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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 13, 2025

Ramalingam Kalirajan has over 23 years of experience in mutual funds and financial planning.
He has an MBA in finance from the University of Madras and is a certified financial planner.
He is the director and chief financial planner at Holistic Investment, a Chennai-based firm that offers financial planning and wealth management advice.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Jun 13, 2025
Money

Hi,my salary is one lakh in hand,I am 33 years old I have sip of 11000,ppf of 1.5 lakh annually and epfo deductions of 13000 monthly.My monthly expenses is rent-8500,food-10000,and other expenses 5000. My concern is how to increase investment as I m expecting a baby this year

Ans: You have shared useful details about your income, expenses, and current investments. This gives a strong foundation to plan effectively.

You are earning Rs. 1 lakh in hand. At age 33, expecting a baby, and already having SIPs, PPF, and EPF — your financial behaviour is responsible and consistent. Let’s evaluate step by step and offer a 360-degree plan.

Income and Expense Assessment
You have a net monthly income of Rs. 1 lakh.

Your expenses are:

Rent: Rs. 8,500

Food: Rs. 10,000

Other: Rs. 5,000

Total: Rs. 23,500

This leaves a monthly surplus of about Rs. 76,500.

Your monthly investment commitments:

SIP: Rs. 11,000

EPF: Rs. 13,000

PPF (annual): Rs. 1.5 lakh = Rs. 12,500 per month

Your total monthly investment is approx Rs. 36,500.

After investments and expenses, you still save about Rs. 40,000 each month. That’s a good position to be in.

Upcoming Life Stage: Baby in the Family
Welcoming a child is a blessing and also a financial responsibility. Your planning must now include the baby’s expenses.

Prepare for the following costs:

Delivery and hospital expenses

Medicines and vaccinations

Baby food and care products

Day care or nanny later

Insurance for child

Education planning

From your remaining Rs. 40,000 monthly surplus, set aside Rs. 10,000 in a separate savings account from now. Use it only for baby-related costs.

Emergency Fund Planning
Currently, your monthly expenses are about Rs. 23,500.

After the baby arrives, expenses will rise. Let’s estimate future monthly expenses at Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 40,000.

You must have 6 months of this amount as emergency fund. That is about Rs. 2.4 lakh.

Build or maintain this in:

Sweep-in FD

High-interest savings account

Liquid mutual funds (regular plan through MFD with CFP)

Avoid keeping too much in hand or in low-interest accounts.

Insurance Protection First
Life Insurance:
Now that you are going to be a parent, life cover is urgent.
You must buy a term life plan of Rs. 1 crore at least.
Choose a plain term plan with no returns.
Don’t mix insurance and investment.

Health Insurance:
You and your spouse must have at least Rs. 5 lakh individual health cover.
A family floater policy for Rs. 10 lakh is also good to add.
Choose a plan with maternity and newborn cover if possible.

Also include critical illness cover for Rs. 10 to 15 lakh.

Optimise Existing Investments
You are already doing SIP of Rs. 11,000.
PPF investment of Rs. 1.5 lakh per year is also healthy.
EPF contribution of Rs. 13,000 monthly is strong.

These are good long-term habits. But let’s fine-tune:

Mutual Funds SIP

Make sure you are investing through a Mutual Fund Distributor who is also a Certified Financial Planner.

Don’t invest in direct plans yourself.

Direct funds may look cheaper but offer no guidance.

Regular plans through qualified experts offer better long-term results and monitoring.

Also, direct plans may lead to poor scheme selection and lack of review.

Prefer Actively Managed Funds

Index funds are not suitable for all.

Index funds follow the market blindly.

No flexibility in changing the stocks in bad times.

Actively managed funds have professional fund managers.

They shift between sectors based on market conditions.

This helps in reducing downside risk.

Talk to your mutual fund distributor and review your portfolio.
Make sure you are not overexposed to one category.
Have a mix of large cap, flexi cap, and hybrid funds.

Avoid too much in small cap or sector-specific funds right now.

Step-Up SIP Option
You may consider increasing your SIP with time.

Use Step-Up SIP option:

Increase SIP by Rs. 1,000 every 6 months.

Or increase Rs. 2,000 once a year.

This uses your future income growth to build wealth.

Save for Child’s Education
Start a separate investment bucket for this goal.
Time is on your side. You have 15 to 17 years.

Start small with Rs. 5,000 a month.
Use a child education goal-oriented fund or a combination of diversified equity and hybrid funds.

Again, invest through regular plan with a Certified Financial Planner.
Avoid ULIPs and child insurance policies — they have high charges and poor returns.

PPF is Good – But Use with Purpose
You are investing Rs. 1.5 lakh per year in PPF.
That’s fine if it is for:

Retirement

Partial use for child’s education

But don’t exceed this limit.
Returns are stable but not high.
It works best for fixed, long-term goals.

PPF has 15-year lock-in.
Liquidity is limited, though partial withdrawals are allowed after a few years.

Don’t stop it. But don’t expect it to fund all your goals.

Tax Planning
You are already investing in PPF and EPF.
Combined, they cover Rs. 1.5 lakh under Section 80C.

If you need more deductions, check:

Health insurance under 80D

Term insurance premiums under 80C

NPS contribution under 80CCD(1B) (optional, if surplus remains)

Avoid ELSS funds if 80C is already full.
They are equity funds, better used for long-term goals instead of just tax saving.

Budget Adjustments Post Baby
After the baby’s arrival:

Expect expenses to rise by Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 12,000

You may need to pause increase in SIPs

Keep insurance premiums up to date

Revisit your budget every 6 months

Be flexible but consistent.
Continue your SIPs even if other expenses rise.
Cut entertainment and non-essential spending if needed.

