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Anu

Anu Krishna  |1633 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Mar 17, 2023

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 - Mar 16, 2023Hindi
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Relationship

Dear Maam, I am a 45 year old married woman. (Married for last 10 years). We do not have any children as yet. My husband was employed at the time of marriage, however, he quit his job within a couple of months of marriage and has remained unemployed since then. His mother, my MIL happily supports him in this matter and keeps treating him like a 10 year old boy. Since my husband has no source of income, he keeps festering me for money to buy all sorts of things and becomes irritated and angry and doesn't speak to me for days when I refuse to give him any money. We do not have a single joint bank account and I am afraid to share my bank account details with him as he will insist on the Debit Card and spend all my hard earned money. I have tried speaking to him about his employment status and have told him clearly that amount of salary is not important, but instead he should be gainfully occupied instead of watching movies with his parents all day long. Another irritating habit of his is to watch his car five - six times a day. People taunt him for his joblessness and his obsession over his car. (Maintenance money is also paid by me). His parents are 100% in his favor and told me many times that they have raised their boy nicely and that I shouldn't tell him how to live. I don't remember the last time I have been physical with him. Must have been 5-6 years back atleast. I am fed up completely and dont know how to put some sense in him.

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
You have married a man who refuses to grow up. And to top it all, his parents get a kick out of him behaving like a child. Maybe it eases their guilt of being better parents to him than they were when he was much younger. Whatever it is, please think for yourself if you want to raise a child instead of living with a man who is your husband. He shows no signs of wanting to take responsibility and be an adult here.
So, what exactly are you supporting this man for?
Why are you allowing him to live off your money?
What makes you reinforce his tantrums by being a child?
What more needs to happen for you to see that your marriage is in shambles?

Either take him to a professional who can help him sort out his challenges OR if that does not work, think about your life and make solid decisions in your favor.
You are financially independent and even after 10 years of marriage, if you are still squabbling over a husband who is a child, you know how you can lead a better life.
So, try talking him into going to see a professional first...

All the best!

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Anu

Anu Krishna  |1633 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Apr 29, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 17, 2024Hindi
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Relationship
Hi, I’m a 29 year old working woman. My husband who is 36, left his job 2 years ago just after my child was born. Since then he did not put much efforts to get another job and I’m only taking care of all the financial responsibilities. Whenever I ask him about job, he learns some courses online and then stops learning after few days giving some excuses. This has happened several times. He spends too much of my income even on small things saying he wants best quality products only. Almost everyday he asks me to buy some products or outside food and gets angry if I reject. Myself or my in-laws are not able to force him to get a job because he has anger issues and becomes verbally abusive very quickly. Even my parents are scared of his anger so not able to talk to him regarding his job. I feel very frustrated everyday since me or my family is not able to do anything about this, how do I deal with him?
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
It's great as a partner to support home and your spouse when there's a need. BUT now, you seem to have a lazy man oops boy to take care of now. Kindly stop doling out money for his pleasures. Let him earn and do his bit for the family. He's just getting used to putting his legs up and taking a very long break which he doesn't intend to come out of. It's a great habit and he's enjoying the convenience of it all.
He also needs a push out of this laziness the root cause of which can be identified by an expert; so kindly seek help so that you are not looking after another baby other than yours. Act soon...

All the best!

..Read more

Kanchan

Kanchan Rai  |615 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Jun 02, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 02, 2024Hindi
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Relationship
Dear Anu, I am married for 28 yrs. Throughout my marriage, I have felt very insecure about money. I have always tried to be independent but my husband had discouraged it. So though I earned, it wasn't much. It was enough as my pocket money, or maybe a bit more. Then when I was 46yrs old, and my husband 60, he started saying that he could no longer earn and I had to support myself. At first I was shocked and devastated, but gradually i accepted and started working hard. He also started living separately and comes home for 2-3 days, every week. I have stopped needing him emotionally and financially. But he is very inconsistent with his finances, which brings back my earlier insecurity. Also he doesn't practice what he says. Suppose we plan something and I expect that to happen, but then I find he doesn't do it. I feel very cheated. For example, we decided to rent out our garage, and he said that I could pay the electricity bill of our house with that. But then , when we get a tenant, he takes away the money. This is just a small example. Many other , big things have happened . Because of this, I feel frustrated and very dissatisfied with the relationship. But outwardly, we are a happy family. I have a son of 27yrs also. I have tried talking to him about it, but he avoids it. Inspite of telling him time and again to find something to do he refuses it. His career was also very inconsistent, and a very long story. How do I deal with him? Should I leave? I don't want to. But I really don't know what to do.
Ans: I hear the deep frustration and sense of betrayal you're experiencing. Navigating a relationship where financial security and trust are consistently undermined is incredibly challenging, especially after 28 years of marriage. Your feelings are valid, and it’s important to address them thoughtfully.

