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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 06, 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
Nand Question by Nand on Apr 11, 2024Hindi
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Hi sir , I would like to invest 6000 per month and iam 38 years old and by retirement u would like to get corpus fund of 2 crore, sir can you suggest me where to invest and reach my goal

Ans: It's great that you're planning for your retirement at 38. Let's explore your investment options to reach your goal of a 2 crore corpus:

• Start with SIPs: Since you're looking to invest 6000 per month, Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) in mutual funds are a smart choice. SIPs offer the benefit of rupee cost averaging and can help you build wealth over time.

• Asset Allocation: Given your age and long-term investment horizon, consider a diversified portfolio comprising equity and debt funds. Equity funds offer growth potential, while debt funds provide stability.

• Equity Mutual Funds: Allocate a significant portion of your SIPs to equity mutual funds. These funds invest in stocks and have the potential to generate higher returns over the long term. Look for funds that have a track record of consistent performance and align with your risk tolerance.

• Debt Mutual Funds: To balance risk, consider allocating a portion of your SIPs to debt mutual funds. These funds invest in fixed-income securities like bonds and offer relatively stable returns. They can provide a cushion during market downturns.

• Review and Adjust: Regularly review your investment portfolio and make adjustments as needed. As you approach retirement, consider gradually shifting your allocation from equity to debt to reduce volatility and preserve capital.

• Consider Tax-saving Funds: If you haven't already, explore Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS), also known as tax-saving funds. These funds offer tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act while providing exposure to equity markets.

• Consult a Certified Financial Planner: Seeking advice from a Certified Financial Planner can provide valuable insights into structuring your investment portfolio and achieving your retirement goals. They can assess your risk profile, investment horizon, and financial objectives to tailor a plan that suits your needs.

• Stay Disciplined: Consistency is key to long-term investing success. Stick to your SIPs even during market fluctuations and avoid making impulsive decisions based on short-term market movements.

• Monitor Progress: Keep track of your investment performance and periodically reassess your progress towards your retirement goal. Adjust your strategy as necessary to stay on track and maximize returns.

By following these steps and staying committed to your investment plan, you can work towards achieving your retirement goal of a 2 crore corpus. Remember, investing is a journey, and patience and discipline are essential for success.
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 Apr 30, 2024

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Hi Dev I am retired and aged 58. I have a corpus of 2 crores. How do i invest ( in which funds specifically) so that i get 2lakhs per month with immediate start. Please guide.
Ans: Planning for retirement income is crucial, especially with a significant corpus like yours. Here's a strategy to generate 2 lakhs per month with your 2 crores corpus:

Dividend-Paying Mutual Funds: Consider allocating a portion of your corpus to mutual funds that focus on dividend-paying stocks or bonds. Look for funds with a track record of consistent dividend distributions. These funds can provide regular income through dividend payouts. However, keep in mind that dividends are not guaranteed and may vary based on market conditions and fund performance.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP): Set up a systematic withdrawal plan (SWP) with a combination of debt funds, balanced funds, and liquid funds. SWP allows you to withdraw a fixed amount regularly from your investments while keeping the principal amount invested. Choose funds that prioritize capital preservation and have a history of providing steady returns. Adjust the withdrawal amount periodically based on your income needs and investment performance.
Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS): Consider investing a portion of your corpus in the Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) offered by the government. SCSS provides regular interest payouts, usually on a quarterly basis, at attractive rates. It's a safe option for generating stable income, especially for retirees.
Annuity Plans: Explore annuity plans offered by insurance companies. Annuity plans allow you to convert a lump sum amount into a series of regular payments, providing you with a guaranteed income stream for a specified period or for life. Annuities offer security and peace of mind by providing a fixed income irrespective of market fluctuations.
Fixed Deposits (FDs) and Bonds: Consider allocating a portion of your corpus to fixed deposits (FDs) and bonds to diversify your income sources. While FDs and bonds offer lower returns compared to mutual funds and equities, they provide stability and safety of capital. Look for FDs and bonds with competitive interest rates and varying maturities to create a laddered income stream.
Before making any investment decisions, it's essential to assess your risk tolerance, liquidity needs, and income requirements. Consider consulting with a certified financial planner who can provide personalized advice based on your financial situation and retirement goals.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Feb 28, 2024Hindi
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Hi Dev, I am 29 years old and have a monthly income of 20K. I am already investing in MF and want to achieve a corpus fund of 5 crores by the age of 50 for my retirement. Please advise on how to invest
Ans: I understand your aspirations for a secure retirement and commend you for your proactive approach to financial planning. It's wonderful to see your commitment to securing a comfortable future for yourself.

