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Ravi

Ravi Mittal  |609 Answers  |Ask -

Dating, Relationships Expert - Answered on Apr 24, 2024

Ravi Mittal is an expert on dating and relationships.
He founded QuackQuack, an online dating platform, in 2010 with just two people. Today, it has over 20 million users in India.... more
Shruti Question by Shruti on Apr 18, 2024Hindi
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Relationship

Hi sir I want your advice as I don't know what to do and how to handle I am in long distance relationship with a guy who is in navy since 3 years .He told to his parents about our relationship buy they rejected because off intercaste and all usko bhut kuch sunaya aur ba vo use bat bhi nhi kar rhe pichle 4 mahino se usko mumy use bat gak nhi kar rhi aur use ghar vale uske liye ladki bhi search karne lag gye taki shadi karva de khi aur Is bich vo mujhe ab distance bna rha dur ho rha mujhse dhere dhere mer khane par bat kar rha bs aur.bol rha ab Humara koi future nhi hai isliye acha hoga ab hum bag nhi kare but mai uske bina nhi rhe la rhi bhut buri halat ho rhi meri uske bina vo mer khane par bat kar rha kar vo bhut jyada preshna hai samj nhi aya rha kya karo kese thik karu sab Usne mujhe har jgh se block kar diya gha ek bar par mere manane par aya hai but ab na mere number save kar rha na Instagram par follow kar rha kuch nhi maine jab bola to bolta hai bat ho rhi na bs

Ans: Dear Shruti,

I am sorry that you are in this situation. First of all, please try to look at it from your partner's perspective. It isn't easy to confront your parents and it's even harder when they stop communicating altogether. Having said that, I also understand how it is for you. It is not fair, especially in today's day and age, to face discrimination based on caste.

You have two options:
One, you wait patiently, emotionally support your boyfriend, and hope that his parents come to their senses and realize that we are living in 2024, and caste-based discrimination is ridiculous. In this scenario, you do have to let go of your self-respect and have to face many more hardships, that much is guaranteed.

The second option is you hold your head high and move on. Yes, it isn't what you hoped for when you emotionally invested in building this relationship, but unfortunately, these things are still happening. In this scenario, you will be sad for a long time, but you don't have to compromise on your self-respect and you will move on and live to see happier days with someone who respects you and sees you for who you are and not your caste.

Now, the choice is yours.

Best Wishes!

You may like to see similar questions and answers below

Ravi

Ravi Mittal  |609 Answers  |Ask -

Dating, Relationships Expert - Answered on Apr 18, 2024

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Relationship
My boyfriend tells about us to his parents his parents rejected our relationship due to intercaste and they also stop talking to him it's been 4 months his mother don't talk to him .He is in navy . And they also started searching girl for him . He want to maintain distance from me he is not happy he is stressed as his own parents are not talking to him And also maintaining distance to me he talks to me me but just because I can't live without him but he changes in behaviour what to do
Ans: Dear Shruti,

I am sorry that you are in this situation. First of all, please try to look at it from your partner's perspective. It isn't easy to confront your parents and it's even harder when they stop communicating altogether. Having said that, I also understand how it is for you. It is not fair, especially in today's day and age, to face discrimination based on caste.

You have two options:
One, you wait patiently, emotionally support your boyfriend, and hope that his parents come to their senses and realize that we are living in 2024, and caste-based discrimination is ridiculous. In this scenario, you do have to let go of your self-respect and have to face many more hardships, that much is guaranteed.

The second option is you hold your head high and move on. Yes, it isn't what you hoped for when you emotionally invested in building this relationship, but unfortunately, these things are still happening. In this scenario, you will be sad for a long time, but you don't have to compromise on your self-respect and you will move on and live to see happier days with someone who respects you and sees you for who you are and not your caste.

Now, the choice is yours.

Best Wishes!

