Hi Anu, I am a 38 YO woman.
Personal issues - None. A loving and doting husband and a 4 yo lovely daughter comprises my immediate family. Relations with parents and in-laws are also smooth.
Professional issues - Too many. I never imagined myself to be where I currently am. I have never had a stable career nor a very good salary. I have had a good education but have not been able to make a professional mark for myself. I was ambitious and confident but now feel that everything is too overwhelming for me to achieve. I had dreams but probably never the conviction. For a long time I kept blaming the family for ruining my career but somewhere deep within I know that I responsible for whatever has happened in my life.
Today when I decide to do only what I wish to do or pursue, I find myself at a loss on account of lack of confidence to achieve it. Others around me seem to be more confident of my abilities and intelligence than me.
I also feel that it is too late now and instead of myself, I should focus on making my daughter's life but somewhere I am still unsettled. I want to have a good, stable and a well earning career, even if it is for the next 10 or 15 years of my life. I have no personal complaints but professionally, I do not want to die without having the satisfaction of having lived a good professional life as well. It matters a lot to me, not for anyone's sake but my own.
I am working right now but that is not my future. I have been able to manage jobs at different points of time in different industries but never a career. I haven't lost hope but I simply know that my life isn't right.

Ans: Goutam Sir, For CSE, prioritize Alliance University Bengaluru (90–95% placements, 32,000+ alumni network) due to its industry-aligned curriculum, Bengaluru’s tech ecosystem access, and partnerships with 800+ recruiters (Amazon, Microsoft). SRM Trichy (99% placements, median ?3.5 LPA) offers robust research infrastructure and established alumni in core tech roles (TCS, Infosys), though regional industry ties lag behind Alliance. Symbiosis Nagpur (70–80% placements, HCL/Tech Mahindra recruiters) provides innovative problem-based learning and modern labs but lacks a strong alumni legacy as a newer institute. Nitte Bengaluru (93.48% CSE placements) balances academic rigor and industry exposure but trails in global collaborations. Opt for Alliance for assured placements and metropolitan advantages, SRM Trichy for research-driven pathways, or Nitte for regional reputation. Confirm internship support and curriculum flexibility during enrollment. All the BEST for your Son's Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: You and your spouse are in a strong position. Your income is good. You are managing expenses, EMIs, and savings well.

Now let’s do a 360-degree check on your finances.

We will assess cash flow, debt, protection, investments, and goals in detail.

?Cash Flow and Expense Management
Your combined income is Rs. 3.25 lakh per month.

?

Total loan EMIs are around Rs. 1.15 lakh. That is 35% of your income.

?
This is an acceptable EMI ratio. But it’s on the higher side.

?

You invest Rs. 75,000 (MF + stocks). You are thinking to add Rs. 20,000 more.

?

Your saving rate is close to 30%, which is good for your age.

?

Ensure you maintain a monthly spending log. This will help avoid leaks.

?

Keep monthly expenses under Rs. 80,000 if possible. It improves saving ability.

?

Try to maintain a healthy surplus. It improves emergency readiness and investment power.

?

Emergency Fund Preparedness
You didn’t mention an emergency fund in savings or FDs.

?

You must keep 6 months’ expenses in a savings account or FD.

?

With Rs. 80,000 per month expenses, keep at least Rs. 5 lakh aside.

?

Never use equity mutual funds or stocks as emergency corpus.

?

Treat this fund like insurance, not investment.

?

Loan Portfolio Assessment
You are managing home, car, and study loans together.

?

If the home loan has a tax benefit, continue. Use annual bonus to part-pay it.

?

Try to close the car and study loan early. They don’t give tax benefits.

?
Don’t take personal loans or credit card debt. That will damage savings.

?
Aim to become loan-free in 7–8 years.

?

Use Systematic Transfer Plan (STP) from mutual funds only when nearing goal time.

?
Investment Portfolio Check-Up
You invest Rs. 55,000/month in mutual funds.

?

You also invest Rs. 20,000/month in stocks via smallcase.

?

Mutual fund SIPs should be spread across large, mid, and small caps.

?

Reduce small cap exposure if it is above 30%. It increases risk unnecessarily.

?

Equity exposure must be managed with asset allocation rules.

?

Stocks via smallcase can be risky. Ensure you don’t go beyond 15% of your net worth.

?

Avoid direct stocks unless you track markets daily.

?

If you are investing in direct mutual fund plans, rethink it.

?

Direct plans need constant monitoring. You must switch to regular plans.

?

Regular funds via MFD + CFP bring experience, tax-efficiency, and goal-based advice.

?

