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Anu

Anu Krishna  |1633 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Jul 01, 2024

Anu Krishna is a mind coach and relationship expert.
The co-founder of Unfear Changemakers LLP, she has received her neuro linguistic programming training from National Federation of NeuroLinguistic Programming, USA, and her energy work specialisation from the Institute for Inner Studies, Manila.
She is an executive member of the Indian Association of Adolescent Health.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Jun 20, 2024Hindi
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Relationship

Madam i am 21 years old having a good post at central government as at erly age i got job and i joint it now i am 22 and having a boyfriend he is also central government officer and he is age 29 bu despite of the age gap the love bloomed and we are so in love with each other i told my family early tge condition and said that i want to marry him but my parents said after 25 we will ger u married but by sharing this at hone they are not having trust on mr and are being insecure and wants me to leave a government job and to come home because he is not from same caste and it will also be interstate marriage my family is having the fear of relatives and my mother us against of it they are saying intercaste marriage we will not support or accept continuously emotional blackmail to me trying to manipulate, brainwash me and abusing me emotionally verbally and physically. what should i do?

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
Inter-faith marriages are still a big NO NO in many homes and yours is not an exception. Like in many other cases, my suggestion has been that both sides must want to get to know the other person. Like your parents need to see a different side of your boyfriend to be willing to accept him.
What is it that he can bring in their daughter's life that will ease their concerns about his faith/religion?
So, your boyfriend must be willing to be patient and make efforts on his part to integrate into your family. It takes time, so be patient.
Now, for your job...do not confuse emotions and your job. Your parents feels that you might take drastic steps with your boyfriend and hence want you closer to home so that they can keep an eye on you. Address this concern by being mature and immersing yourself more into work that gives them the confidence that you are not about to do anything behind their back.
Addressing what bothers them is a better way out rather than trying to convince them...as the same issues will keep coming back if you force them to accept something. So, be patient and responsible for things to sort themselves out...

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

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Kanchan

Kanchan Rai  |613 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Apr 22, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 21, 2024Hindi
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Relationship
Hello ma'am I'm 29 year old independent girl. I and my boyfriend (14 years relationship) want to marry each other but my parents and the whole family not agreeing with us because of intercaste marriage. His family already convinced for us and they are willing to accept me without my parents permission but the boy denied to marry me without my parents blessings. He always saying that one day your parents will understand your feelings and they will agree but I tried to convince them from last 3 years but my parents are saying that they will not give their permission for intercaste marriage due to what people will say. I have 3 elder brother but no one wants that I can marry to my partner. He is independent business owner running his own store. my parents are saying that we will keep you at home for entire life but never agree for the love marriage like this. I don't understand what should I do and what not . I'm feeling very depressed and disturbed all the time . Please suggest me the best solution for this situation
Ans: Navigating intercaste marriage in Indian society can indeed be challenging, but it's important to remember that your happiness and well-being should be paramount. Here are some suggestions tailored to the context of Indian society and relationships Start by trying to understand the specific concerns your parents have about the intercaste marriage. Is it fear of societal judgment, concerns about cultural differences, or something else? Understanding their perspective can help you address their concerns more effectively.Consider involving a trusted family member or elder who can act as a mediator between you and your parents. Sometimes, having a respected third party intervene can help facilitate a more productive conversation and bridge the gap between generations. Seek support from within your community or cultural circle. Sometimes, hearing from others who have successfully navigated intercaste marriages can help reassure your parents that such unions can be successful and fulfilling.Take the opportunity to educate your parents about the changing dynamics of relationships and marriages in modern Indian society. Share stories and examples of intercaste marriages that have thrived, and emphasize that love knows no boundaries. Changing deeply ingrained beliefs and cultural norms takes time. Be patient with your parents and continue to express your love and commitment to your partner. Sometimes, repeated conversations and demonstrations of your sincerity can gradually soften their stance. Consider seeking the assistance of a relationship counselor or therapist who specializes in intercultural or intercaste relationships. They can provide you with personalized advice and strategies for navigating the complexities of your situation.While it's always preferable to have your parents' blessing, remember that ultimately, the decision to marry is yours. If all efforts to persuade your parents fail and you feel that marrying your partner is the right choice for you, consider exploring legal options such as court marriage. Take care of your mental and emotional well-being during this challenging time. Lean on your partner, friends, and support network for emotional support, and engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.
Remember, you deserve to be with someone who loves and respects you for who you are, regardless of societal expectations or family objections. Stay true to yourself and your values, and trust that with patience, understanding, and perseverance, you can overcome the obstacles in your path.

