Hi, I have already been advised once before on a certain crisis I'm faced with. Though along expected lines, it has still come back to haunt me. I was very good friends with a Punjabi girl of a background vastly different from mine. I was very rude to her one day after a certain insensitive act of her's hurt and insulted me. Now she has stopped all communication with me and left me high and dry. Please help me by advising how I should cope with my loneliness now. My friends ask me to read a lot. It might help, but books don't talk to you, do they? They can never be a substitute to a woman's company. I'm thinking of trying to revive a relationship with an old flame, recently divorced. Should I go ahead? Or should I give up on girls altogether and focus on raising my earnings? I'm 49 and at the fag end of my career. Please advise. Thank you. ????

Ans: Hi!!

If it's your dream to fly again, then please be at it... this passion itself should keep you from giving up. Groom yourself, do whatever it takes to be fit, keep your chin up, you have cracked the interview before and worked in this industry, this is your strength. Your time away was for family reasons and remember the lessons you learnt from being away from flying. Be honest in your interviews and show your reasons for joining back. Relook at your resume and then reapply....
Work on yourself, keep your goals realistic and have a positive outlook towards your dreams.

All the very best!!

Ans: Priya Madam,

You have not provided information regarding the number of hours your son sleeps.

(1) Given that your son is only 8 years old, it is important to ensure he gets a minimum of 8 hours of sleep at night and 2 hours in the afternoon. Sleeping hours can be reduced once he enters the 6th Standard.

(2) Ensure he receives a balanced diet and nutritious food to sustain his energy levels. (3) Encourage him to maintain regular water intake to prevent dehydration. (4) Facilitate opportunities for him to take regular breaks and engage in play. (5) A 3rd standard student can't study for extended periods. He should study for 25 to 30 minutes, followed by a 10 to 15-minute break after each 25-minute study session.

(6) I am providing this information for general awareness. Parents should refrain from physically assaulting their children to achieve compliance, as this can undermine their self-confidence. (7) They should engage in more polite and loving communication with the children. (8) Children frequently observe their parents and tend to emulate their actions. Ensure that the environment at home is tranquil. (9) Addiction to electronic gadgets may also result in fatigue. (10) Regarding the Study Planner, it has been previously stated that regardless of whether he studies in the morning or evening, he should engage in study sessions of 25 minutes followed by a 10-minute break after each session. He will not experience fatigue, and the output will be increased. Hope, this answer will help you, Madam.

All the BEST for Your Prosperous Son's Future.

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Ans: OMG, an MSc in clinical psychology is like gold mine in today's time. Schools, colleges, corporates, hospitals are looking for psychologists. I just googled there are many jobs in the Government too.
If this is your area of interest then pls go ahead and start sharing your expertise with the world. Start consulting and start helping people, everyone is looking for an expert to help them navigate through life, specially the young !!

Ans: Write GMAT somewhere in March - April. GMAT scores is valid for 5 years. Then you can start preparing for CAT which is held in November. GMAT prep could help you to some extent in the CAT especially the verbal section.

Ans: No you need not pass FMGE exam. As long as you are graduate in the relevant field you can pursue MBA.

Ans: Do some online courses that are job oriented and simultaneously look for job in that area. Another option would be to do some full time courses like Executive MBA or other job oriented courses that could help you get a job.

Ans: Yes can. There are people who have started new career at later age - like starting successful business. If you are interested in any field start it as a hobby by doing some courses online. Once you feel that you are interested in it can work part time in it before getting into it full time.

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
It seems to me that you are doing a lot to get her attention and love, but you can try a few more things. You can set up a date with her and take her out for a romantic dinner or a movie. You can go for a drive with her; all of these are to spend some quality time together. If things don't get better even then, I suggest you speak to her openly about this. You are still just engaged and not married. You have the time to rectify this; in case she is not in love with you, this relationship can be reconsidered.

While I understand that falling in love just because you are engaged doesn't happen for all, there should be some level of interest and feelings. It is great that you are trying to put in more effort, but you should also communicate your concerns to her so that there's clarity.

Best Wishes.

Ans: You are 29 years old, with a stable monthly salary of Rs 22,000 and low monthly expenses of Rs 6,000–8,000. Your father’s pension covers household needs, giving you flexibility for investments. Current savings of Rs 5,000 per month (Rs 2,000 in mutual funds and Rs 3,000 in a recurring deposit) is a good start.

Priorities and Recommendations
1. Health Insurance
Health insurance is crucial to safeguard against medical emergencies.

Coverage for Self: Opt for an individual health insurance policy with a sum insured of Rs 5–10 lakh. Look for plans offering cashless treatment, comprehensive coverage, and no claim bonus.

Coverage for Family: If you wish to extend coverage for your parents, consider a family floater plan with Rs 10–15 lakh coverage. However, check premiums and benefits before including senior members.

2. Life Insurance
Term Insurance: A term plan is the most cost-effective option. Choose coverage of Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore to secure your family financially. Premiums for a non-smoker male at your age are low (approximately Rs 5,000–7,000 annually for Rs 1 crore coverage).

Avoid investment-linked insurance policies such as ULIPs or endowment plans, as they offer low returns and inadequate insurance coverage.

3. Building an Emergency Fund
Save at least 6–9 months of expenses in a highly liquid instrument like a savings account, short-term fixed deposit, or liquid mutual fund.
Given your expenses of Rs 6,000–8,000, aim for Rs 50,000–70,000 as an emergency fund.
4. Investment Strategy for Growth
You have significant surplus income after meeting expenses. Allocate it to high-growth investment instruments:

Increase Mutual Fund SIPs:

Increase SIPs to Rs 5,000–6,000 monthly.
Diversify across flexi-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds for long-term growth. Suggested categories include:
Flexi-Cap Fund: For diversification.
Mid-Cap Fund: For higher returns over a long horizon.
Small-Cap Fund: Allocate a smaller percentage (10–15%) for aggressive growth.
Recurring Deposit (RD):

RD is low-yield and taxed. Consider redirecting RD savings into mutual funds or a Public Provident Fund (PPF) for better long-term returns and tax benefits.
Public Provident Fund (PPF):

Invest in PPF for a secure, tax-free return (current rate: 7.1%). It’s an excellent long-term savings tool, especially for retirement.
5. Tax Planning
Leverage Section 80C: Maximise Rs 1.5 lakh yearly investment in tax-saving instruments like PPF, ELSS mutual funds, or 5-year tax-saving fixed deposits.

Opt for a health insurance policy to claim benefits under Section 80D (up to Rs 25,000 for self and Rs 50,000 for senior parents).

Suggested Allocation of Rs 10,000 Monthly Surplus
Mutual Funds: Rs 5,000
PPF: Rs 2,500
Emergency Fund: Rs 2,000 (till the fund reaches Rs 50,000–70,000, then redirect to other investments)
Health Insurance Premium: Rs 500–1,000
Final Insights
Prioritise health and term insurance immediately.
Focus on mutual funds and PPF for long-term wealth creation.
Avoid low-ROI options like recurring deposits once current tenure ends.
By maintaining discipline and increasing investment amounts annually, you can achieve financial independence while ensuring your family is protected.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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