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

Should I invest in stocks or build an emergency fund with my fluctuating savings?

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8499 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 22, 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
Abhijit Question by Abhijit on Jun 17, 2024Hindi
Money

I can save an amount of 3000-5000 per month apart from my regular monthly investments of Sip in mutual fund, insurance and bank RD. Where should I invest this amount since it is fluctuating in nature?

Ans: It's good to see you consistently saving. Allocating Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 monthly, in addition to your regular investments, can strengthen your financial future. This fluctuating amount can be strategically used to enhance your portfolio. Let's explore how you can best utilize this amount given its variable nature.

1. Building a Contingency Fund
Importance of Contingency Fund: A solid emergency fund is crucial. It provides financial security during unexpected situations like job loss or medical emergencies.

Utilizing Your Fluctuating Savings: Allocate a portion of your variable savings to build this fund until it reaches at least six months of your monthly expenses.

Placement of the Fund: Consider keeping this fund in a liquid fund or a high-interest savings account. These options offer better returns than a regular savings account while maintaining liquidity.

2. Enhancing Existing Mutual Fund SIPs
Topping Up Your SIPs: You’re already investing in mutual funds through SIPs. Consider using your additional savings to top up these existing SIPs periodically.

Flexibility with Fluctuating Amounts: Since the amount varies, you can increase your SIP contributions when you have more funds. Most fund houses allow SIP top-ups, making this a flexible option.

Preference for Actively Managed Funds: Actively managed funds often outperform the market. They are managed by experienced fund managers who can adjust strategies based on market conditions. This can potentially yield better returns than index funds, especially in a fluctuating market.

3. Investment in a Flexi-SIP
What is a Flexi-SIP?: A Flexi-SIP allows you to invest different amounts each month, depending on your cash flow. This flexibility aligns perfectly with your fluctuating savings.

Choosing the Right Funds: Since your investment amount varies, choose funds that align with your long-term goals. Avoid direct funds and instead, go for regular funds through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). This way, you benefit from professional guidance without the hassle of constant monitoring.

Diversification: Ensure that your Flexi-SIP is diversified across different sectors and market capitalizations. This spreads your risk and enhances the potential for growth.

4. Investing in Gold
Safe-Haven Asset: Gold is considered a stable investment, especially during economic uncertainty. It’s a good hedge against inflation and currency fluctuations.

Options for Investing in Gold: You can invest in gold through Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) or Gold ETFs. SGBs are particularly attractive as they offer an annual interest payment on top of the gold price appreciation.

Aligning with Your Fluctuating Savings: Since the investment in gold can be flexible, you can allocate part of your variable savings here. This is a long-term investment that can protect your portfolio during downturns.

5. Consider Debt Funds for Short-Term Goals
Debt Funds as a Stable Option: If you have short-term financial goals, debt funds could be a good fit. They are less volatile than equity funds and provide steady returns.

Systematic Transfer Plan (STP): You can invest your fluctuating savings in a debt fund and set up an STP to transfer a fixed amount monthly into an equity mutual fund. This provides the benefits of both debt and equity investments, offering stability and growth potential.

6. Utilizing Recurring Deposits (RDs)
Recurring Deposits for Safety: RDs are a safe investment option with guaranteed returns. They suit individuals who prefer low-risk investments.

Flexibility with Fluctuating Contributions: Many banks offer flexible RDs where you can vary your deposit amount. This aligns well with your fluctuating savings.

Balance with Higher Growth Options: While RDs offer safety, they don’t provide high returns. Combine RDs with other higher growth options like mutual funds to balance safety and returns.

7. Investing in a Child's Education Plan
Long-Term Goal Alignment: If you’re planning for your child’s education, investing in a specific child education plan might be beneficial. These plans are designed to meet the financial needs of education, often offering insurance coverage as well.

Regular Contributions: You can direct your fluctuating savings toward this goal. These plans often allow flexible premium payments, making them suitable for variable incomes.

Tax Benefits: Many child education plans offer tax benefits under Section 80C, adding to their attractiveness.

8. Strengthening Your Retirement Corpus
Preparing for Retirement: Since you aim to retire early, strengthening your retirement corpus is vital. This can be achieved by contributing your additional savings toward a retirement-specific mutual fund.

Retirement Planning with Variable Income: Consider using a flexible plan that allows varying contributions. This ensures that even with fluctuating savings, you consistently build your retirement fund.

Benefit of Regular Funds: Investing through a CFP can provide tailored advice, ensuring your retirement plan is on track. Regular funds offer ongoing professional management, which is crucial for long-term goals like retirement.

