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Anu

Anu Krishna  |1180 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Sep 22, 2022

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
XY Question by XY on Sep 22, 2022Hindi
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Relationship

I am from Hyderabad. Age 40 years old . My name is XY and I’ve been married for 17 years.
I have two boys. Ours is a love marriage.
I felt like everything will be good and smooth but right after our elder kid was born my life changed.
I am an MBA and several times I told my husband that I’d like to work. He said he’d help when the right time and opportunity comes. Until then I should nurture my kids as it's my responsibility and I should support him. But in the 2015, my kid noticed his chats with another lady. I was shocked because many times he’d refused sex with me. We’d get intimate maybe twice or thrice a year. I thought he was busy or maybe he doesn’t like my body. But when I caught him he said, what is over is over. Don't raise the topic. Leave me.

I just kept quiet. He said what ever happened, I will be the same for my kids’ future sake. Many quarrels happened.
But in 2020 his behaviour came to light. For example if I said anything, he'd punish me by not speaking to me for months. But he'd want me to wash his clothes and fulfil other necessities at home.
Once I opened up and said I want to go for counselling. There he told the doctor, ‘She wants my property but she never allows me to care of my mom. She won't allow me to talk to my friends.’
I was shocked. I told him 'I never asked for money or property. I just want to quit.'
I went home and told myself if he repeats this another time I won't take it for granted. But again in the month of February, he continued his behaviour. He shifted to another bedroom for a few months where he’d watch TV and have food. He'd even sleep in the kids’ bedroom. I stopped bothering.

At some point, I felt like I deserved someone who trusts me.
I want to quit because he thinks I am a loyal maid who will take care of kids and the household. He communicates with like ‘What I should get? Milk veggies etc?’
He never treats me with love and affection. Now everything is spoiled.
I want to have a new life. I want to be set free from him. Please suggest what to do.

Ans:

Dear XY,

And may I ask what exactly are you waiting for?

Why did you think that by you going for counselling, your husband will change his behaviour towards you?

How is that he cheats on you and still you allow him to treat you this way?

This only shows that you have lost your strength which you need most right now.

What if you were a strong independent woman who has been working?

Would you still subject yourself to this? You know the answer!

Bring back that woman who had dreams, who knew how to walk the path, who knew how a man should treat her, who knew what a marriage really is.

Can you do this?

Your kids need their mother to stand up for herself and do the right thing.

Be the woman who will not settle for anything that disrespects a woman or another human.

Seeing this, they will also know how to treat a woman and what a woman can bring into their lives.

Do the right thing, for yourself and them. Bring back that strong, independent woman who knew this and more.

Best wishes!

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Anu

Anu Krishna  |1180 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Jun 08, 2022

Relationship
Hi Anu, 10+yrs of marriage with 9yr child. I am working and all financial burden is on me. I shifted separately from in-laws' house due to financial constraints and expectations. Though elder-in-law, my in-laws didn't try to stop our decision to move separately despite knowing that my hubby doesn't earn a single penny. They expected and I had to share financial expenses with my marginal income 10 years ago. After 5 years, we moved nearby and purchased our own house very little help from in-laws. I took loan and managed the rest with help from my family and friends. In between a lot happened. My father-in-law expired and my mother-in-law is a cancer patient. My mother-in-law started expecting from my hubby and me, probably because her younger son shifted with her family. She didn't want to live with them due to differences with her wife. She complained to my husband that we are not good enough to take care of her. I already had a lot of burden from office so I told my husband to take care of our child as well for sometime. He was quite depressed and frustrated with his inability to earn. Already lot of my hard-earned money has been put in his work n wasted.Now, the real problem during these difficult times began when we started fighting. I had lot of office stress and after mother in law complained, she shifted with her other son. At times, I got frustrated with my child also due to the whole mess, financial burden. I felt like all my hard earned money was wasted due to office stress and my hubby's irresponsible behaviour. He did not even take care of my child’s studies. He started watching porn... I saw him twice and even warned him. My husband started cheating on me with our maid. He did it when he was stressed because I was not able to give him time. I confronted him and since then it has been an emotional trauma. I am yet to accept it. 9 months have been passed. We decided on certain things but I couldn’t accept it.. Due to our emotional bond, I gave him another chance... During that time he accepted and was ready to leave everything and wanted me to be happy. He said he committed a big mistake but recently I found he called that b**ch later. When I confronted him he said he’d advised not to come home in front of his family members. I decided it would be best for him to move out and work from another place. My MIL was living with me but then I felt it too much at times.. now somewhat even my child has emotionally detached from him. It’s the same with him as we've been staying separately from 7 months. He visited 3 times during puja and other needs. I feel emotionally detached and I can’t digest the family situation.Sometimes I feel it's difficult to find the courage to avoid all and live alone. What's the point in living in a marriage for sake of it without having any emotional, physical, financial dependency or security?I am 39 and earn a decent salary at this moment. But I am not sure of my future as I work in a private firm. I am worried about my child’s education, old age, financial insecurity and burden. I haven’t been able to save much because of our financial liabilities and husband’s investments in businesses that never materialised.Before this incident, my husband supported me in my career and also to bring up our child. But what happened is too much and unexpected. Any suggestions?

