I am a senior citizen. I am 68 years old.

I have income from the dividends of mutual funds and interest from company fixed deposits. I regularly file an ITR 2.

I had given a loan to one of my cousins, but he is neither returning the principal amount, nor paying any interest. I had, therefore, filed a legal suit against him for recovery of my dues and I incurred expenses worth Rs 45,000 for court stamp charges and advocate fees.

Can I set off this expense of Rs 45,000 against the other income from dividends and interest?

I would be obliged to have your reply. If yes, under which column should I claim it, because I cannot find any column in the new ITR 2

Ans: Low Hb definitely needs attention
First Consult a Medical specialist

Ans: No problem at present
But check your sense of smell
Eating in. Moderation is good
Check out for yours liver functions throughLFT

Ans: Insulin deficiency also makes one loose weight
Get your Peptide done to rule out Insulin def
If that turns in normal range then Consult a Nutritionist to give you good protein for lean body mass

Ans: Triglyceride this high meansyouneed first check your Thyroid levels and look at your dietary regime.
If thyroiddisorderisruledoutthen consult a Nutritionist to bring your Cholesterol down

Ans: Liver gets abused so much as every matter has to be checked by liver before entering our system. It's capability to regeneration pushes it to the limit till it get fibrotic and cirrhotic for symptoms to manifest
Liver Cirrhosis also is a lifestyledisorder
If picked up early, and intervened with right lifestyle it gets reversed.
One of the common abuse of the liver is
1.Alchohol consumptiom
2.Late dinner
Rectify these two by
1Stop alchohol
2.Early dinner by 6 pm

Ans: Not needed if you follow a healthy lifestyle. Get it done only if there are any fatuguability
Otherwise once in your annual health you can get it done

Vit D3 denotes your functioning of Liver and Kidney if you have received good Sunlight
Vit B12 denotes your gut health

Ans: A persistent belly bulge, especially in the upper belly, can sometimes be due to factors beyond diet and exercise. It might be related to posture, core muscle engagement, or even digestive issues like bloating. Here are some steps that may help:

Core-Strengthening Exercises: Practicing core-specific yoga postures, like Navasana (Boat Pose) and Ustrasana (Camel Pose), can target deeper abdominal muscles. These help to strengthen the core from within and may help reduce the bulge over time.

Breathing Techniques (Pranayama): Try Kapalabhati (Skull Shining Breath) under guidance. It stimulates digestion, improves blood flow to the abdominal area, and may reduce bloating.

Focus on Digestion: Sometimes, a bloated appearance can be related to food intolerances. Watching which foods cause bloating and eating mindfully may help.

Since results can vary, working with a yoga coach can help you get a practice tailored to address specific needs. They can help monitor progress and adjust practices for the best outcome.

Warm regards,
R. Pushpa, M.Sc (Yoga)
Online Yoga & Meditation Coach
Radiant YogaVibes
https://www.instagram.com/pushpa_radiantyogavibes/

Ans: It’s commendable that you've accumulated a diverse portfolio with a clear retirement goal. Let's evaluate if your current portfolio aligns with a secure retirement.

Portfolio Review and Income Assessment
Based on your retirement aspirations, let’s consider each component of your portfolio and its potential to generate sustainable income:

Fixed Deposits (FD): Rs 22 lakh
FD interest can serve as a steady income source, though it typically yields lower returns, which may not keep up with inflation over the long term.

Mutual Funds (MF): Rs 22 lakh, with a SIP of Rs 33,000
MFs offer potential growth and help combat inflation. Continuing your SIPs could grow this corpus further, providing higher returns than fixed-income sources.

Gold: Rs 10 lakh
Gold adds stability and can be liquidated if needed. However, it might not be the best primary income source.

Employee Provident Fund (EPF): Rs 24 lakh and Gratuity Approx Rs 10 lakh
EPF and gratuity offer safe post-retirement funds. When you withdraw, they can be used as a source of regular income or reinvested for returns.

Equity Investments: Rs 10 lakh
Your equity investments add growth potential. Over time, this can be a crucial source to combat inflation.

Rental Income: Rs 25,000 per month
Rental income provides a consistent cash flow, covering a large portion of your monthly expenses. This income will be valuable post-retirement to meet regular needs.

Expense and Income Projection
With monthly expenses at Rs 30,000–35,000, and rental income already covering most of these costs, your current lifestyle is well supported. However, to retire comfortably, a buffer for healthcare, travel, and inflation is necessary.

Strategy for Retirement Readiness
Based on your assets and expected needs, here’s a recommended approach to secure a steady retirement income:

Mutual Fund Strategy
Continuing your SIPs for the next 2-3 years will help grow your corpus further. Consider moving part of the equity-based mutual funds into debt funds close to retirement to reduce risk while generating returns.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP)
At retirement, you can initiate an SWP from your mutual fund corpus, providing a steady income. This strategy allows capital appreciation with controlled withdrawals, reducing the risk of prematurely depleting your funds.

Fixed Deposit Laddering
To maximise interest rates and ensure liquidity, consider a laddering strategy with your FDs. This will help meet emergency needs and take advantage of better rates.

Rental Income
Your rental income of Rs 25,000 is a reliable source. To protect it, ensure the property remains well-maintained and consider lease renewals with trusted tenants to maintain stability.

Contingency for Healthcare and Son’s Education
Health Insurance: Rs 10 lakh
Assess your current health cover, especially considering rising medical costs. A top-up or super top-up plan could add an extra layer of protection.

Son’s Education
Your son’s education may require additional funding. Any shortfall could be met by partial liquidation of non-core assets, like gold or FDs, if needed.

Estate and Legacy Planning
Your parental house and land provide substantial long-term security. Though not income-generating immediately, they offer future flexibility if liquidated or rented.

Final Insights
Your assets, income sources, and low monthly expenses indicate a strong readiness for retirement. With minor adjustments for healthcare and education, you can comfortably meet your goals. Continuing your current SIPs for the next few years and optimising your FD and MF corpus will help sustain your income post-retirement.

Best Regards,

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

Ans: For Long Term Investments Balanced funds is the best option where you can expect returns of 10 to 14% . Flexi cap funds are also good in that case. You can think of HDFC Balance fund or HDFC flexi cap funds. Long term is basically considered beyond 8 years of horizon. the longer the period the better the returns are.
Regards,
Nitin Narkhede
Founder & MD, Prosperity Lifestyle Hub https://Nitinnarkhede.com
Free Webinar https://bit.ly/PLH-Webinar