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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10871 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 24, 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
Mahabharadh Question by Mahabharadh on Jun 23, 2025Hindi
Money

Thank you sir your valuable reply And one thing to share with you.we have 8 months completed our gold loan scheme and 3 months remaining.And my husband have monthly pf of 80k separated except salary.we have 30 lakh pf fund for lost 3 years and give me further financial advice.Thank you

Ans: Your gold loan scheme will end in 3 months. So don’t prepay now. Just complete the remaining 3 EMIs. Then stop any new gold schemes in future.

Your husband’s PF of Rs. 80k monthly is a strong retirement base. Rs. 30 lakh in PF already is excellent. But don’t depend only on PF for retirement.

You must still continue mutual fund SIPs for extra growth. PF is low risk, but return may not beat inflation over 20 years. SIP in equity funds gives growth.

Also, keep reviewing your goals yearly with a Certified Financial Planner.

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  |10871 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 11, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 10, 2024Hindi
Money
Hi Sir, Iam 40 years of age, iam looking for Corpus of 1Cr in next 11-15 years for my retirement life.My current monthly income on an average is 80k-1.2L. my monthly living expenses is 18-20k. Expense of 22k for my parents Need. Iam single. I have 3L in PF and I invested in my brother Company 16.4L and getting 2% Monthly share.Also,I have invest in Sovereign Gold bond -10Gram. I have 4L in FD. 1L in hand. No credits at present. Not invested in MF and stocks. Iam very much interested in MF.Please give suggestion to invest in MF and also is it ohk to close my PF account and invest in lump sum n SIP.Give your opinion for goldbees.
Ans: It's commendable that you're planning for your retirement and considering various investment options. Given your current financial situation and goals, let's explore a comprehensive approach to achieving a corpus of Rs 1 crore in the next 11-15 years.

Understanding Your Current Financial Situation
Firstly, let’s summarize your current financial landscape:

Age: 40 years
Monthly Income: Rs 80,000 - Rs 1,20,000
Monthly Living Expenses: Rs 18,000 - Rs 20,000
Monthly Expenses for Parents: Rs 22,000
Current Investments:
Provident Fund (PF): Rs 3 lakh
Investment in Brother’s Company: Rs 16.4 lakh (2% monthly share)
Sovereign Gold Bond: 10 grams
Fixed Deposit (FD): Rs 4 lakh
Cash in Hand: Rs 1 lakh
No Debts or Credits
You have a stable income, modest expenses, and a few investments already in place. This is a solid foundation for building your retirement corpus.

Evaluating Your Investment Options
Provident Fund (PF)
Your PF of Rs 3 lakh is a secure investment with decent returns. It's typically advisable to retain PF due to its safety and guaranteed returns, which also enjoy tax benefits.

Investment in Brother’s Company
Your investment of Rs 16.4 lakh in your brother's company yields a 2% monthly share. This is quite beneficial as it provides a steady income stream. However, relying heavily on one investment can be risky.

Sovereign Gold Bond
Your investment in Sovereign Gold Bonds is wise as it offers both capital appreciation and interest. Gold can hedge against inflation and currency fluctuations.

Fixed Deposit (FD)
FDs are low-risk and provide assured returns but often lag behind inflation rates. Your Rs 4 lakh in FD ensures liquidity and safety.

Considering Mutual Funds for Wealth Creation
Benefits of Mutual Funds
Diversification: Mutual funds spread your investments across various assets, reducing risk.
Professional Management: Actively managed funds have professionals making investment decisions, aiming to outperform the market.
Flexibility: You can start with small amounts and increase your investment over time.
Tax Efficiency: Equity mutual funds held for more than one year benefit from favourable tax treatment.
Disadvantages of Direct Funds
Investing directly in funds requires extensive knowledge and time to monitor markets. Without professional guidance, you might miss crucial adjustments needed to optimize your portfolio. Investing through a certified financial planner ensures expert management and strategic adjustments.

Creating a Mutual Fund Investment Plan
Step 1: Set Clear Goals
Your goal is to accumulate Rs 1 crore in 11-15 years for retirement. This requires disciplined and strategic investing.