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Anu

Anu Krishna  |1633 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on May 14, 2024

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Relationship
hello ma'am I'm 27 independent girl . i want to marry my partner but my parents not agree due to intercaste i tried to convinced my mom last three year but she not agree and last month i told my father about him. he is not agree with my whole family denied to marry him because to caste. he is independent and his family dont have any issue regarding anything.my parents are said that they will not given their permission for intercaste marriage due to what people will say.because of my family have name in society. my partner family also have name in society. my elder cousin refuse to help me. from last 3 year i was so emotionally tried and sometime i dont want to live . he love me so much i dont want to lose him or cheat him .i dont want are relationship end like that. he never ever forgive me if i leave him.he waiting for me from last 4 years and in 4 years he is loyal with me. i dont understand what to do i feel heavyheartness and low .i can't sleep and eat ,forget things easily now i am exhausted all of this.please reply me as you can with best solution .
Ans: Dear Albatross,
Inter-religion marriages are still a taboo in society; so you are dealing with what has been normalized in society.
If you looking at your parents' approval, it may never happen. So decide how you want to go about it...Of course, you can try to patiently work with your parents and your partner. Think about how to get the two of them together so that your parents get a chance to meet him and interact with him.
Still, be prepared for things not to work out, but do make that humble attempt!
Make a decision that seems the best and stick with it...

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: https://www.facebook.com/anukrish07/ AND https://www.linkedin.com/in/anukrishna-joyofserving/

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Anu

Anu Krishna  |1633 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Aug 06, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 19, 2024Hindi
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Kanchan

Kanchan Rai  |613 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Sep 21, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 14, 2024Hindi
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Relationship
I have been in a relationship with a guy since 10th grade its been 11 years now so we decided to tell our parents his family had no issues and he is currently in canada as a music student he has even started his own event management company but its still just beginning. My parents reacted in a healthy manner but the moment they came to know about inter caste and his financial status( not upto the mark) they had straight forwardly said no with alotbof drama and foul words even. Its been 9 months now im still waiting for them to agree but they are insisting me to move on and go for arrange marriage. I on the other hand belong to business family and has never done any job. But all this while i have cane to know i cant live without my parents or my bf and definitely not get marriaed to someone else. Please help me out what to do!
Ans: First, acknowledge that this situation requires careful navigation. Your relationship has stood the test of time, and clearly, you have strong feelings for your boyfriend, especially given that you've been together for 11 years. His dedication to pursuing his dreams in Canada and building his career in music and event management is admirable, even if his financial situation isn't yet stable. What you need to assess is whether you're willing to stand by him as he grows and whether you share the same vision for the future.

On the other hand, your parents’ concerns seem to stem from their desire for you to have a secure future, especially given your family's business background. They are likely looking for someone who fits into their worldview of stability, and this has led to their reaction when they learned about the inter-caste relationship and your boyfriend’s current financial situation. Their opposition is likely based on their love for you, but the drama and foul words, while hurtful, might reflect their frustration at feeling like they're losing control over your future.

You’ve expressed that you don’t want to lose either your parents or your boyfriend, and that’s where the conflict lies. In this case, the solution isn’t simple, but it can start with communication. It might be helpful to have an open, calm conversation with your parents—not to argue or change their minds immediately, but to help them understand your feelings. Let them know how much you value their opinion, but also explain why you love your boyfriend and why you believe in his potential. Sometimes parents need time to understand that relationships aren't only about caste or financial standing, but also about trust, love, and shared dreams.