Child Future Goal Planning
Think in terms of three goals:

Short-term (baby’s early expenses)

Mid-term (schooling, extra-curriculars)

Long-term (higher education, marriage)

For long-term goals:

Continue SIPs for minimum 10 to 15 years

Avoid withdrawal unless really urgent

Add a goal-specific SIP portfolio

Avoid using real estate for these goals.
It blocks liquidity and has low yield.
Also not ideal during rising family responsibilities.

Retirement Planning Must Continue
Even though child planning becomes priority, don’t stop thinking about retirement.
Your EPF is strong, but won’t be enough.

Once you adjust to baby expenses, increase equity SIP slowly.
Retirement planning must not take a back seat.

Also consider starting a separate portfolio for retirement after 35.

Diversify with hybrid and multi-asset funds for risk control.

Debt Planning
Avoid any kind of debt now.
Personal loans, credit cards, BNPL — avoid all.
This phase is for saving, not borrowing.

If you have any EMIs now, prepay them slowly.
Try to stay debt-free during your child’s early years.

Final Insights
You are already doing many things right:

Regular SIP

EPF and PPF

Frugal spending

Now is the time to:

Add insurance cover

Start baby care fund

Begin child's education SIP

Keep a healthy emergency fund

Invest through regular plans with expert help.
Don’t go direct, it may hurt your goals.
Avoid index funds. Active funds are better for your situation.

Review everything every 6 months.
Update your financial plan as life changes.
Track investments with professional support, not DIY tools.

Be consistent, not perfect. That builds wealth over time.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment
DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information to be as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision.
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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 11, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 04, 2024Hindi
Money
I m a single mother of 8year baby boy. I hardly earn around 75k a month and donot get any support from my ex husband. I m only the person who take care of my kid expenses and my expenses. My total expenses for the month is 55k which is excluding my own expenses. I have invested around 5k SIP in PPF and 5K SIP in mutual funds. Can you help me what all ways can I invest for my and my kid future?
Ans: Firstly, let me acknowledge your dedication and strength as a single mother. Managing finances and planning for your future while taking care of your child is no small feat. You’re already making smart moves by investing in SIPs and PPF. Let's explore how you can further optimize your investments and ensure a secure future for you and your son.

Understanding Your Financial Situation
Income and Expenses
You earn Rs 75,000 per month, with total monthly expenses of Rs 55,000. This leaves you with Rs 20,000 for savings and investments.

Monthly Income: Rs 75,000
Monthly Expenses: Rs 55,000
Savings and Investments: Rs 20,000
Current Investments
You are investing Rs 5,000 each in PPF and mutual funds through SIPs. This is a good start, but we need a comprehensive plan.

PPF SIP: Rs 5,000
Mutual Fund SIP: Rs 5,000
Setting Financial Goals
Short-Term Goals
Emergency Fund: Building an emergency fund is crucial. It should cover at least 6-12 months of your expenses.
Insurance: Ensure you have adequate life and health insurance coverage to protect against unforeseen events.
Medium-Term Goals
Child’s Education: Start planning for your son’s higher education. Costs will rise, so early planning is beneficial.
Debt Management: If you have any debts, prioritize paying them off to reduce financial stress.
Long-Term Goals
Retirement Planning: You need a robust plan to ensure financial independence in your later years.
Child’s Marriage: Plan for your son’s marriage expenses, considering inflation and future costs.
Building an Emergency Fund
Importance of an Emergency Fund
An emergency fund acts as a financial cushion during unforeseen events. It prevents you from liquidating long-term investments or taking high-interest loans.

Calculating the Emergency Fund
Your monthly expenses are Rs 55,000. Therefore, you need:

6 Months’ Expenses: Rs 55,000 * 6 = Rs 3,30,000
12 Months’ Expenses: Rs 55,000 * 12 = Rs 6,60,000
How to Build It
Initial Allocation: Start by setting aside a portion of your Rs 20,000 monthly savings.
High-Interest Savings Account: Park these funds in a high-interest savings account or a liquid mutual fund for easy access.
Insurance Coverage
Life Insurance
As the sole breadwinner, having adequate life insurance is essential. Opt for a term insurance plan that provides coverage of at least 10-15 times your annual income.

Current Income: Rs 75,000 * 12 = Rs 9,00,000
Recommended Coverage: Rs 9,00,000 * 10 = Rs 90,00,000 to Rs 1,35,00,000
Health Insurance
A comprehensive health insurance plan is necessary to cover medical emergencies. Ensure the plan covers you and your son adequately.

Optimizing Your Investments
Diversifying Investments
Diversification helps spread risk and maximize returns. Your current investments in PPF and mutual funds are a good start.

Public Provident Fund (PPF)
PPF is a safe and tax-efficient investment option. Continue your Rs 5,000 SIP as it provides guaranteed returns and tax benefits under Section 80C.

Mutual Funds
Your Rs 5,000 SIP in mutual funds should be diversified. Consider a mix of equity and debt funds to balance risk and returns.

Equity Funds: For long-term growth, invest in equity mutual funds. They offer higher returns but come with higher risk.
Debt Funds: For stability and safety, allocate a portion to debt funds. They are less volatile and provide steady returns.
Increasing SIP Contributions
As your income grows, increase your SIP contributions. This will help in accumulating a substantial corpus over time.

Annual Increment: Increase SIPs by 10% annually to keep pace with inflation and enhance your corpus.
Child’s Education Planning
Estimating Future Education Costs
Higher education costs rise significantly over time. Start investing early to build a sufficient corpus.