Step 2: Calculate the Required Monthly Investment
To achieve Rs 1 crore in 15 years with an average annual return of 12%, you need to invest around Rs 17,500 per month. For 11 years, this amount increases significantly due to the shorter time frame and the power of compounding. An investment calculator can provide precise figures based on varying returns and time frames.

Step 3: Start a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP)
A SIP in equity mutual funds is a prudent approach. It allows you to invest a fixed amount regularly, averaging out market volatility.

Evaluating Current Investments
Provident Fund
Consider retaining your PF. It offers safety, stable returns, and tax benefits. It's a foundational investment for retirement.

Investment in Brother's Company
This provides a 2% monthly return, equating to approximately Rs 32,800 per month on Rs 16.4 lakh. While profitable, it’s essential to diversify to mitigate risk.

Sovereign Gold Bond
Your gold bonds are valuable for diversification and as an inflation hedge. Hold onto them as part of a balanced portfolio.

Fixed Deposit
FDs offer liquidity and safety. Retain a portion for emergency funds but consider moving excess to higher-yielding investments.

Steps to Enhance Your Investment Strategy
Retain and Grow PF: Let your PF grow for guaranteed returns and tax benefits.

Diversify Beyond Family Business: While your brother's company investment is lucrative, avoid over-reliance. Allocate more to diversified mutual funds.

Maximize SIPs: Commit to a SIP amount aligned with your goals. Given your income, starting with Rs 17,500 - Rs 20,000 per month is feasible.

Emergency Fund in FD: Maintain a portion of your FD as an emergency fund. Redirect excess into equity mutual funds for better returns.

Professional Guidance: Engage a certified financial planner for tailored advice and active management of your portfolio.

Assessing Gold ETFs like GoldBees
Gold ETFs such as GoldBees are similar to sovereign gold bonds in providing exposure to gold without holding physical gold. However, they come with additional expenses like management fees. Sovereign Gold Bonds are generally more tax-efficient and offer interest. For long-term gold investment, continuing with Sovereign Gold Bonds might be preferable.

Crafting a Balanced Portfolio
Equity Mutual Funds
These should form the core of your investment for growth. Choose diversified, actively managed funds with a good track record.

Debt Mutual Funds
Allocate a portion to debt funds for stability and to balance the portfolio's risk.

Gold Investments
Continue holding your Sovereign Gold Bonds. They provide a safe hedge and some interest income.

Emergency Fund
Keep part of your FD for emergencies. This ensures liquidity and immediate availability of funds.

Detailed Financial Plan
Monthly Investments
Allocate Rs 17,500 - Rs 20,000 monthly into equity mutual funds via SIP. This targets your Rs 1 crore goal effectively over 11-15 years.

Lump Sum Investments
If considering moving funds from your FD or PF, do so thoughtfully. Lump sum investments can complement SIPs, but market timing risks must be managed.

Review and Rebalance
Regularly review your portfolio with a certified financial planner. Rebalancing ensures your investments align with changing market conditions and personal goals.

Final Insights
Building a retirement corpus of Rs 1 crore in 11-15 years is achievable with disciplined investing. Retaining your provident fund for its stability and tax benefits is advisable. Diversifying beyond your investment in your brother’s company will reduce risk and enhance returns.

Start a systematic investment plan (SIP) in equity mutual funds to harness the power of compounding. Maintain an emergency fund in fixed deposits for liquidity. Continuing with Sovereign Gold Bonds offers tax-efficient exposure to gold.

Regularly reviewing and rebalancing your portfolio with a certified financial planner ensures alignment with your goals. This approach maximizes returns and minimizes risks, leading you toward a secure retirement.