At the same time, you might need to have a serious conversation with your boyfriend about your future together, especially given that he's still in the early stages of his career. Be honest about the pressure you're feeling from your family and make sure you're both on the same page about your long-term goals, including how you might handle financial challenges.

It's also important to remember that this decision is yours to make. You are in a unique position, being part of a business family, which means that you've likely been sheltered from certain financial realities. If you do choose to marry your boyfriend, the lifestyle may not immediately match what you’re used to. But if you're confident in his ambition and in the strength of your relationship, then that’s something worth considering as part of your future.

Lastly, while it’s painful to feel like you have to choose between two important parts of your life, it’s possible to work towards a solution that doesn’t leave you with regrets. Give your parents time to see your perspective, but also recognize that their acceptance might take longer than you’d like. In the meantime, staying true to what you value most in life—whether that’s love, security, or family harmony—will guide your decision-making process.

You might also benefit from seeking guidance from a neutral third party, such as a counselor or mediator, who can help you navigate these conversations with both your parents and your boyfriend. This way, you can approach the situation with emotional clarity and respect for everyone involved, including yourself.

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |7471 Answers  |Ask -

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What shall i choose Nit srinagar cse Iiit kota cse Iiit surat cse r jntuh cse
Ans: Isha, Evaluating NIT Srinagar, IIIT Kota, IIIT Surat, and JNTUH CSE through accreditation, faculty expertise, infrastructure, industry partnerships, and placement outcomes reveals distinct strengths. NIT Srinagar, a NAAC A++-accredited institute ranked 79th in the NIRF engineering category, achieved a 121.12% CSE placement rate in 2023 with recruiters like Samsung and Cognizant. IIIT Kota holds NAAC A+ status, recorded a 77.06% CSE placement rate in 2024 via Amazon, Deloitte, and MAQ Software drives, and benefits from cutting-edge coding and research labs. IIIT Surat, governed under the PPP model, posted 70% CSE placements in 2025 following 79% and 68% in prior years, facilitated by a proactive Training & Placement cell and industry internships. JNTUH, a NAAC A-rated state university ranked 88th for B.Tech engineering, secured an 87.62% overall UG placement rate in 2024 through partnerships with Deloitte, TCS, and Amazon within an accredited curriculum framework.

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |7471 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jun 30, 2025

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Hi my doughter select course BA in mass communication from manipal University jaipur is this good or suggest any other good University.
Ans: Ravi Sir, Manipal University Jaipur’s BA in Journalism & Mass Communication (3+1 years) follows NEP-2020 guidelines with A+ NAAC accreditation, offering electives, techno-creative labs, and recruiter visits from Dell, Zee Media, and MY FM, but the standalone 3-year BA program was discontinued in August 2024, limiting its long-term viability. Top alternatives include Symbiosis Centre for Media & Communication Pune, which achieved 100% placements in 2023 with a median package of ?4 LPA and strong industry internships; Christ University Bangalore’s Media Studies department placed 85.7% of its 2023-24 graduates through campus drives with Reuters, Network18, and Edelman; Xavier Institute of Communications Mumbai reports 90% placement consistency with top media houses like JWT, Ogilvy, and The Times Group; and Amity School of Communication Noida maintains a 100% placement record, structured internships, and global accreditation (QS top 3%, NAAC A++) with recruiters including Accenture, HCL, and IBM.

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |7471 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jun 30, 2025