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Anu

Anu Krishna  |1180 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Jun 24, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 15, 2024Hindi
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Relationship
Hello sir/Madam I'm going through a rough time of my life and want some help from you I am a professional and 48 years old and I have 2 grown up children My problem is that I had a love marriage with my husband22 years back and his family didn't accept me whole heartidly since we belong to different castes and culture .they wanted to take advantage of me financially My husband has strained his relationship with my mom n only sister after my father's death in 2008 over money matters Me, my husband and children live in a house provided by my parents in a different city from my inlaws They always create differences between us still Now another problem has cropped up in our relationship I spied on my my husband's mobile n discovered tha that he has sex chats with other women and is involved in mastrubating sessions with them over phone I am completely broken from inside n not able to decide what to do coz when i confronted him , he flatly refused n fought with me and started putting false allegations on me .I am quite disturbed as i dont want to end my marriage eventhough he behaves very bad with me at times Kindly advice me
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
Since you know that you want this marriage still, then the best way to not be hurt and strained around him, is to:
Either:
- Ignore what's happening and what he's doing and he leads his life and you lead yours (This is not easy, let me warn you!)
OR
- Live separately; you are financially independent and have your home to live in; he can go live with his parents and see if this works

Sadly, you married someone who has not learned to appreciate his partner and is perhaps playing to his own insecurities. It's totally on him and why I say that you are not to blame is: the fact that you still want to continue in this marriage, you may have to face more of this humiliation and hurt. If this is your decision, you really need a very steely interior and a facade that can face it all.
Yes, counseling is an option for him and the two of you as couple, BUT I don't see that in him as yet...Instead of addressing his wife's hurt and pain, he has refused to acknowledge what he's been up to. It doesn't say a lot about him to me.
So, strengthen yourself into your decision and check the two choices above and see what works best for you...

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

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Dr Ashish

Dr Ashish Sehgal  | Answer  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Jul 15, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 19, 2024Hindi
Relationship
Hi sir, I am 34 year women with 2 girl kids. I m working in IT and I earn good amount of livelihood. Sir I hv been married for 6 years and after 1 year of marriage me and my husband understanding issue started where he wants to dominate on me in all senses including financial stuff. But I was okay n in 1 year my 1st daughter born then serious issue started I had rejoined job n discontinued giving all my salary to him. I started savings for my kid where he was nt happy he indirectly demanded my complete salary to be given to him as I did before issue start. Bt in 2020 as lockdown happened he moved to his village where It was very difficult for me to work bt demanded to come to his place. I denied and concentrate my career. So he left us 2 years he did call n check how is kid. Then again he came back 2022 with elders we moved to together to city and again asked money as my sal was increased if nt asked me to barrow 50-60lac as loan n give to him for property which he agreed to make it my name in his place. Bt I denied bc I couldn't trust him meanwhile 2nd daughter born. I came for mother place n he started doing backstabbing abt me n my family within relatives. When I asked he stopped coming visiting me n my daughter and he turn up for 2 baby also it's been year now. Sir my question is ..I m fed up of his behaviour n I dont trust him. As I hv two kids is it really difficult to live without him in this society. As many of my relatives are suggesting go and call ur him how can you live alone with 2 daughter. Sir pls guide me what should I do now ..I tolerate him all these years for kids and society. Now I m done n scared as will I be able to handle all alone. My parents are big support and now I m nt in condition where I go legally against him. Is my decision of living by myself with my daughters and parents is correct or wrong decision or I should go with him.
Ans: Your situation is indeed complex and emotionally taxing. It's important to approach this with both clarity and compassion for yourself and your daughters. Here are some steps and considerations to help you navigate this:

Self-Reflection and Clarity
Acknowledge Your Feelings: It’s essential to recognize your feelings of frustration, fear, and exhaustion. These emotions are valid and need to be addressed.
Define Your Priorities: What are your primary concerns? Your children’s well-being, your financial independence, your personal peace, and safety are likely at the top of this list.
Evaluating Your Relationship
Assess Trust and Respect: Trust and mutual respect are fundamental to any relationship. If these are missing, it is challenging to maintain a healthy partnership.
Past Behaviors as Indicators: Look at the past behavior of your husband. Consistent demands for money, lack of support, and absence during critical times can be telling signs of his priorities and commitment.
Support System
Lean on Your Parents: Having your parents’ support is a significant advantage. They can provide emotional, physical, and perhaps even financial support as you navigate this period.
Professional Help: Consider seeking counseling or support groups for single mothers. These resources can provide guidance, emotional support, and practical advice.
Societal Pressure
Redefine Norms: Society often has rigid expectations, but your well-being and that of your children come first. Living according to societal norms at the cost of your mental peace and safety is not sustainable.
Role Models: Look for examples of other women who have successfully managed similar situations. Their stories can offer inspiration and practical advice.
Legal and Financial Considerations
Know Your Rights: Even if you’re not in a position to take legal action now, it’s essential to be informed about your rights regarding child support and alimony.
Financial Independence: Continue to safeguard your financial independence. This will provide security and stability for you and your daughters.
Decision Making
Short-Term vs. Long-Term: Think about both immediate needs and long-term goals. What decision will bring peace and stability now, and what will be beneficial in the future?
Children’s Well-Being: Consider the environment your children will grow up in. A peaceful, loving environment, even if it’s without their father, might be more beneficial than a toxic, conflict-ridden one.
Practical Steps
Document Everything: Keep records of communications and financial transactions. This documentation can be crucial if you decide to pursue legal action in the future.
Plan for Independence: Create a plan for your independent living situation, including budgeting, childcare, and career progression.
Final Thoughts
Choosing to live independently with your daughters is a courageous and often necessary step for many women in similar situations. Trust in your strength and the support of your parents. It’s important to remember that living a life of peace and dignity, even if it means being a single parent, is a powerful and positive example for your children.

You are not alone in this journey. Seek the support you need, trust your instincts, and prioritize your and your children’s well-being above all.

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Anu

Anu Krishna  |1180 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Jun 24, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 24, 2024Hindi
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Relationship
Hi Anu Mam, I'm 36 yrs. old my husband is 46 now we have 2 sons. Before marriage my husband was in love with another girl. under pressure of parents that girl married to someone else and left city. later few months we got married. For few days of marriage everything was good he used to treat me nice and use to take out for shopping outing etc. i got pregnant he same year during my pregnancy he had to go to abroad for office work for 8 months, so gap came between us. he completely changed he minimized talking, chatting with family. we ignored may be due to work pressure he became like that. later i came to know he is interested in meeting new ppl especially ladies going with them for lunch dinner n all. after few years he met ex-girlfriend without our knowledge stayed with her few days. so, years passed he ignored us and always scolding getting angry with little things he started maintain distance with us. after 8 yrs. again i got pregnant. He used to go for site visits to other places he stayed back at hotels going with other Females spending time with them. through Facebook he made lot of friends always doing videocalls and chatting with them. everything i knew but i confronted him he uses to scold and flies from the spot saying if u want to stay, stay or else get lost. because of kids i had to stay. now he is renting a house in a same city where we live, (agreement was in his laptop bag) and we don't know what is going on? he never shares and opens anything with us. I asked him many times if u don't want to live with me divorce. He never liked me in this marriage he is always treating me anger. I feel loneliness in my life. Need help what should i do?
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
It must surely be shocking BUT over the years I am sure you would have felt it all slipping away...
He's just in the marriage with no great emotional connect with you; I don't know how he's with the children.
Knowing that over the years, he has not any great attempt to work on the marriage and bond with his family, do you feel that he is going to do that in the future?
Rather than 'BEG' for his time and attention, what if you started to focus on yourself and your children and start afresh? He's anyway living elsewhere...can you take this opportunity and actually figure out what you want from life, from your marriage?
Are you willing to be unsettled like the way you are now even 10 years from now?
A few answers will hit you hard; BUT don't waste anymore time waiting and watching for someone to accept you. It maybe an endless wait-game.
Of course, you do have an option of asking an elder member of the family to step in and intervene and hope that he will have a change of heart. But, be prepared to take a strong stance where required. He's doing this even more as he realizes that you are weak and won't object and 'anything goes' with you.
NO, it doesn't, right? Then buck up and speak for yourself. Whatever it is, come from a place of strength. Try the route of familial intervention first and then a lot will be clear as the way forward for you.