Current Education Cost: Assume Rs 10 lakhs for higher education.
Future Cost (After 10 Years): At 8% inflation, Rs 10 lakhs will become Rs 21.6 lakhs.
Investment Options for Education
Child-Specific Mutual Funds
These funds are designed to meet education expenses. They offer a mix of equity and debt investments with a lock-in period.

Monthly SIP: Start a dedicated SIP for your son’s education. Aim for Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 depending on your capacity.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
Although SSY is primarily for girl children, consider similar schemes offering high returns and tax benefits.

Retirement Planning
Assessing Retirement Needs
To maintain your current lifestyle post-retirement, you need a substantial corpus.

Current Monthly Expenses: Rs 55,000
Inflation-Adjusted Expenses (25 Years Later): At 6% inflation, Rs 55,000 will become approximately Rs 2,37,000.
Retirement Corpus Calculation
Assuming you retire at 60 and live till 85, you need:

Annual Expenses: Rs 2,37,000 * 12 = Rs 28,44,000
Total Corpus Needed: Rs 28,44,000 * 25 = Rs 7.1 crores approximately
Investment Strategy for Retirement
Equity Mutual Funds: Continue and increase SIPs in equity funds for long-term growth.
PPF and EPF: Maintain and maximize contributions to PPF and Employee Provident Fund (EPF) for guaranteed returns.
Child’s Marriage Planning
Estimating Marriage Expenses
Marriage expenses can be significant, considering inflation and future costs.

Current Marriage Cost: Assume Rs 10 lakhs.
Future Cost (20 Years Later): At 6% inflation, Rs 10 lakhs will become approximately Rs 32 lakhs.
Investment Options for Marriage
Balanced Mutual Funds
Balanced funds provide a mix of equity and debt, suitable for long-term goals like marriage expenses.

Monthly SIP: Start a dedicated SIP for marriage planning. Aim for Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 depending on your capacity.
Recurring Deposits
For additional safety, consider recurring deposits with banks. They provide guaranteed returns and can be easily liquidated.

Regular Review and Rebalancing
Importance of Portfolio Review
Regularly reviewing your portfolio ensures it remains aligned with your goals. Rebalancing helps maintain the desired asset allocation.

Quarterly Review: Assess the performance and make necessary adjustments.
Annual Review: Reevaluate your financial plan based on changes in income, expenses, or goals.
Professional Guidance
Benefits of Consulting a Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
A CFP provides personalized advice, helping you achieve your financial goals efficiently.

Tailored Strategies: CFPs design investment strategies based on your specific needs and risk tolerance.
Regular Monitoring: They monitor your portfolio and suggest timely adjustments to optimize returns.
Comprehensive Planning: CFPs assist in tax planning, retirement planning, and estate planning, ensuring holistic financial health.
Actively Managed Funds vs Direct Funds
Disadvantages of Index Funds
While index funds offer low costs, they may not provide the best returns. Actively managed funds, despite higher fees, aim to outperform the market.

Expert Management: Fund managers actively select stocks to generate higher returns.
Flexibility: Actively managed funds can adapt to market changes, potentially reducing losses.
Disadvantages of Direct Funds
Direct mutual funds require investor expertise and regular monitoring. Without professional guidance, there’s a risk of poor investment decisions.

Complexity: Direct funds demand more time and knowledge to manage effectively.
Risk of Underperformance: Investors may not achieve optimal returns without proper guidance.
Final Insights
Your dedication to securing a better future for yourself and your son is commendable. By building an emergency fund, optimizing insurance coverage, and diversifying investments, you can achieve financial stability. Regular reviews and professional guidance will further enhance your financial journey. Stay focused on your goals, and continue to invest wisely for a bright future.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 03, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 25, 2024Hindi
Money
I am 34 years women having 6th month kid. Currently I have my own house and I have only 1 investment of 5 lacs in LIC . Currently I. Homemaker with monthly income of 23k which comes from my flat which I have given on rent. I want to save money for my baby education in future by investing in MF, Government schemes for baby girl, PF. Please suggest how can I start the investment for child future along with good lifestyle
Ans: It's wonderful that you’re planning for your child's future at an early stage. As a 34-year-old homemaker with a 6-month-old baby girl and a rental income of Rs. 23,000, you have a solid foundation to build on. Let’s craft a comprehensive financial plan to secure your child’s education and maintain a good lifestyle.

Understanding Your Financial Goals
Firstly, let's identify your primary financial goals:

Child's Education: Ensure there are adequate funds for your daughter's education.

Emergency Fund: Maintain an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses.

Retirement Savings: Even as a homemaker, having a secure retirement plan is essential.

Insurance: Adequate life and health insurance to protect your family’s financial future.

Analyzing Your Current Financial Situation
Income and Investments:

Rental Income: Rs. 23,000 per month.
Current Investment: Rs. 5 lakhs in LIC.
Given your current income, it's crucial to allocate your funds efficiently to achieve your financial goals.

Building an Investment Portfolio
1. Emergency Fund
An emergency fund is the cornerstone of financial planning. It should cover at least 6-12 months of expenses.

Monthly Expenses: Assume Rs. 15,000 (excluding savings and investments).
Emergency Fund Required: Rs. 90,000 to Rs. 1,80,000.
Start by setting aside a portion of your rental income until you build a sufficient emergency fund. You can keep this money in a savings account or a liquid fund for easy access.

2. Child's Education Planning
Investing for your child's education is a long-term goal. Here’s how you can allocate your investments:

A. Mutual Funds

Mutual funds are a great way to build wealth over the long term. Consider the following categories:

Equity Mutual Funds: These funds invest in stocks and have the potential for high returns. They are suitable for long-term goals like education.

