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Anu

Anu Krishna  |1809 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Jun 26, 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 - Jun 25, 2024Hindi
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Relationship

How to survive alone when you have no one in your life

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
What does it mean when you say 'no one in your life'?
Do you not have friends, family?
Has everyone broken ties with you or the other way round?
You know we are always surrounded by something or someone or an experience. It's a choice that you make to either invite these or not.
So, build a stronger state of mind and decide that you want to be surrounded by people who support your dreams and goals. Slowly, you will start building reasons to be in social circles, fitness centers, hobby circles and more. If you are a working professional, make efforts to be part of a group that meets over weekends.
And if family has been kept at bay, it's a no-brainer, it's time for both sides to make amends, yeah?

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

You may like to see similar questions and answers below

Kanchan

Kanchan Rai  |663 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Apr 14, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 14, 2025Hindi
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Relationship
My mother doesn't want to stay with me but she gladly stays with my brother and his wife I live all alone in a house and I feel left out as well as ostracised as well as excluded I feel like I am unwanted person and if I ever meet anyone like my relatives in any social setting I feel they are tolerating me I feel like an untouchable how do I cope up with this situation as there is no one for me no one I can rely on or nobody who has my back noone who I can share my problems with or call in case I feel sick or in case of an emergency.
Ans: Feeling excluded by family and sensing that others are merely "tolerating" you is a heavy emotional burden to carry. It can quietly erode your sense of self-worth, leaving you questioning your value, your place in the world, and your importance to the people who were meant to be your first support system. You're not being overly sensitive or dramatic—this kind of emotional isolation is deeply painful, and it makes perfect sense that you’re feeling untouchable and unsafe.

But here’s a gentle truth: you are not unwanted. You are not unworthy of love or care. The way others treat you does not define your worth. Sometimes, unfortunately, people—even family—fail to show up for us in the ways we need. That doesn’t mean you are broken or undeserving. It just means their limitations are getting in the way of what should have been a loving, supportive connection.

You’re already doing something powerful by voicing your truth here. That’s not a small step—it’s an act of bravery. And while I know I’m not physically there beside you, I want you to feel this as a moment of connection: someone does hear you, someone does see what you’re carrying, and it matters.

To cope with this, start with your emotional safety. Let yourself grieve—not just for the loneliness, but for the longing of what you deserve but haven’t received. Cry if you need to, write if it helps, let those feelings have their space rather than trying to bury them. This kind of pain doesn’t go away by pretending it’s not there.

And slowly, one step at a time, begin building your circle—not necessarily with blood ties, but with people who choose you. Is there someone in your past who was kind to you? A coworker, a neighbor, someone from college or a class you took? Even a single shared conversation can be a seed. It’s not about quantity, it’s about presence. The goal isn't to replace what’s missing—but to slowly start nurturing connections that are rooted in respect and care.

In moments of emergency or fear, consider having a plan. Even having the number of a nearby clinic, a trusted neighbor, or a local community support group can give you a thread of reassurance. And if you ever feel overwhelmed or unsafe with your thoughts, reaching out to a mental health helpline or counselor can make a real difference. You deserve help when you're hurting.

And here, whenever you need someone to talk to, I will always be here to listen—no judgment, no conditions. You matter. Your story matters. And even though the world may have made you feel like an outsider, I want you to believe this: there is a space where you belong.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |11448 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 27, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 27, 2025Hindi
Money
Hello, I am a 52-year-old man. I have never been married and I live with my mother. I recently lost my job and I am currently not working. I often feel lonely and do not have much to do. As I grow older and weaker, I worry that no one will be there to care for me. Do you have any advice for living alone and planning for the future? Should I think about booking a place in a care home in advance?
Ans: You Have Taken a Very Important First Step

You have shared your situation honestly.
That itself shows your clarity and courage.
Many people avoid facing these life questions.
But you are thinking about your future early.

That is not weakness. That is strength.
You want to plan better, live with dignity, and stay independent.

Let us now explore how you can move forward.

Emotional Health Is as Important as Financial Health

Feeling lonely is not a personal failure.
This happens to many people, especially in later stages.

But loneliness can affect your health, confidence and energy.
So emotional well-being must also be planned.