Your proactive approach to planning and willingness to invest in mutual funds is commendable. With a balanced strategy, you can confidently work towards your retirement goal.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10871 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 08, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 02, 2024Hindi
Money
Sir I am 79 years old. My PPF ACCOUNT is nearly 25 yrs. Old. I have nearly lakhs in mutual funds. Besides I have 50 lakhs in various fixed deposits. My house is worth 2corores. My Mrs is worth nearly fifty lakhs. We have gold and jewellery worth 15 lakhs. My monthly expenses are hardly ten thousand rupees . We stay with our daughter hence expenses are limited. My question to you 1) Should I close my PPF and invest in various instruments like bank FD sssaving scheme and mutual funds. 2) Isit advisable to reverse mortgage loan and invest wisely. Loan can be disbursed asOD and invest in various MF as Sip. We can pay the amount out of the profit Please advise in detail. YOUR'S SINCERELY VGN
Ans: Your diverse asset portfolio is commendable, and it’s evident that you have maintained a disciplined approach to saving and investing. Given your age and current financial stability, your main focus should be on maintaining financial security and generating a steady income with minimal risk.

Should You Close Your PPF Account?
Maturity and Tax Benefits: Your PPF account has matured since it’s 25 years old. You can extend it in blocks of five years. PPF provides tax-free returns, which is a significant advantage.

Liquidity Needs: If you need liquidity, withdrawing from PPF can be considered. However, the interest rate on PPF is generally higher than bank FDs. Keeping a portion of your investment in PPF can be beneficial for tax-free growth.

Diversification: While PPF is safe, diversifying into other instruments like bank FDs, saving schemes, and mutual funds can provide a balanced risk-return profile.

Reverse Mortgage Loan Consideration
What is a Reverse Mortgage?: A reverse mortgage allows you to borrow against the value of your house. You receive payments while living in the house, and the loan is repaid when you sell the house or pass away.

Benefits: This can provide a steady income stream without selling your house. Funds received can be used for living expenses or investments.

Investment Strategy: Using the loan amount for SIPs in mutual funds can generate potential returns. This can be a smart move if the returns from SIPs exceed the interest on the reverse mortgage.

Investment Strategy for Mutual Funds
Mutual Funds over FDs: Mutual funds, especially debt and balanced funds, offer potentially higher returns compared to bank FDs. They also provide better tax efficiency if held for the long term.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP): Investing in mutual funds through SIPs can help in averaging out market volatility. Regular investments ensure disciplined investing and potential growth.

Assessment of Your Current Holdings
Fixed Deposits: You have Rs 50 lakhs in various FDs. While FDs are safe, the returns might not keep pace with inflation. Consider investing a portion in debt mutual funds for better post-tax returns.

Mutual Funds: Your mutual fund holdings are advantageous for growth and liquidity. Continue evaluating the performance and consider consulting a Certified Financial Planner for specific fund recommendations.

Gold and Jewellery: Your gold and jewellery worth Rs 15 lakhs serve as a good hedge against inflation. However, they should not form a significant part of your liquid assets.

Monthly Expenses and Cash Flow
Low Monthly Expenses: Your monthly expenses are Rs 10,000, which is quite manageable given your income sources. Staying with your daughter further reduces your financial burden.

Income Sources: Ensure your investments provide a steady income stream. Consider SWP (Systematic Withdrawal Plan) from mutual funds for regular income.

Detailed Investment Recommendations
Bank Fixed Deposits: Keep some portion in bank FDs for safety and guaranteed returns. Senior citizen schemes also offer higher interest rates.

Saving Schemes: Consider investing in senior citizen savings schemes for assured returns. These are specifically designed for senior citizens with attractive interest rates.

Mutual Funds: Diversify your mutual fund investments across different categories. Include a mix of equity, debt, and balanced funds. Actively managed funds can potentially offer better returns than index funds.

Regular vs Direct Funds: Investing through a Certified Financial Planner in regular funds can provide professional management and guidance. Direct funds may have lower expense ratios, but the expertise of a professional can help in optimizing returns.

Final Insights
Balanced Approach: Maintain a balance between safety and growth. Keep some funds in safe instruments like FDs and senior citizen schemes while investing in mutual funds for growth.

Professional Guidance: Consult a Certified Financial Planner to tailor your investment strategy to your specific needs and risk tolerance.

Health and Emergency Fund: Ensure you have adequate health insurance and an emergency fund for unforeseen expenses.