Direct plans miss timely rebalancing, switching, and psychological coaching.

?

Your mutual fund corpus of Rs. 11.75 lakh is a good start.

?

Increase SIP only if emergency fund is ready.

?

Don’t put entire Rs. 20,000 in SIP. Keep some in liquid or hybrid funds for mid-term needs.

?

NPS and PF Allocation
You have Rs. 2.5 lakh in NPS and PF combined.

?

Your NPS amount is low for your age. Increase contribution slowly, not suddenly.

?

NPS is a retirement tool. Money is locked till 60.

?

You may raise NPS by Rs. 5,000–10,000/month. But not more now.

?

Don’t invest Rs. 1 lakh/month in NPS. It reduces liquidity.

?

Continue PPF also. It brings safe compounding over the long term.

?

PF (through employer) builds a strong retirement base. Keep it untouched.

?

Insurance and Risk Cover Check
You didn’t mention term life cover. Buy one if not taken yet.

?

Get term insurance of Rs. 1–1.5 crore for each spouse.

?

No need for ULIPs or endowment policies. They don’t build wealth.

?

Check if you have personal health insurance apart from employer cover.

?

Buy a Rs. 10–25 lakh individual floater policy for both. Employer cover alone is not enough.

?

Also buy a Rs. 50 lakh super top-up. It is low cost and gives high cover.

?

Without proper protection, your investments can get disturbed in a medical emergency.

?

Future Life Goals – Child, Retirement, and Other Needs
You plan to have a child in 2 years.

?

Child-related expenses will grow over time. Plan education and marriage goals now.

?

Education after 18 years may cost Rs. 75 lakh to Rs. 1 crore.

?

You can start with a child education mutual fund SIP now itself.

?

Create a separate SIP with name “Child Goal.” That helps stay focused.

?

Retirement is still far. But the earlier you plan, the better.

?

Retirement goal must include 30 years of inflation, health cost, and lifestyle.

?

Use a bucket strategy. Combine equity, hybrid, and debt MFs for different horizons.

?

Don't depend only on NPS or PF. Keep mutual funds as the core engine.

?

If you plan home upgrades or travel goals, budget and save for them separately.

?

Real Estate and Asset Liquidity
You didn’t mention real estate. That’s fine.

?

Avoid new property purchases now. It blocks liquidity and delays retirement.

?

Real estate gives low post-tax returns and brings maintenance cost.

?

Keep investments liquid, flexible, and goal-linked.

?

Mutual funds are better than real estate in flexibility and tax-efficiency.

?

Stock and Smallcase Exposure – Some Precautions
You invest Rs. 20,000 per month in smallcase.

?

This must be capped at 10–15% of total monthly investments.

?

Don't expect consistent performance in smallcase-based stocks.

?

Returns can swing wildly in some years.

?

Track the overlap with your mutual funds also.

?

Don't fall into the illusion of “control” with stocks. Stay diversified.

?

If needed, reduce this SIP slowly and transfer to equity hybrid or flexi cap funds.

?

Recommendations for Better Stability
Keep your debt under control. Try to close loans early.

?

Maintain Rs. 5–6 lakh emergency fund at all times.

?

Avoid direct mutual funds. Use regular plans via MFD and CFP for guidance.

?

Increase term insurance and health cover if not already done.

?

Start SIP for child goal today itself.

?

Don’t increase NPS sharply. Keep liquidity in hand.

?

Avoid real estate. Stay with mutual funds and hybrid funds.

?

Review portfolio every 6 months with a Certified Financial Planner.

?

Build goals one by one – child, home, retirement, and travel.

?

Keep at least 50% of your net worth in mutual funds by age 45.

?

Stay patient with SIPs. Compounding will reward you slowly.

?

Don’t get distracted by new apps, hot stocks, or trendy assets.

?

Finally
You are in the best income years now. Your saving habits are strong.

You are aware of your responsibilities ahead. That is great.

But avoid overcommitment to debt or illiquid assets like real estate or NPS.

Follow a simple, disciplined approach.

Invest smartly, stay protected, and review regularly.

You can enjoy both present comfort and future security.

?

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

Ans: With an 85 percentile in MHT CET, your son can target admission in several good engineering colleges in Maharashtra offering CSE and related branches. Top government colleges like COEP Pune, VJTI Mumbai, and PICT Pune have very high cutoffs for CSE (above 99 percentile), so admission there for CSE is unlikely at 85 percentile. However, mid-tier reputed private colleges and some government-aided institutes are accessible. Colleges such as PICT Pune, DJ Sanghvi College Mumbai, SPIT Mumbai, Vishwakarma Institute of Technology Pune, and RNS Institute Bangalore offer good CSE/IT programs with cutoffs around 80–90 percentile and have strong placement records (70–90%). Other options include MIT WPU Pune, DY Patil College of Engineering Pune, and Shivaji University COE Kolhapur, which accept students with 70–85 percentile and provide decent placements.