Firstly, it’s crucial to recognize and validate your own strength and resilience. Despite the obstacles, you've managed to become self-reliant and support yourself financially. This is a significant achievement and speaks to your capability and determination.

Your husband's inconsistent behavior and financial unreliability are understandably distressing. It seems that his actions have repeatedly undermined your sense of security and trust, which are foundational to any relationship. The pattern of him not following through on agreed plans, such as the example of renting out the garage, erodes trust and contributes to your frustration.

Given that he avoids discussions about these issues, it might be helpful to approach the conversation differently. Choose a calm, neutral time to express your feelings clearly and directly, focusing on how his actions impact you emotionally and financially. Use “I” statements, such as “I feel insecure and frustrated when our financial agreements are not honored,” to avoid making him feel defensive.

If he continues to avoid these conversations, consider involving a neutral third party, such as a marriage counselor. A professional can facilitate healthier communication and help both of you understand each other's perspectives better.

However, it’s also essential to evaluate your own needs and boundaries. Reflect on what you need to feel secure and fulfilled in the relationship. If these needs continue to be unmet despite your efforts to communicate and resolve the issues, you might need to consider more significant changes.

Leaving a long-term marriage is a profound decision and one that requires careful thought. You’ve mentioned that you don’t want to leave, and it’s important to explore all avenues before making such a decision. However, your well-being and happiness are paramount.

If your husband remains unwilling to change or address your concerns, you may need to create boundaries that protect your financial and emotional health. This could involve having separate finances or setting clear terms for financial decisions and responsibilities.

Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that you feel secure, respected, and valued in your relationship. It's a challenging path, but with clear communication, professional support, and self-reflection, you can navigate this difficult situation and find a resolution that honors your needs and well-being.

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Kanchan

Kanchan Rai  |615 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Dec 07, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 05, 2024Hindi
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Relationship
I am 39 and married for 11 years now, my husband doesn't support me financially at all. My salary is more than him but I bought house my own and paying all EMIS, looking for all household expenses and also paying school fees and other expenses for my son. My husband looks after only his parents, spend all money on them. Earlier we used to live together in inlaws house but they have spending habits for luxury, cloths, food etc even though my husband earns very less and my father in law retired with no income they were not ready to compromise on their spending habits. Whatever they had received after their retirement they entirety spent on their daughters marriages with no money left. When I got married they asked for my salary and used to give them. Mine and my husband salary was not enough for them so they sold house without informing me, I insisted them to buy at least small house but did not agree and kept on spending money on their lavish life, foreign trips, food, cloths etc. also helped daughters to buy house, maintenance and their childrens study. But did not let their son live life as ask him to pay rent for their house, household and maintenance expenses and they spend their money on their own luxury. They asked for my salary even though they have money and just spending for luxury and not even thinking for our future. When I denied to give salary, they asked me leave their house and made me difficult to live with them doing harrasment and taunts so I decided to leave and buy new house.Now I am living with my son separately, when my husband came to know about my new house he came to stay with us by not even paying single rupee to me. I asked him several time for money he only pays one or two thousand saying I don't have money at all to give you. Not taking care of son, his studies, school fees, do not help me in anything. My in laws keep doing his brain wash against me so that he will not support me financially or anyway. He always listens to his parents and sisters. There is no husband wife relationship at all between us. Not sure how to deal with it.
Ans: First, recognize and honor the strength it has taken to come this far. Buying a home, raising your son, and managing the weight of these challenges on your own are significant accomplishments that reflect your resilience and determination. That said, a marriage is meant to be a partnership, and it’s clear that your husband’s lack of financial contribution and emotional support has created an imbalance that’s unsustainable.

It’s important to look at the patterns in your relationship with clarity. Your husband’s decisions seem to be heavily influenced by his family, and this loyalty, while not inherently wrong, appears to come at the expense of his commitment to you and your shared responsibilities. The fact that he contributes so little financially and emotionally while benefiting from your efforts shows a lack of fairness and respect in the relationship. His parents’ behavior and expectations have added further strain, undermining your marriage and creating an environment of resentment.

You may want to consider having a clear and honest conversation with your husband. Express how his actions—or lack thereof—are impacting you and your son. Frame the conversation not as a confrontation but as a plea for understanding and change. However, if he remains unwilling to acknowledge or address these issues, it’s worth reflecting on what staying in this relationship means for your emotional well-being and future.

Seeking professional support, such as individual counseling, can provide you with a safe space to explore your feelings, gain clarity, and develop strategies for managing this situation. A legal consultation might also be helpful to understand your rights and options, especially if you’re considering separation or seeking financial accountability from your husband for your son’s needs.