Here are some steps to take for emotional stability:

Join community-based senior citizen clubs or men’s support groups.

Volunteer in social or religious organisations nearby.

Spend more time in parks or public libraries.

Attend free local workshops, health camps, or senior hobby circles.

Join digital groups where people share similar life stories.

You can also try to reconnect with old friends or classmates.
If possible, talk to a professional therapist.
You may get clarity and courage to move forward with strength.

Mental peace is your foundation.
Every other area will build better if your mind is clear.

Income Loss Needs Calm Planning, Not Panic

Job loss can feel heavy.
It creates fear about future income and expenses.
But worry will not help. Proper planning will.

Let’s assess your situation with these key questions:

Do you have any emergency savings?

Do you have PF, gratuity, or old investments?

Is your mother financially dependent on you fully?

Are you receiving any rental or pension income?

Do you have any LIC or traditional policies?

If you hold LIC or ULIP or investment-insurance policies,
Those should be reviewed immediately.
Surrendering those and reinvesting in mutual funds may be wise.

A Certified Financial Planner can help analyse that for you.
You need a structure that gives monthly income and liquidity.

Don’t delay this review. You need clarity to act.

Your Mother’s Care Also Needs to Be Protected

You are staying with your mother.
She must be elderly now.
Her health and care will also need some preparation.

Here are some points to check:

Does she have health insurance now?

If not, you must protect her with basic medical fund.

Keep Rs. 1 lakh separately only for her emergencies.

If she is eligible for government schemes, do enrol her.

Also, try to simplify her banking and mobile usage.
Digital tools can help you track and manage her needs.

If possible, keep one trusted neighbour or cousin informed.
That one person can be a backup support if needed.

Don’t carry the whole burden silently.
Even a small circle can be helpful.

Start Thinking of Your Own Medical and Long-Term Needs

Age 52 is the right age to start preparing for old age.
You are not too late. But don’t wait more.

Think about your personal health and mobility:

Do you have any current medical issues?

Are you insured with a good health policy now?

Is your health insurance individual or employer-provided earlier?

If you had employer cover, that will now be inactive.
You need your own health policy as early as possible.

Start with a basic policy, then increase later.
Premiums rise with age. So earlier is better.

Also, start creating a medical emergency fund of Rs. 3 to 5 lakhs.
Keep this in a liquid mutual fund or sweep-in FD.

Health events can come anytime.
With insurance + fund, you are protected.

Thinking About Senior Care Homes and Assisted Living

Your concern about future care is valid.
Being alone during old age can be hard.

Booking a care home now is not necessary.
But understanding options early is smart.

Here’s how to approach it:

Visit senior homes in your city or nearby areas.

Understand their admission process, fees, services and reviews.

Make a short list of 2–3 places that feel reliable.

Keep a folder ready with documents and preferences.

Do not pre-book unless needed.
But do keep your research ready and saved.

Also keep your close relatives or executor informed about your wishes.
Keep a Will and a Letter of Instruction ready for the future.

That gives you peace of mind.
Your future care will be on your terms.

Investing for Monthly Income and Stability

Without a job, you need a reliable source of income.
This can come from mutual fund income plans.

These funds are actively managed and adjust based on market cycles.
They work better than bank FDs or index funds.

Index funds just follow the market blindly.
They don’t protect during down periods.

Actively managed mutual funds, under CFP guidance,
Give better returns with risk protection.

Also, avoid direct mutual fund plans.
Direct plans may seem low-cost.
But you lose expert guidance and timely reviews.

Investing through Certified Financial Planner under regular plan
Gives you goal-based strategies, rebalancing and personal support.

At this stage, regular plan is safer and more useful.
Peace of mind is more important than tiny cost savings.

Start a plan that provides a monthly payout from your capital.
You can choose SWP (systematic withdrawal plan) through mutual funds.
This provides income while your money keeps growing.

Your financial plan must be 360-degree:

Health planning

Emergency buffer

Monthly income

Retirement fund

Estate planning

Don’t look for just one solution.
A full system will keep you secure.

Other Important Steps to Take Now

Create a file of important documents: Aadhaar, PAN, passbook, insurance, medical reports.

