Home > Relationship > Question
Need Expert Advice?Our Gurus Can Help
Love Guru

Love Guru   |204 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert - Answered on Apr 07, 2022

Love Guru has been answering relationship and romance related questions on Rediff.com for over 13 years. She won't mince words when telling you what the problem is and what you can do about it. If you want a fresh perspective from an unbiased, objective-thinking individual about your relationship woes, Love Guru could just be the person you need to need to hear from.... more
Anonymous Question by Anonymous on Apr 07, 2022Hindi
Listen
Relationship

Dear LG,
Please don't disclose my name. I don't want to share my personal problems with others.
I am 45 years old, married 13 years ago; my wife's age is now 38 years.
I got two kids.
My wife is pretty (she takes lot of care for her beauty) and I want to live simple.
I kept faith on my wife so I didn't interfere in her life.
From last four years, I am staying away from family (because of work I have shifted to other city, monthly once I go back , purchase everything, give money for expense and return to job).
She keeps her mobile with security. Once, by mistake, I read her WhatsApp message. One of her office client was praising her pics and she was responding to him. So I told her, be official, don't entertain, if they fall behind you and we may face problem. She agreed but is doing the same thing and deleting his messages.
Then I wanted to see what all things she does in WhatsApp. So her link I shared in my mobile and started reading her messages.
She use to chat with one married person from last three years, she changed his name in her mobile and kept his wife's name. Three years back he proposed her with love song. My wife used to support him, sometimes she used to delete the messages.
He knows all my family history. Whenever they get time, they used to talk each other
in phone. Some messages I read, they were planning to meet also.
She always come home very late, I didn't question her because I kept faith, but as I told you I have two kids in home. If she comes late, they are facing a problem (they stay alone until she comes back).
Simultaneously she is chatting with another married friend. She says he is like a brother in front of me, but that person says baby, darling, dear, love, etc, in his conversation and forwarded some love songs and calling her for long drive. My wife replied some other day we will go. He replies, You always says same thing. I will become old one day.
Then I was surprised and guided my wife indirectly. I told, don't entertain any person they may start to trouble you or if anybody troubling you please tell I will help you. We got two kids so we got lot of responsibility.
She got a clue that I am reading her messages, so immediately she deleted all messages and after some days she deleted their numbers, along with that she deleted some other numbers also!  Why, I don't know.
Once I told my son, beware, I can track you and tell where are you going and what are you doing. But from that day onwards, my wife is blocking her internet at 6 pm (when her office closes) and unblocking when she returns home. I am worried regarding this behaviour.
I have stopped reading her messages now.
But now I am feeling very uncomfortable because her behaviour is very soft with me, (previously she was very aggressive, she used to fight with me unnecessarily.)
Please guide me how to handle the situation. What can I do now? Sometimes I feel I should leave everything go somewhere or is it a punishment for marrying a pretty girl? What to do? Please guide how handle the situation.
Regards.

Ans:

So, in a nutshell, you think your wife was flirting behind your back, you dropped some hints and then she has either stopped, or then stopped you from spying on her phone.

First of all, why are you dropping hints to her instead of talking straight? Which husband is going to appreciate his wife being wooed by other men with all this darling-baby love talk?

Even if she’s not having an affair, the flirty behaviour is bound to make you uncomfortable. Don’t you think you should call her out on it instead of pretending like some other man is making her uncomfortable?

Clearly, she’s enjoying the attention!

You seem very timid and intimidated by your wife. And if her behaviour has changed toward you for the better because you suspect she is guilty of something, all the more reason to get to the bottom of it!

Stop playing games and pussyfooting around her. Do some straight-talking for a change instead of going behind her back and reading messages!

And FYI, being good-looking doesn’t give any spouse licence to make their partner insecure!