Above all, focus on what you need to feel secure, respected, and fulfilled—not just as a wife, but as a person. Your son is observing how you handle these challenges, and by prioritizing your well-being and standing up for fairness, you’re also modeling strength and self-respect for him. Whatever steps you decide to take, trust in your ability to make decisions that align with your dignity and values. You deserve a life where your efforts are met with partnership and mutual care.

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |8237 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 08, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 08, 2025Hindi
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Hi Sir, I am Ajay from Bangalore. My son got admission into Mathematics and computing in RGIPT, Amethi. Also he is getting admission into IIST, Thiruvananthapuram. Which one he can select sir. Waiting for your reply. Thanking you sir.
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Nayagam P P  |8237 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 08, 2025

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Nayagam P P  |8237 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 08, 2025

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I am residing in Delhi. My daughter is getting admission in B.Tech IT at Banasthali, Btech AI at NMIMS MPSTME, Mumbai and Btech AIML at Akihilesh Das Gupta (IP University). Which one will be best for her, I am confused to select. What should be the order of these colleges
Ans: Aditya Sir, Banasthali Vidyapith’s B.Tech in Information Technology excels as a women-only NAAC A++-accredited campus with PhD-faculty, cutting-edge software and networking labs, mandatory 20-week industry internships, and sustained >97% placement consistency. NMIMS MPSTME Mumbai’s B.Tech in Artificial Intelligence integrates H100-GPU AI/ML labs, an industry-shaped curriculum, a five-stage placement model, and 92%+ placements within two batches. Dr. Akhilesh Das Gupta Institute of Technology & Management’s B.Tech in AI & ML (formerly Northern India Engineering College) under GGSIPU affiliation offers Outcome-Based Education, dynamic hackathons, 180-seat intake, active pre-placement training, and 70–80% placement support through MoUs with top recruiters. All three institutions feature robust accreditation, experienced faculty, strong labs, industry partnerships, and dedicated placement cells to support female students in technology fields.

For a secure, women-centric environment with top placement consistency, the recommendation is Banasthali Vidyapith IT. Next, the recommendation shifts to NMIMS MPSTME AI for advanced infrastructure and high placement rates. Finally, ADGITM AI & ML for practical OBE pedagogy and active industry engagement. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Dr Nagarajan J S K

Dr Nagarajan J S K   |1682 Answers  |Ask -

NEET, Medical, Pharmacy Careers - Answered on Jul 08, 2025

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9456 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 08, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 08, 2025Hindi
Money
I am 45 yrs old and work in an MNC. 1.5 lac my take home salary( including annual bonus).18k from rent. Mother's pension 53k+interest she earns on her FD's 15k pm.3 houses of Rs 60L,75L and 30L. 1 Plot 30 Lac. FD 32 Lac, shares 2.15 lac. Sip 25k, ppf 19.5 lac, pf 20.7 lac, nps 9.7 lac current value, gold bonds 8 lac current value. One Home loan 19.8 lac left (I pay 15k extra in each emi so only 4 yrs left hence will finish my 20 yrs home loan within 10 yrs itself. Car loan 7 lac left for 5 yrs. Gold jewellery worth 30 lac. Am I going fine in my savings? We are a simple cohesive traditional family and believe on savings and investments. Expenses- 48k home loan emi. Car loan 13600 emi School fees 21k pm total for 2 kids. house hold expenses 15k pm Other expenses 10k pm. As per my calculation I save around 40k pm and my mother saves around 68k per month. Will 4 to3 cr be enough for me after retirement as me and my wife plan to lead a simple life during our 60's. And can I plan to retire at 57-58 yrs of age. we want buy another plot worth 8-10 lacs at an upcoming tourist place?Kindly guide on our current and future planning .
Ans: You are doing very well. Your savings are strong.
Your goals are clear and realistic.
Let’s go point by point and build a 360-degree plan.

Overall Income Summary
Take-home salary is Rs 1.5 lakh (including bonus).

Rs 18,000 rent adds passive income.

Your mother contributes Rs 68,000 monthly (pension + FD interest + savings).

This makes your household income base strong.

You are already saving Rs 40,000 monthly.
You are repaying loans aggressively.
That shows your financial discipline.

Expenses Are Controlled
Rs 48,000 EMI for home loan.

Rs 13,600 EMI for car loan.

Rs 21,000 for school fees.

Rs 15,000 household.

Rs 10,000 other expenses.

All major expenses are accounted for.
You still save Rs 40,000.
Your mother saves Rs 68,000.
That’s Rs 1.08 lakh saved monthly as a family.
This is a powerful saving engine.

