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Nearing 39, Single: My 1Cr Bangalore Dream Home Possible?

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 03, 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 - May 26, 2025Hindi
Money

Hi sir, I am a single working woman. I will be 39 years old in the next three months. I have 10 lacs in FD , 5lacs in savings account, 7.4 lacs in sip investment,2.24lacs in digital gold investment made last year. Also, I have 200 grams of physical gold. I have a take home salary of 77k after superannuation and PF deductions. My rent is 12k and living expenses of 8k. Like everyone I dream of having my own house someday but the rising real estate prices in Bangalore have me really concerned. Please help me plan my investments in order to buy a house of 1cr or 1.25cr in the next few years. Also please advise me on investment for my future too.

Ans: I see your dream to own a house. You also aim to build wealth for your future. Your present investments and savings show good discipline. Let me share a step-by-step plan to help you. I will guide you to balance your dream home goal and future financial stability.

Let’s get started.

1. Assessing Your Current Financial Position

Your total investments are around Rs 24.64 lakhs. This includes FD, SIPs, digital gold, physical gold, and savings account.

Your monthly income is Rs 77,000.

Your rent is Rs 12,000 and living expenses are Rs 8,000. So, total monthly expenses are Rs 20,000.

This leaves you with a surplus of Rs 57,000 per month. This surplus can be invested towards your home and future needs.

Your SIP investment of Rs 7.4 lakhs is a good start. It shows you have already begun investing in equity funds.

Your fixed deposit of Rs 10 lakhs provides some safety. But it earns low interest.

Digital gold of Rs 2.24 lakhs and physical gold of 200 grams is good for diversification. But gold should not be the main investment for your house purchase.

2. Setting a Realistic House Purchase Goal

You wish to buy a house of Rs 1 crore to Rs 1.25 crore in Bangalore.

It is a big goal. It will need a big down payment and a home loan.

Usually, banks give 80% of the house value as loan. You need to arrange at least 20% as down payment.

For a Rs 1 crore house, you need at least Rs 20 lakhs as down payment.

For a Rs 1.25 crore house, you need Rs 25 lakhs as down payment.

Besides this, there will be registration, interior and moving costs. These can be Rs 5 lakhs to Rs 10 lakhs more.

So, let’s target a down payment corpus of Rs 30 lakhs in 3-4 years.

3. Build a Focused Down Payment Fund

Your current investments can be partly used for this down payment. But you must invest more each month to reach Rs 30 lakhs.

Let us assign Rs 40,000 per month from your surplus for this.

Invest in a mix of debt and equity funds for 3-4 years. This can provide better returns than FD.

Do not invest the down payment money fully in equity funds. Equity funds can be volatile. Combine debt and equity to reduce risk.

Avoid direct mutual fund plans. They do not offer guidance. You may not track them properly. Instead, invest through a mutual fund distributor who works with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). Regular plans have slightly higher costs but give you handholding and proper fund selection. This can be more helpful in achieving your house goal safely.

4. Managing Your Other Goals and Safety Nets

Apart from the house, you must also plan for your future.

Create an emergency fund. Your 5 lakhs in savings account and FD are good for emergencies.

However, consider keeping at least 6 months of expenses in a separate liquid fund or short-term debt fund. This can help in emergencies like job loss or medical issues.

Your retirement is also important. At 39, you have 20 years to retirement.

You can allocate Rs 10,000 per month from your surplus towards a retirement corpus. This can be done in equity mutual funds as this is a long-term goal.

Do not rely only on fixed deposits for retirement. FDs give low returns and lose value to inflation.

Equity mutual funds are better for long-term wealth creation. They beat inflation and help you build a bigger corpus for retirement.

5. Review of Your Gold Investments

Your digital gold and physical gold worth 200 grams are a good hedge.

However, gold prices are volatile and depend on global factors.

Do not depend on gold for your house purchase corpus.

Keep the gold as an additional asset. Do not increase gold allocation further.