 

You may like to see similar questions and answers below

Ravi

Ravi Mittal  |519 Answers  |Ask -

Dating, Relationships Expert - Answered on Dec 08, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 07, 2023Hindi
Listen
Relationship
I am 40 year old and married for 14 years but what happened in 2011 was me n my wife was working in a same company and my wife became close to a colleague on the same floor we work. She was very friendly n one day her colleague proposed her via her friend my wife didn't tell me n she felt very excited about it and after she became very friendly with him after few days she was ignoring me and she expressed her feelings too.but soon she realised she is going wrong and i noticed her changed behaviour and soon she started ignoring tht guy but he came n offered her chocolate and my wife informed me saying this guy's intentions I ask her to tie raakhi she tried but he was running away later we logged out she asked me to stop him and I forced him to him to tie raakhi and my wife was tying and he said I love u. I gve a tight slap to tht guy. Soon after he left the job. We were still working and left the office n joined different companies.after 6 months she went to same office for 2 months. And suddenly she left the job.Now after 12 years her TL met with my ex colleague and shared he working in tht office my colleague asked hey in tht same office my friend was working with his wife and her TL said ohh yeah his wife had n affair with other guy and he asked his wife to raakhi. And my ex colleague called me n said the same to me and since then I have so many doubts on my wife and after few days she confessed she had feelings for him and she already knew he likes her and she said it was just a feeling. Now we are having difference between us. Please help what can be done now I'm getting disturbed alot. 12 years this was secret.
Ans: Dear Anonymous,

I am sorry to hear that you are facing such issues. Doubt is very destructive in a relationship. It's important to have an open and honest conversation with your partner regarding what happened in the past. Don't push her to give you all the details; it will not contribute positively to your well-being. Aim for a more balanced and productive discussion.

You have to recognize that all these happened many years back. It's in the past. And you cannot change it. While it's essential to acknowledge and understand them, dwelling on them may impact your peace of mind. Focus on the present and try to build a more transparent and communicative relationship in the present. Take this opportunity to work together and strengthen your marriage.

Best Wishes!

..Read more

Anu

Anu Krishna  |1477 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Dec 21, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 15, 2023Hindi
Listen
Relationship
Hello, I have been married from 15 yrs. I have a 9 yrs old son with me. In oct 21 my wife (age 38) started making REELS on insta of the facial acting. She got involved and told me that she is just doing for followers and like. People used to comment good and bad which i didnt like. She was trying to make young guy friends. In april 2022 she had an affair with a 22-year-old boy who was not even financial stable. I could she changes in her every day. In June 2022 I caught her and she confess that she did affair and also done physical relationship. I had unconditionally loved her all these years and didn’t wanted to let her go. Also, didn’t wanted to hurt my son by taking a divorce. That guy refused to keep my son and their relation broke, but my wife still loved him and missed him. Few months she was in depression and I took her upmost care and swallowed what she did. I just told her that please come back to our life as you were before but she was not getting back. There used to be few quarrels, she was just staying alone within herself and I never felt that love which she used to give me. Later in feb23 there was a marriage at her family and I agree to go with her so she may get that feel during our times and she promised me to enjoy the marriage and make love with me. But she was happy with her relative and didn’t even bother to make that love and affection with me. from that time, I used to get angry and fight with her. I went into depression. In May 2023 she was getting worst and one day fight increased and I asked her to leave my house which I wasn’t intentionally wanted to. She left and went missing 24 yrs and then called from her mom mobile who was in her village, since she didn’t come back home and from last two month, she has been asking me money for herself and says it’s her rights. She doesn’t bother for my son and just show that she loves him. She works and stay with woman from 6 months and I’m looking after my son all alone. I told her u can work but just come home and make things better for my son. Her conditions is to give money security (money) then only she will return. All my family says she is just behind money and doesn’t care what I and my son is going through. She is not guilt for what she did. 15 yrs of marriage has been ruin and now she has no shame at all. She talks rudely if i dont send her money and now I refused sending her. Please advice what do I do now.
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
You seem to have done a lot to try and get her back. What can you do if she doesn't want to acknowledge your efforts or appreciate what family life is! One would imagine that a child in the equation may bring about a change in heart but that doesn't seem to be the case here at this moment.
Your family members are right in their mind about the way that see your wife as they have been observing how this has impacted you and your son.
Either you wait for her to come to her senses OR simply learn to live life without her. If the outside world of social media is what seems to satisfy her, no matter what you do, she will be dissatisfied and unhappy. This only means that she has to learn and appreciate what she has with you and your son.
It is also possible that she has been disinterested in the marriage for a while now and has been seeking approval and validation from people on social media. Even if this is the case, being angry with you is understandable BUT what about her own child? What makes her not want to deal with that reality? If you need an answer to this, simply WAIT and WATCH without begging her to come back...That will give you an idea as to where her mind is and then decide on the future course...

All the best!