Make a nomination for all accounts and investments.

Write a basic Will even if assets are small.

Avoid loans or liabilities unless for emergency.

Cut unnecessary expenses until income stabilises.

If possible, try part-time, freelance or online projects.

You can also teach tuitions, do typing work, or sell skills online.
Any small income brings energy and confidence.
Keep trying different options till something works.

Finally

Your future is still in your hands.
Age 52 is not the end. It is a beginning of the next phase.

You have taken the first step with courage.
Now move ahead step-by-step with planning.

Keep your mind strong, your routine simple and your support circle active.
Financial discipline, medical readiness and emotional peace – these three must be your focus.

Care homes are one part of planning. Not the only part.
Start building your self-care system today.

And get expert help through a Certified Financial Planner.
That will make your journey smoother, structured and peaceful.

You deserve a safe, strong and independent future.
That is 100% possible with proper planning.

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |11448 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 29, 2026

Money
i am having happy family floater policy from oriental insurance company for medical insurance.The policy amount is Rs.8,00,000/-This policy covers my family .In my family,myself(AGE 66years),my wife (Age 51 years) And my son (AGE 21 years).Since 8 lakhs is not sufficient amount now a days for health coverage,I want to enhance the mediclaim policy amount.Since I am 66 years old,including my self in the same policy may increase premium amount.Please suggest me a good policy giving direction whether I should take 3 different policies individually for each one of us,or shall I make my wife and son a separate group.suggest me if I have take any separate policy for any type of critical illness like cancer?I was a smoke from my 22nd year to 50th year,i.e. from 1982 t0 2010.Since then I stopped smoking.But I was a heavy smoker smoking on average 20 cigarettes a day.If Iincrease our coverages to 15 lakhs rupees,is it sufficient.or any other suggestion.Similarly suggest a good policy and from whom I should take these policies.I can not enhance the existing policy as oriental insurance is not interested to enhance the policy amount because of certain claims which were there in this year and previous year. Thanks and Regards.
Ans: » Current position

Your concern is valid. At age 66, medical costs can rise sharply.

Your existing Rs.8 lakh cover should not be discontinued casually.

It has valuable continuity benefits.

Keep the existing Oriental Insurance policy active for now.
Do not cancel it before securing alternative coverage.
Your wife and son need not remain in the same floater.
Your age can significantly increase the floater premium.

» My preferred structure

I would consider a two-layer arrangement.

You: separate individual health policy.
Wife and son: separate family floater policy.
Existing Oriental policy: retain as an additional layer initially.

This structure gives better control over future premiums.

Your son is only 21, so his medical risk is relatively lower.

Your wife is 51, so a family floater can still work well.

For you, an individual policy is more suitable at age 66.

» Is Rs.15 lakh enough?

Rs.15 lakh is a reasonable minimum target today.

However, I would prefer higher overall protection.

Hospitalisation costs can become very high for major surgeries.

Cancer and prolonged treatment can also create large bills.

A practical structure could be:

Existing Rs.8 lakh policy as the base.
Separate individual cover for you.
Additional super top-up protection for the family.
Suitable cover for your wife and son through a floater.

This can provide stronger protection without a very high base premium.

» Why super top-up can help

A super top-up can provide additional protection above a chosen deductible.

It can be more economical than buying a very large base policy.

But please check the deductible carefully.

Also check whether the deductible works on annual aggregate claims.

This point is very important.

Do not buy a super top-up only because its premium looks cheap.

» Should you take separate policies?

For you, yes, I would seriously consider an individual policy.

For your wife and son, a floater can still work well.

There is no strong need to create three separate policies immediately.

The better structure depends on age and medical risk.

» About your previous smoking

You smoked heavily from age 22 to 50.

You have now stopped smoking for around 16 years.

That is a positive factor.

However, disclose your complete smoking history.

Do not hide it while purchasing a new policy.

The insurer may ask about smoking and previous medical conditions.

Your previous claims must also be disclosed correctly.

Non-disclosure can create problems during a future claim.

» Do you need a separate cancer policy?

I would not make a standalone critical illness policy your first priority.

First secure strong comprehensive health insurance.