6. Investment Strategy for Future Stability

Continue your SIPs in equity mutual funds for retirement and wealth building.

Do not stop SIPs even if markets go down. They can recover in the long run and give better returns.

Since you already have Rs 7.4 lakhs in SIPs, add more to reach Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 monthly SIPs. This will boost your retirement corpus.

Choose actively managed mutual funds instead of index funds. Index funds have limited flexibility. They do not protect your capital during market falls. Actively managed funds are managed by skilled fund managers. They can reduce losses and improve returns.

7. Avoid Direct Mutual Funds and Invest with Guidance

Direct mutual fund plans may look cheaper. But they lack guidance.

Regular plans through an MFD with CFP help you select better funds. They provide periodic reviews and help you rebalance.

They give comfort and discipline in your investment journey.

8. Tax Implications and Planning

For equity mutual funds, long-term capital gains above Rs 1.25 lakhs are taxed at 12.5%.

Short-term capital gains are taxed at 20%.

For debt mutual funds, gains are taxed as per your income tax slab.

Plan your investments to minimise taxes. Avoid frequent selling in equity funds.

Hold funds for at least 3 years for debt and 1 year for equity to save tax.

9. Health Insurance and Life Cover

Make sure you have adequate health insurance. A single hospitalisation can drain your savings.

If you do not have a personal health insurance policy, take one now. Take a cover of at least Rs 10 lakhs.

If you have dependents or family, you must have a term life cover. Term plans are low cost and protect your family.

10. Steps to Reach Your Dream House and Financial Freedom

Allocate Rs 40,000 per month to a balanced fund approach for down payment.

Allocate Rs 10,000-15,000 per month to equity mutual funds for retirement.

Keep at least Rs 3-4 lakhs in liquid funds or short-term debt funds as an emergency buffer.

Review your investments every 6 months with a Certified Financial Planner.

Do not withdraw from your retirement SIPs for house purchase.

Avoid investing in real estate as an investment option. Real estate has high costs, poor liquidity and low returns compared to equity funds.

Focus on building liquid, diversified investments in mutual funds.

11. Emotional Discipline and Mindset

Remember, markets will go up and down. Do not panic and stop SIPs when markets are low.

Continue to invest regularly. Markets recover over time.

Having a Certified Financial Planner helps you stay calm and on track.

Avoid chasing fancy investment options like crypto or untested start-ups. They are risky.

12. Putting it All Together

Rs 40,000 monthly for house down payment fund.

Rs 10,000-15,000 monthly in SIPs for retirement.

Rs 3-4 lakhs in liquid funds for emergencies.

Keep existing gold as backup but do not add more.

Do not rely on direct mutual funds. Regular plans with guidance are better for you.

Review and rebalance every 6 months.

Finally

Your dream of owning a home is achievable. You have strong savings habits and a good surplus. With a structured plan and discipline, you can make your dream come true in 3-4 years.

Invest in a balanced way. Use debt and equity mix for the down payment. Use equity mutual funds for long-term goals. Avoid real estate investments beyond your own home.

A Certified Financial Planner can help you plan each step. They ensure you are not alone in this journey. They can help you avoid mistakes and stay on track.

Your investments will also give you a secure future. Retirement, health, and life safety nets will be in place.

Stay focused, stay patient, and you will own your dream home.

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 Nov 25, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 22, 2024Hindi
Money
Hello Ramalingam Ji, I am 44 years old, working in IT and live in Bengaluru. I am unmarried at this moment. I live in a rented house. Here are my investments breakups - 1.45 Cr in Equity Shares, 5 Lakhs in MF, 27 Lakhs in PPF, 20 Lakhs in EPF, 7 Lakhs in NPS, and 14 Lakhs in FD as an Emergency Fund. I have a health insurance of 30L apart from the office provided one. My monthly in hand salary about 2.2 Lakhs. And my monthly expenses including rent, insurances, sports/gym subscription, food and others comes about 75 - 80 Thousands a month. I invest 1.1 Lakhs in equity shares, 18 Thousands in RDs to meet my certain onetime expenditures in a years such as insurances, internet payments etc. I do not have any loans. How do you think I should go about so I could purchase a house/flat as well as have enough investments using which I could live comfortably. I also want to know if at all possible to retire by 50 or 55 years? will it even makes sense purchasing a house/flat since I have no one after me. Thanking you in advanced.
Ans: You are in a strong financial position. You have diverse investments and stable income. Your disciplined approach reflects a clear financial vision.

