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Anu

Anu Krishna  |1600 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Jan 20, 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 - Jan 17, 2024Hindi
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Relationship

Hi Guru , my 17+year old son passed 12th with 70% marks and took a drop this year to get admission in IISER,NISER or some good research college . but he has no schedule for sleeping and study. He sometimes sleeps for 14-15 hours and sometime 8-10 hrs he remains online everytime and study less. he say he try to set the schedule but unable to do so, visit to psych also not much fruitful. we r very worried as he arguments with us everytime an cry also.pls guide

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
The main issues:
1. Lack of focus which can be due to lack of interest in his chosen field of academics
2. Lack of discipline which can be due to excess online presence
Visit to the psych (psychologist or psychiatrist?) has not been fruitful simply because in his mind there is no issue to solve and sort. Till he becomes aware of what his actions are causing, the process with an expert will not work.
I suggest find an expert in your city/town who can handle adolescents especially in this digital age as the life out there for them is confusing and perhaps intimidating as well.
In the meantime, motivate him by being with him rather than pointing what he is and isn't doing. That is only going to make him go further into a shell. Arguments and then crying could be his way of not being able to cope up with pressures of what he is going through. Support him and eventually through therapy/counseling/coaching, he will be able to gather himself and do what's right for him.

All the best!

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Archana

Archana Deshpande  |105 Answers  |Ask -

Image Coach, Soft Skills Trainer - Answered on May 06, 2024

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Career
my son is 8 year old studying in Class 3 . The classes occus is in Second shift from 11.30 am to 5.30 PM . after comming from the scholl he tired and not able to study in night . plz suggest the Correct time table for the second shift school child so that we can manage his tireness and keep improving him in balanced way.
Ans: Hello Saket!!

It is unfair to expect a child all of 08 to come back home from school late in the evening and study(I am assuming he is home by 6.30 PM). You can shift his study time to the morning hours, say from 8 to 10 AM.

Now to manage his well being after coming back from school.
Take care of the following-
1. it's a good time to introduce time management to your 8yr old son
2. on a Sunday when both of you are relatively free, involve him to make a time table for studies. Stick the time table in a place where it is visible to him
3.let him relax for an hr after coming back from school
4.if you assume 10 PM is his sleeping time( the child needs 9-12 hrs of sleep), and 7:45 PM is dinner time, some where between dinner time and sleeping time, see if you can manage a little bit of HW/studies
5. there is so much happening at school apart from studies, he is developing - social skills, coping mechanism, developing new ideas ,etc....let home be a place where he is loved, nourished and a place to relax and rejuvenate
6. have fixed time to study and make him study during those hours.

You cannot be rigid, every child's requirements are different try out what suits you and your family!!

Happy parenting!!

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Anu

Anu Krishna  |1600 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Jul 16, 2024

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4506 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Nov 18, 2024

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Career
my son is 8 year old studying in Class 3 . The classes occus is in morning shift from 6.30 am to 1.30 PM . after comming from the scholl he tired and not able to study in night . plz suggest the Correct time table for the second shift school child so that we can manage his tiredness and keep improving him in balanced way.
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.

To know more on ‘ Careers | Education | Jobs’, ask / follow Us here in RediffGURUS.

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8342 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 13, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - May 13, 2025
Money
Greetings!!!! I am 43 years Old, I had started 10k per month TATA AIA SIP in previous year for total 7years Plan. I want to education plan for my 1 kid who is 6 years old now. Please advice and guide me about more investments plan, as i am still confused about future growth and any plan for my wife age 38years.
Ans: You're at a critical financial stage. Planning for your child’s education and securing your family’s future are both top priorities. You've already started a ULIP, which is a start. But let’s take a deeper 360-degree view of your situation.

Below is a detailed plan, broken into simple sections for better clarity.



Assessment of Your Current ULIP Investment

You're investing Rs. 10,000 per month in a 7-year ULIP.



ULIPs mix insurance with investment. That reduces the growth power of your money.



Charges like premium allocation, fund management, and mortality charges reduce returns.



Your actual invested amount is much lower in the first few years.



ULIPs have limited flexibility in fund switching and partial withdrawal rules.



Maturity benefits are taxed if the annual premium exceeds Rs. 2.5 lakh. Be cautious of this.



A ULIP is not ideal for education goals or long-term wealth building.



As a Certified Financial Planner, I suggest surrendering this policy and moving funds to mutual funds.



You can continue till 5 years to avoid surrender charges if already started.



But do not renew after the 7-year term. Don't increase contributions in this ULIP.



