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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 20, 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
Asked by Anonymous - May 13, 2024Hindi
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I have started investing in mf from last year. I am 33. I have saved 1 lac in mf till now. I want to start sip so that after 20 years I want 2 crores in portfolio. How should I plan

Ans: Charting Your Path to Financial Success: Insights from a Certified Financial Planner
Congratulations on taking the first step towards building wealth through mutual fund investments at the age of 33! Your commitment to long-term financial growth is commendable and sets the stage for achieving your ambitious goal of accumulating 2 crores in your portfolio over the next 20 years. Let's embark on this journey together and explore the strategies to make your vision a reality.

Defining Your Financial Blueprint:
Before delving into specific strategies, it's crucial to establish a clear blueprint for your financial journey. Here's how we can proceed:

Clarity of Purpose: Define your financial goals with utmost clarity and precision. Visualize the life you desire to create through your investments and let that vision guide your actions.

Burning Desire: Cultivate a burning desire to achieve your goals. Let your passion for financial success fuel your determination and commitment to take consistent action towards your objectives.

Mastermind Alliance: Surround yourself with a supportive network of like-minded individuals who share your vision for financial abundance. Collaborate, learn, and grow together as you navigate the path to wealth creation.

Crafting Your Investment Strategy:
With a solid foundation in place, let's craft a tailored investment strategy to realize your goal of accumulating 2 crores in your portfolio over the next 20 years:

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP): Start a disciplined SIP regimen to harness the power of compounding and accumulate wealth systematically over time. Consistent monthly investments, combined with the magic of compounding, will work wonders in growing your portfolio.

Diversified Portfolio: Build a well-diversified portfolio by investing in a mix of equity and debt mutual funds. Equities offer the potential for higher returns over the long term, while debt funds provide stability and income generation.

Asset Allocation: Strike the right balance between risk and reward by allocating your investments across different asset classes based on your risk tolerance and investment horizon. Adjust your asset allocation periodically to align with changing market conditions and life stages.

Cultivating a Success Mindset:
As you embark on your journey towards financial success, cultivate a success mindset that empowers you to overcome challenges and stay focused on your goals:

Positive Mental Attitude: Maintain a positive mental attitude in the face of adversity. Embrace setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning, and keep moving forward with unwavering determination.

Persistence: Stay committed to your financial goals, even in the face of obstacles. Adopt a never-give-up attitude and persevere until you achieve the results you desire.

Continuous Learning: Invest in your financial education and strive to expand your knowledge and skills. Stay updated on market trends, investment strategies, and personal finance best practices to make informed decisions.

Conclusion: Embracing the Journey to Wealth
In conclusion, by following the principles of clarity, desire, and collaboration, coupled with a disciplined investment strategy and a success mindset, you're well-equipped to achieve your goal of accumulating 2 crores in your portfolio over the next 20 years. Embrace the journey with enthusiasm, determination, and unwavering faith in your ability to create the financial future you desire.

Warm 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.
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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 09, 2024

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Hello Dev, I am 32 years old and would like to start SIP for 5k per month to create retirement corpus of 1 crore. Also would like to generate 30 lacs in another 10 years for closing housing loan. Already have three MF SIP as below. Quant active fund 1000 Quant ELSS tax saver fund 500 ICICI prudential corporate bond fund 150 Kindly suggest in which MF should I invest further and also how much should I increase the SIP amount to achieve the above goals. Thank you.
Ans: It's great to see your proactive approach towards planning for your financial future. Your dedication to investing is commendable.
Starting an SIP with 5k per month is a wise decision to create a retirement corpus of 1 crore. Additionally, generating 30 lakhs in 10 years to close your housing loan is a smart goal.
Considering your existing SIPs in Quant Active Fund, Quant ELSS Tax Saver Fund, and ICICI Prudential Corporate Bond Fund, you have a good foundation. However, to diversify your portfolio and align it with your goals, you may want to consider the following suggestions:
1. Equity-oriented funds with higher growth potential can help you achieve your long-term goals. Look into diversified equity funds or multi-cap funds for exposure to various segments of the market.
2. Since your investment horizon is long-term, you can afford to take slightly higher risks for potentially higher returns. Adding more equity-oriented funds can help you achieve this.
3. To generate the required amount for your housing loan closure in 10 years, you may need to increase your SIP amounts gradually. Consider reviewing your financial situation periodically and increasing your SIP contributions accordingly.
4. As a Certified Financial Planner, I recommend staying disciplined with your investments and adhering to your financial plan. Regularly review your portfolio's performance and make adjustments as needed to stay on track towards your goals.
By diversifying your portfolio and gradually increasing your SIP amounts, you can work towards achieving your financial objectives effectively.
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 May 18, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 07, 2024Hindi
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Hello, I am 32 years old and would like to start SIP for 5k per month to create retirement corpus of 1 crore. Also would like to generate 30 lacs in another 10 years for closing housing loan. Already have three MF SIP as below. Quant active fund 1000 Quant ELSS tax saver fund 500 ICICI prudential corporate bond fund 150 Kindly suggest in which MF should I invest further and also how much should I increase the SIP amount to achieve the above goals. Thank you.
Ans: Building Your Retirement Corpus and Closing Your Home Loan: A Two-Pronged Approach
Starting an SIP at 32 is a great decision! Let's analyze your current situation and suggest ways to achieve your goals:

Current SIPs:

Diversification: Your existing SIPs cover some diversification with a large-cap fund (Quant Active), tax-saving (Quant ELSS), and a debt fund (ICICI Prudential Corporate Bond).