This response provides detailed insights into buying a house, early retirement, and optimising your investments.

Understanding Your Current Financial Health
1. Investments and Emergency Funds

Rs 1.45 crore in equity is a significant achievement.

Your Rs 14 lakh emergency fund is well-planned. It ensures liquidity during emergencies.

 

2. Monthly Income and Expenses

You save and invest a substantial portion of your Rs 2.2 lakh monthly salary.

Expenses are well-balanced, leaving you with Rs 1.1 lakh for investments.

 

3. Health Insurance Coverage

You have Rs 30 lakh health insurance, which safeguards against medical emergencies.

Office-provided insurance adds additional security.

House Purchase Consideration
1. Evaluate the Need for a House

A house is not necessary unless it enhances your quality of life.

With no dependents, consider renting for flexibility.

 

2. Financial Implications of Buying a House

Buying a house requires a long-term financial commitment.

EMIs will reduce your ability to save and invest aggressively.

 

3. Alternative Options

Continue renting if the cost is reasonable and suits your lifestyle.

Investing the funds earmarked for a house can yield better returns over time.

Early Retirement by 50 or 55
1. Analyse Monthly Expenses Post-Retirement

Estimate future monthly expenses, considering inflation.

Rs 75,000 today could become Rs 1.5 lakh in 15 years.

 

2. Calculate the Required Corpus

To withdraw Rs 1.5 lakh monthly, you need Rs 4.5 crore.

This corpus ensures financial independence throughout retirement.

 

3. Utilise Current Investments for Growth

Your investments in equity, MF, PPF, EPF, and NPS must compound consistently.

Diversify your portfolio to balance growth and stability.

Investment Optimisation
1. Focus on Equity Mutual Funds

Increase your MF investments for long-term growth.

Actively managed funds offer higher returns compared to index funds.

 

2. Avoid Direct Mutual Funds

Direct funds lack professional guidance and may lead to errors.

Regular funds through a Certified Financial Planner ensure optimised returns.

 

3. Maximise NPS Contributions

NPS provides additional tax benefits under Section 80CCD(1B).

It supports your retirement corpus with equity exposure and lower risk.

 

4. Reassess Fixed Deposits

Rs 14 lakh in FDs offers safety but lower returns.

Shift a portion to debt funds or balanced funds for better inflation protection.

Emergency Fund and Risk Management
1. Maintain Adequate Liquidity

Keep six months' expenses in liquid investments like FDs or short-term funds.

This ensures quick access to funds during emergencies.

 

2. Evaluate Insurance Adequacy

Your current health cover of Rs 30 lakh is sufficient.

Ensure critical illness or personal accident cover if not already included.

Retirement Income Planning
1. Generate Passive Income

Explore dividend-paying funds for steady income during retirement.

Consider systematic withdrawal plans (SWPs) post-retirement for tax efficiency.

 

2. Ladder Your Investments

Align investments to meet milestones like early retirement and healthcare needs.

Staggered withdrawals reduce risks during market downturns.

Tax Planning
1. Optimise Tax Benefits

Maximise contributions to tax-saving instruments like PPF and NPS.

Consider tax-efficient mutual fund categories to reduce liability.

 

2. Understand Capital Gains Taxation

Equity mutual funds' LTCG above Rs 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.

Short-term gains attract 20% tax, so plan redemptions wisely.