..Read more

Anu

Anu Krishna  |1633 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Apr 23, 2024

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Relationship
Hi sir I want your advice as I don't know what to do and how to handle I am in long distance relationship with a guy who is in navy since 3 years .He told to his parents about our relationship buy they rejected because off intercaste and all usko bhut kuch sunaya aur ba vo use bat bhi nhi kar rhe pichle 4 mahino se usko mumy use bat gak nhi kar rhi aur use ghar vale uske liye ladki bhi search karne lag gye taki shadi karva de khi aur Is bich vo mujhe ab distance bna rha dur ho rha mujhse dhere dhere mer khane par bat kar rha bs aur.bol rha ab Humara koi future nhi hai isliye acha hoga ab hum bag nhi kare but mai uske bina nhi rhe la rhi bhut buri halat ho rhi meri uske bina vo mer khane par bat kar rha kar vo bhut jyada preshna hai samj nhi aya rha kya karo kese thik karu sab
Ans: Dear Shruti,
Kya haasil hoga tumhe itna pareshaan hoke? Jab ladke ne faisla le hi liya hai ki woh apne maa-pitaa ki hi sunega, toh aise ladke se tumne shaadi bhi kar li toh khushi toh door, har chote se chote faisle bhi uske maa-pitaa hi lenge aur tumhe kabhi shaadi mein apne pati ki madad nahin milegi.
Toh agar woh tumhe door karne lagaa hai, toh yeh baat saaf hai ki woh tumhare liye ya tum dodno ke rishte se zyaada apne maa-pitaa ki baat hi sunega. Aise aadmi se sambandh badhaane se accha yahi hai ki tum apni zindagi jiyo apni tareeke joh kisi ke mohtaaj nahin hai...Apna future khud banao...Aur haan, zindagi toh chati hi rehti hai, bhale hi woh shaks tumahri zindagi ka hissa ho ya na ho...

All the best!

..Read more

Ravi

Ravi Mittal  |609 Answers  |Ask -

Dating, Relationships Expert - Answered on May 20, 2024

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Relationship
May 07, 2024 Hlo sir I am 25 year old and graduated Now preparing for government job . And the boy I love is in defence (navy) we were in a relationship since last 3 years and he decided to tell abouts us to his family and he did .He told about us to his family but his family rejected our relationship due to intercaste marrige as he is jaat and I am saini we both are from Rajasthan where intercaste marrige is a big issue. And his family not only rejected but is behaving very badly to him .not talking to him properly since last 4 months his mother didn't talk to him she stops talking to him. It is very tough for us as well as we didn't expect this reaction from his family.He thought as they love him so much if he try to convince them they will but nothing happened like this . He is very sad and broken and try to make distance from me but can't I also tried but we both can't live each other it's been very tough for both of us to live each other as we don't want to live and also his parents are not accepting this Even though he told me that I tried all ways to convince them but they aren't.and I don't want to give you false hope for future So now we don't have any future but still we want each other as is it not possible to live him at least for me it's not possible. Vo apne parents k against ja nhi skata aur na unke khilaf khada ho sakta aur mai bhi ye nhi chahti ki vo esa kare kyuki atlast family chaiye hum dono ko mai bhi meri family k against to nhi jaugi but ha meri family man jayegi agar mai unhe manugi to uske family jyada orthodox hai . Usne bich Mai 7 - 8 dino tak mujhse distance banne ki kosis kari thi mujhe block kar diya tha har jgh se humari sari photos bhi delete kar di but bad mai mere bhut jyada manage par vo vapis aya gya ap mujhse bat karta hai .maine use pucha ki kya plane hai phr to usne bola ki maine puri koshish kar li har taraf se nhi man rhe ab future ki koi hope nhi hai apni aur meri galti hai maine bat hi kyu kyu tumse starting mai ...mai relationship maj aya hi kyu .. Lekin mai phr bhi use bat kar rhi aur vo bhi kyuki hum dono ek dusre k bine nhi rh pa rhe ab smaj nhi aya rha kya kare .....vo preshna bhi hai jo Banda humesha hasta rhta tha ab vo ek dam udas ho gya hai chup rhene lag gya ye mujse dekha bhi nhi ja rha kya karu kuch smaj nhi aya rha
Ans: Hi Shruti,

I am sorry that you are in this situation. First of all, please try to look at it from your partner's perspective. It isn't easy to confront your parents and it's even harder when they stop communicating altogether. Having said that, I also understand how it is for you. It is not fair, especially in today's day and age, to face discrimination based on caste.

