higher returns.
• PPF & FDs: Ideal for conservative investors seeking capital protection and guaranteed returns.

b. Investment Horizon

• ELSS: 3-year lock-in period, but generally better for medium to long-term goals.
• PPF: 15-year commitment, suitable for long-term goals like retirement or children's education.
• FDs: Flexible, but tax-saving FDs require a 5-year lock-in, suitable for medium-term goals.

c. Returns

• ELSS: Historically, ELSS funds have outperformed PPF and FDs over the long term, but with higher volatility.
• PPF: Offers stable and tax-free returns, which are beneficial in a low-interest-rate environment.
• FDs: Provide guaranteed returns, useful for capital preservation but may lag behind inflation and equity returns over time.

d. Tax Efficiency

• ELSS: Returns are subject to capital gains tax. Short-term (if held for less than 3 years) gains are taxed as per your income slab, while long-term gains (exceeding ?1 lakh) are taxed at 10%.
• PPF: Completely tax-free returns.
• FDs: Interest earned is taxable as per your income slab, which can reduce the effective returns.

3. Recommendations Based on Your Profile

Given that you are 48 years old with two children, your investment strategy should balance between growth and safety, considering your proximity to retirement and financial responsibilities.

a. Diversified Approach

A balanced portfolio that includes both ELSS and traditional instruments like PPF and FDs can help mitigate risks while aiming for reasonable growth.

• ELSS: Allocate a portion (e.g., 30-40%) to ELSS to benefit from potential equity growth, which can help in wealth accumulation for retirement or funding children's education.
• PPF: Continue contributing to PPF for long-term, stable, and tax-free returns. Given its 15-year tenure, it aligns well with retirement planning.
• FDs: Use FDs for short to medium-term goals or as a part of your emergency fund, ensuring liquidity and capital preservation.

b. Consider Your Tax Bracket

If you are in a higher tax bracket, maximizing tax-saving instruments under Section 80C can provide significant tax relief. ELSS, PPF, and tax-saving FDs all qualify, so diversifying among them can spread risk and optimize tax benefits.

c. Assess Liquidity Needs

Ensure you have sufficient liquidity for unforeseen expenses. While ELSS has a shorter lock-in compared to PPF, both still tie up funds for a few years. Maintain a separate emergency fund in a more liquid form, such as a savings account or liquid mutual funds.

d. Review Your Risk Tolerance

At 48, with retirement possibly 10-20 years away, a moderate risk appetite might be suitable. ELSS can offer growth potential, while PPF and FDs provide stability.

4. Additional Considerations

• Emergency Fund: Ensure you have 6-12 months' worth of expenses saved in a highly liquid form.
• Insurance: Adequate health and life insurance are crucial, especially with dependents.
• Debt Management: If you have any high-interest debt, prioritize paying it off before locking funds in fixed instruments.

5. Consult a Financial Advisor

While the above guidelines provide a general framework, it's advisable to consult with a certified financial planner or advisor. They can offer personalized advice tailored to your specific financial situation, goals, and risk tolerance.

Finally, both ELSS and traditional instruments like PPF and FDs have their unique advantages. A diversified investment strategy that leverages the strengths of each can help you achieve a balanced portfolio, ensuring both growth and security. Given your age and family responsibilities, striking the right balance between risk and safety is essential for long-term financial well-being.
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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Ans: You are taking the right step by studying commerce. Learning about business, finance, and entrepreneurship will help you build a strong foundation.

Focus on Education
Study commerce seriously. It will give you business knowledge.

Read books on entrepreneurship and finance. Simple books will help.

Watch free business and finance content online. Learn from successful people.

Improve your English and communication skills. This will help in business.

Develop problem-solving and decision-making skills. Entrepreneurs need these.

Identify Your Strengths
What are you good at? Find your strengths and improve them.

Are you interested in farming, business, or something else? Choose your path.

If you have skills like writing, designing, or coding, use them to earn money.

Start Small
You don’t need a big investment to start. Find low-cost business ideas.

Agriculture-based small businesses can work in Kashmir.

Consider online businesses. Dropshipping, freelancing, or digital marketing can help.

Sell handmade products, dry fruits, or traditional items online.

Start a YouTube channel or blog on a topic you love.

Teach students or provide tuition. Many students need guidance.

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Save a little from whatever income you get. Start small but be consistent.

Look for government schemes for young entrepreneurs. Many offer financial help.

Apply for business loans or grants from banks when you are ready.

Find local investors who may believe in your idea.

Work part-time or freelance to build savings.

Building a Mindset
Never lose hope. Struggles make you stronger.

Learn from failures. They are lessons, not losses.

Have patience. Success takes time.

Be disciplined with money. Avoid wasteful spending.

Stay around positive and hardworking people.

If you start learning and acting today, you will see changes in a few years. Keep going.

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Sir , i need financial advise I am from kashmir we are financially poor we are depends on agricultural sector but unfortunately my father dies and i became a alone man in my family. So can you tell me how. I can get out from this to become rich . I àm 18 yrs old student so i became depresed day by day for poor financial condition. And i want to become a rich so i took in 11th commerce stream that can give me a knowledge about business. So who to start from what to what. Who to raise funds to become enterpuner
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Focus on Education
Study commerce seriously. It will give you business knowledge.