Career
Hello sir , Since the MHT CET results been out for over a week There are people on internet speaking about how they got very less percentile on decent marks Whilst I know the reason being normalisation, but various publications (newspaper) talk about how the cutoff of this year's admission will drop about 3%tile Could you clarify about this ...?
Ans: Mayur, In MHT CET 2025, the State CET Cell implemented a multi-shift normalization process converting raw marks into percentile scores for each session to offset varying difficulty levels and ensure fairness. Official results reveal 37 candidates achieved 100 percentile and nearly 39,000 scored between 90 and 100 percentiles, creating a crowded upper distribution and compressing percentile differences among aspirants. Principals of leading Mumbai colleges report that first-round cutoffs for flagship branches such as CSE, ECE, and Mechanical are expected to decline to the low-80 percentile range—approximately 80–83 percentile—compared to last year’s 85–88 percentile thresholds. This trend is reinforced by an unchanged seat matrix of over 1.04 lakh BTech seats and a surge of high-scoring candidates opting for national-level institutes, which has reduced competition within the state quota. Emerging patterns from expert analyses and newspaper reports indicate that normalized percentiles, higher topper counts, and shift-wise score adjustments have reshaped cutoff dynamics this year. Normalization’s percentile compression due to shift-wise adjustments, a spike in perfect and near-perfect percentiles, high scorers migrating to IIT/JEE channels reducing state-level competition, and a stable seat matrix have collectively driven admission cutoffs down by approximately three percentile points in MHT CET 2025, compared to previous year’s admission cycle performance. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9276 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 30, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 29, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi Ramalingam Sir, Good Evening. I recently bought a land in Bangalore outskirts by redeeming 75 lakhs from my MF portfolio. I've started house construction through a Builder which will cost me 1 crore which will be funded by PMS worth 60 lakhs (which will be redeemed shortly) and remaining 40 lakhs funded by MF portfolio of 85 lakhs. This will leave me with 45 lakhs of MF balance. I will be retiring in March 2026 and has a monthly salary savings of Rs 2 lakhs for the next 9 months and will be getting a bonus of Rs.7 lakhs in Mar'26. Total savings from now till March 2026 would be 25 lakhs. Also I will be receiving retirals (PF and Gratuity) of Rs.60 lakhs. I've invested Rs 20 lakhs in my friend's startup business and getting 15% returns (monthly payout of Rs.25000). I've not taken any loans in the past 25-30 years so no debts. I've to fund my only Son's Engineering from 2025 to 2029 approx 20 lakhs and need Rs.25 to 30 lakhs for his marriage sometime in 2032-33. My post retiral expenses would be approx 45 to 50K per month. I've a small 500 sft flat worth 10 lakhs in Bangalore outskirts and 50% share in ancestral house property worth approx 1 crore which cannot be sold anytime sooner. Been working very hard all through my career and hardly taken my family for trips and hence would like to relax and have yearly domestic trips and international trips every 2-3 years and manage household expenses without depending on my Son. I am getting jittery as not sure if I had over committed in constructing own house and if I would be able to sustain for the next 20 years at least. I am now 58 yrs young. Appreciate your comments and advice. Thanks
Ans: You have shown deep commitment to your family, career, and financial goals. At age 58, with no debts, a solid savings base, and clear life priorities, you are in a commendable position.

Let’s walk through your situation and build clarity, confidence, and comfort around your choices. We'll approach it from a 360-degree perspective, one step at a time.

1. Summary of Your Current Financial Position
Assets and Investments Post House Construction:

Land and under-construction house: Rs. 1.75 crore (land + construction)

MF after partial redemption: Rs. 45 lakhs

PMS (to be redeemed): Rs. 60 lakhs (will be used for construction)

Retirals (EPF + Gratuity): Rs. 60 lakhs in March 2026

Monthly savings till retirement: Rs. 2 lakhs/month × 9 = Rs. 18 lakhs

Bonus in March 2026: Rs. 7 lakhs

Investment in friend’s business: Rs. 20 lakhs (monthly income Rs. 25,000)

500 sqft flat: Rs. 10 lakhs (can be used later if needed)

50% in ancestral property: Worth Rs. 50 lakhs (not liquid currently)

Estimated Corpus by March 2026:

MF: Rs. 45 lakhs

New savings + bonus: Rs. 25 lakhs

Retirals: Rs. 60 lakhs

Friend’s business investment: Rs. 20 lakhs

Total liquid corpus post-retirement: ~Rs. 1.5 crore

This is excluding the house, flat, and ancestral share.

You’ve been very structured and responsible. That deserves full appreciation.

2. House Construction: A Good Decision or Over-Commitment?
Many people feel jittery after making large financial moves close to retirement. That’s natural. Let’s evaluate practically.