Hybrid Mutual Funds: These funds invest in a mix of equity and debt instruments, providing a balance of risk and returns.

B. Systematic Investment Plan (SIP)

A SIP is a disciplined way of investing in mutual funds. It allows you to invest a fixed amount regularly, thereby averaging the cost of investment and reducing risk.

Start a SIP in equity mutual funds for your child's education. This will take advantage of the power of compounding.
C. Government Schemes for Girl Child

Government schemes like Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) are designed to support the financial future of girl children. They offer attractive interest rates and tax benefits.

Open a Sukanya Samriddhi Account and contribute regularly. The maturity period aligns well with the timing of higher education expenses.
3. Retirement Planning
Although you’re focused on your child's future, it’s also important to think about your retirement. You can consider the following:

A. Public Provident Fund (PPF)

PPF is a government-backed savings scheme that offers tax benefits and attractive returns. It has a lock-in period of 15 years, making it suitable for long-term goals like retirement.

Open a PPF account and invest regularly. You can invest up to Rs. 1.5 lakhs per year in PPF.
B. Mutual Funds

Apart from education, you can also use mutual funds for retirement planning. A mix of equity and hybrid funds can provide the growth needed for a substantial corpus.

Allocate a portion of your rental income to SIPs in mutual funds targeted at retirement.
Diversifying Your Investments
Diversification is key to managing risk and ensuring steady returns. Here’s how you can diversify your investments:

Equity Mutual Funds: High growth potential but higher risk. Suitable for long-term goals.
Debt Mutual Funds: Stable returns with lower risk. Suitable for short to medium-term goals.
PPF: Government-backed with tax benefits. Suitable for long-term goals.
Gold: Acts as a hedge against inflation. Allocate a small portion of your portfolio to gold.
Risk Management
A. Insurance

Ensure you have adequate insurance coverage to protect your family’s financial future.

Term Insurance: Provides financial security to your family in case of your untimely demise. Ensure your coverage is sufficient to cover your family's needs.

Health Insurance: Covers medical expenses and protects your savings. Consider a family floater plan to cover yourself and your child.

B. Emergency Fund

Maintain an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses. This provides financial stability and peace of mind.

Tax Planning
Maximize tax-saving investments to reduce your tax liability and boost your savings.

Section 80C: Invest in PPF, SSY, ELSS, and other tax-saving instruments to avail tax benefits under Section 80C.
Section 80D: Avail tax benefits on health insurance premiums under Section 80D.
Regular Review and Adjustment
Financial planning is an ongoing process. Regularly review and adjust your investment portfolio to ensure it aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

Annual Review: Review your financial plan at least once a year.
Adjust Investments: Adjust your investments based on changes in your financial goals, market conditions, and risk tolerance.
Power of Compounding
The power of compounding works best when you start investing early and stay invested for a long time. The interest earned on your investments gets reinvested, which in turn earns more interest. This cycle continues, leading to exponential growth of your investment over time.

Final Insights
Achieving your financial goals requires disciplined saving and investing. Here are some final insights to help you stay on track:

Start Early: The earlier you start investing, the more time your money has to grow.

Be Disciplined: Stick to your investment plan and avoid unnecessary expenditures.

Diversify: Diversify your investments to manage risk and ensure steady returns.

Seek Professional Advice: Consult a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) for personalized financial advice.

By following this comprehensive financial plan, you can ensure a secure future for your child and maintain a good lifestyle.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 21, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 10, 2025Hindi
Money
I am a 28 year old married male expecting a baby in August earning 190000 per month in hand with 50k expenses and currently investing 20k per month in SIPs HDFC Flexi Cap 5k HDFC Midcap 6k Tata Small Cap 5k Axis Gold 4k and 130000 in FD My total savings so far are 1670000 with FD 1115000 Mutual Funds 275000 and Shares 250000 I want to plan better for my childs future education and expenses and also buy a 2BHK flat in Ahmedabad within 1 to 2 years as an investment How do I prepare for the down payment plus EMIs while continuing my SIPs Also how should I improve my investment strategy and allocate 50 to 60k per month in SIPs going forward to meet both these goals effectively.
Ans: At 28, you are already a responsible investor and a soon-to-be parent.
You are saving more than most at this age.
That’s something you should be proud of.

Let us now build a complete 360-degree strategy for your money.
We will review your goals, current savings, SIPs, and create a clear plan.

Understanding Your Income, Expenses and Surplus
Monthly income is Rs. 1,90,000.

Monthly expenses are around Rs. 50,000.

That leaves Rs. 1,40,000 every month.

Out of this, you are investing:

Rs. 20,000 in SIPs

Keeping Rs. 1,30,000 in fixed deposit

Your current savings:

Fixed Deposit: Rs. 11.15 lakhs

Mutual Funds: Rs. 2.75 lakhs

Shares: Rs. 2.5 lakhs

Total Savings: Rs. 16.7 lakhs

This is a very strong starting point.
Let’s now break it into priorities.

Goal 1 – 2BHK Flat Down Payment and EMI
You want to buy a flat in 1–2 years.
This makes it a short-term goal.

Here’s how to plan it:

First fix your budget for the flat.

If flat costs Rs. 50 lakhs, your down payment may be Rs. 10 to 15 lakhs.

You already have over Rs. 11 lakhs in FD.

You can use this fully or partially for down payment.

Do not use mutual funds for this.
Equity is not for short-term goals.

For EMIs:

Let us assume your EMI will be around Rs. 30,000 to 40,000.

Your current monthly surplus allows this comfortably.

But do not stop SIPs completely for EMIs.