You have two options:
One, you wait patiently, emotionally support your boyfriend, and hope that his parents come to their senses and realize that we are living in 2024, and caste-based discrimination is ridiculous. In this scenario, you do have to let go of your self-respect and have to face many more hardships, that much is guaranteed.

The second option is you hold your head high and move on. Yes, it isn't what you hoped for when you emotionally invested in building this relationship, but unfortunately, these things are still happening. In this scenario, you will be sad for a long time, but you don't have to compromise on your self-respect and you will move on and live to see happier days with someone who respects you and sees you for who you are and not your caste.

Now, the choice is yours.

Best Wishes!

..Read more

Ravi

Ravi Mittal  |609 Answers  |Ask -

Dating, Relationships Expert - Answered on Apr 07, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 06, 2025Hindi
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Relationship
Hi, I'm 31yrs old lady from India, my parents are searching for marriage proposals for me since 4yrs, but due to numerous reasons like different career or dowry or my appearance, none were successful. And I din invest my time in knowing about the past proposals personally. However, recently my parents came to me with a proposal- guy settled abroad and told me he will talk to me. Before I tell yes I researched about how I can relocate to the place where he is by contacting the different institutions from his place as our both career fields were totally different I knew he won't be on much help if I have to get job aftr marriage at his place in abroad. In the meantime, he had texted me, whenever he texts it will be on weekends..and first time when he texted I had replied 2hrs late bcz of our different time frame in our locations. But after i replied his message came aftr few hours telling he is not well so he will call later. So his next text was a week later on weekend. That day since I was busy for half a day, we spoke aftr my work. The call lasted for 30min with basic Convo about our job, hobbies, culture at his place etc. and the call ended with him telling we shall talk again and he ll inform his parents abt our talk. It was voice call, we saw each other only in photos. So I waited again for a week for his call or text but I was told by my dad that his dad informed that they won't proceed further. Now, here I am invested my talk and thoughts for nearly 3-4weeks and thinking abt my future with him, in addition I liked the guy because of his politeness and understanding nature and was hoping for this proposal to work. Now, even aftr a month of this rejection, I am still hoping for a miracle to happen and he comes back to my life. I am hoping he can try to understand me better before telling no. I want to know the reason for his rejection too. I have the urge to reach out to him, text him and ask his reasons and to ask if there is any chance to change it to yes. What should I do?
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
I understand it must be confusing- you spoke to him and from your perspective, things went smoothly and yet they dropped the proposal abruptly. But here’s the catch- it might not have been the same experience for him. As you mentioned, you had basic conversations; is it possible that he was hoping to connect with you more in the three weeks’ time? We can’t say for sure what was the reason, but one thing I can tell you is that you deserve someone who does not need convincing to marry you. I know you were invested in him, but it is much better to lose those three weeks than settle for a marriage where both partners are not on the same page. Please understand your worth. I can’t stop you from contacting him or asking them what went wrong, but I can certainly advise you against it. You will get better alliances. Also, I want you to understand that you are only 31; you are still so young. Do not settle for anything less than the one who's best for you!

Best Wishes.

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9412 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 06, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 05, 2025Hindi
Money
Hello Sir, I am 42 year old , have parents, wife and 2 daughter. monthly take home is 2.25 lakh, current savings are- 1- MF - 25lakh 2- PPF- 8 lakh 3- stocks 80k 4- NPS- 1 lakh 5- PF - 24 lakh 6- Sukankya Samridhi - 1 lakh have a house loan of 36lakh, give EMI of 50k per month. I am planning for retirement by 50 years. any suggestion for any fix on current investment. I am single earner in my family, any suggestion on my current investment to make it better.
Ans: You are 42 years old with a solid monthly income of Rs. 2.25 lakh. You are managing family responsibilities for wife, two daughters, and parents. You are also repaying a home loan with Rs. 50,000 EMI monthly. You have already built up a strong savings base, which shows discipline. You plan to retire at 50. That gives you only 8 years. This is an ambitious goal. But with the right approach, it's possible.

Let us now go step by step to assess and improve your current investments. This will be a full-circle view covering risk, returns, liquidity, taxes, and future goals.