Goal Alignment: Review if your existing SIP allocations are aligned with your goals. Consider increasing the debt fund SIP for your short-term goal (closing home loan).

Reaching Your Goals:

Retirement Corpus: Creating a ?1 crore corpus in a specific timeframe requires considering factors like investment horizon, risk tolerance, and expected returns. A CFP can help with calculations based on realistic assumptions.

Home Loan Closure: Generating ?30 lacs in 10 years is achievable with a focused approach. Debt funds and balanced funds can be suitable options, offering stability and some growth potential.

SIP Allocation and Increase:

Debt SIP Increase: Consider increasing your SIP in ICICI Prudential Corporate Bond Fund (or a similar debt fund) to accelerate your home loan closure.

New SIP for Retirement: Start a new SIP for retirement, focusing on equity funds with a longer investment horizon. Actively managed equity funds involve experienced fund managers who try to pick stocks to outperform the market. Actively managed funds come with higher fees compared to passively managed funds.

Risk Tolerance: Choose a mix of equity funds (large-cap, mid-cap) based on your risk tolerance. A CFP can help you determine the ideal asset allocation.

Professional Guidance:

Personalized Plan: A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can create a detailed SIP plan considering your risk tolerance, financial goals, and existing investments. They can recommend specific debt and equity funds based on your needs and suggest appropriate SIP amounts for each goal.
Remember:

Regular Review: Review your SIPs (at least annually) to ensure they remain aligned with your evolving goals and risk tolerance.

Market Fluctuations: Equity markets are volatile. Stay invested for the long term to ride out market ups and downs.

By taking action now, diversifying your SIPs, and potentially seeking professional guidance, you can work towards achieving your financial goals!

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 17, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 09, 2024Hindi
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Hello Sir, I am 25 years old.I am investing 23,000 Evey month in MF(60% in mid cap, 30% large cap and 10 to 15% around small cap). I will increase my SIP with my salary like if I got 15 to 20% hike. I want to increase my SIP accordingly. I want 20 crore of age of 45. Pls guide me. how can I achieve my Goal. My salary is 2 lakh per month!!!
Ans: You want Rs. 20 crores by age 45. This is a significant goal, but achievable with disciplined investing.

Current Investment Strategy
SIP Allocation
60% in mid-cap funds

30% in large-cap funds

10% in small-cap funds

Monthly Investment
Rs. 23,000 per month currently
Future SIP Increases
Plan to increase SIP with salary hikes
Evaluating Your Current Strategy
Mid-Cap Funds
Growth Potential: Mid-cap funds offer high growth potential.

Risk: They are riskier compared to large-cap funds.

Large-Cap Funds
Stability: Large-cap funds are stable and provide steady returns.

Lower Risk: Less volatile compared to mid-cap and small-cap funds.

Small-Cap Funds
High Growth: Small-cap funds can provide high returns.

High Risk: They are the most volatile.

Recommendations to Achieve Rs. 20 Crores
Increase SIPs Regularly
Annual Increases: Increase your SIPs by 15-20% annually.

Bonus Investments: Invest additional income from bonuses.

Diversify Your Portfolio
Balanced Approach: Consider adding debt funds for stability.

Reduce Risk: Balance high-risk investments with safer options.

Consider Actively Managed Funds
Expert Management: Actively managed funds can outperform index funds.

Regular Reviews: Ensure fund managers are adjusting to market conditions.

Avoid Direct Funds
Lack of Guidance: Direct funds lack professional guidance.

Benefits of Regular Funds: Investing through a Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD) with CFP credentials ensures expert advice.

Long-Term Investment Discipline
Stay Invested
Market Volatility: Do not panic during market downturns.

Long-Term Focus: Keep your focus on the long-term goal.

Rebalance Your Portfolio
Regular Reviews: Review your portfolio every six months.

Adjust Allocations: Rebalance based on performance and market conditions.

Tax Efficiency
Utilize Tax-Saving Instruments
ELSS Funds: Consider Equity Linked Savings Scheme for tax benefits.

NPS: National Pension System offers tax benefits and long-term growth.

Emergency Fund
Maintain Liquidity
Emergency Savings: Keep 6-12 months of expenses in a liquid fund.

Avoid Withdrawal: Do not dip into your SIP investments for emergencies.

Professional Guidance
Certified Financial Planner
Expert Advice: Consult a Certified Financial Planner for personalized strategies.

Regular Check-ins: Schedule regular reviews with your planner.

Final Insights
To achieve Rs. 20 crores by age 45, increase your SIPs regularly and diversify your portfolio. Balance high-risk investments with safer options and consider actively managed funds. Stay disciplined, review your portfolio regularly, and seek professional advice to stay on track.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..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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