Final Insights
Early retirement and comfortable living are achievable for you. Focus on growing your corpus with equity and balanced investments. Renting a house is practical if buying doesn't align with your goals. Work with a Certified Financial Planner to optimise your investments and ensure a secure financial future.

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 May 15, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - May 14, 2025
Money
Hi Sir, I am 36years old with 14years of IT Experience drawing take home 1.75 lakhs per month. Below are my monthly expenses structure: House Rent: 30k Land and Vehicle Loan: 35k SIP: 40k Credit Cards: Monthly Groceries - 10k + Miscellaneous Recurrent Deposit: 25k --> Term and Insurance Policy Amount Fuel Charges: 2k ( Bike, Car) Other EMI: 10k EPF : 10lakhs. We are planning to buy a house for self use. I have zero cash or savings for booking house in Bangalore. Can you please suggest me to fulfill my dream house to purchase.
Ans: You are earning well. You have built good discipline in SIP and insurance savings. Buying a house in Bangalore is a worthy goal. But there are few important steps needed before that. Let us now assess your full situation in a structured and complete manner.

Please go through this detailed and step-by-step assessment.

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Monthly Income and Commitments
Take-home salary is Rs. 1.75 lakhs. This gives you a strong cash flow base.

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Your EMI for land and vehicle is Rs. 35,000.

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You are investing Rs. 40,000 in SIPs. This shows your long-term vision.

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Recurring deposit of Rs. 25,000 is mostly for insurance. That needs a closer review.

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Groceries and other house needs cost Rs. 10,000 monthly.

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You spend Rs. 2,000 for fuel. This is modest and manageable.

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Another Rs. 10,000 is going in some EMI. We need to examine this EMI purpose.

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EPF corpus is Rs. 10 lakhs. This is a good start for long term wealth.

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You have zero cash savings. This is a concern for your dream house plan.

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House rent is Rs. 30,000. This is already similar to a future home EMI.

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Let us now examine your expenses and priorities closely.

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Cash Flow Optimisation Needed
Total fixed monthly outgo is more than Rs. 1.50 lakhs.

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Only Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000 remains for flexible use.

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This is a red flag if you wish to buy a house soon.

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Most of your salary is already committed.

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There is no margin for booking advance or emergencies.

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You need to first create surplus from within.

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Action Plan to Free Up Cash
Review your SIP of Rs. 40,000. Reduce it by Rs. 20,000 for 12 months.

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Stop the RD of Rs. 25,000 for now. Focus should be on building cash reserve.

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Review the Rs. 10,000 EMI. If it’s for consumer loan, close it faster.

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Set a goal to build Rs. 5 lakhs in cash over next 12–15 months.

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Create a separate SB account only for dream house booking.

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Put this Rs. 45,000 monthly surplus into that SB account.

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This gives you house booking power in a year.

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Review of Existing Insurance and RD
If your RD is linked to insurance policy, recheck the plan.

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If it is a ULIP or traditional plan, surrender value needs to be evaluated.

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Most insurance-cum-investment plans give poor returns.

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You may continue the term policy separately. Term cover is essential.

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A Certified Financial Planner can analyse the surrender value of this RD-linked policy.

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If value is decent, surrender and invest smartly into mutual funds.

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Mutual funds have better flexibility and potential growth.

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Always invest through regular plan via an MFD with CFP credential.

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This way, you get support and strategic reviews.

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About Buying a House in Bangalore
It’s a great life goal and worth working towards.

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But do not rush to buy without down payment ready.

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Don’t take personal loan for booking. It adds more stress.

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A 15% to 20% booking amount is usually needed.

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For a Rs. 80 lakh property, you need Rs. 12 to 15 lakhs ready.

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This will come only if SIPs and RDs are optimised.

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Take 12 months to prepare. Don't hurry.

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Ensure emergency fund of Rs. 2 lakhs before booking house.

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After that, move steadily into home loan with good credit score.