Your Current Investment Snapshot
From what you’ve shared, your assets are spread across:

Mutual Funds: Rs. 25 lakh

PPF: Rs. 8 lakh

Stocks: Rs. 80,000

NPS: Rs. 1 lakh

EPF: Rs. 24 lakh

Sukanya Samriddhi: Rs. 1 lakh

House Loan: Rs. 36 lakh (EMI Rs. 50,000 per month)

This is a very good base to start with. There is growth, safety, and diversification. But you also have responsibility as a single earner. Let us now do a 360-degree assessment.

Family Protection First
Since you are the only earner, protection is very important.

Suggestions:

Term insurance should be at least 15 times your yearly income.

In your case, it should be around Rs. 4 crore or more.

Don’t mix investment with insurance.

Avoid ULIPs or traditional endowment plans.

Surrender such policies if already taken. Reinvest in mutual funds.

Health insurance:

Ensure your entire family is covered.

Buy a family floater plan with Rs. 10 lakh cover or more.

Also buy personal accident cover.

Add critical illness policy for long-term protection.

This protection is needed to secure your savings from any health shocks.

Understanding Your Retirement Goal at 50
You have just 8 years left for retirement.

That means:

You have to build a retirement corpus fast.

You need to cover expenses for 30+ years post retirement.

Medical inflation and daily expenses will rise.

Your current retirement assets:

PF + NPS = Rs. 25 lakh

Mutual Funds: Rs. 25 lakh

PPF (part can be used)

Stocks, Sukanya and home equity are not ideal for retirement

Your home is not an investment unless sold. EMI is a cash outflow.

So, retirement corpus must come mainly from mutual funds, EPF, and NPS.

Mutual Fund Investments – Review Needed
You have Rs. 25 lakh in mutual funds.

Suggestions:

Review fund selection carefully.

Are they active funds or index funds?

Don’t go for index funds. They follow the market blindly.

Actively managed funds adjust based on market cycles.

That gives better protection in falling markets.

If you are using direct funds:

It may save cost, but it gives no guidance.

Wrong fund selection will cost more than saved expense.

Always go for regular plans via Mutual Fund Distributor with CFP credential.

You get professional support, handholding, reviews, and behaviour coaching.

This service is valuable, especially near retirement.

Monthly Investment Strategy
After paying Rs. 50,000 EMI, you still have Rs. 1.75 lakh.

Let us plan your monthly surplus wisely.

Suggestions:

Keep Rs. 20,000 for monthly emergency fund top-up.

Allocate Rs. 80,000 into mutual fund SIPs.

Invest another Rs. 25,000 in NPS Tier I for tax saving and retirement.

Use Rs. 30,000 to prepay part of the home loan (optional).

Rest can be kept for family needs and flexible savings.

Your SIP should include:

Large-cap actively managed fund

Flexi-cap fund

Hybrid aggressive fund

Balanced advantage fund

Each fund should match your risk profile and goal duration.

Debt Instruments Review
You have:

EPF – Rs. 24 lakh

PPF – Rs. 8 lakh

Sukanya Samriddhi – Rs. 1 lakh

NPS – Rs. 1 lakh

Analysis:

EPF and PPF are safe, long-term, and tax-free.

They offer low but guaranteed growth.

Don’t invest more into PPF now. Returns are slow.

Instead, increase NPS contribution for tax benefit and retirement.

For daughters:

Sukanya Samriddhi is good. Continue yearly contribution.

Don't go overboard. Fund their education through mutual funds also.

Equity Stocks – Handle with Caution
You hold Rs. 80,000 in direct stocks.

Suggestions:

Keep direct stocks only if you have time and knowledge.

Otherwise, shift funds to equity mutual funds.

Let experts manage stocks through mutual funds.

Don’t depend on stock tips or social media suggestions. Stay focused on long-term wealth building.

Home Loan Strategy
Your outstanding loan is Rs. 36 lakh. EMI is Rs. 50,000.

Suggestions:

Don't rush to close the loan unless you are nearing retirement.

Interest rates are now moderate.

Prepay small amounts yearly if you have excess cash.