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |6485 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Oct 03, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Oct 03, 2024Hindi
Money
Hello sir, I am a 45 years old lady who has stopped working as of now and not sure if i will be working anymore. No loans and No immovable property purchased by me till now. I have 2 children aged 15 and 11 years old. Staying in husbands house and husband is taking care of household expenses and medical insurance. I am looking for investment advice so that I can generate the following with minimal taxes as I may not do a job. Dont have knowledge of which mutual funds, so please guide so that i can increase exposure to equity as well. 1) monthly income of 2 lac every month after 15 years as monthly income as my husband will retire by then. 2) 25 lacs for funding atleast 1 childs education after 6 years. 3) 60 lacs for funding atleast 1 childs marriage after 10 years if thats possible. 4) 50 lacs for unforeseen expenses. My savings till now: ====================== PF account - 35 lacs PPF - 3 lacs Gold - 15 lacs MFs - approx. 6 lacs Fixed deposits - 47.5 lacs Savings account - 25 lacs redeemed from some MFs ICICI guaranteed savings insurance - policy end date march 2026- 175000 + 84525 bonus ICICI Pru Elite Life ULIP - Life insurance cover 20lacs 31 aug 2027 policy end date - fund value 29,17,737 ICICI Pru Life Stage Pension AD - policy end date 5th sep 2030 - fund value 1274116 (ULIP) Daughter PPF - 7 lac 2028 maturity Daughter SSY - 6.3 lacs started at 9 years of age Looking for your advice . Thanks, Anonymous
Ans: You have accumulated significant savings across various avenues: Provident Fund, PPF, gold, mutual funds, fixed deposits, and insurance policies. You aim to secure your family’s future by planning for specific goals like your children's education and marriage, as well as creating a steady income stream post-retirement. This is a sound approach, and with the right strategy, you can achieve these goals.

Let’s explore the different components of your financial planning in a structured manner.

Monthly Income of Rs 2 Lakh After 15 Years
To generate a monthly income of Rs 2 lakh, we need to ensure that your investments grow enough over the next 15 years.

Equity Exposure: Equity mutual funds offer the potential for higher returns compared to traditional instruments. As you are unfamiliar with mutual funds, it would be wise to focus on diversified mutual funds like flexi-cap or multi-cap funds. These funds balance risk and reward by investing in both large and mid-cap companies. Over a 15-year horizon, equity exposure can generate substantial growth, helping you accumulate a corpus that can provide Rs 2 lakh per month.

Debt Allocation: While equity is essential for growth, having some exposure to debt mutual funds or instruments like PPF ensures safety and stability. Debt funds provide consistent returns with lower risk, serving as a counterbalance to market volatility. This ensures that part of your capital remains protected.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP): Once the corpus is built, you can use an SWP to withdraw a fixed amount every month. This is tax-efficient compared to withdrawing lump sums, especially with the current LTCG tax regime (12.5% on gains above Rs 1.25 lakh).

As a rough estimate, you will need a corpus of Rs 4 crore to generate Rs 2 lakh per month (assuming a 6% annual withdrawal rate). You have 15 years to achieve this.

Rs 25 Lakh for Education in 6 Years
Education costs tend to rise faster than inflation, so it is crucial to invest in a way that keeps pace.

Balanced Equity Funds: Since you have a medium-term horizon of 6 years, a combination of balanced funds (also called hybrid funds) can be an ideal choice. These funds invest in both equity and debt, giving you the potential for decent returns with moderate risk. They can generate better returns than fixed deposits without being overly risky.

Partial Fixed Deposits: Since fixed deposits already make up a significant portion of your portfolio (Rs 47.5 lakh), you could set aside a portion for your child’s education. However, FDs tend to offer low post-tax returns. So, combining them with mutual funds will help you meet your Rs 25 lakh target more efficiently.

PPF or SSY: You can also consider additional contributions to your daughter’s PPF or Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) for her education. Both offer guaranteed returns and tax benefits.

Rs 60 Lakh for Marriage in 10 Years
A 10-year horizon provides more flexibility, allowing you to take on more equity exposure to maximize growth.

Equity Mutual Funds: For this goal, you can invest in aggressive mutual funds, focusing on mid-cap and small-cap funds. Over a 10-year period, these funds can provide superior returns, albeit with higher short-term volatility. Given the time frame, this risk can be managed.

Debt Exposure: To safeguard against market downturns closer to the 10-year mark, consider moving some of your corpus into debt funds or fixed deposits as you approach the event.