Merits of the House Decision:

You’re building a real, usable asset

You avoided debt

You’ve used PMS and MF corpus strategically

You’ll own a valuable asset without EMIs

Cautions:

Rs. 1.75 crore is locked into a non-income generating asset

That impacts liquidity

Any delay or overrun in construction can stress finances

Maintenance costs will come in future

Assessment:

You are not over-committed, but you are fully committed

You will have around Rs. 1.5 crore in liquid assets post-retirement

That is sufficient for 25+ years of moderate expenses

But cash flow planning is now crucial

3. Monthly Expenses and Income Post-Retirement
Expenses:

Household: Rs. 50,000/month

Yearly domestic trip: Rs. 1 lakh

International trip every 3 years: Rs. 5–6 lakhs/3 years

Kid’s education and marriage (long term goals)

Inflation-adjusted needs:

Monthly: Rs. 60,000–65,000 average

Yearly requirement: Rs. 7.5–8 lakhs minimum

Adjusting for travel: Rs. 9–10 lakhs/year

Income Sources:

Rs. 1.5 crore corpus can generate income

Rs. 25,000/month from friend’s startup (Rs. 3 lakhs/year)

You may do light consulting post-retirement (if desired)

Flat and ancestral house – backup options

Gap:

Income from business + returns from corpus should comfortably fund your lifestyle

Withdrawal of 6% per year from corpus is sustainable for 25+ years

So yes, you will be able to sustain your lifestyle comfortably.

4. Child’s Education and Marriage Planning
Education (Rs. 20 lakhs from 2025 to 2029):

Start an STP from mutual funds into a short-term debt fund

Use part of your new monthly savings to add to this fund

You don’t need to use corpus fully now; plan withdrawals in stages

Marriage (Rs. 25–30 lakhs in 2032–33):

This is still 7–8 years away

Allocate Rs. 10–12 lakhs from retiral corpus into balanced funds

Let it grow with moderate risk

Rebalance after 4–5 years

There is no urgency to keep this money liquid now.
Systematic planning will ensure you’re ready when the time comes.

5. Ideal Asset Allocation Strategy
Post-retirement, protecting capital is more important than high returns.

Recommended allocation:

30–35% in balanced mutual funds (for moderate growth)

30–40% in debt mutual funds (for stability and income)

10% in liquid or ultra-short debt (emergency and short-term needs)

10% can remain in the friend’s business if stable

5–10% in gold SGBs (if you wish to add for diversification)

Avoid:

Large allocation to direct equity or high-risk PMS

Illiquid assets which you may need in future

Important: Work with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to set up regular plans.
Avoid direct mutual fund investing. You won’t get strategic rebalancing.
Also, index funds don’t adjust to changing market cycles. Stay with active funds.

6. Cash Flow Planning: Systematic Withdrawals
SWP (Systematic Withdrawal Plan):

Set up a monthly SWP from debt mutual funds after retirement

This gives stable income and reduces tax impact

Keep 12–18 months of expenses in liquid funds at all times

Review portfolio performance every year with a CFP

Don’t let market volatility force you to redeem more.
That breaks the long-term plan.

7. Emergency Fund and Risk Protection
Even at 58, some basic protections are useful.

Emergency fund:

Rs. 5–7 lakhs in liquid fund or sweep-in FD

Covers medical or urgent repair costs

Health insurance:

Ensure you and spouse have Rs. 10–15 lakh family floater

Even after retirement, continue it

Don’t depend only on savings for medical expenses

No loans:

You’ve kept yourself debt-free. That is a big strength.

Continue to stay that way

8. Legacy Planning and Estate Structuring
It’s wise to think long term.

Key actions:

Create a WILL and assign nominees to all assets

Inform family about investments and passwords

Keep a folder with documents, mutual fund statements, property papers

Mention your 50% right in ancestral house in the WILL

You may also include a clause for your friend’s business investment

This brings peace of mind and prevents future confusion.