Read books on entrepreneurship and finance. Simple books will help.

Watch free business and finance content online. Learn from successful people.

Improve your English and communication skills. This will help in business.

Develop problem-solving and decision-making skills. Entrepreneurs need these.

Identify Your Strengths
What are you good at? Find your strengths and improve them.

Are you interested in farming, business, or something else? Choose your path.

If you have skills like writing, designing, or coding, use them to earn money.

Start Small
You don’t need a big investment to start. Find low-cost business ideas.

Agriculture-based small businesses can work in Kashmir.

Consider online businesses. Dropshipping, freelancing, or digital marketing can help.

Sell handmade products, dry fruits, or traditional items online.

Start a YouTube channel or blog on a topic you love.

Teach students or provide tuition. Many students need guidance.

Raising Funds
Save a little from whatever income you get. Start small but be consistent.

Look for government schemes for young entrepreneurs. Many offer financial help.

Apply for business loans or grants from banks when you are ready.

Find local investors who may believe in your idea.

Work part-time or freelance to build savings.

Building a Mindset
Never lose hope. Struggles make you stronger.

Learn from failures. They are lessons, not losses.

Have patience. Success takes time.

Be disciplined with money. Avoid wasteful spending.

Stay around positive and hardworking people.

If you start learning and acting today, you will see changes in a few years. Keep going.

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

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Asked by Anonymous - Jan 30, 2025Hindi
Which are the best mutual funds in India as of January 2025 for long term wealth generation of 1 crore and above with SIP 30000/month for 10 years. Expenses Child Education, Marriage, New Home.
Ans: You are making a great decision to invest Rs. 30,000 per month. This disciplined approach helps build significant wealth.

Your goals include child’s education, marriage, and a new home. Each goal requires a well-structured investment strategy.

You want to accumulate Rs. 1 crore or more in 10 years. Achieving this requires a balance of growth and stability.

Mutual funds are an excellent choice for long-term wealth creation. Choosing the right categories enhances returns.

Selecting the Right Mutual Fund Categories
Flexi Cap Funds
These funds invest across large, mid, and small-cap stocks. They adjust based on market opportunities.

They provide stability while capturing growth potential. A strong fund manager ensures effective allocation.

This category suits long-term wealth creation. It balances risk and returns efficiently.

Large & Mid Cap Funds
They invest in large and mid-sized companies. This provides a mix of stability and high growth.

Mid-cap exposure enhances returns over long periods. Large caps add stability during market corrections.

Ideal for goals like home purchase and child’s education. They provide strong long-term growth.

Mid Cap Funds
These funds focus on mid-sized companies with strong growth potential. They outperform large caps over long periods.

Higher volatility requires patience. Staying invested ensures significant wealth accumulation.

Best suited for long-term goals beyond 7-10 years. They add high-growth potential to the portfolio.

Balanced Advantage Funds
These funds dynamically shift between equity and debt. This reduces risk while capturing market upside.

They provide stability during market downturns. This ensures smoother investment growth.

Ideal for goals with moderate risk appetite. Suitable for child’s education and home purchase.

International Funds
Adding international exposure improves diversification. It reduces dependence on the Indian economy.

Investing in global giants enhances portfolio quality. These funds offer exposure to sectors not available in India.

A small allocation provides a balanced portfolio. Helps in hedging against local market fluctuations.

Avoiding Index Funds and Direct Funds
Index funds only follow the market. They do not generate extra returns through active management.

Actively managed funds have experienced fund managers. They help beat market returns over the long term.

Direct funds require personal management. Investing through an MFD with a CFP ensures expert guidance.

Regular plans provide better long-term outcomes. This avoids costly mistakes in fund selection.

Asset Allocation for Your Goals
Allocate across different fund categories. This balances growth, risk, and stability.

Equity exposure should be dominant. This ensures high returns over 10 years.

Debt allocation should be minimal at this stage. It can increase closer to goal timelines.

A systematic investment approach ensures disciplined wealth creation. This reduces market timing risks.

Investment Strategy for Rs. 30,000 SIP
Flexi Cap Fund – Rs. 7,500 per month

Large & Mid Cap Fund – Rs. 6,000 per month

Mid Cap Fund – Rs. 5,500 per month

Balanced Advantage Fund – Rs. 5,000 per month

International Fund – Rs. 3,000 per month

Sectoral/Thematic Fund (Optional) – Rs. 3,000 per month

Managing Risk and Returns
Long-term investing reduces volatility risks. Staying invested for 10 years ensures compounding benefits.

Periodic review helps in adjusting allocations. A CFP can guide portfolio rebalancing based on market conditions.

Diversification enhances stability. Multiple categories reduce concentration risk.

Avoid frequent changes. Switching funds often affects returns negatively.

SIP and STP for Additional Investments
If you have lump sum funds, invest via STP. This reduces market timing risks.

A systematic transfer plan moves money gradually. This captures market movements effectively.

A mix of SIP and STP ensures better entry points. This enhances long-term returns.