Reduce SIP temporarily and increase again later.

Keep this plan:

Use FD for down payment.

Manage EMI with salary surplus.

Continue at least Rs. 15,000 SIP during EMI period.

Goal 2 – Child's Education and Future
Your child is due in August.
Congratulations on entering this new life phase.

Let us look at child’s goals in two phases:

Phase 1 – Short-Term Child Expenses (0 to 5 years):

These include hospital, vaccines, school fees, clothes.

Keep Rs. 3 to 5 lakhs as buffer in liquid form.

Use FD or liquid mutual funds.

Phase 2 – Long-Term Education (15 to 20 years):

Education costs will be high in future.

This is a long-term goal.

Equity mutual funds are best for this.

You can build a strong portfolio over time.

Start a dedicated SIP bucket for this goal.
Keep it separate from retirement or other goals.
Increase SIP gradually as income grows.

Review of Your Current SIPs
You are investing in 4 schemes:

Flexi Cap – Rs. 5,000

Midcap – Rs. 6,000

Small Cap – Rs. 5,000

Gold – Rs. 4,000

Let’s assess this now.

Flexi Cap Fund:

Offers diversification across market caps.

This can be your anchor fund.

Increase SIP in this going forward.

Midcap Fund:

Offers better growth than large caps.

Slightly riskier, but good for long-term.

Keep SIP, can increase slowly.

Small Cap Fund:

High return potential, high volatility.

Suitable only for 10+ years goals.

Keep allocation limited to one fund.

Do not hold more than 20% of your SIP here.

Gold Fund:

Helps as a hedge against inflation.

But SIP in gold is not wealth creating.

Use it for diversification only.

Keep Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 2,000 monthly, not more.

Reduce from Rs. 4,000.

No index funds in your portfolio. Very good.
Avoid index funds. They offer no flexibility.
They copy the market. Cannot exit poor stocks.

Actively managed funds offer research and agility.
They suit long-term investors better.

Expand SIP from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 60,000
You have a monthly surplus of Rs. 1.4 lakhs.
Once flat EMI starts, surplus will still be around Rs. 1 lakh.

You can easily grow SIPs to Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 60,000.
But do it in steps. Not in one go.

Proposed SIP Allocation Going Forward:

Flexi Cap Fund – Rs. 15,000

Multicap Fund – Rs. 10,000

Midcap Fund – Rs. 10,000

Small Cap Fund – Rs. 7,000

Child Education Fund – Rs. 10,000

Gold Fund – Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 3,000

Liquid Fund (Emergency) – Rs. 5,000

Keep adding based on income hike.
This builds long-term wealth and meets all goals.

Direct Plans vs Regular Plans
You did not mention if your funds are direct or regular.
If you are investing in direct funds, please read this carefully.

Problems with Direct Funds:

No expert guidance during market falls.

You may stop SIP in panic.

Portfolio becomes messy over time.

No one helps in goal tracking or rebalancing.

Benefits of Regular Funds via a CFP-qualified MFD:

You get regular reviews.

They help you restructure your goals.

You stay invested during tough markets.

You avoid chasing returns.

You stay committed to your plan.

Cost is very small.
Benefits are lifelong.
Choose wisely.

Create Financial Buckets
Short-Term (0–3 years):

Keep money in FD or liquid funds.

For house down payment, emergency, and baby expenses.

Medium-Term (3–7 years):

Use conservative hybrid funds or balanced advantage funds.

For school fees, vacations, etc.

Long-Term (7+ years):

Use equity mutual funds.

For child education, retirement, and wealth creation.

Always link each investment to a goal.
This gives purpose and discipline.

Emergency Fund and Insurance
Keep at least Rs. 3 to 6 lakhs as emergency buffer.

This can be in FD or liquid funds.

Term Insurance:

You are now starting a family.

Must buy term life insurance immediately.

Cover amount should be 15 to 20 times your income.

Avoid LIC, ULIPs, or money-back plans.

Buy pure term cover only.

Health Insurance:

Ensure separate cover for wife and baby.

Do not depend only on employer policy.

Buy individual or family floater from reputed insurer.

Avoid These Mistakes
Don’t stop SIPs to pay EMIs. Reduce, not stop.

Don’t invest short-term money in mutual funds.

Don’t invest for baby in insurance policies.

Don’t chase trending funds or sectors.

Don’t use direct plans without knowledge.

Don’t keep too much in gold.

Follow a disciplined process.
Stay goal focused.
Build wealth slowly but steadily.

Tax Awareness for Future
When you sell equity mutual funds:

LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakhs taxed at 12.5%.

STCG taxed at 20%.

Debt mutual fund gains taxed as per your income slab.

So, avoid selling too often.
Let wealth compound tax-efficiently.

Action Steps You Should Take Immediately
Finalise house budget and timeline.

Plan how much FD to use for down payment.

Start child education SIP bucket this month.

Increase SIPs in phases till Rs. 60,000.

Reduce gold SIP.

Buy term and health insurance immediately.

Build emergency fund if not already kept.

Review all SIPs once a year with a certified planner.

Finally
You are doing well.
Better than most of your age.
You are focused, consistent, and goal-driven.

With a structured plan, you will reach your goals.
Be patient. Let time and discipline work for you.

Don’t invest emotionally.
Invest intentionally.