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Keep EMI within 40% of net income. This is very important.

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Don’t stretch EMI to 50% or more. It affects your cash flow and life quality.

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You are already paying Rs. 35,000 as EMI. So plan EMI mix carefully.

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Ideally, complete your land and vehicle loan before you take housing loan.

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This gives breathing space for new EMI.

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Also, rent will stop once house is ready. So EMI becomes easier to handle.

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About Zero Cash Savings
This is a clear weakness in your current setup.

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Start with Rs. 1 lakh goal for emergency fund in 6 months.

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Use FD or liquid mutual fund for short-term savings.

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Emergency fund is non-negotiable. It protects your long-term goals.

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Once Rs. 1 lakh is built, keep adding every month.

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Don’t touch SIPs after 1 year. Let them grow long term.

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After house booking, start SIP again with new strength.

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Always keep 3 to 6 months of expenses as buffer savings.

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Cash savings help avoid personal loans in future.

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Smart Steps for 12-Month Plan
Step 1: Reduce SIP by Rs. 20,000 for 12 months.

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Step 2: Pause RD and evaluate policy. Consider surrender if needed.

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Step 3: Stop EMI if it is not productive. Check if loan can be closed early.

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Step 4: Save Rs. 45,000 monthly towards house booking.

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Step 5: Build Rs. 5 lakhs in one year. Also build Rs. 1 lakh emergency fund.

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Step 6: After that, check loan eligibility and credit score.

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Step 7: Resume SIPs after house plan is on track.

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Step 8: Avoid credit card balance buildup. Pay full dues every month.

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Step 9: Increase EPF or NPS later for retirement focus.

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Step 10: Don’t invest in direct mutual funds. Use regular plan through MFD with CFP.

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Long-Term Discipline Suggestions
House is not your final goal. Think about retirement and child education too.

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Don’t pause all wealth-building activities for just one goal.

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Protect your family with a term insurance. Not with investment policies.

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Keep health insurance separate and updated.

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Review your EPF nominations and update them.

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Do not over depend on EPF alone. Build outside wealth too.

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Use goal-based mutual fund strategy for future plans.

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Keep one goal, one SIP. This creates clarity.

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Rebalance your portfolio every year with help from MFD with CFP.

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Avoid direct stocks unless you have time and knowledge.

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Stay away from ULIPs and traditional insurance savings.

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These plans block your liquidity and give low return.

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They also come with poor surrender value in early years.

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Final Insights
You are earning well. You have the right intention. But your cash flow is tightly blocked now.

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Cut down unnecessary fixed commitments for next 12 months.

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Focus on cash savings, house booking fund, and emergency buffer.

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Pause some investments for short time to focus on bigger life goal.

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SIP and EPF can continue later with better balance.

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Get your housing plan on track with right preparation.

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Don’t buy in a hurry and later feel trapped.

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Work on discipline, patience and plan step-by-step.

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Buy your dream house only when your cash flow is ready.

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Make sure home EMI replaces rent. Not in addition to rent.

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And always protect your future with diversified wealth creation.

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Stay consistent. Take guidance when needed. You will achieve your dream.

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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 02, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - May 27, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi sir, I am a single working woman. I will be 39 years old in the next three months. I have 10 lacs in FD , 5lacs in savings account, 7.4 lacs in sip investment made last year,2.24lacs in digital gold and 1.6lacs in stocks investment made this year. Also, I have 200 grams of physical gold. I have a take home salary of 77k after superannuation and PF deductions. My rent is 12k and living expenses of 8k. Like everyone I dream of having my own house someday but the rising real estate prices in Bangalore have me really concerned. Please help me plan my investments in order to buy a house of 1cr or 1.25cr in the next few years. Also please advise me on investment for my future too.
Ans: You have made good progress with your investments so far. Let’s assess your situation carefully and create a plan to help you buy your dream house and secure your future.