Tax Efficiency and Withdrawal Planning
Long-term capital gains tax applies after one year. Keeping funds for 10 years optimises tax efficiency.

Systematic withdrawal planning is important. Structured withdrawals minimise tax outgo.

Tax-saving funds can be considered for additional benefits. These provide deductions under Section 80C.

Final Insights
A well-planned SIP strategy helps achieve Rs. 1 crore and beyond.

A mix of flexi cap, mid cap, and balanced funds creates stability.

Avoiding index and direct funds improves returns. Expert guidance ensures better fund selection.

Periodic reviews and disciplined investing are key. Staying invested ensures wealth creation.

Diversification across asset classes adds protection. International exposure provides additional benefits.

Your goals are achievable with proper planning. A structured approach ensures financial success.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7707 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 30, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 30, 2025Hindi
Money
Which are the best mutual funds in India as of January 2025 for long term wealth generation of 1 crore and above with SIP 30000/month for 10 years. Expenses Child Education, Marriage, New Home.
Ans: You are making a great decision to invest Rs. 30,000 per month. This disciplined approach helps build significant wealth.

Your goals include child’s education, marriage, and a new home. Each goal requires a well-structured investment strategy.

You want to accumulate Rs. 1 crore or more in 10 years. Achieving this requires a balance of growth and stability.

Mutual funds are an excellent choice for long-term wealth creation. Choosing the right categories enhances returns.

Selecting the Right Mutual Fund Categories
Flexi Cap Funds
These funds invest across large, mid, and small-cap stocks. They adjust based on market opportunities.

They provide stability while capturing growth potential. A strong fund manager ensures effective allocation.

This category suits long-term wealth creation. It balances risk and returns efficiently.

Large & Mid Cap Funds
They invest in large and mid-sized companies. This provides a mix of stability and high growth.

Mid-cap exposure enhances returns over long periods. Large caps add stability during market corrections.

Ideal for goals like home purchase and child’s education. They provide strong long-term growth.

Mid Cap Funds
These funds focus on mid-sized companies with strong growth potential. They outperform large caps over long periods.

Higher volatility requires patience. Staying invested ensures significant wealth accumulation.

Best suited for long-term goals beyond 7-10 years. They add high-growth potential to the portfolio.

Balanced Advantage Funds
These funds dynamically shift between equity and debt. This reduces risk while capturing market upside.

They provide stability during market downturns. This ensures smoother investment growth.

Ideal for goals with moderate risk appetite. Suitable for child’s education and home purchase.

International Funds
Adding international exposure improves diversification. It reduces dependence on the Indian economy.

Investing in global giants enhances portfolio quality. These funds offer exposure to sectors not available in India.

A small allocation provides a balanced portfolio. Helps in hedging against local market fluctuations.

Avoiding Index Funds and Direct Funds
Index funds only follow the market. They do not generate extra returns through active management.

Actively managed funds have experienced fund managers. They help beat market returns over the long term.

Direct funds require personal management. Investing through an MFD with a CFP ensures expert guidance.

Regular plans provide better long-term outcomes. This avoids costly mistakes in fund selection.

Asset Allocation for Your Goals
Allocate across different fund categories. This balances growth, risk, and stability.

Equity exposure should be dominant. This ensures high returns over 10 years.

Debt allocation should be minimal at this stage. It can increase closer to goal timelines.

A systematic investment approach ensures disciplined wealth creation. This reduces market timing risks.

Investment Strategy for Rs. 30,000 SIP
Flexi Cap Fund – Rs. 7,500 per month

Large & Mid Cap Fund – Rs. 6,000 per month

Mid Cap Fund – Rs. 5,500 per month

Balanced Advantage Fund – Rs. 5,000 per month

International Fund – Rs. 3,000 per month

Sectoral/Thematic Fund (Optional) – Rs. 3,000 per month

Managing Risk and Returns
Long-term investing reduces volatility risks. Staying invested for 10 years ensures compounding benefits.

Periodic review helps in adjusting allocations. A CFP can guide portfolio rebalancing based on market conditions.

Diversification enhances stability. Multiple categories reduce concentration risk.

Avoid frequent changes. Switching funds often affects returns negatively.

SIP and STP for Additional Investments
If you have lump sum funds, invest via STP. This reduces market timing risks.

A systematic transfer plan moves money gradually. This captures market movements effectively.

A mix of SIP and STP ensures better entry points. This enhances long-term returns.

Tax Efficiency and Withdrawal Planning
Long-term capital gains tax applies after one year. Keeping funds for 10 years optimises tax efficiency.

Systematic withdrawal planning is important. Structured withdrawals minimise tax outgo.

Tax-saving funds can be considered for additional benefits. These provide deductions under Section 80C.

Final Insights
A well-planned SIP strategy helps achieve Rs. 1 crore and beyond.

A mix of flexi cap, mid cap, and balanced funds creates stability.

Avoiding index and direct funds improves returns. Expert guidance ensures better fund selection.

Periodic reviews and disciplined investing are key. Staying invested ensures wealth creation.

Diversification across asset classes adds protection. International exposure provides additional benefits.

Your goals are achievable with proper planning. A structured approach ensures financial success.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

...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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