9. Avoiding the Temptation of High-Risk Investments
Lessons from Past Losses: Given your previous experience with losses in options trading, it’s wise to avoid high-risk investments. Stick to safer, more predictable investment options that align with your financial goals.

Focus on Steady Growth: Instead of seeking quick gains, focus on steady, consistent growth. This approach, while less glamorous, is more likely to lead to financial stability and success in the long run.

10. Regular Review and Adjustment
Importance of Regular Review: As your income and expenses change, regularly review your investments. This helps in making necessary adjustments to stay on track with your goals.

Engage with a Certified Financial Planner: Regular consultations with a CFP can provide valuable insights. They can help you adjust your strategy based on changes in your financial situation.

Flexibility in Approach: Keep your investment approach flexible. If your income increases, consider increasing your SIP contributions or exploring new investment opportunities.

Finally
Your journey towards financial stability and growth is commendable. By smartly allocating your fluctuating savings, you can strengthen your financial future. Focus on building a robust emergency fund, enhancing your existing investments, and preparing for long-term goals like retirement and your child's education. Avoid high-risk investments and keep your approach flexible. With consistent efforts and professional guidance, you’re well on your way to achieving your financial goals.

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

You may like to see similar questions and answers below

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8499 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Feb 01, 2025

Listen
Money
I save approx 90 thousand INR per month. Where should I invest it. I don't want to keep it saving account. This I save after monthly SIP of 30000. Please advice.
Ans: You already invest Rs 30,000 per month in SIPs.

You save Rs 90,000 per month after SIPs.

You want better returns than a savings account.

A clear investment plan will help in long-term wealth creation.

Key Factors Before Investing
Emergency Fund
Keep at least six months of expenses in liquid funds.

This ensures financial security in case of emergencies.

Short-Term Needs
Identify any expenses in the next 3 to 5 years.

Use safer instruments for short-term goals.

Long-Term Growth
Invest for wealth creation.

Balance between equity and debt based on risk appetite.

Investment Allocation for Rs 90,000 Per Month
1. Equity Mutual Funds (Rs 50,000 per month)
Invest in actively managed equity mutual funds.

Diversify across large-cap, mid-cap, and flexi-cap funds.

This ensures long-term capital appreciation.

2. Debt Mutual Funds (Rs 20,000 per month)
Provides stability and diversification.

Useful for balancing equity risk.

Ideal for short-term needs.

3. Gold Investment (Rs 10,000 per month)
Gold helps in diversification.

Protects against inflation.

Invest in gold ETFs or sovereign gold bonds.

4. Fixed Income Instruments (Rs 10,000 per month)
Use PPF or fixed deposits for stability.

PPF is tax-free and offers long-term benefits.

Fixed deposits provide liquidity and security.

Additional Investment Considerations
Increase SIP Contributions
If your income increases, raise your SIPs.

This ensures long-term wealth growth.

Avoid Unnecessary Risks
Do not invest in stocks without research.

Avoid high-risk derivative trading.

Review Your Investments Regularly
Monitor your portfolio every six months.

Rebalance based on market conditions.

Final Insights
Invest based on goals and time horizon.

Equity for long-term growth, debt for stability.

Gold provides inflation protection.

A balanced approach ensures financial security.

Regular reviews improve investment efficiency.

A structured investment plan will help you grow wealth efficiently.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4846 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on May 23, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - May 22, 2025
Career
My jee mains score 76% home state haryana crl rank 344589 and obc rank 122555 male koi government college for cse or ece
Ans: Here is, How to Predict Your Chances of Admission into NIT or IIIT or GFTI After JEE Main/Advanced 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.

Have some other options also as back-ups instead of relying only on JEE/JoSAA.

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 and a bright future!

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

...Read more

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4846 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on May 23, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - May 22, 2025
Career
Sir I got 76.9 percentile in jee mains ews category and 89 percentage in board. I am from Bihar but as I completed my 12 th from Bangalore so they put home state quta karnataka
Ans: Instead of relying only on JEE/JoSAA, have other back-ups such as COMEDK/KCET/PES/AEEE etc. (hope you would have registered / appeared for the same). Here is, How to Predict Your Chances of Admission into NIT or IIIT or GFTI After JEE Main/Advanced 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.

Have some other options also as back-ups instead of relying only on JEE/JoSAA.

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 and a bright future!

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.

Close  

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

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

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to

Resend OTP in120seconds

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

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

Already have an account?

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to Mobile

Resend OTP in120seconds

x