..Read more

Shalini

Shalini Singh  |144 Answers  |Ask -

Dating Coach - Answered on Mar 27, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 26, 2024Hindi
Listen
Relationship
Hi Shalini ji i am married since 2007 last 18 years my life was going very we'll and we both have good understanding and we both taking care of our family having two kids very well last year i come to know that before marriage my wife were having one male friend this male friends usually meet my wife at that time and gossips and even he taken her to visit on some locations 4 to 5 times as per my wife this friend was taken her to his room also 4 time but as they were good friends only so they just gossiping there as well as per my wife she had no any feeling with that guy but in between one day he asked her that he want to marry her , as per my wife he was telling him that he has been broken by his old girl friend and now since my wife listening him very carefully he started liking her , my wife still meeting him in between and go for outing at that time one day he asked to visit her home for marriage than my wife reject his proposal, after that this man gone out of station and than not met her, as per my wife telling me that i have not liked him and not having any feeling at that time and she telling that my 1st love is my husband only i am not able to decide anything now and not able to sleep properly not able to focus on me my health and my work i am vey shocked that the girl i love how she met with other man in past why she gone for outdoor and his room in past i am vey upset from last one year now and nkt able to find any Solution what to do now how to live life ahead pl guide me
Ans: Whilst I comment on dating and how to find your person, I will like to comment on this

1. basis of what you have shared you are overthinking and ruining what you have had since 18 years. your wife decided to stay with you and invest in the relationship with you is the fact that she cares for you and the relationship so stop being upset, be kind to yourself, her and the relationship.

on another note

2. marriage should not stop us from having close friends from the opposite gender.

3. if you are married, it means you are an adult which means if two adults consent to adultery its their responsibility to accept it. say if you are attracted to a woman and go all the way its not the woman who has lured you, both are in their senses and know what they are doing.

4. yes even after marrying or being in a committed relationship you can and will find others attractive and you will be found attractive to others. Its upto you and only you on how you wish to act if such a situation arises. As I shared you are an adult and someone who can not think but also overthink so you decide how to act in such a situation.

..Read more

Latest Questions
Milind

Milind Vadjikar  |960 Answers  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Feb 03, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Feb 02, 2025Hindi
Listen
Money
Dear Milind Sir, Please refer below comments for your further queries I am 50 year old want to retire this year. My current corpus 1.4 Cr FD , owned 2 flats total worth 1.2 cr.and site worh 60 L in 2 tier city . Term insurance of 2 cr. Invested in varous polcies around 1 cr . I have one daughter studying in 10th class. Wife fitness trainer and karate trainer wanted to open her own fitness class. Planning to earn through some passive income ( trading, shares) Can i retireAns: Hello; Are you occupying one of the two flat owned by you or both are given on rent? Yes I am occupying one of the flat. Getting monthly rent of 12 K and i am planning to sell it off If yes how much rental income/expense? How much is the current total regular monthly expense? Current monthly expenses 40 to 50 k Answer to these queries will help us to guide you suitably.
Ans: Hello;

You may sell the second flat and land site owned by you.

It may fetch you around 1.1 Cr(~50 L flat value and 60 L land site value).

Therefore your total corpus adds upto around 2.5 Cr(1.4 Cr FD+ 1.1 Cr RE sale proceeds).

You may keep a sum of 50 L towards higher education corpus for your child.

For the balance 2 Cr, if you buy an immediate annuity, you may expect a monthly income of around 1 L.

This conveniently meets your regular monthly expenses and provides a surplus.

Part of the surplus may be invested in equity savings type mutual funds so as build a corpus over 10 years which may be used to boost retirement income.

Maturity proceeds of various endowment policies which have subscribed to, may be used to step up the annuity income to account for inflation.

Annuities may have lower rate then FD but it is offered for long tenures thereby avoiding the reinvestment risk.

Ultimately it is your preference.

Do buy adequate healthcare insurance for yourself and your family.

Also a word of caution on plan to undertake trading and investment in direct stocks. Define a certain minimum risk capital (say 10 L) which you may not mind even if lost completely and then venture out for stock trading. No MTF, No FNO.

Also take trades based on own self study or recommendation from a registered research analyst. Trading based on social media and TV tips is a sure way to disaster.

Happy Investing;
X: @mars_invest

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7776 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Feb 03, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Feb 03, 2025Hindi
Money
I m 48 years old. Married with no kids. I have Pf of 12 lakhs, ppf of 15 lakhs, NPS 16 lakhs. MF 50 lakhs. Fd 5 lakhs. I live in metro. I have own house. When can I retire at the earliest?
Ans: You are 48 years old, married, with no children.