Colleges for ~85 Percentile in MHT CET (CSE/IT Branches)
PICT Pune

DJ Sanghvi College Mumbai

SPIT Mumbai

Vishwakarma Institute of Technology Pune

RNS Institute of Technology Bangalore

MIT WPU Pune

DY Patil College of Engineering Pune

Shivaji University COE Kolhapur

KJ Somaiya Institute of Engineering and IT Mumbai

Fr. Conceicao Rodrigues Institute of Technology Navi Mumbai

Focus on these reputed private and government-aided colleges for CSE/IT at your percentile. While top government colleges may be out of reach, these institutes offer quality education, good infrastructure, and solid placement opportunities. Consider applying early and explore scholarships or fee waivers to manage costs. All the BEST for your Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Sujata, With a NEET score of 280 (SC category), securing BDS in government colleges is unlikely (2025 expected SC cutoff: 380–420), but private BDS colleges (cutoff: ~220–300) like DY Patil Dental College or Manipal College of Dental Sciences may offer seats. For BSc Nursing, government colleges (SC cutoff: 450–500) are inaccessible, but private institutes (cutoff: ~250–300) like SRM College of Nursing or Amrita College might consider your score. BHMS is more feasible, with private colleges (SC cutoff: ~220–300) such as Bharati Vidyapeeth or Parul University likely accessible. Explore paramedical courses (lab technology, radiography) via state exams or diploma programs (nursing, pharmacy) as backups. Prioritize BHMS in private colleges or BSc Nursing via management quotas, and confirm eligibility for SC reservation benefits and fee waivers. Reappearing for NEET could improve options for government seats. All the BEST for your Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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

Ans: Hello mam. Mam, the behaviour you are telling me is not normal. It is over possessiveness. Let him be confident that you are with him only. Explain softly that you also have some needs and you also may have to meet someone or talk to someone. You make him sure that you also love him but you are not over possessive about him. So love should not be a hindrance in personal space. I hope this solves your problem.
Take care!
Regards
Dr Upneet kaur
Follow me on: https://www.instagram.com/dr_upneet

Ans: Fall in Quarterly Revenue and Net Profit (YoY) and Declining profitability. Not a good company to Invest

Ans: NISM is the right place to study. you can find more details here https://www.nism.ac.in/long-term-programs/

Ans: You have shown a disciplined approach. A monthly SIP of Rs. 30,000 is a strong commitment. Your target of Rs. 2 Crore in 15 years is practical. But the way your current portfolio is built needs review. Let's understand your investments with clarity.

Overall Portfolio Structure Review

You are investing in too many schemes at once.

Diversification is good. But over-diversification leads to average returns.

A focused portfolio gives more clarity and better long-term growth.

Some schemes are overlapping in investment style. That reduces uniqueness.

Too many funds make portfolio hard to track and manage.

Over 15 mutual fund schemes is too much for Rs. 30,000 SIP.

You are using both direct and regular plans. That’s not good.

Mixing direct and regular plans reduces overall performance tracking.

Some funds are also in ETF and index format. That needs caution.

Let's now look deeper into specific categories used in the portfolio.

Issue with Direct Plans in the Portfolio

You have direct plans in your portfolio.

Direct plans do not offer guidance or review.

They may seem low cost. But poor choices harm returns.

You may hold the wrong fund for your risk profile.

You may miss timely rebalancing. That hurts performance.

Regular plans through Certified Financial Planner add value.

You get professional fund tracking and goal alignment.

CFP helps you in tax optimisation, withdrawals and fund switch.

A regular plan with CFP is cost-effective over long term.

I strongly suggest to exit direct plans and move to regular ones.

Problems with Index and ETF Funds in Portfolio

You are holding index-based funds and ETF-based funds.

These are passive funds that copy market performance.

They don’t protect you in volatile or falling markets.

They give no strategy during market downturn.

They also don’t adjust based on sector trends.

You miss the benefit of expert fund manager thinking.

Actively managed funds are smarter.

Fund managers choose sectors and stocks actively.

That helps avoid poor performers and focus on leaders.

In long term, actively managed funds give better risk-adjusted returns.

So you should exit index funds and ETF-type schemes.

ELSS and Tax Saving Fund Review

You have more than one ELSS in the portfolio.