Current Financial Position Assessment
You have Rs. 10 lakhs in fixed deposits, providing safety but low growth.

Rs. 5 lakhs in savings account offers liquidity but almost no returns.

SIP investments of Rs. 7.4 lakhs started last year show your risk-taking ability.

Digital gold holding of Rs. 2.24 lakhs and 200 grams of physical gold give you diversification.

Stocks investment of Rs. 1.6 lakhs shows your interest in direct equity.

Monthly take-home salary is Rs. 77,000 after deductions.

Your monthly rent is Rs. 12,000, and living expenses Rs. 8,000, which are well-controlled.

Overall, your savings and investment habits are balanced but need alignment with your goals.

Goal: Buying a House of Rs. 1 - 1.25 Crore
Real estate prices in Bangalore are high and rising, making direct property investment costly.

Instead of investing more in real estate now, focus on building a large investment corpus.

You will need a sizeable down payment to reduce future home loan burden.

Considering your monthly surplus, a disciplined and planned investment strategy is essential.

Avoid parking excessive money in low-return fixed deposits when your goal is capital growth.

Equity-oriented investments can help you grow your corpus faster over 5-7 years.

Balanced allocation between equity and debt funds is necessary to manage risk and returns.

Investment Strategy for Home Purchase
Increase your monthly SIP amount progressively to build corpus faster.

Choose actively managed mutual funds for better growth potential and risk control.

Avoid index funds as they track the market passively and may not beat inflation well.

Digital and physical gold should remain part of your portfolio for diversification but not dominate.

Keep part of your investments in debt funds or safe instruments to protect capital.

Rebalance your portfolio annually to maintain the desired equity-debt ratio.

Avoid lump sum investing; prefer systematic investments for disciplined growth.

Maintain liquidity equivalent to 6 months expenses for emergencies.

Planning for Your Future Financial Security
Your current investments are a good start but need a long-term growth focus.

Aim to increase equity investments to build wealth over the next 15-20 years.

Diversify across large-cap, mid-cap, and multi-cap actively managed funds.

Review your stock portfolio regularly for quality and performance.

Avoid putting all money in direct stocks; mutual funds offer better diversification.

Consider health and life insurance coverage if not already adequate.

Build a retirement corpus by increasing SIPs or investing lump sums when possible.

Managing Fixed Deposits and Savings Account
Fixed deposits offer safety but reduce overall portfolio growth.

Consider gradually reducing FD and reallocating to better performing funds.

Savings account balance should be sufficient for monthly expenses and emergencies only.

Excess cash can be used to increase SIPs or invest in debt mutual funds.

Tax Efficiency in Investments
Equity mutual funds attract long-term capital gains tax above Rs. 1.25 lakhs at 12.5%.

Debt mutual funds are taxed as per your income slab rates.

Plan your redemptions to minimize tax impact and maintain growth.

Investing through Certified Financial Planner ensures proper tax planning and fund selection.

Role of Certified Financial Planner in Your Investments
CFP guides you in selecting suitable funds and monitoring performance.

They help rebalance portfolio as per market conditions and personal goals.

CFP ensures you do not make impulsive investment decisions.

They help align your financial plan with your risk tolerance and time horizon.

Debt and Liability Considerations
You currently have no major loan but plan for future home loan prudently.

Avoid borrowing more than 30-40% of your monthly income.

Maintain good credit score for better loan terms when required.

Emergency Fund and Liquidity Planning
Maintain emergency fund equal to at least 6 months of your expenses.

Keep this fund in liquid and safe instruments for easy access.

Do not use emergency fund for investments or loan repayment.

Risk and Return Balance in Portfolio
Equity funds carry market risk but offer higher returns long term.

Debt funds reduce volatility but deliver moderate returns.

Gold helps hedge against inflation but can be volatile in short term.

Physical gold has storage and security considerations; balance with digital gold.

Regular Review and Goal Tracking
Review your portfolio every 6-12 months to check performance.