But don’t compromise retirement corpus to close the loan early.

It’s better to invest and earn 11-12% than save 8% on loan interest.

Retirement Income Strategy
From age 50, your income will stop. Your savings must generate monthly income.

Suggestions:

Shift mutual fund investments slowly to balanced or hybrid funds.

Use Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) from mutual funds.

Avoid annuities. Returns are poor, and capital is locked.

Keep 3 years’ worth expenses in safe liquid mutual funds.

Don’t rely only on pension. Mix growth and income wisely.

Build a portfolio that can support you till 85-90 years.

Emergency and Liquidity Planning
As single earner, emergency fund is important.

Suggestions:

Keep 6 to 9 months of expenses in liquid mutual funds.

Don’t lock all money in long-term options.

Have a separate account for emergency cash.

Update all nominations. Keep documents handy.

Tax Efficiency Strategy
You are in the highest income tax slab.

Suggestions:

Use Section 80C through EPF, NPS, Sukanya, and ELSS.

Invest in NPS for Section 80CCD(1B) extra benefit.

Use mutual funds wisely to avoid unnecessary taxes.

Sell equity mutual funds after 1 year. LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%.

Avoid short-term gains. They are taxed at 20%.

Mutual funds give flexibility. But use them smartly.

Goal-Based Investing for Daughters
Education and marriage are two important goals.

Suggestions:

Open separate SIPs for education and marriage goals.

Use aggressive hybrid or flexi-cap funds for education.

Use multi-cap and balanced funds for marriage.

Shift to debt funds slowly as the goal comes near.

Keep goals separate. Don’t mix them.

Review and Rebalancing
You must not ignore this step.

Suggestions:

Do yearly review with a Certified Financial Planner.

Check if asset allocation is as per goal timeline.

Shift from equity to debt slowly near goal years.

Don’t invest emotionally or by watching the market.

Stick to your plan. Avoid over-trading.

Final Insights
You are in a strong position. Income is good. Investments are spread well.

You have clear goals. You are serious about retirement. That’s a very positive sign.

But you need to act now. Because time is short. You want to retire in 8 years.

Start monthly SIPs in right mix of mutual funds. Use regular plans with CFP-backed distributor support.

Avoid index funds. They are passive. No decision-making during market changes.

Avoid direct plans. No guidance leads to wrong fund selection. That spoils the outcome.

Review your portfolio yearly. Rebalance as needed. Don’t let emotions decide investments.

Keep protection strong. Life and health insurance must be updated.

Separate your goals. One fund, one goal strategy works better.

Keep investing. Stay disciplined. And stay focused on your end goal – peaceful and early retirement.

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  |8039 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 06, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 06, 2025Hindi
Career
I got 90.97 ile in mht cet and 81 ile in jee mains can i get into good colleges in cs or AIML ?
Ans: With a 90.97 percentile in MHT CET (approximate closing ranks between 1,500–4,000 for AI/ML and 9,000–12,000 for CSE in Maharashtra) and an 81 percentile in JEE Main (All-India rank ~200 000), these ten institutes offer achievable CS or AI/ML seats, all NBA/NAAC-accredited with PhD-qualified faculty, specialized labs, active placement cells (75–90% branch-wise placements over the last three years), robust industry tie-ups and mandatory internships:
PICT Pune Computer Engineering (1500–1540 rank) offers strong CS fundamentals; PICT AI & DS (1400–1450 rank) provides data-science specialisation; DJ Sanghvi College of Engineering Mumbai AI & ML (1600–1650 rank) focuses on machine-learning labs; VIT Bibwewadi Pune CSE (AI) (2900–2950 rank) integrates robotics and AI modules; Thadomal Shahani Engineering College Mumbai AI & DS (3750–3800 rank) emphasises analytics projects; Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering Pune AI & ML (3950–4000 rank) offers cloud-computing internships; Vishwakarma Institute of Technology Bibwewadi Pune CSE (AIML) (3950–4000 rank) blends software engineering and AI; Fr. C. Rodrigues College of Engineering Mumbai AI & DS (2250–2300 rank) has dedicated AI research centres; SPIT Mumbai CSE (12 000–14 000 rank) balances software and hardware domains; and JSPM Narhe Technical Campus Pune CSE (7 500–9 700 rank) features IoT and AI accelerators.