Review and Adjust: Regularly review your investment portfolio and make adjustments as needed based on market conditions and your financial goals.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10871 Answers  |Ask -

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

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Money
Thanks you, i have told you that i will invest 2crore @ 7% min in post office term deposit to get monthly Rs 116000/- & remaining 50 Lakh (out of 2.5crore corpus) in hdfc balance advantage fund growth option & as per previous returns i can expect 12% return and i will keep this for 8 yrs and as per calculation it will grow to 1 crore 20 lakh after 8 years also i will invest 20000/- in sip per month in same fund which after 8 years will yield 31 lakh approx. I have health insurance 7.5 lakh and term insurance cover of 65 lakh and own 2 houses one in Jaipur and other in faridabad i get 18000/- per month as rental income. And invest in mmtc gold coin per month 1 gm at present approx 80gm accumulated (24 carat) So after 8 years i will have 3.5 crore + rental income per month. Hence @7% i will get more than 2lakh per month after 8 years. And it will be more than enough for me, please suggest
Ans: Your retirement plan is well-structured, and you have a strong financial base. Here are some key insights and suggestions to fine-tune your plan:

Investment Plan Review
Your Rs. 2 crore in post office deposits provides stable income but may not keep up with long-term inflation. Periodic reinvestment is essential.
The HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund is a good choice for long-term growth. However, periodic reviews are necessary to ensure performance remains strong.
Your SIP of Rs. 20,000 per month will compound well over eight years. This adds a strong growth element to your portfolio.
Risk and Diversification Considerations
Over-reliance on fixed-income returns (7%) could be risky if inflation rises. Keeping some equity exposure is wise.
Consider diversifying into a mix of large-cap and flexi-cap funds to balance risk and growth.
Your gold investment in MMTC (80g so far) is a good hedge. Continue, but avoid excessive allocation.
Health and Emergency Fund
Your health insurance of Rs. 7.5 lakh is decent but may need enhancement over time. Medical inflation is high. Consider a super top-up plan.
Maintain a dedicated emergency fund with at least 2-3 years of expenses in liquid assets.
Future Cash Flow Management
Rental income of Rs. 18,000 per month adds stability. However, property-related costs (maintenance, taxes) should be factored in.
At Rs. 2 lakh+ per month post-retirement, your income should comfortably support your lifestyle.
Final Insights
Your plan is strong, but periodic reviews are necessary.
Inflation, healthcare, and market risks should be managed proactively.
Keep diversifying and reinvesting wisely.
Consider consulting a Certified Financial Planner every few years to reassess your strategy.
You are on the right track for a comfortable and financially secure retirement.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10871 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 20, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 16, 2025Hindi
Money
I'm 30, married and have a girl child of 10 months old. My take home salary is 1,18,000 per month and only single earning member of my family. I don't have a SIP, but every month after my salary is credited, within 5 days I invest 10000 in mutual fund and 5000 in NPS. I give 10,000 every month to my wife, in which she invests 5000 in gold buying plan and remaining 5000 for her expenses. My Mutual Fund investment is 2,28,000 and its current value is 2,71,000. My NPS investment till now is 1,07,000 and its current value is 1,18,000. I have gold jewels of 50 sovereign. I live in a rented house of 12000 per month and my family monthly expenses are 20000. I don't have any cash savings because I had a family loan till now and cleared it very recently. I'm planning to buy a house worth 80,00,000 through loan. I don't want to get trapped into EMI for a very longer period, so I was thinking to sell the golds worth 20 lakhs and remaining 60 lakhs I'm planning to take loan and pay 70,000 EMI and finish the loan in 10 to 11 years and then divert that amount to buy gold. But somewhere I get a feel that my thought process is not right because after 11 years gold rates may be hiked nearly 2 times also. And also 70,000 EMI also feels riskier because it is more than 60% of my take home salary. So please advice how to proceed on buying house and how to arrange for funds with my available resources. One thing I can assure is my Job security.
Ans: You are in a pivotal financial phase.
You earn Rs. 1.18 lakh monthly.
You are the sole earner in a family of three.
You have a 10-month-old daughter.
You invest Rs. 10,000 monthly in mutual funds (lump sum).
You also invest Rs. 5,000 in NPS monthly.
Your mutual fund corpus is Rs. 2.71 lakh, NPS corpus is Rs. 1.18 lakh.
You gift Rs. 10,000 monthly to your wife (Rs. 5,000 for gold, Rs. 5,000 for expenses).
You live in rented accommodation for Rs. 12,000.
Family monthly expenses are Rs. 20,000.
You recently cleared a family loan.
You have no cash savings now.
You hold 50 sovereigns of gold.
You plan to buy a house worth Rs. 80 lakh.
You want to avoid long EMIs.
You plan to sell gold worth Rs. 20 lakh.
Take Rs. 60 lakh home loan with Rs. 70,000 EMI for 10–11 years.
You are wary because EMI would be ~60% of take-home.
You also think gold prices may double in 11 years.
Your job is secure.