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 21, 2025

Money
Im 33 yers old earning 1.9L per month I have 6L in MF, 2L in PPF, 7.5L in EPF, 1.5L in NPS, emergency fund 3L FD, APY 20K and 7.5L in stock market making a sip of 32k in MF, 24K EPF, PPF 5k, NPS 5k , APY 0.5K, gold 11k, digital gold 2k, cheet fund 12k and other monthly expenses 40k(includes rent, groceries and other home expenses) every month. I am debt free and I don't have any parent property. I have started from zero. Please help me are my investment planning is good where I should investment my goal to achieve good corpus for my daughter education and she is 1 month old.
Ans: You are just 33 and already taking smart steps.
Starting from zero and reaching this point shows your strength.
That effort deserves appreciation.

Now let us assess everything with a 360-degree approach.
We will look at your savings, SIPs, and how to align for your daughter’s future.

Income, Expenses and Savings Snapshot
You earn Rs. 1.9 lakhs per month (in-hand).

Your monthly expenses are around Rs. 40,000.

That leaves you with Rs. 1.5 lakhs to save or invest.

Your current monthly investments:

Mutual Fund SIP – Rs. 32,000

EPF – Rs. 24,000 (employee + employer share)

PPF – Rs. 5,000

NPS – Rs. 5,000

Gold – Rs. 11,000

Digital Gold – Rs. 2,000

APY – Rs. 500

Chit Fund – Rs. 12,000

Total monthly investment: Rs. 91,500
You are saving around 48% of income.
That is a very strong habit.

Existing Asset Distribution
Your accumulated savings:

Mutual Funds – Rs. 6 lakhs

PPF – Rs. 2 lakhs

EPF – Rs. 7.5 lakhs

NPS – Rs. 1.5 lakhs

FD – Rs. 3 lakhs (emergency fund)

Stocks – Rs. 7.5 lakhs

APY – Rs. 20,000

This totals approx Rs. 27.5 lakhs.
This is an excellent start at age 33.
But now, you need to invest with specific goals.

Key Goal – Daughter’s Education
This is the most important long-term goal now.
You have 16 to 17 years to plan well.
Higher education costs can be Rs. 30 to 60 lakhs easily.
So early planning gives you better control.

You are saving well.
But savings need structure.
Random investments won’t give results.

Review of Mutual Fund Investments
You are investing Rs. 32,000 monthly in mutual funds.
You didn’t mention the scheme names.
So let us guide you on ideal structure.

Your SIP allocation should be across 3 to 4 funds only.
Do not keep more than 4 mutual fund schemes.

Ideal category-wise SIP allocation:

Flexi Cap Fund – Rs. 12,000

Multicap Fund – Rs. 8,000

Mid Cap Fund – Rs. 6,000

Small Cap Fund – Rs. 4,000

You can also add Rs. 2,000 in Balanced Advantage Fund

Avoid overlapping categories.
Don’t add sectoral or thematic funds.
Also avoid index funds.

Index funds are not suitable for this goal.

Why?

They copy the market and can’t exit bad stocks.

No flexibility when markets fall.

They don’t offer downside protection.

They miss tactical opportunities.

Instead, use actively managed funds.
These give better risk-adjusted returns over long term.
And a good fund manager can reduce volatility.

Direct Plans vs Regular Plans
If you are using direct mutual fund plans, please review now.

Problems with direct funds:

You invest without any personalised guidance.

You may panic and stop SIP during market crash.

You may hold too many funds and forget goals.

You miss chances to review or rebalance.

Invest through a regular plan with MFD having CFP certification.
Why?

You will have yearly review and guidance.

You will link funds to your real-life goals.

You will invest with discipline and tracking.

They will help switch if performance drops.

This support is more valuable than saving expense ratio.
Go with expert-led, not self-led investing.

PPF and EPF – Long-Term Safety Cushion
You are investing:

Rs. 24,000 monthly in EPF

Rs. 5,000 monthly in PPF

This is building a strong safe and tax-free corpus.
Keep this as part of retirement savings.
Do not use this for child education.

EPF is long-term and illiquid.
PPF also has 15 years lock-in.
But both give stable compounding.
Good for financial safety in later life.

NPS – For Retirement Only
Your NPS is Rs. 1.5 lakhs now.
You are investing Rs. 5,000 monthly.

This is fine for retirement.
But it cannot be withdrawn for daughter’s education.
So don’t depend on it for this goal.

Keep investing here for retirement purpose.
But keep that goal separate.

Emergency Fund – Keep it Untouched
You have Rs. 3 lakhs in FD for emergency.
That’s a good start.

Try to grow this to Rs. 4.5 to 6 lakhs over time.
This is equal to 3 to 6 months of your expenses.
You can use liquid fund or ultra-short-term fund too.

Do not touch this unless it’s a medical or family emergency.

Gold and Digital Gold
You are investing:

Rs. 11,000 monthly in physical gold

Rs. 2,000 monthly in digital gold

That is Rs. 13,000 per month total.

This is very high allocation to gold.
Gold doesn’t generate income or high returns.
Price can stay flat for years.

Keep gold investment within Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 3,000 per month.
That too only for diversification.

Better to move balance amount to mutual funds.
They will give better growth for child’s education goal.

Chit Fund Contribution – Risk Needs Caution
You are investing Rs. 12,000 monthly in chit fund.
This is a high-risk and unregulated space.

Chits are useful for liquidity.
But they don’t give predictable returns.

You must limit exposure here.
Withdraw from chit fund and shift to SIP gradually.

If you need monthly liquidity, use liquid mutual funds.
They are safer and regulated.

APY – Keep It Separate
You are contributing Rs. 500 monthly to APY.
This is okay as a small retirement pension.

But it will not help in education or wealth building.
Keep it running, but don’t increase.