Your retirement savings include:

Provident Fund (PF): Rs. 12 lakhs

Public Provident Fund (PPF): Rs. 15 lakhs

National Pension System (NPS): Rs. 16 lakhs

Mutual Funds: Rs. 50 lakhs

Fixed Deposits (FD): Rs. 5 lakhs

You own your home and live in a metro city.

This forms a solid foundation for early retirement planning.

Key Financial Goals to Consider
Retirement Corpus: Ensuring your savings last 35+ years post-retirement.

Lifestyle Expenses: Covering day-to-day costs in a metro city.

Healthcare: Planning for medical expenses beyond insurance coverage.

Inflation: Managing the rising cost of living over time.

Each goal will help us determine when you can retire comfortably.

Assessing Your Retirement Readiness
At 48, you are close to traditional retirement age.

Your current corpus totals Rs. 98 lakhs across investments.

Without kids, future expenses may be more predictable.

However, healthcare and inflation remain key concerns.

Let’s break down if your corpus is enough to retire early.

Estimating Retirement Expenses
Living in a metro city usually means higher expenses.

Consider daily costs, utilities, transportation, and leisure activities.

Don’t forget to factor in unexpected medical emergencies.

Estimate your current monthly expenses and adjust for inflation.

This helps identify the income needed post-retirement.

The Role of Inflation
Inflation reduces your money’s value over time.

Even with a modest rate, expenses double in 12-15 years.

Investments must outpace inflation to maintain your lifestyle.

Equity exposure helps achieve inflation-beating returns.

Ignoring inflation risks depleting your corpus too soon.

Evaluating Your Current Investments
Mutual Funds (Rs. 50 lakhs): Offer growth potential for long-term needs.

NPS (Rs. 16 lakhs): Provides retirement-focused growth with tax benefits.

PPF (Rs. 15 lakhs): Safe, tax-free returns but limited liquidity.

PF (Rs. 12 lakhs): Offers stable, long-term growth.

FDs (Rs. 5 lakhs): Provides safety but low returns after tax.

A diversified mix, but needs optimization for early retirement.

Generating Regular Income After Retirement
Use Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWP) from mutual funds for monthly income.

SWPs offer regular payouts while keeping your investments growing.

Allocate part of your corpus to debt funds for stable income.

Equity investments continue to grow for long-term needs.

This strategy balances income and growth effectively.

Rebalancing Your Portfolio for Retirement
Shift gradually from high-risk to balanced investments.

Keep 60-70% in equity for long-term growth initially.

Allocate 30-40% to debt instruments for stability.

Review and adjust annually based on market conditions.

This approach reduces risks while maintaining growth.

Managing Fixed Deposits Wisely
Rs. 5 lakhs in FDs provides liquidity but low returns.

Consider shifting some to debt mutual funds for better returns.

Keep a portion as an emergency fund for quick access.

Avoid over-reliance on FDs, as they lose value against inflation.

Optimizing FDs enhances overall portfolio returns.

Planning for Healthcare Costs
Medical expenses rise sharply with age.

Ensure you have comprehensive health insurance coverage.

Consider a top-up health policy for additional protection.

Build a dedicated health emergency fund.

Healthcare planning is critical, especially without employer coverage post-retirement.

Emergency Fund for Unexpected Expenses
Maintain an emergency fund covering 12-18 months of expenses.

Keep it in liquid mutual funds or high-interest savings accounts.

This prevents the need to withdraw from long-term investments during crises.

Financial security comes from being prepared for the unexpected.

Tax Planning for Retirement
Post-retirement income will still be taxable.

SWP from mutual funds is tax-efficient compared to interest income.

Long-term capital gains on equity have favorable tax treatment.

Use senior citizen tax benefits once eligible.

Effective tax planning increases your net income.

Identifying the Earliest Retirement Age
Your corpus is close to Rs. 1 crore.

To retire now, this corpus must sustain for 35+ years.

Consider working for a few more years to boost savings.

Alternatively, reduce lifestyle expenses for early retirement.

The earliest retirement age depends on your income needs and risk tolerance.

Strategies to Boost Your Retirement Corpus
Increase investments in growth-oriented mutual funds.

Maximize contributions to PPF and NPS for tax-free growth.

Reinvest returns from FDs into higher-yielding instruments.