Gold: Your gold holdings (Rs 15 lakh) can also play a role in your child's marriage expenses. The price of gold tends to appreciate over time, making it a useful hedge against inflation.

Rs 50 Lakh for Unforeseen Expenses
It’s essential to have liquidity for unforeseen expenses. You already have significant cash holdings in the form of fixed deposits and savings accounts.

Emergency Fund: You could set aside a portion of your savings (Rs 25 lakh) in liquid funds or a high-interest savings account. These instruments provide easy access to funds while generating returns higher than regular savings accounts.

Gold and ULIPs: Your gold and ICICI Pru Elite Life ULIP are also part of your safety net. While gold can be sold or pledged, your ULIP’s current fund value (Rs 29.17 lakh) can be partially withdrawn if needed after the lock-in period ends.

Additional Insurance: While your husband’s medical insurance covers your family, consider increasing your coverage or adding critical illness insurance. This will ensure that any medical emergency doesn’t derail your financial plans.

Evaluating Existing Investments
Provident Fund (PF) and Public Provident Fund (PPF): These are solid, safe investments that will continue to grow over time. However, they are less liquid. You can rely on your PF for long-term goals like retirement, but be cautious about locking in too much money in PPF as it has a 15-year lock-in.

ICICI Guaranteed Savings Insurance: Insurance products like this tend to offer lower returns compared to mutual funds. Once the policy matures in 2026, you can reinvest the proceeds in mutual funds to seek higher returns.

ICICI ULIPs: ULIPs generally come with higher fees and lower returns compared to mutual funds. Once your ICICI Pru Elite Life ULIP matures in 2027, it would be advisable to move the corpus into equity and debt mutual funds for better returns and flexibility.

Fixed Deposits: Your Rs 47.5 lakh in FDs is significant, but post-tax returns are low. Over time, consider shifting some of this into mutual funds with systematic transfer plans (STPs), where you transfer small amounts from FDs into mutual funds regularly. This strategy gradually increases your exposure to equity without the risk of market timing.

Asset Allocation Strategy
Given your goals, here’s a suggested asset allocation:

Equity (50-60%): For long-term goals like retirement and marriage.
Debt (30-40%): For medium-term goals like education and unforeseen expenses.
Gold (10%): To hedge against inflation and as a safety net.
Cash/Liquid Funds (5-10%): For emergencies.
This balance ensures both growth and stability, minimizing risk while maximizing returns.

Final Insights
Start SIPs in equity mutual funds for your long-term goals. Regular contributions will help you build wealth over time.
Reevaluate ULIPs and insurance-based investments as they mature. Move them into better-performing mutual funds.
Diversify your investments to spread risk across asset classes.
Increase equity exposure gradually through systematic transfer plans (STPs).
Focus on tax-efficiency, especially with mutual fund redemptions, using long-term capital gains exemptions wisely.
This comprehensive approach will help you meet your financial goals efficiently while safeguarding your family’s future.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

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Milind

Milind Vadjikar  |303 Answers  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Oct 03, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 24, 2024Hindi
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Money
Hi! I am 37 Yrs old entrepreneur having a net worth of 4 Cr invested fully in Equity and Debt. I have a 3 Yrs old daughter and living with my wife, sister and parents in Bengaluru. My wife and parents wants me to purchase home rather than staying invested fully in paper money. On the other hand, I'm looking to achieve financial freedom asap so that I can take more risks professionally. Given the rising costs of real estate and unjustified valuations, I am unable to decide whether to take out half of the capital and purchase home or stay invested fully while living on rent. As we're 6 members in the family, I need at least 2.5 Cr worth of house. Given my nature of job (risk), I don't want to take burden of heavy EMI currently. Please help me out deciding.
Ans: Your parents and wife are absolutely correct. Don't get carried away by social media chitchat. If you don't want to take a home loan, utilize your corpus of 4 Cr to buy that home(~2.5 Cr). Make up your mind. Then you can negotiate and come to common understanding with the developer.

Don't think that your asset base is decreasing but rather as transfer from "paper money" into "real asset", I mean real estate.

You can keep investing regularly over next 10-12 years to rebuild the corpus.

Not all startups are bootstrapped.

If you have a sound business proposition, VCs will finance you.

You may explore option of spouse working while you decide to enter into business with calculated risks so as to have stable income.

As you grow older the risk of lifestyle diseases kick in and at that stage you don't want to end up in a situation where you are unable to pay escalating rents on time.