Adjust SIP amounts based on salary growth and expense changes.

Track your progress towards house corpus and retirement corpus separately.

Use technology or CFP support for portfolio monitoring.

Final Insights
You have a strong financial base; focus now on aligning investments to your goals.

Increase equity mutual fund SIPs gradually to build the house corpus.

Maintain balance with debt funds and gold for stability.

Avoid investing more in real estate now; build corpus first.

Plan home loan after accumulating a sizeable down payment.

Secure your future by focusing on retirement and emergency funds.

Work with a Certified Financial Planner to fine-tune your investment plan.

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 May 28, 2025

Money
Hi sir, I am a single working woman. I will be 39 years old in the next three months. I have 10 lacs in FD , 5lacs in savings account, 7.4 lacs in sip investment made systematically over one year,2.24lacs in digital gold and 1.6lacs in stocks investment made this year. Also, I have 200 grams of physical gold. I have a take home salary of 77k after superannuation and PF deductions. My rent is 12k and living expenses of 8k. My monthly contribution to sip is 32k and digital gold is 5k.Like everyone I dream of having my own house someday but the rising real estate prices in Bangalore have me really concerned. Please help me plan my investments in order to buy a house of 1cr or 1.25cr in the next few years. Also please advise me on investment for my future too.
Ans: Thank you for sharing such clear and thoughtful details about your current financial situation. It reflects your discipline and commitment to creating a secure future for yourself. Let us now build a structured investment plan, with special focus on two key goals — buying a house and long-term financial security.

Please note, I will not recommend real estate investment. Instead, I will help you grow wealth with more control and less risk.

Let us start your 360-degree financial planning journey in a detailed and practical manner.



Your Current Financial Snapshot

You are 39 and single, with full financial independence.



You have a monthly take-home salary of Rs. 77,000 after all deductions.



Your current SIP contribution is Rs. 32,000 every month, which is quite high. Very good.



You also invest Rs. 5,000 monthly in digital gold.



You live on a modest rent of Rs. 12,000 and daily expenses of Rs. 8,000. Great control.



You have Rs. 10 lakh in FD and Rs. 5 lakh in savings. This gives you a cash reserve of Rs. 15 lakh.



You have 200 grams of physical gold and Rs. 2.24 lakh in digital gold.



You have stocks worth Rs. 1.6 lakh and Rs. 7.4 lakh in mutual fund SIPs.



You aim to buy a house worth Rs. 1 crore to Rs. 1.25 crore in a few years.



Your portfolio shows balance, safety, and a good effort toward growth. Let us now build on this strength.



Step-by-Step Review of Your Portfolio



Emergency Fund Allocation

You are keeping Rs. 5 lakh in savings account. This is good for emergency use.



Your FD of Rs. 10 lakh is also low-risk and liquid.



Together, you have 15 lakh emergency backup. That is very strong.



You don’t need to increase this further. This is more than 12 months of expenses.



Instead of plain FD, you may use short-term debt mutual funds. They may give better returns.



But you must invest through MFD with a Certified Financial Planner for safer fund choices.



SIP Contributions Review

You are investing Rs. 32,000 monthly in mutual funds through SIPs.



You also invest Rs. 5,000 in digital gold monthly.



Your SIP amount is around 42% of your take-home salary. Very impressive commitment.



This may be too aggressive if your goal is a house in 5 years.



A part of this should move to safer hybrid or short-term funds.



Too much in equity SIP for short-term goals is risky.



Digital Gold and Physical Gold Holdings

You have 200 grams physical gold. This is around Rs. 13 lakh at current value.



You also have Rs. 2.24 lakh in digital gold.



And you invest Rs. 5,000 every month into digital gold.



Total gold holding is over 20% of your total net worth.



That is slightly on the higher side. Reduce new investment in gold.



Use that amount towards building a diversified mutual fund plan.



Gold should not be more than 10-12% of your portfolio ideally.