Planning for Your Child’s Higher Education

Your child is 6 years old. You have around 11-12 years.



College education in India or abroad can cost Rs. 30–60 lakhs or more.



Instead of ULIPs, invest in diversified mutual funds. This will give better inflation-adjusted returns.



Use a mix of large cap, flexi cap and small cap mutual funds.



Start SIPs in these funds with a long-term horizon of 10-12 years.



You may also consider goal-based child education funds that are actively managed.



Don't invest in direct funds. They look cheaper, but don’t offer guidance.



Always invest through a Certified Financial Planner via a regular plan.



Your investment will stay aligned with your goal as the planner will guide with rebalancing.



Use a dedicated SIP only for child’s education goal. Don’t merge it with retirement planning.



Suggested Action Plan for Child’s Education

Shift future contributions from ULIP to SIPs in active funds.



Start with Rs. 20,000 per month SIP only for education.



Review this SIP every year and increase it by 10%-15% annually.



Add lump sums like bonuses or yearly increments into the same goal fund.



In the last 2 years before the education goal, shift to debt funds slowly.



This will protect your accumulated amount from equity volatility.



Investment Plan for Your Wife (Age 38)

She has a long horizon. She can invest for both retirement and her independent needs.



Open a separate mutual fund folio in her name.



Start SIPs in flexi cap, large & midcap, and hybrid funds in regular plans.



You can start with Rs. 10,000 per month and increase gradually.



You may also use her PPF account for additional tax-free corpus.



Avoid investing in gold, insurance policies, or real estate for her.



Ensure she has her own health insurance and a term insurance if she’s working.



If she’s not working, then create an emergency fund in her name.



That gives her independence and safety if she needs cash.



Family Protection with Insurance

You did not mention your term cover. You must have it if not already.



Ideal cover should be 15–20 times your yearly income.



ULIPs or LIC endowment policies should not be considered for protection.



Avoid investment-linked insurance plans. Keep insurance and investment separate.



Review your existing insurance covers. Add riders like critical illness and accident if needed.



Tax Efficient Planning

Use Section 80C wisely. Don’t just rely on ULIP or LIC plans.



Max out PPF, ELSS mutual funds, and children tuition for tax saving.



Invest in actively managed ELSS funds for better returns than ULIPs.



Avoid index funds for tax planning. They may underperform in volatile markets.



Debt funds are taxed as per slab now. Use carefully if short horizon.



Track capital gains if you sell mutual funds. Use new tax rules for equity funds:



  - LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%

  

  - STCG taxed at 20%



Plan redemptions well in advance to manage taxes efficiently.



Retirement Planning (For You and Wife)

Start a separate SIP for your retirement corpus. Do not merge with other goals.



You have 17 years for retirement. That’s good for wealth accumulation.



Invest in a mix of actively managed flexi-cap and large-cap funds.



Add hybrid funds to reduce volatility as you near retirement.



Continue EPF, and increase VPF if possible. It is tax-free and safe.



Don't consider NPS if liquidity is important. Maturity rules are rigid.



Use mutual funds with regular advice to stay on track till age 60.



Exit ULIPs and Poor Insurance Products

You mentioned TATA AIA ULIP. Continue for 5 years to avoid penalty.



After that, exit and move funds to SIP in mutual funds.



If you or wife have LIC endowment, Jeevan Saral, or ULIPs, surrender them.



Reinvest maturity amount into SIPs in regular mutual fund plans.



Do not fall for insurance agents who pitch plans as tax saving or guaranteed.



Emergency Fund and Liquidity

Keep at least 6 months of family expenses in a liquid mutual fund.



Don’t use your SIP or education fund as emergency source.



You may open a separate savings bank linked sweep account for this.



This fund will help if there is any job loss, health issue, or urgent need.



What Not to Do

Don’t invest in new ULIPs or insurance-linked plans.



Avoid direct mutual fund investments. You won’t get guided rebalancing.



Do not use your child’s education fund for house down payment.



Don’t pick index funds. They underperform in sideways or bear markets.



Don’t buy land or gold as an investment for your goals.



Final Insights

You are at a very strategic life stage. You have time and income strength.



ULIPs will not help you grow wealth. Shift to goal-based mutual fund SIPs.



Separate goals: child education, your retirement, wife’s security, and emergencies.



Invest only through a Certified Financial Planner for customised long-term support.



Review all goals every year. Increase SIPs with income.



Protect family with pure term insurance and health insurance.



Focus on building wealth in regular mutual funds, not through insurance products.



Real financial freedom comes when goals are funded without stress.



You have a clear head start. Use it with discipline and right guidance.



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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