With a monthly income of 20K, you're off to a good start. To achieve a corpus fund of 5 crores by the age of 50, it's essential to strategize your investments wisely.

Diversification is key to mitigating risks and maximizing returns. While you're already investing in mutual funds, it's prudent to explore other avenues like equities, debt instruments, and perhaps even alternative investments.

Considering your age and risk appetite, a balanced portfolio with a mix of equity and debt instruments would be suitable. Equity investments offer the potential for higher returns over the long term, while debt instruments provide stability and steady income.

As a Certified Financial Planner, I recommend actively managed funds over index funds. Actively managed funds have the advantage of professional fund managers who actively select investments, aiming to outperform the market.

Avoiding direct funds and opting for regular funds through a Certified Financial Planner can provide you with personalized guidance and ongoing support, ensuring your investments align with your financial goals.

Remember to review and adjust your portfolio periodically to accommodate changes in your life circumstances and market conditions. And most importantly, stay disciplined and patient, as wealth accumulation is a gradual process.

Keep up the excellent work, and you'll be well on your way to achieving your retirement 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 May 15, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - May 08, 2024Hindi
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Hi, i have 70 Lakhs corpus fund in my account. Im investing 10k every month in quant small cap and nippon small cap fund in each. Where can I invest 70lakhs so tht i get 35k per month for my monthly expenses.
Ans: With a corpus of 70 lakhs and the objective of generating 35k per month for expenses, let's devise a sustainable income-generating strategy while ensuring prudent wealth management.

Income Generation Strategy
Dividend Yield Funds: Consider allocating a portion of your corpus to dividend yield funds, which invest in stocks that pay regular dividends. These funds can provide a steady stream of income while offering the potential for capital appreciation.

Debt Funds: Invest a portion of your corpus in debt funds, which primarily invest in fixed-income securities like bonds and government securities. Debt funds offer stable returns with lower volatility, making them suitable for income generation.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP): Implement SWP in equity and hybrid funds to systematically withdraw a fixed amount each month. This allows you to benefit from potential capital appreciation while receiving regular income.

Portfolio Allocation
Equity and Debt Allocation: Strike a balance between equity and debt investments to manage risk while aiming for sustainable income. Consider allocating around 30-40% of your corpus to equity funds and the remaining to debt funds.

Diversification: Diversify your portfolio across various asset classes and fund categories to mitigate risk and enhance stability. Opt for a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and multi-cap equity funds along with diversified debt funds.

Professional Guidance
Consult a Certified Financial Planner to tailor an investment strategy aligned with your financial goals, risk tolerance, and income requirements. They can help you optimize your portfolio for income generation while ensuring long-term wealth preservation.

Regular Review
Periodically review your investment portfolio and adjust your strategy as needed based on changes in market conditions, financial goals, and income requirements. Regular monitoring ensures that your portfolio remains on track to meet your financial objectives.

Conclusion
By adopting a balanced approach to asset allocation and leveraging various investment avenues, you can effectively generate a monthly income of 35k from your corpus fund while safeguarding its long-term growth potential. Seeking professional guidance and regularly reviewing your portfolio are key to achieving financial security and stability.