Recommendation:
For the best mix of CS breadth and AI specialisation, recommendation is PICT Pune CSE & AI & DS for its dual-track labs and ~85% placements. As strong alternatives, choose DJ Sanghvi AI & ML, PICT AI & DS, and VIT Bibwewadi CSE (AI) based on your preferred focus. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9412 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 06, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 05, 2025Hindi
Money
Sir im paying 65000 emi for a 80 lac home loan. If i pre pay 5lacs this yr. Will it deduct my principal amount or interest. Whats the advantage of prepayment. This is 2nd yr of my loan term of 20 yrs.
Ans: Understanding Home Loan EMI Structure

Every EMI has two parts: interest and principal.

In early years, interest portion is very high.

Principal repayment is low in the beginning.

Over time, interest reduces and principal increases.

Impact of Prepayment in 2nd Year

Prepayment goes directly towards principal.

It does not reduce the interest directly.

But it reduces total interest over the loan period.

After prepayment, your outstanding balance drops.

So future EMIs have lower interest burden.

Benefits of Prepaying Rs. 5 Lakhs Now

Reduces overall loan tenure or EMI outgo.

Saves a lot of future interest payments.

Helps build home equity faster.

Reduces total liability early in the loan cycle.

Option 1: Keep EMI Same, Reduce Tenure

Loan gets closed earlier than 20 years.

Maximum interest saved with this method.

Good if you can manage the same EMI.

Option 2: Reduce EMI, Keep Tenure Same

Monthly burden reduces.

Interest saved is lesser than Option 1.

Useful if you need more cash flow.

Which Option is Better?

Reducing tenure saves more interest.

Recommended if you can continue same EMI.

Better from wealth creation view also.

How Much Interest Can You Save?

You will save lakhs over the long term.

The earlier you prepay, the better the savings.

Interest saved is more in initial years.

Loan Amortisation Works in Reverse

Interest is front-loaded in a home loan.

So early prepayments have bigger impact.

Later prepayments have lesser benefit.

Should You Consider Prepayment Regularly?

Yes, make partial prepayments every year if possible.

Even Rs. 1–2 lakhs annually helps a lot.

It brings down total interest drastically.

How Prepayment Affects Tax Benefits

Interest deduction under Section 24(b) remains Rs. 2 lakhs per year.

Principal deduction under Section 80C is Rs. 1.5 lakhs per year.

Prepayment doesn’t reduce these deductions.

But faster closure means fewer years of tax benefit.

When to Avoid Prepayment?

If you have higher-interest debt, clear that first.

If liquidity is low, build emergency fund first.

Don’t use investments earning higher than home loan rate for prepayment.

Don’t compromise long-term goals like retirement for loan closure.

Consider These Before Prepaying

Keep at least 6–9 months’ expenses as emergency fund.

Don’t withdraw from PF or PPF for this.

Don’t redeem mutual funds with high potential return.

Prioritise financial goals first, then prepay.

Should You Continue or Increase EMI?

If income rises, consider increasing EMI too.

Every EMI hike reduces tenure further.

Combine prepayment with EMI increase for best results.

Long-Term Financial Impact of Prepayment

Reduces liability pressure in later years.

Helps you become debt-free early.

Creates mental peace and financial stability.

Frees up income for other investments later.

Common Misunderstandings About Prepayment

Some think interest gets adjusted directly. That’s incorrect.

Prepayment reduces the principal, not the interest.

But this reduces future interest outflow.

Some think small prepayment doesn’t help. Even small amounts matter.

Best Practices for Home Loan Management

Prepay more in first 5–7 years.

Avoid loan tenure extensions unless critical.

Avoid missing EMIs to protect credit score.

Don’t refinance unless rate benefit is over 0.5%.

Why Prepayment Is Smart in 2nd Year

Your interest share is very high now.

Every rupee paid now saves more than later.

Reduces the overall cost of the loan.

Also brings financial discipline.

Track Your Loan Statements

See how your prepayment reduces principal.

Track updated amortisation schedule.