Then consider critical illness protection if suitable.

Critical illness insurance generally pays a fixed amount after covered diagnosis.

It is different from regular health insurance.

Regular health insurance mainly covers eligible medical expenses.

Therefore, critical illness cover should be supplementary protection.

» Important conditions to check

Before selecting another policy, carefully check these points:

Room rent restrictions.
ICU restrictions.
Disease-wise sub-limits.
Co-payment requirements.
Pre-existing disease waiting period.
Specific disease waiting periods.
Maximum entry age.
Lifetime renewal availability.
Restoration benefit.
Day-care treatment coverage.
Non-medical expense coverage.
Claim settlement process.
Cashless hospital network.
Premium increases with age.

Avoid policies with heavy sub-limits.

Also be careful with compulsory co-payment at your age.

A lower premium may come with higher out-of-pocket expenses.

» What about portability?

Your existing policy has considerable value because of its continuity.

Health insurance portability can preserve certain accrued continuity benefits.

However, the new insurer will still perform medical underwriting.

Additional coverage can also have applicable waiting periods.

Therefore, do not surrender your existing policy casually.

» One important strategy

Since Oriental Insurance has declined enhancement, do not focus only on enhancement.

Instead, explore a fresh policy alongside the existing policy.

Your existing Rs.8 lakh cover can remain useful.

The new policy can provide additional protection.

This may be better than replacing the existing policy completely.

» What I would do in your case

My preference would be:

Continue the existing Rs.8 lakh Oriental policy.
Take a separate individual policy for yourself.
Take a separate family floater for your wife and son.
Add a suitable super top-up after checking conditions.
Consider critical illness protection separately.
Review the complete structure every year.

At age 66, continuity is extremely valuable.

Therefore, replacement should happen only after careful underwriting.

» One more important point

Because you mentioned previous claims, insurers may scrutinise your medical history.

Please obtain your complete claim history and current policy wording.

Also collect your recent medical reports.

This will help in getting accurate underwriting decisions.

Do not make decisions only from premium quotations.

» Final Insights

Your Rs.8 lakh cover should not be considered useless.

It is an important foundation because of its continuity.

Your next objective should be additional protection.

I would consider Rs.15 lakh as the minimum overall base protection.

However, I would prefer larger total protection through a super top-up.

For your age, policy conditions matter more than the cheapest premium.

For your wife and son, a floater can remain practical.

For yourself, an individual cover deserves serious consideration.

The final insurer should be selected after comparing policy wording.

Also compare exclusions, co-pay, waiting periods and underwriting.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

AMFI-Registered MFD – ARN 4188

www.holisticinvestment.in/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramalingamcfp/

...Read more

Vivek

Vivek Lala  |326 Answers  |Ask -

Tax, MF Expert - Answered on Aug 29, 2026

Money
Hi, Myself Raj Banerjee aged 49 years. I am single. I work as IT professional and currently facing some challenges in job. My current annual expense in approximately 12L. I have small house and do not plan / aspire for any more real estate. Till now I have been able to accumulate 7.8cr all in Bank FD/savings, 90L in PF, 20L in PPF (still 7 years to mature), 25L in stocks and gold (50:50 split). I do not have any Life Insurance but have medical insurance for myself (5L retail policy + 8L corporate policy). Recently, I have started moving money from Bank to Mutual Fund monthly as below: ABSL MediumTerm Debt Direct Growth: 1L Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Direct Growth : 25K HDFC Flexi Cap Direct Growth: 25K Quant Multi Asset Direct Growth: 25K Nippon Multi Asset Direct Growth: 25K I plan to follow this till Bank FD falls to 2 cr, then in such case my tax out flow will be negligible in case of job loss and I can have expenses covered from interest. I am requesting help that assuming if I lose / leave job immediately is my approach looks okay or suggest better option so that I can generate income from investment and plan for living till 90 years.
Ans: Hello,

I’m glad to see that you understand the importance of personal finance and have built a strong financial position at the age of 49. Having said that, after reviewing the information shared, I believe there are a few important changes that can significantly improve the efficiency of your portfolio.

