Hi Anu ji, Please help me out the right way!!
I am a single mother, working woman. One of my colleagues got to know about my marital status and slowly he started liking me, texting me.
He was always caring and I felt comfortable and secure in his company. But he has a family.
Despite that, he is in relationship with me, and always tries his best to keep me happy like a family guy.
I tried to break up with him and move on thrice. Still he came back saying he cannot stay without me.
Now my problem is I am worried how will we manage if the relationship is revealed.
My parents will definitely not allow and neither will his family.
I am very confused. Please help
I don't want to lose him but I don't want to hurt his family or be the reason for his family disputes.

Ans: All the institutes under consideration—NIT Nagpur, NIT Allahabad, COEP Pune, NIT Warangal, and NIT Rourkela—hold NAAC-accredited status with predominantly PhD-qualified faculty and modern laboratory infrastructure encompassing AI/ML, VLSI, communications, and software development facilities. These institutions maintain robust academic standards through NBA-aligned curricula, mandatory internship programs, and strong industry collaborations with leading organizations including Microsoft, Intel, TCS, and international research institutions. For aspiring MS candidates abroad, NIT Warangal stands out with its NIRF engineering ranking of #21 and established international partnerships, including collaborations with universities in Thailand, France, and the USA, while maintaining a balanced research-to-teaching focus through its 65 active doctoral students and funded projects worth Rs. 300 lakhs. COEP Pune leverages its 170-year legacy with recent initiatives including MOUs with the University of Alabama Birmingham for dual-degree programs and University of Calgary for Project Management, providing structured pathways for international academic transitions. IIIT Allahabad distinguishes itself through active European Union collaborations, including the prestigious ERASMUS+ project with THM University Germany and established partnerships with Carnegie Mellon University, MIT, and UC Berkeley, offering direct research exchange opportunities that strengthen MS abroad applications. NIT Allahabad maintains strong international ties with Queen's University Canada, University of Missouri USA, and Asian Institute of Technology Thailand, while fostering research publications in IEEE journals and supporting interdisciplinary projects that enhance graduate school readiness. ECE programs across these institutions provide comprehensive coverage of emerging technologies including 5G, IoT, embedded systems, and signal processing, while CSE programs emphasize cutting-edge areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, and software engineering, both offering excellent preparation for specialized MS programs abroad.


For strongest international research exposure and ERASMUS+ partnerships facilitating European university transitions, the recommendation is IIIT Allahabad CSE. Next, consider NIT Warangal ECE for balanced research opportunities and established international collaborations, followed by COEP Pune CSE for structured dual-degree pathways and NIT Allahabad ECE, then NIT Rourkela ECE for solid technical foundations. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Hello Harsh.
Both are strong options. I hope it is SRM KTR. Prefer CSE @ SRM KTR if possible. The final decision will be yours.
Good luck!
Follow me if you like this reply. Thanks!
Radheshyam

Ans: Hello Balaji.
Such details are available with us. It is highly recommended to visit the placement division of any institute to know the exact details. If satisfied, then consider taking the admission.
Good luck!
Follow me if you like this reply. Thanks!
Radheshyam

Ans: Hello Prerna.
Better to collect the information online, or if you are thinking of taking admission, then visit in person for more details.
Good luck!
Follow me if you like this reply. Thanks!
Radheshyam

Ans: Go for IIT ROPAR.

Ans: No worries. Don't be so much worried about AI. Everyone is talking about it, but how many of them know what AI really is? Branches like Chemical and Metallurgy are having evergreen demand and now a days very few good students are going there. So there is huge scope.

Ans: Hello dear.
You did not mention any other option for comparison. Rethink about SRM AP and, if possible, try to visit the campus before finalising the admission. If satisfied, then go with it.
Good luck!
Follow me if you like this reply. Thanks!
Radheshyam

Ans: Parul University, located in Vadodara, Gujarat, is a private university known for its wide range of programs and focus on overall student development. It has received recognition for its academic quality and placements, including an A++ NAAC accreditation and rankings among the top universities in India. However, some reviews mention concerns about certain aspects of the university, such as the mess timings and strict security.

Ans: You are 24 now.
You want to retire at 40.
That gives you 16 years to build wealth.
You are earning Rs 65,000 per month.
You spend Rs 30,000. You save the rest.
No loans. That is a great start.

Early retirement is possible with strong financial habits.
But it needs high savings, discipline, and right investment choices.
Let us build your roadmap step by step.

Monthly Surplus Is the Key Strength

You spend Rs 30,000 monthly.
That means you can save Rs 35,000 per month.
This is a very strong surplus at your age.
If you invest this smartly, you can reach financial freedom.

You must focus on:

High-quality mutual fund SIPs

Strong emergency fund

Term insurance and health insurance

Avoiding debt-based assets like property

Avoiding gold as a major investment

Let us plan your money smartly.

Emergency Fund Comes First

You must have emergency money for six months of expenses.
Your expenses are Rs 30,000 monthly.
So target Rs 1.8 lakhs in an emergency fund.

Keep this in a savings-linked RD or liquid fund.
Do not put emergency money in gold or SIPs.
It must be liquid and safe.

Start saving Rs 5,000 monthly till you reach Rs 1.8 lakhs.
After that, stop and shift focus to long-term investments.

Insurance Is Not Optional

You are young and healthy.
But life and health cover is still necessary.

Buy a pure term plan with Rs 50 lakhs cover.
This is cheap and protects your dependents.
Avoid any LIC or ULIP or endowment plans.

Also take a personal health cover of Rs 5 lakhs.
Do not depend only on employer health policy.
If you change jobs, that cover will go away.

