Home > Money > Question
Need Expert Advice?Our Gurus Can Help

Investing for My Son's Future: Best Balanced Funds for 18-Year-Olds

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7207 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Sep 02, 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
Harish Question by Harish on Aug 30, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money

My Son turned 18 and I want to start a SIP for him for 25K per month. Considering his age, can you please recommend some balanced funds

Ans: Congratulations on starting this financial journey for your son at such an early age. Investing Rs. 25,000 per month in a SIP is a wise decision. Starting early will give him a strong financial foundation. As a Certified Financial Planner, I will guide you on how to maximize these investments.

Balanced Funds: A Smart Choice
Age and Risk Appetite: At 18, your son has a long investment horizon. Balanced funds are a good choice. They offer a mix of equity and debt, balancing risk and returns. This is ideal for young investors who can take risks but also need some stability.

Growth with Stability: Balanced funds invest in both equity and debt. The equity portion provides growth, while the debt portion adds stability. This combination reduces volatility, making it a safe option for long-term goals.

Rebalancing Benefit: These funds automatically rebalance the portfolio. This ensures that the asset allocation remains in line with market conditions. It’s a great way to manage risk without constantly monitoring the portfolio.

Avoiding Index Funds: Index funds follow the market and might not always outperform. Actively managed balanced funds, on the other hand, have the potential to generate higher returns. A skilled fund manager can make better decisions, especially during market volatility.

The Importance of Professional Guidance
Role of a Certified Financial Planner: Managing investments is not just about picking the right funds. It’s about understanding market trends, risk tolerance, and financial goals. A Certified Financial Planner will provide this guidance, ensuring that your son’s investments are always on track.

Benefits of Regular Funds: Direct funds may seem cost-effective, but they require active management. Investing through a Certified Financial Planner ensures you have expert advice. This can lead to better decisions and ultimately higher returns.

Investment Strategy for Long-Term Growth
Start with a Mix of Equity and Debt: Given your son’s age, the focus should be more on equity for growth. However, a small portion in debt will add stability. This balanced approach is ideal for a long-term investment horizon.

Gradual Shift Towards Equity: As he grows older and gains more understanding of investments, the portfolio can shift more towards equity. This will maximize growth potential as he approaches key life goals like higher education, marriage, or buying a house.

Increase SIP Over Time: Starting with Rs. 25,000 is great, but as his financial situation improves, increasing the SIP amount will accelerate growth. Even a small increment can significantly impact the corpus over time.

Monitoring and Adjusting the Portfolio
Annual Review: It’s important to review the portfolio annually. This ensures that the fund is performing well and aligns with his goals. Adjustments may be needed based on market conditions or changes in his financial situation.

Risk Management: While balanced funds offer a good mix of growth and stability, it’s essential to keep an eye on market trends. If the equity market becomes too volatile, consider shifting a portion of the investment to safer instruments.

Emergency Fund: Ensure that an emergency fund is in place. This should cover at least 6-12 months of expenses. This fund should be separate from his investment portfolio. It acts as a safety net, protecting his investments from unexpected financial needs.

Final Insights
Long-Term Vision: Your son has the advantage of time on his side. Encourage him to stay committed to his SIPs and review his portfolio regularly. This discipline will ensure he reaches his financial goals.

Balanced Approach: Balanced funds are a good starting point. As he gains more confidence in investing, he can explore other options like pure equity funds for higher returns.

Professional Guidance: Regular consultations with a Certified Financial Planner will keep his investments aligned with his goals. This will ensure that his financial journey is smooth and successful.

Best 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.
Money

You may like to see similar questions and answers below

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7207 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 23, 2024

Listen
Money
My son going to become 18 years old. Kindly tell me some sip name for long term investment for his future.
Ans: SIP Recommendations for Your Son's Future
Congratulations on your son's upcoming milestone of turning 18! Planning for his future through systematic investment plans (SIPs) is a wise decision. Let's explore some suitable SIP options for long-term investment.

Understanding Long-Term Investment Goals
Before recommending specific SIPs, it's essential to understand your long-term goals for your son's future:

Education: Will he pursue higher education? If so, consider SIPs that can help finance his studies.

Career Aspirations: Does he have specific career goals? SIPs can aid in building a financial foundation for his chosen path.

Financial Independence: Planning for his financial independence ensures he has the resources to pursue his aspirations.

Assessing Risk Tolerance
Considering your son's age, a long-term investment horizon allows for higher risk tolerance:

Equity Allocation: Equity-oriented SIPs offer higher growth potential over the long term, suitable for young investors.

Diversification: While equities provide growth opportunities, diversifying across asset classes balances risk.

SIP Selection Criteria
When selecting SIPs for your son, consider the following factors:

Track Record: Choose funds with a consistent track record of performance over various market cycles.

Fund Manager Expertise: Assess the expertise and tenure of the fund manager to ensure competent management.

Expense Ratio: Lower expense ratios minimize the impact on returns over time.

SIP Recommendations
Based on the above criteria, here are some SIP recommendations for your son's long-term investment:

Diversified Equity Funds: These funds invest across market segments, offering growth potential with reduced risk.

Sectoral Funds: For exposure to specific sectors your son is passionate about, consider sectoral funds. However, these carry higher risk due to sector concentration.

International Funds: To diversify globally and benefit from opportunities beyond Indian markets, international funds can be considered.

Benefits of Actively Managed Funds
Actively managed funds offer several advantages over index funds:

Expert Management: Skilled fund managers actively manage the portfolio, aiming to outperform the market.

Flexibility: Fund managers can adjust the portfolio based on market conditions and emerging opportunities, maximizing returns.

Potential for Higher Returns: Through active management, funds can capitalize on market inefficiencies, potentially generating higher returns.

Disadvantages of Index Funds
While index funds have their merits, they may not be suitable for all investors:

Limited Growth Potential: Index funds mirror market performance, limiting upside potential compared to actively managed funds.

Lack of Customization: Investors cannot customize index fund portfolios, missing out on opportunities for sectoral or thematic exposure.

Inability to Outperform Market: Index funds aim to match market returns, making it challenging to outperform benchmark indices consistently.

Conclusion
Investing in SIPs for your son's future is a thoughtful decision. By considering his long-term goals, risk tolerance, and selecting suitable funds, you can lay a strong financial foundation for his journey ahead.

Remember to regularly review and adjust the SIPs based on changing circumstances and market conditions to ensure optimal performance.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Latest Questions
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.

Close  

You haven't logged in yet. To ask a question, Please Log in below
Login

A verification OTP will be sent to this
Mobile Number / Email

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to

Resend OTP in120seconds

Dear User, You have not registered yet. Please register by filling the fields below to get expert answers from our Gurus
Sign up

By signing up, you agree to our
Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Already have an account?

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to Mobile

Resend OTP in120seconds

x