Stock Market Investment

You have Rs. 1.6 lakh invested in direct stocks this year.



Direct stock investing carries high risk, especially without full research.



You may continue small allocation here, but limit it to 5% of your portfolio.



Mutual funds are safer as they are actively managed by experts.



Index funds are passive. They don’t work well in sideways markets.



Active mutual funds give better opportunities in dynamic Indian markets.



Do SIPs in regular funds through Certified Financial Planners only. You get ongoing support.



FD and Savings Balances

Rs. 10 lakh FD is good for safety. But return is lower than inflation.



You can move Rs. 5 lakh into ultra short-term debt funds.



These are better than FDs for short- to medium-term goals.



You can still keep Rs. 5 lakh in savings and FD combined.



That is enough liquidity for medical and emergency needs.



House Buying Plan – Rs. 1 Crore Target

You want to buy a house worth Rs. 1 crore to Rs. 1.25 crore.



You must plan for down payment of at least Rs. 20 to Rs. 25 lakh.



Rest will come from a home loan.



You are currently saving well. You can reach this down payment goal in 4–5 years.



Shift some SIPs into balanced advantage funds or equity and debt hybrid funds.



These give better safety for medium-term goals.



Use Rs. 5–6 lakh from your existing FD after 4 years for down payment.



Do not sell gold for down payment unless absolutely needed.



Loan EMI should be below 30% of your salary. Don’t over-leverage.



Banks may approve up to 40%, but that’s risky for single income.



Prefer house only after you have 25% in hand and job stability.



Future Retirement and Financial Security

You are 39 now. So you still have 18–20 years to retirement.



You must start a separate SIP goal for retirement planning.



Use equity mutual funds with long-term focus and low churn.



Avoid direct funds. They don’t give any hand-holding support.



Regular mutual funds give personalised help from Certified Financial Planner.



Regular plans also come with fund monitoring and switching support.



They help you make better decisions in market falls.



Plan Rs. 10,000 per month towards this retirement corpus goal.



Use lump sum from savings to boost this corpus once house goal is done.



Other Goals and Life Planning

You may plan for medical insurance if not already taken.



Get at least Rs. 10 lakh health cover. Buy it personally, not only from employer.



Also take personal accident cover. It is cheap and important.



Create a basic Will. Mention nominees for all investments.



Update your financial records regularly. Maintain one file for all logins and folios.



Do not invest in ULIP, LIC endowment, or insurance policies as investment.



They give very poor returns and no flexibility. SIP in mutual funds is better.



If you have any such policies, consider surrendering and reinvesting in mutual funds.



How to Reorganise Your Portfolio

Keep Rs. 5 lakh in savings and FD combined. Use rest from FD for investment.



Stop digital gold SIP. No need to grow gold exposure now.



Out of Rs. 32,000 SIP, move Rs. 15,000 into medium-risk hybrid funds.



Continue Rs. 10,000 SIP in long-term equity funds.



Start new Rs. 10,000 SIP for retirement goal.



Review direct stocks annually. Don’t trade often.



Invest any annual bonus or extra income into your future corpus.



Make sure all SIPs are in regular plans with Certified Financial Planner support.



Avoid index ETFs or Nifty Bees. They don’t manage downside or capital risk.



Don’t aim to time the market. Focus on discipline and long-term horizon.



Tax Implications to Keep in Mind

LTCG from equity mutual funds above Rs. 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.



STCG from equity is taxed at 20%.



Debt funds are taxed as per your income slab.



Plan redemptions smartly to reduce tax burden.



Use systematic withdrawal plans post-retirement to avoid lump sum tax hit.



Finally

You are doing excellent so far with your investments.



Your saving and investing habits are strong and forward-looking.



Just shift some SIPs to safer funds for house goal.



Reduce gold buying now and increase retirement investing.



Stick to regular funds with planner support. Avoid direct and index options.



Continue being disciplined, and your financial dreams will take shape soon.



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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