Suggested Portfolio Restructuring – Going Forward
You can do the following from now:

Reduce gold SIP to Rs. 2,000

Stop chit fund and move Rs. 12,000 to SIP

Keep emergency fund untouched

Retain NPS, EPF, PPF for retirement

Increase equity SIP to Rs. 40,000 gradually

This way, your monthly investments will look like:

Mutual Fund SIP – Rs. 40,000

EPF – Rs. 24,000

PPF – Rs. 5,000

NPS – Rs. 5,000

Gold – Rs. 2,000

APY – Rs. 500

This will give you better structure and tracking.

Taxation Awareness
New tax rule for mutual funds:

Equity LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%

STCG on equity taxed at 20%

Debt fund gains taxed as per your income slab

So plan exits only when needed.
Avoid churning funds frequently.
Let the compounding continue.

Portfolio Review and Rebalancing
Do this once a year:

Review mutual fund returns.

Remove underperformers if needed.

Check if you are on track for education goal.

Consult your CFP-qualified MFD.

Increase SIPs if income grows.

Staying consistent is more powerful than trying to time returns.

How to Plan for Your Daughter’s Education
Now start a separate SIP for her education.
Label it clearly in your tracker.
You can assign 2 to 3 mutual funds for this goal.

Start with Rs. 15,000 per month here.
Increase SIP every year with income hike.

Avoid using this corpus for other goals.
Let this grow untouched for 15 to 17 years.

What You Must Avoid
Please avoid the following:

Don’t invest more in gold.

Don’t invest in land or property.

Don’t use insurance plans for investing.

Don’t hold too many mutual fund schemes.

Don’t invest in direct funds without proper review.

Don’t keep more than 1–2 chit funds.

Don’t take out money from PF or PPF.

Focus only on structured, goal-linked, long-term investing.

Finally
You are saving well.
You are disciplined.
You have no loan pressure.

Now just focus on planning better.
Invest goal-wise.
Review yearly.
And stay consistent.

This will create a strong future for your daughter.
And a peaceful life for yourself.

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 06, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 06, 2025Hindi
Money
Dear Sir/Ma'am, I need some guidance and advice for continuing my mutual fund investments. I am a 36 year old male, married, no kids yet and no debts/liabilities as such. I have couple of savings in PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and long term investing in direct stocks. I recently started below mentioned SIPs for long term to grow wealth. Request you to review the same and let me know if I should continue with the SIPs or need to rationalize. Kindly also advice on how to invest a lumpsum amount of around 6lacs. invesco small cap 2000 motilal oswal midcap 2700 parag parikh flexicap 3000 HDFC flexicap 3100 ICICI prudential largecap 3100 HDFC large and midcap 3100 HDFC gold etf FOF 2000 ICICI Pru equity and debt fund 3000 HDFC balanced advantage fund 3000 nippon india silver etf FOF 2000
Ans: You already built a solid foundation. Many investors delay planning. But you started early at 36. That gives you a strong advantage. You have no liabilities. You have long term thinking. You also have diversified savings like PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and direct stocks. That shows clarity and discipline. This approach builds wealth with less stress over time.

You also started systematic investments in equity funds. That is a positive step. Your selection covers multiple categories like large cap, mid cap, small cap, flexi cap, hybrid and precious metals. So the intent is right. You are trying to create a broad portfolio. That gives balance.

» Your Portfolio Composition Understanding
Your current SIP list includes:

Small cap

Mid cap

Flexi cap

Large cap

Large and mid cap

Hybrid category

Gold and Silver FoF

Equity and Debt allocation fund

Dynamic hybrid fund

This shows you are trying to cover many segments. But too many categories can create overlap. When there is overlap, you get confusion during review. It also makes portfolio discipline difficult. You may think you are diversified. But the holdings inside may repeat. That reduces efficiency.

Your portfolio now looks like:

Equity dominant

Hybrid for stability

Metals for hedge

So the broad direction is fine. But simplifying helps in long-term habit building.

» Fund Category Duplication
You hold:

Two flexi cap funds

One large and mid cap fund

One pure large cap fund

One mid cap fund

One small cap fund

Flexi cap funds already invest across large, mid, small. Then large and mid also overlaps. So the large cap exposure gets repeated. That may not add extra benefit. But it increases monitoring complexity.

So I suggest rationalising. Keep one fund per category in core. Keep satellite space for only high conviction.

» Core and Satellite Strategy
A structured portfolio follows core and satellite method.

Core portfolio should be:

Simple

Long term

Stable

Satellite portfolio can be:

High growth

Concentrated

Based on your thinking level, you can structure like this:

Core funds:

One large cap

One flexi cap

One hybrid equity and debt fund

One balanced advantage type fund

Satellite funds:

One mid cap

One small cap

One metal allocation if needed

This division gives clarity. You can continue SIPs with review every year. No need to stop and restart often. That reduces behavioural mistakes.

» Your Current SIP List Review with Suggested Streamlining

You can consider continuing:

One flexi cap

One large cap

One mid cap

One small cap

One balanced advantage

One equity and debt hybrid

You may reconsider keeping both flexi caps and both gold silver funds. One of each category is enough. Because too many funds do not increase returns. It complicates tracking.

Precious metal funds should not be more than 5 to 7 percent in your portfolio. This is because metals are hedge assets. They do not create compounding like equity. They act as protection during cycles. So keep them small.

» How to Use the Rs 6 Lakh Lump Sum
You asked about lump sum investing. This is important. Lump sum should not go fully into equity at one time. Markets move in cycles. So use a staggered method. You can invest the lump sum through STP (Systematic Transfer Plan). You can keep the amount in a liquid fund and set STP toward your chosen growth funds over 6 to 12 months.