Let us build a complete strategy for buying home and arranging funds wisely.

1. Assess Your Current Budget and EMI Capacity
Your total take-home income: Rs. 1.18 lakh.

Planned EMI of Rs. 70,000 is more than 50%.

Experts suggest EMI should be under 40% of income.

Yet, job security is high; but EMIs too high limit savings.

You have essential expenses of Rs. 32,000 (rent + family spends).

That leaves Rs. 78,000 discretionary.

EMI of Rs. 70,000 leaves little for investments and buffer.

This plan restricts financial flexibility and emergency readiness.

Insight: EMI structure must be reworked to support stable finances.

2. Review Your Proposed Funding Mix
You wish to sell gold worth Rs. 20 lakh.

Use proceeds to fund home down-payment.

Then take Rs. 60 lakh loan at Rs. 70,000 EMI.

Concern: gold may double in value by then.

Concern: high EMI strains cash flow.

Analytical Insight:

Gold is a non-income asset; selling may halt invisible pension.

EMI at 60% of income leaves little room for emergencies and raising child.

Child’s future expenses, education savings, and your retirement corpus may get delayed.

Recommendations follow for a balanced path.

3. Build a Cash Emergency Fund Before Applying for Loan
You have no cash savings now.
This is risky when taking home loan.
You must build at least 3–6 months of living expenses first.

Target: Rs. 2–3 lakh as a minimum buffer.
How:

Delay home loan by 3–6 months.

During this, divert your Rs. 10,000 monthly investment to savings buffer.

Once buffer is in place, emergency risk is mitigated.

4. Optimize Your Gold Asset Utilisation
You hold 50 sovereigns of gold.
Not all gold needs to be sold upfront.
Selling gold reduces your inflation hedge and potential gains.
But you also want to avoid high EMI.

Proposed plan:

Sell only gold worth Rs. 10 lakh.

Use those proceeds fully as down payment.

That reduces loan to Rs. 70 lakh instead of Rs. 80 lakh.

EMI on Rs. 70 lakh at 8% for 15 years is ~Rs. 67,000/month.

This is still high but better than Rs. 80 lakh EMI.

You retain gold as inflation hedge and child’s asset.

5. Select Loan Tenure Wisely
You aim for 10–11 year loan tenure.
Shorter tenure means higher EMI; longer EMI reduces EMI/balance stress.

Suggestion:

Opt for a 15-year loan at lower interest rate.

EMI around Rs. 67,000.

This reduces pressure compared to Rs. 70,000+ EMI.

This tenure also aligns with your child being 16 years old at EMI end.

It gives breathing room for education corpus building.

6. Structure a Balanced Post-Loan Investment Plan
Once down payment is done and loan is taken, you must allocate monthly surplus properly.

From Rs. 1.18 lakh income:

EMI: Rs. 67,000

Rent: Rs. 12,000

Family expenses: Rs. 20,000

Wife’s allocation: Rs. 10,000

NPS contribution: Rs. 5,000

Mutual fund investment: Refix your approach

This leaves Rs. 84,000 allocation cost → Surplus around Rs. 24,000.
(1,18,000 - 67,000 - 12,000 - 20,000 - 5,000 - 10,000 = Rs. 4,000)

Hold on: wife’s 10k includes her personal expense pipeline; count out separately.
So actual surplus after all necessary cash flows = ~Rs. 4,000.