ELSS is good for tax saving under 80C.

But you don’t need more than one ELSS fund.

Multiple tax saving funds give no extra tax benefit.

They block your money for 3 years with no added value.

Choose one good ELSS fund under regular plan with CFP guidance.

Rest of the SIP should go to long-term diversified mutual funds.

Sector and Theme Based Fund Exposure

You have sector funds like energy, manufacturing and business cycle.

These funds are risky and volatile.

They do not work well in all phases of market.

These need strong timing and sector knowledge.

Not suitable for long-term goal like Rs. 2 Crore corpus.

Best to exit these sector funds step by step.

Shift SIP into diversified actively managed funds with better stability.

Flexi Cap and Large & Midcap Fund Exposure

You are investing in multiple flexi cap funds.

Flexi cap funds offer dynamic allocation flexibility.

But having too many of them is not useful.

You may have duplication in stock holding.

Choose 1 or 2 flexi cap funds managed under regular plan.

Combine this with 1 large and midcap fund.

It is enough to give core portfolio strength.

Midcap and Smallcap Exposure Review

Your portfolio has midcap and smallcap funds.

These are needed for wealth creation. But must be balanced.

Right now, exposure looks too high in smallcap.

Smallcap returns are volatile and take time to recover.

A Certified Financial Planner can help balance this allocation.

You need higher allocation to largecap and diversified funds.

That gives steady growth and risk protection.

Portfolio Structuring for Target of Rs. 2 Crore

You need average returns between 12% to 14% yearly.

To achieve this, your funds must be of good quality.

Fund consistency matters more than past performance.

You need a focused and goal-linked portfolio now.

Start with 5 to 6 well-managed mutual funds only.

All should be under regular plan with CFP tracking.

These must be reviewed at least once in 6 months.

You must also increase SIP by 10% yearly if possible.

Suggestions to Clean and Optimise Portfolio

Stop SIPs in sector, thematic, and passive funds.

Exit direct plans and move to same funds in regular plan.

Keep only one ELSS fund for tax saving.

Choose 2 flexi cap funds and 1 large & midcap fund.

Add 1 midcap and 1 smallcap fund based on CFP advice.

Keep total fund count under 6 or 7.

All SIPs should be monitored by Certified Financial Planner.

Don't invest in funds based on social media or trends.

Each fund must have a clear purpose in your goal.

Monitor, Review, and Rebalance Periodically

SIP is not a one-time setup.

You must review your funds at least every 6 months.

Market conditions and fund performance change.

Rebalancing helps keep your plan on track.

Stop underperforming funds. Add to good ones.

A Certified Financial Planner tracks this for you.

That ensures your Rs. 2 Crore goal stays achievable.

Other Financial Planning Areas You Must Review

Keep an emergency fund of at least 6 months expenses.

Buy a pure term insurance. Keep sum assured 10 times annual income.

Buy health insurance if not already done.

Avoid investing in ULIPs, traditional policies, or annuities.

Don't mix insurance and investment.

All investment should be under your or family member's name.

Also create a WILL for smoother transfer later.

Nominee details in mutual funds must be updated.

Don’t use bank agents or online portals for advice.

Always prefer Certified Financial Planner for 360-degree solution.

Finally

You are already on the right path.

But your portfolio is scattered and unfocused.

Direct funds, ETF funds and sectoral funds must be reviewed.

Move to quality, actively managed mutual funds in regular plan.

Keep portfolio simple, structured, and professionally monitored.

Track your progress yearly with guidance of Certified Financial Planner.

With right changes, your Rs. 2 Crore goal is achievable in 15 years.

Stay disciplined and follow a well-planned investment approach.

Your future wealth depends on how well you act now.

Focus on quality, guidance and goal tracking, not quantity of funds.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

Ans: Prioritize CSE (AIML) at IGDTU Delhi for its 95–100% placements in AI/ML roles with top recruiters like Google and Adobe, supported by robust research infrastructure and interdisciplinary projects. Next, CSE (DS) at NIET Greater Noida offers 90% placements (Amazon, Microsoft) with a specialized data science curriculum and industry certifications. The Dual Degree (Mechanical + MBA) at IGDTU provides 70–85% placements in core sectors (L&T, Tata Steel) and managerial pathways, leveraging its NAAC A++ accreditation. Lastly, Mechanical Engineering with Automation at IGDTU trails with 50–60% placements in traditional roles, despite strong academic rigor. Opt for CSE specializations for tech dominance or the dual degree for niche leadership roles, balancing institutional reputation and industry alignment. All the BEST for your Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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