sir my son has just started earning and i want to save some amount from his salary to send him for higher studies.Kindly advise how i could do so.Now i am putting 20 thousand in FD from his salary every month.Kindly advise

Ans: planning for your child's education is a heartfelt commitment. Here’s a tailored strategy for you:

Investment Horizon: You have approximately 5 years to reach your goal. This is a medium-term horizon, and considering this, a balanced approach is advisable.
Monthly Savings: To accumulate 15 lakhs in 5 years, you would need to save around 25,000 per month, assuming an annual return of 10%. This is a ballpark figure and can vary based on market conditions and fund performance.
Investment Options:
Equity Mutual Funds: Given the 5-year horizon, equity funds can offer potentially higher returns. Opt for a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and multi-cap funds to diversify and spread risk.
Debt Mutual Funds: To add stability to your portfolio, consider allocating a portion to debt funds or fixed-income instruments.
Tax Efficiency: Look for tax-saving mutual funds under Section 80C if you haven’t exhausted the limit. This can provide tax benefits and align with your investment goal.
Asset Allocation:
Equity: 60-70% for growth potential.
Debt: 30-40% for stability and capital preservation.
Review & Adjust: Periodically review your investments to ensure they are on track to meet your goal. If needed, adjust your investments based on performance and market conditions.
Education Inflation: Keep in mind the inflation rate for education expenses, which tends to be higher than general inflation. Adjust your savings goal periodically to account for this.
Emergency Fund: While saving for your child's education, ensure you have an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses. This will prevent you from dipping into your education savings.
Remember, the key to achieving your goal is disciplined saving, informed investing, and regular monitoring. Your dedication to your son’s education is commendable, and with prudent planning, you can certainly realize this dream. Best wishes for your savings journey!

Ans: Given your monthly income, expenses, and family responsibilities, it's essential to start saving and investing for your child's future education. Here's a simple plan to help you get started:

Budgeting and Savings:

Track Expenses: Monitor your monthly expenses to identify areas where you can reduce spending and increase savings.
Emergency Fund: Build an emergency fund equivalent to 3-6 months of expenses in a liquid and accessible form to handle unexpected expenses without tapping into your investments.
Start SIPs for Child's Education:

Investment Amount: Allocate a portion of your monthly savings towards SIPs in mutual funds to build a corpus for your child's education.
Asset Allocation: Consider a balanced allocation between equity and debt mutual funds based on your risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial goals.
Investment Duration: Start SIPs with a long-term perspective (e.g., 10-15 years) to benefit from the power of compounding and potential market growth.
Education Planning:

Calculate Future Expenses: Estimate the future cost of education for your children based on the current cost and expected inflation rate.
Investment Goal: Set a specific investment goal and target amount to achieve by the time your children reach college age.
Regular Review: Periodically review and adjust your SIPs and investment strategy to stay on track towards achieving your education savings goal.
Insurance Coverage:

Life Insurance: Ensure you have adequate life insurance coverage to provide financial security to your family in case of any unforeseen events.
Health Insurance: Invest in a comprehensive health insurance plan to cover medical expenses and ensure your family's well-being.
Recommendation:

Start Early: Begin investing as early as possible to benefit from the power of compounding and achieve your education savings goal.
Systematic Investment: Start SIPs in mutual funds to build a disciplined saving habit and accumulate wealth over time.
Financial Discipline: Maintain financial discipline, avoid unnecessary expenses, and stay committed to your investment plan to achieve your financial goals.
Consult with a financial advisor to create a personalized education savings plan tailored to your needs, helping you achieve your financial goals and secure your children's future.

Ans: While your monthly salary is Rs 1 lakh, the surplus available after expenses is not known. But to give you an idea about how much would the investment requirement for both kids, we can run a simulation.

For the elder child aged 13 years, you have about 5 years to save money. If we assume a goal cost of Rs 20 lakh (in today's value) and adjust it for 10% inflation over the next 5 years, then the corpus required in 5 years will be about Rs 32 lakh. And since details of existing savings aren't available, then at 50:50 Equity:Debt allocation, you will need to start investing Rs 37,500 per month. And this amount needs to be increased by at least 5% each year (assuming similar growth in income) for the next 10 years.

Similarly for the younger child aged 8 years, you have about 10 years to save money. If we assume a goal cost of Rs 20 lakh (in today's value) and adjust it for 10% inflation over the next 10 years, then the corpus required in 10 years will be about Rs 52 lakh. And since details of existing savings aren't available, then at 75:25 Equity:Debt allocation, you will need to start investing Rs 20,500 per month. And this amount needs to be increased by at least 5% each year (assuming similar growth in income) for the next 10 years.

We don't have information about your risk appetite. But assuming that it is at least moderately aggressive, then, you can start investing in a combination of largecap index funds, flexicap funds, midcap funds.

Thanks
Dev Ashish,
SEBI Registered Investment Advisor (Fee-Only RIA)
Founder, StableInvestor.com
Twitter (@Stableinvestor)

Note (Disclaimer) - As a SEBI RIA, I cannot comment on specific schemes/funds that are provided or asked for in the questions in the platform. And the views expressed above should not be considered professional investment advice or advertisement or otherwise. No specific product/service recommendations have been made and the answers here are for general educational purposes only. The readers are requested to take into consideration all the risk factors including their financial condition, suitability to risk-return profile and the like and take professional investment advice before investing.

Ans: Saving for Your Children's Higher Education


Understanding Your Needs

Given your annual income and monthly take-home, saving for your children's higher education is a commendable goal. To create a solid plan, consider the following:

• Estimated Costs: Research the projected costs of higher education for the courses your children might pursue. This includes tuition fees, living expenses, and other related costs.
• Time Horizon: Determine how many years you have to save. This will depend on your children's ages and their planned start dates for higher education.

Investment Strategies

Here are some effective investment strategies to consider:

1. Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) in Equity Mutual Funds:

• Benefits: Offers regular investment, potential for higher returns, and tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
• Considerations: Involves market risk, and returns can fluctuate.

2. Public Provident Fund (PPF):

• Benefits: Provides guaranteed returns, tax benefits, and a long-term investment horizon.
• Considerations: Lower potential returns compared to equity funds.

3. National Pension Scheme (NPS):

• Benefits: Offers tax benefits, a pension plan, and the option to invest in various asset classes.
• Considerations: Lock-in period and potential for lower returns in certain asset classes.

4. Child Education Plans:

• Benefits: Often offer a combination of insurance and investment components.
• Considerations: Can be more expensive and may have limited flexibility.

5. Additional Tips

• Start Early: The earlier you start saving, the more time your investments have to grow.
• Diversify Your Investments: Spread your investments across different asset classes to manage risk.
• Review and Adjust Your Plan: Regularly assess your financial situation and adjust your investment strategy as needed.
• Consider Education Loans: As a backup plan, explore education loan options if you fall short of your savings goals.

6. Consulting a Financial Advisor

For personalised advice and to create a tailored plan, consider consulting a financial advisor. They can help you assess your risk tolerance, recommend suitable investment options, and track your progress toward your savings goals.

By following these guidelines and making consistent contributions to your savings, you can significantly increase your chances of providing your children with the financial resources they need for their higher education.