Delay retirement by 2-3 years to strengthen your corpus.

Small changes today can make a big difference later.

Importance of Regular Portfolio Reviews
Review your financial plan annually.

Adjust for changes in expenses, income, or market conditions.

Rebalance your portfolio to maintain the right asset mix.

Financial planning is a continuous process, not a one-time task.

Staying Disciplined with Your Investments
Avoid panic-selling during market fluctuations.

Stick to your long-term goals and investment strategy.

Don’t make emotional decisions based on short-term trends.

Discipline is the key to successful retirement planning.

Planning for Legacy and Estate
Create a will to specify how your assets will be distributed.

Appoint nominees for all your financial accounts.

Consider setting up a trust if needed for complex situations.

Estate planning ensures your wealth is managed as per your wishes.

Reducing Expenses for Early Retirement
Identify non-essential expenses that can be reduced.

Focus on experiences rather than material possessions.

Optimize utility bills, subscriptions, and lifestyle costs.

Lower expenses mean less stress on your retirement corpus.

Diversification: Spreading Risk for Safety
Don’t put all your money in one type of investment.

Spread across equity, debt, and fixed-income instruments.

Diversification reduces risk and improves returns.

A well-diversified portfolio offers stability in all market conditions.

Managing Lifestyle Inflation
Lifestyle inflation increases expenses as income grows.

Post-retirement, control lifestyle costs to preserve wealth.

Focus on meaningful activities that don’t require high spending.

Smart lifestyle choices help stretch your retirement corpus.

Building Passive Income Streams
Explore passive income sources like dividends from mutual funds.

Rental income (if applicable) can supplement retirement income.

Passive income reduces dependence on your retirement corpus.

Multiple income streams provide financial security.

Finally
You’ve built a strong financial foundation with Rs. 98 lakhs in savings.

However, retiring immediately may strain your corpus over 35+ years.

Consider working for a few more years to boost savings.

Alternatively, reduce expenses to make early retirement feasible.

Stay invested, review regularly, and focus on long-term goals.

This approach will secure a comfortable and stress-free retirement.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7776 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Feb 03, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Feb 03, 2025
Money
I want guidance on retirement planning. Having corpus of 3 CR in mutual funds, shares and 1.5 CR savings in FD. With no bank loans and own home. Kids are in class 1 and class 5. I need to provide support for their education which might overall cost around 2 CR. Is my corpus enough to retire now and take care of cost of living. My age is 45 years. My monthly expense is around 1.5 lakhs. I have medical insurance policy of 20 lakhs.
Ans: You are 45 years old and considering retirement.

You have Rs. 3 crores in mutual funds and shares.

You hold Rs. 1.5 crores in fixed deposits.

You own your home, with no outstanding loans.

Your kids are in Class 1 and Class 5.

You estimate their education will cost around Rs. 2 crores.

Your monthly expense is Rs. 1.5 lakhs.

You have a medical insurance cover of Rs. 20 lakhs.

This is a strong financial base. Your savings reflect disciplined planning.

Key Financial Goals to Address
Retirement Corpus: Will your current corpus last for the next 35-40 years?

Children’s Education: Ensuring Rs. 2 crores for their future needs.

Healthcare: Covering medical costs beyond insurance.

Lifestyle Expenses: Maintaining your current lifestyle post-retirement.

We’ll assess if your current assets can cover all these goals.

Evaluating Your Retirement Readiness
Your monthly expense is Rs. 1.5 lakhs, or Rs. 18 lakhs annually.

Over 35 years, considering inflation, this will grow significantly.

Your corpus must generate enough returns to cover rising expenses.

You’ll also need to manage emergencies without affecting your core investments.

Let’s break down how to achieve this.

Analyzing Your Corpus: Is It Enough?
Rs. 3 crores in mutual funds and shares provide growth potential.

Rs. 1.5 crores in FDs offer safety but lower returns.

Total corpus: Rs. 4.5 crores.

Deducting Rs. 2 crores for children’s education leaves Rs. 2.5 crores.

Can Rs. 2.5 crores sustain your lifestyle for 35+ years?

This depends on investment returns, inflation, and disciplined withdrawals.

Importance of Diversification and Asset Allocation
Balance between equity (growth) and debt (stability) is key.

Equity helps fight inflation with higher returns.

Debt provides stable income with lower risk.

A mix of both ensures steady growth and safety.

Review your current allocation and adjust if needed.