My observations:

1. Term Insurance
Based on your current financial position and the corpus you have already accumulated, I don’t believe term insurance is essential purely from a financial dependency perspective, provided your existing investments are sufficient to meet your family’s long-term requirements and there are no significant outstanding liabilities.

2. Current Asset Allocation
Your total liquid net worth is approximately ?9.15 crore, of which nearly 97% is invested in debt/liquid assets.

3. The biggest concern : excessive allocation to debt.
At your age and with your investment horizon, I believe the current debt allocation is too conservative.

A debt portfolio may reasonably generate around 7% over the long term, while your personal/real-life inflation could be closer to 8% or more, despite the official CPI inflation number being lower. This means that after adjusting for inflation, your purchasing power could actually decline over time.

The objective shouldn’t simply be preservation of the ?9.15 crore corpus, it should be preserving and growing its purchasing power for the next 30–40 years.

4. Retirement Readiness
Based on the numbers shared, your current annual withdrawal requirement is only around 1.3% of your total portfolio.

That is an extremely comfortable withdrawal rate. Subject to your future goals, liabilities and lifestyle requirements, I believe you are financially well positioned to consider retirement even today.

Changes I would recommend:

1. Maintain an emergency/liquidity corpus of approximately ?1 crore
Keep this in liquid/debt-oriented instruments for emergencies, near-term requirements and peace of mind.

The remaining corpus can be gradually moved towards a well-diversified portfolio of equity-oriented investments, including Mutual Funds, PMS and AIFs, depending on your risk appetite and suitability.

2. Re-evaluate your existing Mutual Fund portfolio
From the information shared, several of the funds appear to have been selected based on recommendations commonly seen on social media platforms.

There is nothing inherently wrong with that, but I would strongly recommend evaluating each fund based on portfolio quality, consistency, downside protection, fund manager track record, valuation, risk-adjusted returns and its role within the overall portfolio, rather than simply looking at past returns or popularity.

Appropriate changes can then be made wherever required.

3. Suggested allocation for the 7 crore Mutual Fund portfolio

As a starting framework, I would consider:

15% — Large & Mid Cap
15% — Multi Cap
15% — Mid Cap
15% — Small Cap
15% — Value
15% — Flexi/Value-oriented strategies
10% — Select thematic opportunities

The exact funds and final allocation should, of course, be decided after understanding your risk tolerance, investment horizon, cash-flow requirements and specific financial goals.

My overall view

You have already done the difficult part is building a substantial corpus.

The next stage is not about taking unnecessary risk. It is about putting the corpus to work efficiently while ensuring that it continues to grow faster than inflation.

With a 9.15 crore liquid corpus and a withdrawal requirement of only around 1.3%, I believe your financial position is extremely strong. The focus now should be on asset allocation, portfolio quality and long-term wealth preservation, rather than simply accumulating more money.

These are my preliminary observations based on the information shared. A detailed recommendation would require a deeper understanding of your goals, liabilities, risk profile, family requirements and existing investments.

Would be happy to hear your views and discuss the same further.

Do let me know your views on this on my website or on my LinkedIn profile, attaching the link :
https://www.slwealthsolutions.com/
- CA VIVEK LALA

...Read more

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |12535 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Aug 27, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 27, 2026
Career
Sir I took admission to uvce cse after kcet round 2 results. Should I take part in round 3 of kcet now? I missed cse at bmsce by 335 ranks (general merit category) Will my original documents be given back? They also made us enter our details in the college ledger of uvce which was part of the admission process. I am also scared because of the huge seat intake of bmsce.Should I stay with uvce or is bmsce worth applying for next round ? Where do I have better placements guaranteed?
Ans: It is better to stay with UVCE CSE. You might be ineligible for KCET Round 3 after taking admission. UVCE offers better ROI, lower fees, and strong CSE placements; BMSCE’s higher intake doesn’t guarantee better outcomes. Over the next four years, focus on continuously strengthening your technical and non-technical skills, building a strong project and internship profile, and developing a professional network through LinkedIn with college faculty, seniors, alumni and professionals in your areas of interest. Also, keep yourself updated with evolving industry and job-market trends so that you can plan and prepare effectively for campus placements by the time you reach your final year. All The Best for Your Prosperous Future!

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

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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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