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |6485 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Oct 03, 2024

Money
Hello , I am a 37 years old single mother of a five year old child. I hve about 2 crores in my FD . I invest in NPS ( 10K per month , current corpus 2.5 lakh) , PPF current corpus 4 lakh, MF ( current corpus 10 lakh ), Invest bout 80k every month in Mutual funds , I hve a flat , I am a government servant . I invest about 5 lakhs per year in PF account ( present corpus 25 lkh ) , I will retire with 1 crore benifits after 6 years . My monthly current expenses is about 1.2 lakh . What is the best time for me to retire , I want to take early retirement.
Ans: You have built a commendable financial foundation. Your current financial assets and monthly expenses reflect a well-planned approach to your future. Let’s analyze your situation in detail.

Current Assets Overview
You have a strong portfolio of assets that will play a crucial role in your retirement planning. Your assets include:

Fixed Deposits: Rs 2 crores
National Pension System (NPS): Rs 2.5 lakh
Public Provident Fund (PPF): Rs 4 lakh
Mutual Funds: Rs 10 lakh
Monthly Investments in Mutual Funds: Rs 80,000
Provident Fund (PF) Corpus: Rs 25 lakh
Residential Flat: Owned
This diverse portfolio offers you both stability and growth potential.

Monthly Expenses Breakdown
You mentioned that your current monthly expenses are Rs 1.2 lakh. This figure includes various costs, such as:

Essential Expenses: Rs 1 lakh
Discretionary Expenses: Rs 20,000
Your strategy to withdraw Rs 30,000 monthly through a systematic withdrawal plan (SWP) shows your foresight in managing cash flow.

Retirement Planning Goals
As a single mother, your retirement goals are particularly significant. Your primary objectives include:

Securing a Stable Future for Your Child: This is paramount. Ensuring your child has access to education and a comfortable life is a priority.

Planning for Early Retirement: You desire to retire early and enjoy life with your child without the stress of financial uncertainty.

Maintaining a Comfortable Lifestyle: It’s essential to ensure that your lifestyle remains stable and enjoyable after retirement.

Understanding Your Retirement Duration
Considering your current age of 37, it’s prudent to plan for a long retirement period. You could potentially live another 30 to 40 years. This estimation highlights the need for a robust financial strategy to sustain your lifestyle throughout your retirement years.

Evaluating Your Current Investment Portfolio
Your investment portfolio is quite diversified. Let’s break it down further to evaluate its strengths and weaknesses.

Fixed Deposits
Corpus: Rs 2 crores
Liquidity: High; Fixed deposits can be liquidated quickly.
Interest Income: Generally, FD rates range from 5-7% annually, depending on the bank. This offers a safe and secure return but may not keep up with inflation in the long run.
National Pension System (NPS)
Current Corpus: Rs 2.5 lakh
Monthly Contribution: Rs 10,000
Long-term Growth: NPS is designed for retirement savings. It offers tax benefits and can be a reliable source of income after retirement.
Public Provident Fund (PPF)
Current Corpus: Rs 4 lakh
Tax Benefits: Contributions qualify for tax deductions under Section 80C.
Investment Horizon: PPF has a 15-year maturity period, making it suitable for long-term financial goals.
Mutual Funds
Current Corpus: Rs 10 lakh
Monthly Investment: Rs 80,000
Growth Potential: Mutual funds can offer high returns over the long term. They are subject to market risks, so choosing the right funds is essential.
Understanding Retirement Corpus Requirements
To estimate your retirement corpus needs, consider your current expenses and expected lifestyle in retirement.

Your current monthly expenses of Rs 1.2 lakh will increase over time due to inflation. Here’s how to think about this:

Inflation Rate: Assume an average inflation rate of 6-8% annually.
Current Annual Expenses: Rs 1.44 crore
To cover your expenses for 25-30 years, your retirement corpus should be significantly larger than your current savings.

Monthly SWP Analysis
You are withdrawing Rs 30,000 monthly through SWP. This approach is a good strategy for providing you with regular income while allowing your investments to grow. However, it’s essential to ensure that your corpus is sufficient to support these withdrawals over the long term.

Consider these factors:

Market Conditions: Market fluctuations can impact the growth of your investments. Ensure your portfolio remains diversified to mitigate risks.

Inflation Impact: Your monthly withdrawal amount may need to increase over time to maintain your lifestyle.

Future Planning for Child’s Education and Marriage
As a single mother, planning for your child's future is crucial. Consider the following:

Education Costs: Education expenses will likely rise. You may need to allocate funds for higher education in the future.