Generating Regular Income Post-Retirement
Use a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) from mutual funds for monthly income.

SWP offers regular payouts while the remaining corpus keeps growing.

Keep a part of your corpus in debt funds for stable income.

Equity portion helps the corpus grow over time.

This strategy maintains liquidity and long-term growth.

Managing Fixed Deposits for Optimal Returns
Rs. 1.5 crores in FDs is safe but returns are low after tax.

Consider shifting a portion to debt mutual funds for better returns.

Debt funds are tax-efficient if held for more than three years.

Keep some FDs for emergencies, but don’t rely solely on them.

This improves returns while keeping your money secure.

Planning for Children’s Education
Rs. 2 crores needed for both children’s education.

Start dedicated SIPs in equity mutual funds for this goal.

Equity offers higher growth potential over 10-15 years.

For the older child, reduce equity exposure gradually as college nears.

For the younger child, maintain higher equity exposure for longer.

This ensures funds grow to meet rising education costs.

Protecting Against Health-Related Risks
You have Rs. 20 lakhs in health insurance, which is good.

Review the policy to ensure it covers major illnesses.

Consider a top-up health policy for additional coverage.

Keep an emergency health fund for out-of-pocket expenses.

Healthcare costs can rise unexpectedly, even with insurance.

Inflation: The Silent Risk
Inflation reduces the value of money over time.

Your expenses will likely double in 12-15 years.

Equity investments help beat inflation with higher returns.

Fixed-income investments alone won’t keep up with inflation.

Keep this in mind while planning your withdrawals.

Building an Emergency Fund
Maintain an emergency fund covering 12-18 months of expenses.

Keep it in liquid mutual funds or savings accounts for easy access.

This fund prevents you from dipping into retirement corpus during crises.

Financial security isn’t just about growth; it’s about preparedness.

Risk Management Beyond Insurance
Life is unpredictable, even with the best plans.

Diversify investments to manage market risks.

Rebalance your portfolio regularly based on market conditions.

Avoid putting all money in one asset class.

Smart risk management keeps your finances stable during tough times.

Optimizing Tax Efficiency
Post-retirement, tax planning becomes crucial.

SWP from mutual funds offers tax efficiency compared to interest income.

Long-term capital gains from equity have tax benefits.

Use senior citizen tax benefits once eligible.

Efficient tax planning increases your real income.

Planning for Legacy and Estate
Create a will to distribute your assets as per your wishes.

Appoint nominees for all your investments.

Consider setting up a trust if needed for complex situations.

Estate planning ensures smooth transfer of wealth to your family.

Regular Review of Your Financial Plan
Review your financial plan at least once a year.

Adjust for changes in expenses, goals, or market conditions.

Rebalance your investments to maintain the right asset mix.

Financial planning is not a one-time task. It needs regular attention.

Staying Disciplined with Your Finances
Avoid unnecessary withdrawals from your corpus.

Don’t panic during market fluctuations.

Focus on long-term goals and stay invested.

Discipline is the key to successful retirement planning.

Final Insights
You’ve built a solid foundation with Rs. 4.5 crores in assets.

However, with Rs. 2 crores needed for education, the remaining corpus may fall short.

Consider working for a few more years to strengthen your corpus.

Alternatively, reduce lifestyle expenses to ease financial pressure.

Stay invested wisely, review regularly, and plan for the long term.

This approach will secure both your retirement and your children’s future.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7776 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Feb 03, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Feb 03, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi i am 38 years old, my home worth 1.5cr, fd 60L, gold of 20Li have two kids of 10&4 years, how I can plan for their education and my retirement at50 and my salary ll be one Lakh
Ans: Understanding Your Current Financial Situation
You are 38 years old with a goal to retire at 50.

Your home is worth Rs. 1.5 crores.

You have Rs. 60 lakhs in fixed deposits.

You own Rs. 20 lakhs worth of gold.

Your monthly salary is Rs. 1 lakh.

You have two children aged 10 and 4.

Your focus is on education planning and retirement planning.

This is a strong starting point. You’ve managed your finances well so far.

Setting Clear Financial Goals
Before planning, we need clarity on two major goals:

Children’s Education: Estimate costs for higher education. Costs are rising due to inflation.

Retirement at 50: You’ll need to maintain your lifestyle without active income.

These goals will guide your investment and savings strategy.

Estimating the Future Cost of Children’s Education
For your 10-year-old, higher education is about 8 years away.