This is not enough to save simultaneously.
You need to replan cash outflows carefully.

Recommendation: 3 steps:

7. Modify Wife’s Investment and Personal Cash Flow
Currently, wife receives Rs. 10,000 monthly gift.
She invests Rs. 5k in a gold buying plan and uses Rs. 5k for expenses.

When you sell Rs. 10 lakh gold, her gold savings reduce accordingly.
You can ask her to temporarily reduce gold savings to Rs. 2,000.
She can use the balance for monthly assistance or savings buffer.
This frees ~Rs. 3,000 extra monthly for your investment.

8. Re-allocate Your Monthly Savings Strategically
You currently invest Rs. 10,000 in MF and Rs. 5,000 in NPS monthly.

After loan EMI and reduced wife’s gold plan, you free roughly Rs. 7,000 more monthly.
You can allocate this as:

Keep NPS as Rs. 5,000

Invest Rs. 12,000 monthly in mutual funds or hybrid per structure below:

Revised distribution:

Equity SIP: Rs. 5,000

Hybrid balanced fund SIP: Rs. 3,000

Short-duration debt SIP: Rs. 2,000

Added reserve in liquid fund: Rs. 2,000

This helps maintain inflation resilience and risk management.

9. Roadmap for Loan Tenure and Prepayment
After EMI starts, plan to pre-pay extra when you get bonus.

For example, pay Rs. 1 lakh bonus into principal.

This reduces tenure and interest payout.

Maintain flexibility and review tenure every 1–2 years.

Stop prepayment only if family needs arise.

10. Preserve NPS and Maintain Tax-Efficient Investments
Maintain your Rs. 5,000 monthly NPS investment.

NPS is your retirement foundation; keep it ongoing.

Mutual fund investments give liquidity and growth flexibility.

Avoid index funds due to zero downside cushion.

Use actively managed equity and hybrid funds through regular plans.

Avoid direct funds due to lack of advisory support.

11. Build Longer-Term Emerging Goals
Your child is 10 months old; her education costs will arrive in 15+ years.
You need to begin education corpus planning separately:

Allocate a distinct education SIP of Rs. 5,000 per month.

Use a single diversified equity mutual fund.

Continue until she is 15; then move to balanced scheme near needed time.

Avoid mixing with home investment.

12. Create Future Buffer Using Mutual Foon Investments
You should create Rs. 1 lakh+ liquid buffer post EMI start.
You allocated Rs. 2k monthly to liquid fund.
This builds ~ Rs. 24,000 a year.
Use this for short-term needs, festivals, or emergencies.

13. Review Insurance Adequacy
You are earning Rs. 1.18 lakh; you need term insurance 15x earning → Rs. 1.8 crore.

Confirm if you have term cover that meets that amount.

You have no mention of term policy; arrange immediately.

Maintain existing health insurance for family.

Add coverage for child if needed.

Term insurance removes financial risk for your family if anything happens.

14. Regularly Monitor and Rebalance
Review your portfolio semi-annually.

Check equity vs hybrid vs debt proportions.

Shift investments if equity growth exceeds desired%

Revisit home loan tenure yearly.

Plan for major lumpsum payments with bonuses or increments.

15. Safeguard Against Mistakes
Avoid reducing salary pocket for EMI stress.

Don’t tie up cash in over?long gold saving plans.

Don’t pre-pay loan using your emergency buffer.

Don’t skip insurance simply to save monthly money.

Avoid high?interest loans in future (personal or credit).

16. Gradual Progress after EMI Period
After 6–7 years into loan:

Surplus capacity will improve.

Additional investments into equity/hybrid can resume.

Emergency fund will be in place.

Prepayments and planning will support retirement path

17. Path to Retirement Savings
You aim to buy a home and repay in 10–11 years.
Post-EMI, you can redirect EMIs to investment.
Your job is secure; this saves stress.