9. Mental and Emotional Well-Being
After a long career, it’s okay to relax.

You should:

Travel with family guilt-free

Maintain hobbies and social activities

Do short-term consultancy if it feels fulfilling

Spend time in your new home with no EMI pressure

Accept that you’ve done your best. That is enough.

No investment is more valuable than memories with loved ones.
Please prioritise those now.

10. Finally
You are not over-committed. You are well-planned and deeply committed to your family.
You’ve stayed debt-free, built wealth, and now created a home.
Even after spending on the house, you’ll have over Rs. 1.5 crore of investable assets.
This can support you for the next 25 years and more.

Key actions ahead:

Finalise retirement asset allocation with a CFP

Setup SIPs and STPs for child’s goals

Create WILL and update nominations

Keep emotions out of investments

Track only once in 6 months

Your worry shows how much you care. That’s your strength.
But rest assured, you are financially independent and emotionally strong.
Take that yearly vacation. You’ve earned it.

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

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |7471 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jun 30, 2025

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9276 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 30, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 29, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi , I'm 42 years employed in a private job. Monthly salary : 4.5 lacs (post tax), yearly Stocks allocation : 40 lacs ( post tax), bonus - 16 lacs post tax. Savings /investment rate : 1 lacs monthly towards mutual fund, 1 lac towards company stock ESPP, Bonus savings around 10 lacs, stock allocated annually - all saved ( 40 lacs). Yearly 1.5 lac each to myself and spouse account , 1.5 lacs SSY. Investment corpus so far : Mutual funds -90 lacs Equity - 80 lacs FDs - 1 cr Company stocks held ( vested post tax) - 60 lacs SGB - 16 lacs EPF corpus - 1.25 Cr PPF - 18 lacs Land - 80 lacs current value Goals : Buying a home (current value 2cr) Kids education ( current estimate 2cr) 7 yrs old kid need this inflation adjusted after 10 years Retirement corpus - 1.5 lac expense per month. How much I should save and build the corpus and how ?
Ans: You have done an excellent job with savings. At age 42, with consistent income and a disciplined habit, your financial life is already ahead of many. Now, the next step is to align everything with your life goals. Let’s assess and structure your plan from a 360-degree perspective.

Current Income and Savings Snapshot
Monthly post-tax salary: Rs. 4.5 lacs

Annual bonus (post-tax): Rs. 16 lacs

Annual stocks allocation (post-tax): Rs. 40 lacs

Monthly savings:

Rs. 1 lac in mutual funds

Rs. 1 lac in company ESPP

Bonus savings: Around Rs. 10 lacs yearly

Annual stock savings: Entire Rs. 40 lacs

Additional yearly savings:

Rs. 1.5 lacs in your PPF

Rs. 1.5 lacs in spouse’s PPF

Rs. 1.5 lacs in SSY

You are saving over Rs. 65–70 lacs every year. That’s an impressive commitment to your future.

Asset Allocation Overview
Mutual Funds: Rs. 90 lacs

Listed Equity: Rs. 80 lacs

Fixed Deposits: Rs. 1 crore

Company Stocks: Rs. 60 lacs

SGBs: Rs. 16 lacs

EPF: Rs. 1.25 crore

PPF: Rs. 18 lacs

Land: Rs. 80 lacs (not considered liquid for planning)

The total financial asset base (excluding land) is around Rs. 4.89 crore. Excellent progress.

Goal 1: Buying a House Worth Rs. 2 Crore
Assessment and suggestions:

You can buy the house without a loan by using part of current corpus.

However, don’t deplete all liquid assets at once. Keep Rs. 1 crore as reserve.

Use a mix of company stock sale and FDs. Avoid using mutual fund corpus.

Delay the purchase if possible, to avoid breaking FDs prematurely.

Buying should not delay kids’ education or retirement plan.

Recommended action:

Use Rs. 60 lacs from FDs

Use Rs. 60 lacs from company stock

Balance Rs. 80 lacs from stock allocation over next two years

Avoid touching mutual funds and EPF

This method keeps your long-term investment engine running.

Goal 2: Child’s Education – Rs. 2 Crore in 10 Years
Your child is 7 now. So, higher education will start at age 17.
You need Rs. 2 crore in future value. Assume this rises due to inflation.