It will show new tenure or EMI post-payment.

Ask bank to issue revised repayment schedule.

Should You Use Investments for Prepayment?

Avoid using the following:

PPF or EPF (long-term and tax-free).

High-performing mutual funds (higher return potential).

Emergency funds (keep intact for safety).
Use these instead:

Idle cash in savings account.

Low-return FDs (especially if post-tax return is less than loan rate).

Bonuses or windfalls.

Final Insights

Prepayment reduces interest and tenure.

Most useful when done in early years.

Use surplus cash without disturbing goal-based investments.

Choose tenure reduction over EMI reduction for maximum benefit.

Keep monitoring and prepay strategically over the years.

Do not over-leverage your liquidity for home loan closure.

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9412 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 06, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 05, 2025Hindi
Money
Dear Sir, My age is 44 , I have two kids(daughters) of 8 and 5 years , I have one health insurance policy , One term insurance policy. Currently getting salary of 45,000/- Pm , Got own house, No loans as of now. I have investment of of 5 lakhs in FD , 5 lakh in PPF , 2 lakh bank balance. I want to plan my retirement daughters education and marriage. wanted to invest in stocks mutual and any other investment which will secure my future.
Ans: Your current situation reflects a solid foundation. At 44, with no loans, steady income, own house, good savings, insurance coverage, and two young daughters, you're ahead of many. You’re thinking ahead – retirement, daughters’ education, and marriage. That’s smart and responsible. Now, let’s look at a detailed, all-round financial strategy from all angles, keeping your goals in mind.

Understanding Your Present Financial Setup
You’re earning Rs. 45,000 per month. That’s your key cash inflow.

You’ve got:

Rs. 5 lakh in Fixed Deposit

Rs. 5 lakh in PPF

Rs. 2 lakh in bank savings

One term insurance policy

One health insurance policy

Own house

No loans

This is a clean and stable starting point. Your financial risks are low. That’s commendable.

But your investments are more in fixed return options. This will not beat long-term inflation. Let us now look at planning your future needs and aligning your money to each.

Priority Goals to Address
You have three clear financial goals:

Retirement

Daughters’ education

Daughters’ marriage

Each needs a different strategy. Let us plan for each goal separately.

Retirement Planning
You are 44 now. You may have around 16 years to plan for retirement.

Challenges:

You will not have salary after retirement.

Medical expenses may increase.

You need money for day-to-day life after 60.

Suggestions:

Avoid keeping too much in FDs. They don’t beat inflation.

PPF is safe, but it grows slowly and has a lock-in.

You need higher returns for long-term goals.

Action Steps:

Start monthly SIPs in actively managed mutual funds.

Keep investing till you reach retirement.

Increase SIPs every year as salary increases.

Combine large-cap, flexi-cap, and balanced advantage fund categories.

Don’t go for index funds. They just copy market. No flexibility.

Actively managed funds adjust during market fall. That gives safety.

Get help from a Mutual Fund Distributor who is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).

Don’t go for direct mutual funds. No one will guide you. Mistakes can be costly.

With regular plans via CFP-MFD, you get full support. Also behavioural coaching.

Stick to funds with strong track record. Don’t change often.

Education Planning for Daughters
Your daughters are 8 and 5. You have 10-15 years before higher education.

Challenges:

Education costs are rising fast.

Inflation is higher in education sector.

You need money lump sum at that time.

Suggestions:

Begin separate mutual fund SIPs for each daughter.

Again, go for actively managed funds.

Avoid mixing insurance and investment.

Do not invest in child plans. They offer poor returns.

Keep FD and PPF for emergencies, not for education.

Action Steps:

You can use balanced advantage funds or multi-cap funds.

Review investments every 12 months.

Use SIPs. Start small. Increase yearly.

Have one goal-based investment for each daughter.

Avoid ULIPs or endowment plans. They are not fit for this goal.

Marriage Planning for Daughters
You may need funds in 15 to 20 years.

Challenges:

Not a fixed date like education. So, flexibility is needed.

Emotionally, you may not want to take risk close to that time.

Suggestions:

Use long-term mutual funds now.

Slowly move to low-risk options as the event gets closer.