But consider:

Retirement at ~60 maybe now 10 years more away

Your existing MF + NPS + new investments will build corpus.

Goal clarity and consistent saving will lead to comfortable future.

Final Insights
Reduce EMI stress by selling only Rs. 10 lakh gold.

Choose 15-year loan with manageable EMI (~ Rs. 67,000).

Build emergency savings before loan start.

Restructure wife’s gold plan to free small surplus.

Revamp monthly savings into equity, hybrid, debt categories.

Maintain NPS, start child education fund separately.

Add term insurance to safeguard family.

Review and rebalance timely with CFP guidance.

Your plan is strong with secured job.
With measured changes, your dream home can be achieved without stress.
Your family's financial future will remain secure and flexible.

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10871 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Sep 03, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 02, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi i am 34 yr old male earning 80k per month... I have emergency fund of 1.5 lakhs in fd... Term insurance 80lakhs....home loan emi 20k...outstanding loan amount 13 lakhs .... My investmens are ssy 10k monthly for my 3 yr old daughter... Ppf 10k monthly... Nps 3k...sip 5k in mutual funds monthly... Gold etf 3k monthly silver etf 2k monthly... My home expenses per month comes around 20k without including emi.. I want to close my home loan at the earliest so that i can buy physical gold for my daughter.. Since gold price is increasing in rocket speed.. Suggest some ideas to achieve this... By continuing these investments for 10 to 15 years am i able to achieve the corpus required for my daughter studies, marriage and for my retirement... Kindly advice
Ans: – You are doing very well at this age.
– Emergency fund is neatly maintained.
– You have term insurance which is very wise.
– Investment in your daughter’s name is thoughtful.
– Regular investing habit at 34 is a strong foundation.

» Assessment of Current Cash Flow
– Monthly income is Rs.80,000.
– Home loan EMI is Rs.20,000.
– Household expense is Rs.20,000.
– Monthly investment adds up to around Rs.33,000.
– After these, you still save around Rs.7,000 each month.
– Your lifestyle is disciplined and controlled.

» Loan Repayment vs Investments
– Many think closing loans early is always smart.
– But the interest rate of a home loan is usually low.
– Long tenure loans with tax benefit give breathing space.
– If you rush and repay, you lose liquidity.
– Once repaid, that money is locked in the property.
– Property is not a liquid asset.
– Investments in mutual funds give better long-term returns.
– So, balancing EMI and investments is wiser than rushing repayment.

» Thoughts on Buying Gold for Daughter
– You want to buy physical gold for daughter’s future.
– Physical gold has high making charges and storage risk.
– It does not give regular income or growth like mutual funds.
– Gold price rises but also falls in cycles.
– In long-term, equity mutual funds have outperformed gold.
– Too much gold purchase may disturb your cash flow.
– Small allocation is fine but not large.

» Problems with ETFs for Gold and Silver
– You are investing in gold ETF and silver ETF.
– ETFs look easy but they have drawbacks.
– They only mirror price movements without extra growth.
– They charge expense ratio and brokerage.
– ETFs lack active management benefit.
– Actively managed mutual funds can provide better wealth creation.
– For long-term goals, equity mutual funds are more efficient.

» Evaluation of Your Mutual Fund SIP
– You invest Rs.5,000 in mutual funds monthly.
– This is a good start but too low.
– Equity mutual funds can give long-term growth.
– They can help for retirement, education, and marriage goals.
– Direct funds sometimes tempt investors with low expense ratio.
– But direct funds demand constant monitoring.
– Without expertise, you may underperform.
– Regular funds through a Certified Financial Planner give guidance.
– CFP ensures disciplined review and timely rebalancing.

» Disadvantages of Direct Funds
– Many investors get confused with direct funds.
– They think expense saving is big.
– But poor fund choice can erase such savings.
– Wrong exit timing also reduces returns.
– Without guidance, emotions lead to mistakes.
– With regular plans, you get hand-holding by experts.
– This helps you stay invested and achieve goals.