Both these insurances are part of financial freedom.
They protect your future wealth from damage.

Mutual Fund SIPs Are the Main Engine

You want to do SWP of Rs 60,000 per month after 40.
In today’s money, Rs 60,000 will be more in future due to inflation.
You need a large corpus by 40.

You must invest regularly in mutual funds from now.
Start with Rs 30,000 per month in mutual fund SIPs.

Split this SIP into 3 to 4 good funds only:

One flexi-cap

One mid-cap

One hybrid aggressive

One ELSS or small-cap

Avoid index funds.
Index funds copy the market. They fall fully in crash.
They do not have a fund manager to protect you.
Actively managed funds adjust portfolios.
They can avoid weak sectors.

That is why Certified Financial Planners prefer active funds.
You also get fund strategy, sector analysis, and rebalancing.

Avoid direct mutual funds if you are not an expert.
Direct funds need you to do all fund selection and rebalancing.
You may make wrong switches or miss the timing.

Instead, use regular plans via MFD working with CFP.
You get tracking, updates, and advice when market changes.

SIP is your growth tool.
Start with Rs 30,000 now. Increase it every year with salary hike.

If you get bonus, invest it as lump sum in same funds.

Can SIP Beat Gold? Absolutely Yes

Gold is emotional for Indians.
But for wealth building, gold is not ideal.

Gold gives 5-8% return on average.
Sometimes 10%. But with long flat periods.
Also, gold gives no income. You cannot get monthly returns from it.

Mutual funds give better returns.
Equity funds grow wealth faster.

They also give tax-efficient returns.
You can do SWP in mutual funds.
You cannot do monthly withdrawal from gold.

Also remember:

Gold returns are volatile

Gold is taxed as per slab when sold

Gold has making charges, storage issues

SIP in equity funds beats gold over 10-15 years.
Gold can be 5% of your portfolio. But not more.

If you want to invest in gold, do it only for diversification.
Not for long-term wealth.

Avoid Buying Land or Plot Now

You want to buy land. But that is not wise now.
You are 24. You want to retire by 40.
Land investment will create EMI.
It will reduce your SIP power.

Also land gives no monthly income.
Land price may not grow fast.

You will also pay stamp duty, taxes, and registration charges.
No tax benefit unless you build house and live there.

Plot is an illiquid asset.
You cannot sell part of it in need.

EMI on land will lock your income for 10–15 years.
That will delay your financial freedom.
Avoid this mistake.

Focus on liquid, flexible, and growing investments.
Mutual funds are best suited for this.

Build corpus first. Then decide about house later.
Rent if needed. But do not block money into land.

How Much Corpus Do You Need at 40?

You want Rs 60,000 monthly after retirement.
At age 40, your needs will be more due to inflation.
Rs 60,000 today will become more in future.
Assume Rs 1 lakh per month is needed in future value.

So you need a retirement corpus that can give Rs 1 lakh monthly.
That is Rs 12 lakhs per year.
You need corpus of Rs 2.5 to 3 crore minimum by age 40.

This corpus will generate income using SWP.
You can do monthly withdrawal from mutual funds after retirement.
You can use hybrid funds or balanced advantage funds post-40.
They give stable returns and lower volatility.

To build Rs 3 crore in 16 years, you need to invest:

Rs 30,000 monthly SIP now

Step up SIP by 10% every year

Invest bonuses and incentives also

Stay invested for full 16 years

Do not withdraw midway

Rebalance funds every year

Avoid new risky ideas or fancy stocks

You need discipline more than high returns.

How to Use SWP After Age 40

At 40, stop SIPs.
Start SWP from same mutual fund corpus.
Withdraw Rs 1 lakh monthly using SWP.

Plan the SWP like this:

Use hybrid funds for less risk

Keep 2 years’ income in debt fund

Keep 3 to 4 years’ income in hybrid fund

Keep rest in flexi-cap fund

This mix will give you stability and growth.
Meet your Certified Financial Planner every year.
Rebalance based on return and market.

Don’t try to pick funds yourself.
Get help from MFD backed by CFP.
They guide you based on age and need.

Tax Planning Is Important Too

When you withdraw SWP, taxes will apply.
Mutual fund capital gains have new rules now.

For equity funds:
LTCG above Rs 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%
STCG is taxed at 20%

For debt funds:
Gains are taxed as per your income slab

You must plan redemptions in tax-efficient way.
This will protect your post-retirement income.

Don’t exit large amount in one shot.
Use SWP route. Take monthly amount.
It spreads your capital gains over many years.

Your Yearly Plan of Action

Every year, do this:

Increase SIP by 10% with salary hike

Review fund performance with MFD and CFP

Rebalance your equity and debt mix

Avoid stopping SIPs for short-term goals

Avoid switching funds unless required

Keep gold allocation to less than 5%

Avoid real estate unless you have surplus

Track your net worth every 6 months

This gives you full control over your future.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

Don’t buy land or plot using EMI

Don’t go for index funds

Don’t invest in direct funds without expert

Don’t depend on gold returns

Don’t ignore insurance needs

Don’t miss SIP even one month

Don’t use retirement fund for short-term goals

Don’t take loans for investment purpose

Finally

You have time, energy, and savings power.
Use all three wisely from today.

Focus on SIPs in quality mutual funds

Avoid land, gold, and risky ideas

Build emergency fund and insurance

Invest Rs 30,000 monthly from now

Aim for Rs 3 crore corpus by age 40

Use SWP to get monthly income after 40

Retiring at 40 is possible.
But it needs full commitment and zero distractions.

Start now. Stay consistent.

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