Do not use gold schemes or traditional insurance for this.

Action Steps:

Start SIPs in diversified equity funds.

Around 5 years before marriage, shift from equity to hybrid funds.

Final 2 years, move fully to safe instruments like ultra-short funds.

Protecting Your Family
You have a term plan and health insurance. That’s good.

Check the following:

Term insurance must be at least 15 times your yearly income.

Health cover should include entire family, with Rs. 10 lakh coverage.

Add critical illness cover if not already there.

Avoid:

Insurance-cum-investment policies.

LIC traditional plans or ULIPs. Surrender them if you have any.

Reinvest surrender value in mutual funds via SIP.

Emergency Fund and Liquidity
Your Rs. 2 lakh bank balance is a good emergency buffer.

Suggestions:

Keep 6 months' expenses as emergency fund.

Keep this in liquid mutual fund or sweep-in FD.

Don’t invest emergency money in equity.

Tax-Saving Strategy
You already invest in PPF. That gives Section 80C benefit.

Suggestions:

Avoid locking entire 80C in one product.

Invest part in ELSS mutual fund through regular plan with CFP help.

ELSS gives better long-term returns than PPF.

Don’t go overboard with insurance for tax saving.

Rebalancing and Monitoring
Many people ignore this part. But it’s very important.

Suggestions:

Review portfolio once a year.

Rebalance asset allocation as per goal timelines.

If equity markets are too high or too low, make necessary shifts.

This prevents losses and manages risk.

Monthly Budget Discipline
Rs. 45,000 salary is decent, but needs wise handling.

Suggestions:

Track all expenses every month.

Follow 50:30:20 rule. (50% needs, 30% wants, 20% saving)

Slowly increase savings portion.

Don’t take personal loans or credit card loans.

Avoid investing in real estate again. It blocks liquidity.

Asset Allocation Guidance
You must divide money based on risk and goal timing.

Suggested mix:

Emergency Fund: Bank + Liquid fund

Short-Term Needs (

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |8039 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 06, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 06, 2025Hindi
Career
Hello sir, My son scored AIR 7493 in JEE mains, AIR 9900 in JEE Advance, K-CET rank 138, MHT-CET 99.85 percentile, BITSAT 286 marks. Karnataka home state for 12th grade, parents with Maharashtra domicile. He got IIT Patna Mechanical engineering in JoSAA councilling. He may get BITs Goa or Hyderabad ECE. He may get CSE in Karnataka 's and Maharashtra's good private or Govt. engineering colleges. Which branch and college should be preferred for good future academic and professional growth? Please advise.
Ans: IIT Patna’s B.Tech Mechanical Engineering, an NBA- and NAAC-accredited programme, is delivered by PhD-qualified faculty in advanced manufacturing, CAD/CAM and thermofluids labs, integrates mandatory internships and records an 81.5% placement rate for Mechanical students over the past three years. BITS Pilani’s ECE at Goa and Hyderabad campuses, NBA-accredited with state-of-the-art VLSI, communications and IoT labs, sustains an ~81% overall placement consistency, with ECE cohorts typically matching this trend. CSE programmes in top Karnataka and Maharashtra institutes—such as COEP Pune, VJTI Mumbai, PESCE Mandya and DSCE Bengaluru—combine NAAC A+/NBA accreditation, specialized AI/ML and data-science facilities, strong corporate tie-ups and 80–90% branch-wise placement records. Accreditation ensures quality and global recognition; faculty expertise drives rigorous curricula; modern infrastructure (labs, makerspaces) underpins hands-on learning; industry collaborations and internships bolster employability; and consistent placement rates reflect sustained recruiter confidence.

Recommendation: (Order of Preference)
Given your son’s All-India ranks and state quotas, recommendation is IIT Patna (if location is OK for your son) Mechanical for its strong core-engineering training and reliable 81.5% placements. Next, choose BITS Goa/Hyderabad ECE for cutting-edge electronics exposure and ~81% placement consistency. For market-facing computing roles, consider COEP Pune CSE, VJTI Mumbai CSE, and RVCE-Bengaluru CSE in that order, leveraging their 85–90% branch placements and premier labs. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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