» Benefits of Actively Managed Funds
– Actively managed funds adapt to market conditions.
– Fund managers shift allocation as per trends.
– They identify opportunities beyond index.
– They aim to control downside risk.
– Long-term wealth creation is better than passive funds.
– This helps you achieve multiple life goals in harmony.

» Your Daughter’s Education and Marriage Goals
– Education and marriage costs rise sharply in India.
– At age 3 now, you have 15 years for education.
– You have around 22 to 25 years for marriage.
– Current investments in SSY and PPF are safe.
– But they offer modest returns compared to inflation.
– More equity exposure is needed to beat education inflation.
– Increase SIP amount steadily as income grows.
– Diversified equity mutual funds with active management can build wealth.

» Your Retirement Planning
– You are contributing Rs.3,000 in NPS.
– This is a disciplined start but not enough.
– Retirement needs will be higher than you expect.
– Relying on PPF and NPS alone will not suffice.
– Equities should form the main growth engine for retirement.
– Gradual SIP increase every year helps compounding.
– Build a portfolio mix of equity and debt funds.
– Slowly reduce equity as you near retirement.

» Tax Efficiency in Investments
– Equity mutual funds have favourable tax rules.
– LTCG above Rs.1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.
– STCG is taxed at 20%.
– Debt mutual funds are taxed as per income slab.
– SSY, PPF, and NPS are tax saving but less liquid.
– Maintaining a mix improves both growth and tax efficiency.

» Home Loan Strategy
– Outstanding home loan is Rs.13 lakh.
– EMI of Rs.20,000 is manageable in your income.
– Tax deduction on interest reduces effective cost.
– Instead of prepaying aggressively, continue regular EMI.
– Parallel investments will grow much faster than loan interest saved.
– This approach ensures both wealth growth and tax benefit.

» Emergency Fund Position
– You have Rs.1.5 lakh in FD as emergency fund.
– This covers around three months of expense.
– Better to raise this to six months of expenses.
– This gives cushion against job loss or medical emergencies.
– Keep it in FD or liquid mutual funds for easy access.

» Life Insurance Cover
– You have Rs.80 lakh term insurance cover.
– This may not be enough for your family needs.
– At your age, 15 to 20 times annual income is ideal.
– That means around Rs.1.2 crore to Rs.1.6 crore cover.
– Increasing cover will protect your daughter and spouse.
– Premiums are lower when bought earlier.

» Holistic View of Investments
– Your present mix is tilted to safe instruments.
– You also have exposure to gold and silver ETFs.
– Equity exposure is low, which may hurt long-term goals.
– Debt products protect capital but do not fight inflation well.
– A balanced portfolio must include higher equity allocation.
– CFP guidance ensures proper diversification and goal alignment.

» Step-up Strategy for Future
– As income rises, step up SIPs every year.
– Even 10% rise in SIP yearly boosts final corpus.
– Continue SSY and PPF for safety and tax benefit.
– Increase equity SIP to balance growth.
– Avoid unnecessary spending and keep lifestyle moderate.
– This discipline will compound wealth.

» Risks of Overdependence on Gold
– You want to buy physical gold due to rising prices.
– But gold cycles are unpredictable and volatile.
– Long-term, equity has always beaten gold in growth.
– Gold has no dividend or interest benefit.
– Too much gold reduces your overall wealth creation.
– Keep only a small percentage in gold for diversification.

» What Needs Adjustment in Your Plan
– Increase insurance cover to protect family.
– Increase equity SIP for future growth.
– Keep loan repayment on normal track.
– Do not rush for gold purchases.
– Build retirement corpus with long-term view.
– Review plan regularly with a Certified Financial Planner.

» Finally
– You have started early and that is your biggest strength.
– Your current investments are stable but need more equity.
– Avoid overfocus on gold; it is not wealth creator.
– Continue EMI and avoid aggressive loan closure.
– Increase SIP step by step for growth.
– Review protection, insurance, and emergency fund adequacy.
– Stay disciplined and patient for 10–15 years.
– With the right balance, you will meet daughter’s needs and retirement.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10871 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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