Evaluation and strategy:

Continue monthly mutual fund SIP of Rs. 1 lac

Top-up SIP by 10–15% annually if possible

From bonus savings, allocate Rs. 5 lacs annually towards child goal

Avoid investing this amount in company stock

Why mutual funds?

Actively managed funds adjust to market cycles

Regular mutual fund investments through a Certified Financial Planner provide ongoing strategy

Mutual funds offer better goal tracking compared to direct stocks

Regular plan gives support and review; direct plans lack that

Why not index funds or direct funds?

Index funds follow the market. They don’t outperform in down cycles.

Direct funds don’t come with advisory or personalised strategy.

Regular plans help align your investment with your goal through expert CFP support.

Stick to regular plans advised by an MFD who also holds CFP certification.

Goal 3: Retirement – Rs. 1.5 Lacs Monthly Expense
You are 42 now. Assume retirement at 55. That gives 13 more years.
Post-retirement, you need Rs. 1.5 lacs monthly (inflation-adjusted).
You already have a strong foundation for this.

Retirement-focused allocation suggestions:

Continue EPF and PPF contributions

Keep SGBs till maturity for regular returns

Add to mutual funds regularly. SIP top-up yearly

Consider a separate SIP for retirement corpus of Rs. 50,000/month

Allocate Rs. 20 lacs annually from bonus and stocks into balanced funds

Why this strategy?

SIP builds wealth steadily and reduces risk

Balanced funds reduce volatility closer to retirement

Actively managed mutual funds adjust with market cycles

Regular review helps you stay on track

You already have Rs. 1.25 crore in EPF and Rs. 18 lacs in PPF. That’s a strong start.
Continue PPF contributions till 55. It gives tax-free interest and safety.

Risk Management – Insurance and Contingency
You didn’t mention insurance or emergency funds. Please evaluate this area seriously.

Suggestions:

Maintain emergency fund of Rs. 15–20 lacs in liquid funds or FDs

Term life insurance: Sum assured should be 10x of your annual income

Health insurance: Minimum Rs. 15 lacs family floater + employer policy

Add personal accident and critical illness cover

Even the best investment plans can get disturbed without these protections.

Portfolio Rebalancing and Tax Optimisation
Rebalancing tips:

Don’t hold excess in one asset. Limit company stock exposure to 10–15% of total.

Mutual funds and equities together should be 60–70% of your corpus.

FDs, PPF, EPF, SGB can be 30–40% for safety.

Tax efficiency guidance:

Mutual fund capital gains are taxed. Plan redemptions wisely.

Equity mutual fund LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lacs taxed at 12.5%

STCG taxed at 20%.

Debt mutual fund gains taxed as per your slab.

Use staggered withdrawals to reduce tax burden. Do not redeem large amounts at once.

Estate Planning
With a growing asset base, plan for asset transfer early.

Key steps:

Create a WILL mentioning all major assets and nominees

Assign nominees to all mutual fund folios and demat accounts

Consider a private family trust if asset base crosses Rs. 15 crore in future

Estate planning avoids confusion for your family later.

What You Should Do Yearly
Review goals every year with CFP

Increase SIP every year with salary hike

Track inflation impact on education and retirement goals

Reduce FD exposure slowly and invest more in balanced mutual funds

Keep land as legacy, not part of active planning

Trim company stock holding every year to control risk

Finally
You are on a great path. Your savings rate is strong. Your income is excellent.
Your awareness and discipline are already better than 90% of people.
But, the next phase needs clear focus. Protect your goals from market swings and risks.

With small adjustments, you can secure your child’s education and your retirement.
Do regular reviews. Keep rebalancing. Avoid overexposure to one asset type.
Stick to professionally managed investments through regular mutual funds advised by a CFP.
Avoid direct plans and index funds which lack active management and advice.

You don’t need new products. You need better structure and discipline.
And, every plan needs annual review and course correction. That keeps your plan relevant.

Keep up the discipline. Your future self will thank you for it.

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

...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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