Marriage Costs: Planning for your child's marriage is also essential. These costs can be substantial and should be factored into your retirement planning.

Assessing Retirement Benefits
You mentioned that you will retire with benefits of Rs 1 crore after 6 years. This is a significant sum, but it’s essential to understand how this fits into your overall financial picture.

Consider these points:

Pension and Benefits: Ensure you understand the details of your retirement benefits and how they will be disbursed.

Sustainability of Withdrawals: Withdrawing from your retirement corpus should be sustainable over your expected retirement duration.

Evaluating Your Current Financial Strategy
Here are some aspects of your financial strategy that may require adjustments:

Review Current Investments: Regularly review your mutual fund investments. Ensure you invest in actively managed funds. They tend to outperform index funds over the long term.

Avoid Direct Funds: Investing through a Mutual Fund Distributor with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can offer you professional insights and better fund management.

Maintain an Emergency Fund: Keep an emergency fund equivalent to 6-12 months of expenses in a liquid form. This can be crucial during unforeseen circumstances.

Health Coverage: Ensure you have adequate health insurance for yourself and your child. This protects against unforeseen medical expenses.

Recommended Actions for Financial Stability
Here are some recommendations to ensure a secure retirement:

Increase SIP Contributions: Gradually increase your Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) contributions. This approach helps accumulate wealth faster and takes advantage of market volatility.

Diversify Mutual Fund Investments: Invest in various sectors and market capitalizations. This will help manage risk and enhance potential returns.

Consider Retirement Age: Reflect on the age at which you wish to retire. The earlier you retire, the more savings you will need to ensure your financial stability.

Review Your Budget: Evaluate your monthly expenses. Identify discretionary spending that can be reduced without sacrificing your quality of life.

Evaluating Early Retirement Feasibility
Early retirement is a significant decision. To ensure you are financially prepared, consider the following:

Calculate Total Retirement Corpus: Your total corpus now is approximately Rs 2.5 crores. Evaluate if this amount is sufficient to sustain your lifestyle over 30 years.

Plan for Increased Expenses: As previously mentioned, plan for the rising cost of living and healthcare expenses.

Review Investment Growth: Regularly assess the growth of your investments. Stay informed about market conditions and adjust your strategy accordingly.

The Importance of Professional Guidance
Working with a Certified Financial Planner can provide valuable insights and help you craft a personalized financial plan. Here’s how a CFP can assist you:

Personalized Financial Strategy: A CFP can help you create a tailored strategy based on your goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon.

Regular Portfolio Review: They will ensure that your portfolio is aligned with your goals and that you are on track for retirement.

Tax Planning: A CFP can assist with effective tax strategies to maximize your returns and minimize your tax liabilities.

Final Insights
Retirement planning is essential, especially as a single mother. Your efforts to build a solid financial foundation are commendable.

Focus on Your Child’s Future: Keep your child's future needs in mind when planning your retirement.

Explore Investment Options: Invest in actively managed mutual funds for potential higher returns.

Regularly Review Financial Plans: Make it a habit to review your financial plan regularly.

Stay Informed: Keep yourself informed about market trends and adjust your investments as needed.

Early retirement is possible with a well-thought-out plan and proactive management of your finances.

Your commitment to securing your family’s future is admirable. With the right strategy and professional guidance, you can achieve your retirement goals comfortably.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |6485 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Oct 03, 2024

Money
My age is 57 and just taken early retirement. I have a corpus of 2cr invested MF'S. I have three houses, (in Chennai, Hyderabad and Cochin) one we live and rental income of 30k from the other two. No loan or liabilities. My son has completed PhD abroad and have to complete his marriage for which expenses will be from Corpus. Approx 30L. Our monthly expenses are around 70k (withdrawing 30k monthly through swp) and will the corpus and rental be sufficient for our retirement period considering another 25-30 years of life span. Have medical insurance for 30L family floater. Harikrishnan Ramakrishnan
Ans: You have successfully transitioned into early retirement. This is a significant milestone and deserves appreciation. You have a strong financial foundation to support your lifestyle and goals.

Your total corpus of Rs 2 crores invested in mutual funds provides a solid base for your retirement. You also own three properties in Chennai, Hyderabad, and Cochin, with two generating rental income of Rs 30,000 per month.

Your monthly expenses are around Rs 70,000, of which you are withdrawing Rs 30,000 through a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP). You have a well-structured medical insurance policy with coverage of Rs 30 lakhs for your family.