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 Aug 20, 2024

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right now I am 52 year old & retire within 6years, I ready to invest Rs.1lkh per month & corpus has to be want after my retirement Rs.3cr.is it possible! if Yes then tell me where I should I invest in MF/shares/PPF/FD/NPS/
Ans: At 52, with six years until retirement, your goal of accumulating a Rs. 3 crore corpus is ambitious but achievable. With a disciplined investment of Rs. 1 lakh per month, you can work towards this target. The key is choosing the right investment vehicle to maximise your returns while managing risks.

Why Mutual Funds Are Ideal for Your Goal

Among the available options—Mutual Funds, Shares, PPF, FD, and NPS—mutual funds stand out as the best choice for your goal. Here’s why:

Potential for High Returns: Mutual funds, especially equity mutual funds, have historically provided returns that outpace inflation and other investment options like PPF, FD, or even NPS. Over a six-year period, equity mutual funds could deliver an average annual return of 10-12%, which is crucial for reaching your Rs. 3 crore target.

Flexibility and Diversification: Mutual funds offer a diversified portfolio across sectors and companies, reducing the risk associated with investing in individual stocks. This diversification is important, especially as you approach retirement, to ensure your investment is protected from market volatility.

Systematic Investment Approach: With mutual funds, you can benefit from a systematic investment plan (SIP) or a lump-sum investment strategy. In your case, investing Rs. 1 lakh per month through SIPs ensures rupee cost averaging, which helps mitigate market timing risks.

Steps to Achieve Your Rs. 3 Crore Goal

Focus on Equity Mutual Funds:

Equity Focus: Given your six-year horizon, a significant portion of your monthly Rs. 1 lakh investment should be allocated to equity mutual funds. These funds are designed to grow your wealth over the long term, and even within six years, they can generate substantial returns.

Balanced Allocation: To manage risk as you approach retirement, consider starting with 80% in equity mutual funds and 20% in debt mutual funds. As you get closer to retirement, gradually shift a portion of your equity investments to safer debt funds. This will protect your gains while still offering growth.

Reinvest Your Returns:

Compounding Effect: Keep your returns reinvested within the mutual funds. This will enhance the power of compounding, where your returns start generating their own returns, accelerating your wealth accumulation.
Regular Monitoring:

Performance Review: Although mutual funds are managed by professionals, it’s important to review the performance of your funds regularly. This ensures that your investments are aligned with your retirement goal.

Portfolio Rebalancing: As you get closer to retirement, consider rebalancing your portfolio to reduce exposure to equities and increase allocation to debt funds. This reduces the risk of a market downturn affecting your retirement corpus.

Avoid Unnecessary Withdrawals:

Stay Invested: To achieve your Rs. 3 crore goal, it’s essential to stay invested for the full six years. Avoid unnecessary withdrawals that could derail your plan.
Why Not Other Investment Options?

Shares: Direct stock investments can be volatile and require active management. Given your limited time frame and retirement goal, the risks associated with shares might outweigh the benefits.

PPF: Public Provident Fund (PPF) is a safe investment, but it offers lower returns (around 7-8%) compared to equity mutual funds. PPF is better suited for long-term safety rather than aggressive growth.

FD: Fixed Deposits (FDs) provide guaranteed returns but are also lower (5-6% on average) compared to mutual funds. FDs are more appropriate for capital preservation rather than growth.

NPS: The National Pension Scheme (NPS) offers tax benefits and a mix of equity and debt, but its structure is more suited for long-term retirement planning rather than aggressive wealth accumulation in a short period like six years.

Final Insights

Given your retirement goal of Rs. 3 crores and a six-year timeline, investing Rs. 1 lakh per month in mutual funds, with a focus on equity, is the most effective strategy. This approach balances potential returns with risk management, offering you the best chance of achieving your desired corpus.

Avoid direct investments in shares, PPF, FD, or NPS, as these options either carry higher risks or offer lower returns. By sticking with a disciplined mutual fund investment strategy and regularly reviewing your portfolio, you can confidently work towards your retirement target.

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
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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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