For your 4-year-old, it's around 14 years away.

Considering inflation, education costs may double or even triple.

A professional degree might cost Rs. 30-50 lakhs in the future.

Plan with this in mind to avoid surprises later.

Planning for Retirement at 50
You plan to retire in 12 years.

After retirement, your expenses will continue for at least 30-35 years.

This requires a steady income without depending on a job.

You need a large corpus to support your lifestyle.

Managing Fixed Deposits Effectively
Rs. 60 lakhs in FDs is good, but FDs offer low returns after tax.

Inflation can reduce the real value of FD returns over time.

Gradually shift some FD amounts to mutual funds for better growth.

This ensures your money grows faster than inflation.

Gold as an Investment
Rs. 20 lakhs in gold adds diversification to your portfolio.

However, gold doesn’t provide regular income or high growth.

Consider keeping some gold for emergencies or gifting.

For wealth creation, focus more on financial instruments like mutual funds.

Building an Education Fund for Your Children
Start dedicated SIPs for both children in equity mutual funds.

Equity can provide higher returns over long periods.

For the 10-year-old, choose balanced funds to reduce risk as the goal nears.

For the 4-year-old, focus more on equity-oriented funds for higher growth.

Increase SIP amounts whenever your income rises.

Review and adjust the SIPs regularly.

Retirement Planning: Creating a Strong Corpus
Start SIPs dedicated to your retirement goal.

Focus on diversified equity mutual funds for growth.

Increase your SIPs yearly as your salary grows.

Invest any bonuses or extra income into these funds.

Closer to retirement, shift some funds to safer options like debt funds.

This reduces risk as you near retirement.

Insurance Planning for Risk Protection
Review your life insurance coverage.

Ensure you have enough cover to protect your family’s future.

Term insurance is cost-effective and provides high cover.

Also, have health insurance separate from your employer’s policy.

This ensures continuous coverage even after retirement.

Managing Expenses for Better Savings
Your salary is Rs. 1 lakh per month.

Track your expenses to identify saving opportunities.

Aim to save at least 30-40% of your income.

Reduce unnecessary expenses to increase your investment amount.

Small changes can lead to big savings over time.

Creating an Emergency Fund
Set aside 6-12 months of expenses as an emergency fund.

Keep this in a liquid fund or savings account for quick access.

This protects your investments from unexpected withdrawals.

An emergency fund provides financial security.

Surrendering LIC or Investment-Linked Insurance (If Applicable)
If you have LIC or ULIP policies, review their returns.

Such policies often offer low returns compared to mutual funds.

Consider surrendering them if they’re not beneficial.

Reinvest the amount in mutual funds for better growth.

Consult with a Certified Financial Planner before making changes.

Tax Planning for Maximum Savings
Use Section 80C to save tax through PF, PPF, or ELSS mutual funds.

Invest in NPS for additional tax benefits under Section 80CCD(1B).

Claim deductions for health insurance premiums under Section 80D.

Efficient tax planning increases your investable surplus.

How to Allocate Your Investments
Education Fund: Start SIPs based on each child’s education timeline.

Retirement Fund: Invest separately for retirement with a long-term focus.

Emergency Fund: Build and maintain this for unexpected needs.

Gold: Keep a portion but focus more on financial investments.

Diversification helps manage risk and improve returns.

Reviewing and Adjusting Your Financial Plan
Review your financial plan yearly.

Adjust SIP amounts based on income changes.

Rebalance your portfolio to maintain the right mix of equity and debt.

Regular reviews keep your goals on track.

Staying Disciplined with Investments
Avoid withdrawing from your investments unless it’s for the intended goal.

Don’t react to short-term market fluctuations.

Focus on long-term growth and stay invested.

Discipline is key to wealth creation.

Final Insights
You’ve built a solid financial base.

Focus on structured investments for your children’s education and your retirement.

Mutual funds through SIPs offer growth and flexibility.

Review your plan regularly and stay disciplined.

This approach will help you achieve financial freedom by 50.

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.

Close  

You haven't logged in yet. To ask a question, Please Log in below
Login

A verification OTP will be sent to this
Mobile Number / Email

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to

Resend OTP in120seconds

Dear User, You have not registered yet. Please register by filling the fields below to get expert answers from our Gurus
Sign up

By signing up, you agree to our
Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Already have an account?

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to Mobile

Resend OTP in120seconds

x