These factors contribute to a promising financial outlook for your retirement years. However, it’s important to evaluate your resources to ensure they are sufficient for your expected lifespan of 25 to 30 years.

Income Sources and Financial Sustainability
Your primary income sources include:

Rental Income: You receive Rs 30,000 monthly from rental properties. This totals Rs 3.6 lakhs annually.

SWP from Mutual Funds: You are withdrawing Rs 30,000 monthly, which amounts to Rs 3.6 lakhs annually as well.

Total Income: Your total annual income from rental and SWP is approximately Rs 7.2 lakhs.

Your estimated expenses of Rs 70,000 per month lead to total annual expenses of Rs 8.4 lakhs.

This creates a shortfall of Rs 1.2 lakhs annually, which will need to be covered by your mutual fund corpus.

Evaluating the Corpus for Longevity
You have Rs 2 crores in mutual funds. Let’s assess how long this corpus can sustain your retirement lifestyle.

Estimated Annual Withdrawals: If you continue with your current SWP of Rs 3.6 lakhs annually, your total withdrawals from the corpus will be Rs 3.6 lakhs.

Impact of Withdrawals on Corpus: If you maintain this withdrawal strategy, the corpus will deplete faster due to your shortfall in income.

Considerations: Based on historical market performance, your mutual fund investments can grow over time. The actual growth will depend on market conditions and the performance of your funds.

Strategies to Ensure Financial Stability
To enhance the sustainability of your retirement corpus, consider the following strategies:

Reassess Your SWP
While your SWP strategy allows for regular income, it may not be the most efficient approach if there are shortfalls.

Recommendation: Evaluate the possibility of adjusting your SWP amount. If possible, consider lowering your monthly withdrawals to better match your income from rentals.

Exploration of Alternative Withdrawals: If you find it challenging to reduce your SWP, think about temporarily pausing your withdrawals until your rental income increases or other sources of income become available.

Explore Investment Growth
Your mutual fund investments are critical for long-term growth. Ensure you are invested in funds that align with your goals.

Recommendation: Focus on actively managed mutual funds with a strong performance track record. These funds have the potential to outperform passive strategies over the long term, especially during volatile market conditions.

Performance Evaluation: Regularly assess the performance of your mutual funds. If some funds consistently underperform, consider reallocating those investments to better-performing options.

Maintain an Emergency Fund
It’s wise to keep an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses.

Recommendation: Ensure you have enough liquid funds available to cover at least 6 to 12 months of your living expenses. This will help you avoid withdrawing from your investments during market downturns or personal emergencies.

Location of Emergency Fund: Consider keeping this emergency fund in a high-yield savings account or liquid mutual fund for quick access.

Review Monthly Expenses
Regularly reviewing your monthly expenses can help identify areas to save.

Recommendation: Analyze your current expenses to see where cuts can be made. Reducing discretionary spending can increase the longevity of your corpus.

Budgeting: Create a budget that reflects your essential and non-essential expenses. This will allow you to allocate funds more efficiently and identify potential savings.

Preparing for Future Expenses
You mentioned the upcoming marriage of your son, with an expected expense of approximately Rs 30 lakhs. This will impact your corpus significantly.

Recommendation: Plan for this expense well in advance. Since this is a substantial amount, consider allocating a portion of your mutual fund investments specifically for this purpose.

Investment Strategy: To accumulate funds for this expense, you may want to increase your investments temporarily. This could include redirecting a portion of your SWP to a dedicated fund for your son’s marriage.

Healthcare Considerations
You have a family floater medical insurance policy with coverage of Rs 30 lakhs. This is a good measure for health-related expenses in retirement.

Recommendation: Regularly review your health insurance coverage. Ensure it remains adequate as medical costs continue to rise.

Incorporate Health into Financial Planning: Plan for potential healthcare expenses in your overall financial strategy. This may involve setting aside a separate fund for medical emergencies or treatments.

Final Insights
You have a solid financial foundation for your early retirement. Your strategy should focus on ensuring the longevity of your corpus while managing expenses effectively.

Balance Income and Expenses: Continue to monitor your income from rentals and the withdrawals from your mutual funds. This balance is crucial for your financial health.

Consider Additional Income Sources: If possible, explore ways to generate additional income, such as part-time work or freelance opportunities that align with your skills and interests.

Professional Guidance: Consider consulting a Certified Financial Planner for personalized strategies. They can provide tailored insights based on your specific situation and goals.

With careful planning and consistent monitoring, your corpus can sustain your retirement lifestyle for many years. Stay proactive and adapt your strategy as needed.

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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