Hello Anu. I hope you are doing well. I follow your column and read your posts.
I have a different issue. I am single and 30+ years. I have no complaints as I did not find any suitable guy to marry. I had a happy and busy life before Covid. However after Covid, lockdown and this work from home life has become monotonous. I not only lost my uncle due to depression but lost my friends due to fights and misunderstanding. I believe in giving importance so I tried to patch up with my friends but they prefer to break all the connections and move on. I have always had a thing for respect and to be valued. I moved away too coz I felt it was the right thing to do but somewhere it hurts me a lot that I am not able to hold on to my friends who knew me for so many years. How can someone get abandoned and not want to talk and sort things out?
I feel I am overthinking it when the others are not even bothered or thinking about me or it. I really want to move away and focus on my life and career. I try doing it but many times there are so many things that reminds me of them and I get stuck and emotional again.
I am trying some meditation and journaling but it does not seem to clear my mind.
Hence I thought of checking with you.
Let me know if you have any advice for me.

Ans: It's great to hear that you're thinking about retirement planning. Here's a strategy to help you achieve your goal of a minimum monthly income of 2 lakhs after retirement:
1. Diversify Investments: Given your substantial monthly income and existing investments, continue diversifying your portfolio across various asset classes such as equities, bonds, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and fixed income instruments.
2. Equity Investments: Since you have a significant portion of your wealth in equities, focus on investing in blue-chip stocks, dividend-paying stocks, and mutual funds with a track record of consistent performance. Consider allocating a portion of your monthly savings to SIPs in well-managed equity funds to benefit from compounding over time.
3. Fixed Income: To generate a steady income stream during retirement, consider investing in fixed income instruments like government bonds, corporate bonds, and fixed deposits. Additionally, explore debt mutual funds that offer higher returns than traditional fixed deposits while maintaining liquidity.
4. Real Estate: Given your substantial savings, consider investing in income-generating real estate properties such as rental apartments, commercial spaces, or REITs. Real estate can provide a stable source of passive income, which can supplement your retirement income.
5. Retirement Accounts: Maximize contributions to retirement accounts like the National Pension System (NPS) and Public Provident Fund (PPF) to benefit from tax advantages and build a corpus for retirement. Since you already have significant savings in these accounts, continue contributing regularly to maximize their growth potential.
6. Review and Adjust: Regularly review your investment portfolio and make necessary adjustments based on changing market conditions, your risk tolerance, and financial goals. As you approach retirement, gradually shift towards more conservative investments to protect your capital and ensure a steady income stream.
7. Consult a Financial Advisor: Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner to create a comprehensive retirement plan tailored to your specific needs and goals. They can provide personalized advice and help you navigate complex financial decisions, ensuring a comfortable retirement lifestyle.
By following these steps and staying disciplined in your savings and investment approach, you can work towards achieving your goal of a minimum 2 lakh monthly income after retirement, covering inflation for the next 25 years. Remember to stay focused on your long-term objectives and adjust your strategy as needed to stay on track.