This reduces timing risk. It also creates discipline. So your Rs 6 lakh can be deployed gradually. You may use 50% towards core equity funds and 30% toward satellite growth category. The remaining 20% can go into hybrid category. This gives balance and comfort.

» Regular Funds Over Direct Funds
One important point many investors miss. Direct funds look cheaper. But they demand deep knowledge, discipline, and behaviour control. Most investors lose more through emotional selling and wrong timing than they save on expense ratio.

With regular funds through a Mutual Fund Distributor with Certified Financial Planner qualification, you get guidance, structure and correction. The advisory discipline protects you during market extremes. That is more valuable than a small saving in expense ratio.

A personalised planner also tracks portfolio drift, rebalancing need and category shifts. So regular fund investing gives long-term benefit and behaviour coaching.

» Actively Managed Funds over Index or ETF
Some investors choose index funds or ETF thinking they are simple and cheap. But they ignore drawbacks.

Index funds or ETF will not avoid weak companies in the index. They will invest whether the company grows or struggles. There is no fund manager decision making. So when markets are at peak, index funds continue aggressive exposure. In downturns also they fall fully. There is no cushion.

Actively managed funds work with research teams. They can avoid bad sectors. They can shift allocation based on market and economy. Over long term, this gives better alpha and stability. So continuing with actively managed funds creates better wealth compounding.

» SIP Continuation Strategy
Once the rationalisation is done, continue SIPs every month without interruption. Pause and restart behaviour damages compounding power. SIP works best when you go through all market cycles. You benefit more during corrections because cost averaging works.

So continue SIP amount. You can also review SIP increase every year based on income. Increasing SIP by 10 to 15 percent every year helps you reach large corpus faster.

» Asset Allocation Based Approach
One key point in wealth creation is having the right asset mix. Equity gives growth. Hybrid gives balance. Metals give hedge. Debt gives safety. Your asset allocation should stay aligned to your risk profile and time horizon.

Since you are young and have long term horizon, higher equity allocation is fine. But as time moves, rebalancing is important. Rebalancing protects gains and restores allocation.

So review your asset allocation every year or during major life events like child birth, home buying or retirement planning.

» Behaviour Management
Many portfolios fail not due to bad funds. They fail due to bad decisions. Selling during correction. Stopping SIP when market falls. Chasing past return performance. These mistakes reduce wealth.

Your discipline so far is good. Continue to stay patient during volatility. Equity rewards patience and time.

» Financial Goals Clarity
Since you have no children now, you can decide your long-term goals. Typical goals may include:

Retirement

Future child education

Dream lifestyle purchase

Health care reserves

When goals are clear, investment purpose becomes stronger. So you can map each fund category to goal horizon. Short-term goals should not use equity. Long-term goals should use equity with hybrid support.

» Role of Review and Monitoring
Review once in a year is enough. Frequent review can create anxiety. Annual review helps check:

Fund performance

Expense drift

Category relevance

Allocation balance

Then adjust only if needed. This progress helps you stay confident and aligned.

» Taxation Awareness
Equity mutual funds taxation rules are:

Short term (below one year holding) taxable at 20 percent

Long term (above one year holding) gains above Rs 1.25 lakh taxable at 12.5 percent

Debt mutual funds are taxed as per your income slab.

So always hold equity funds for long term. That reduces tax impact and gives better growth.

» SIP Increase Plan
You can create a simple plan to increase SIP over time. For example:

Increase SIP at every salary increment

Increase SIP during bonus time

Use rewards or extra income for investing

This habit accelerates wealth. So by the time you reach 45 to 50 years, your investments could reach a strong level.

» Insurance and Protection
Before investing large, ensure you have term insurance and health insurance. If not already done, it is important. Insurance protects wealth. Without insurance, even a small medical event can impact investment plan. So review this part also. Since you are married, cover both.

» Wealth Behaviour Mindset
You are already disciplined. Just keep these simple principles:

Invest without stopping

Review once a year

Avoid funds overlap

Follow asset allocation

Avoid reacting to media noise

This helps you reach long term milestones.

» Finally
You are on the right track. Only fine tuning and simplification is needed. Your discipline is visible. Your portfolio will grow well with structure, patience and periodic review. Use the Rs 6 lakh with STP approach. And continue SIP with rationalised categories.

With time and consistency, wealth creation becomes effortless and peaceful. You just need to stay committed and avoid overthinking during market movements.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1837 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 05, 2025

Career
Dear Sir, I did my BTech from a normal engineering college not very famous. The teaching was not great and hence i did not study well. I tried my best to learn coding including all the technologies like html,css,javascript,react js,dba,php because i wanted to be a web developer But nothing seem to enter my head except html and css. I don't understand a language which has more complexities. Is it because of my lack of experience or not devoting enough time. I am not sure. I did many courses online and tried to do diplomas also abroad which i passed somehow. I recently joined android development course because i like apps but the teaching was so fast that i could not memorize anything. There was no time to even take notes down. During the course i did assignments and understood the code because i have to pass but after the course is over i tend to forget everything. I attempted a lot of interviews. Some of them i even got but could not perform well so they let me go. Now due to the AI booming and job markets in a bad shape i am re-thinking whether to keep studying or whether its just time waste. Since 3 years i am doing labour type of jobs which does not yield anything to me for survival and to pay my expenses. I have the quest to learn everything but as soon as i sit in front of the computer i listen to music or read something else. What should i do to stay more focused? What should i do to make myself believe confident. Is there still scope of IT in todays world? Kindly advise.
Ans: Your story does not show failure.
It shows persistence, effort, and desire to improve.

Most people give up.
You didn’t.
That means you will succeed — but with the right method, not the old one.

...Read more

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

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