Asset Summary Overview
You have built a diverse portfolio:

3 houses: Rs 60L, Rs 75L, Rs 30L

1 plot: Rs 30L

FD: Rs 32L

Shares: Rs 2.15L

SIP: Rs 25,000 per month

PPF: Rs 19.5L

PF: Rs 20.7L

NPS: Rs 9.7L

SGBs: Rs 8L

Gold jewellery: Rs 30L

This is a solid base.
You have blended fixed, equity, and gold.
You have real estate, but avoid adding more.
Real estate has low liquidity and higher maintenance.

Current Loans
Rs 19.8L home loan – 4 years left with extra EMI

Rs 7L car loan – 5 years left

You are paying Rs 15,000 extra EMI per month.
This will finish home loan in 10 years, instead of 20.
That is smart planning.

Action plan:

Don’t prepay further. Keep current prepayment rhythm.

Once home loan ends, divert EMI into SIP.

That will increase your mutual fund growth.

Mutual Fund Planning
You invest Rs 25,000 in SIPs monthly.
Very good contribution.

Make sure:

You are not investing in index funds.

Index funds copy market blindly.

They underperform in bear markets.

Actively managed mutual funds give expert guidance.

Use only regular funds, not direct.

Direct funds have no support from certified planners.

Regular funds give MFD/CFP advice, portfolio balancing.

Divide SIP in:

One large and mid-cap fund

One flexi-cap fund

One hybrid equity fund

One aggressive hybrid fund (for post-retirement cash flow)

Review funds every 12 months.
Don’t churn often.
Continue SIP till retirement without break.

Your PPF and PF Status
PPF Rs 19.5L

PF Rs 20.7L

These are long-term assets.
Don’t withdraw early.
Use for post-retirement stability.
Contribute maximum Rs 1.5L per year in PPF.
PPF gives guaranteed tax-free return.
Avoid using PPF for plot buying.

NPS – Future Pension Support
Rs 9.7L in NPS till now

Continue contributing

Make use of Sec 80CCD(1B) for extra Rs 50,000 benefit

NPS will give you monthly pension after 60.
But it will be limited.
You must build mutual fund corpus to support it.

FD and SGB – Safety and Stability
FD: Rs 32L

Interest adds to your mother’s income

Maintain Rs 20L in FD as safety

Don’t increase FD further

Extra money should go to mutual funds

SGBs worth Rs 8L are a good hedge
They give 2.5% interest + gold appreciation
Keep holding till maturity

But don’t increase gold beyond 10% of portfolio
Jewellery Rs 30L already covers that

Real Estate Holdings – Keep but Don’t Add
You already have:

3 houses worth Rs 165L total

1 plot worth Rs 30L

Plan to buy new plot for Rs 8–10L

Too much exposure to land and property is risky.
These are illiquid.
Rental return is low.
Upkeep cost is high.
Plot value depends on location and demand.

Avoid buying more plots.
Use that money to invest in mutual funds instead.
You will get better compounding.

Kids Education and Support
You are paying Rs 21,000 school fees for two kids.
Start a goal-based SIP for each child.

Open two mutual fund folios (one for each child)

Invest Rs 7,000 monthly per child for education

Use equity mutual funds – regular plans only

Don’t use ULIP or child plans from insurance

Education cost is rising fast.
You’ll need Rs 30–40L per child after 10–12 years
Start early. Grow with SIPs.

Retirement Planning – Target Corpus
You want to retire at 57 or 58.
You plan to live a simple life in your 60s.
You are thinking of Rs 3–4 crore retirement corpus.

Let us understand what you already have:

PPF + PF = Rs 40L

FD = Rs 32L

NPS = Rs 9.7L

SIP will grow into Rs 1.3–1.6 crore in 12 years

Rent from property can support you too

Your mother’s assets may come as legacy also

Yes, your target is realistic.
You can retire at 57–58.
But only if:

You stay invested

You don’t over-invest in land

You boost SIP after loan ends

You avoid early withdrawals

You structure income for post-retirement

Post-Retirement Monthly Cash Flow Plan
You will need:

Monthly living expense

Healthcare buffer

Travel and social activities

Post-retirement income will come from:

Rent from 1–2 properties

Interest from FD or bonds

SWP from mutual funds

NPS monthly pension

SGB interest income

Structure your post-60 income like this:

50% from mutual funds

25% from FD/bonds

15% from rent

10% from gold/SGBs

This mix gives stability, growth, and cash flow.

Insurance and Emergency Protection
You didn’t mention health or life cover.
Please ensure:

You have family floater health policy for all

Sum insured should be at least Rs 15–20 lakh

You have pure term insurance till age 60–65

No ULIP or return-of-premium term plans

If you have ULIP/return plan – surrender it

Reinvest in mutual funds – better growth

Emergency fund should be Rs 5–10L
Keep it in liquid mutual fund
FD is not ideal for sudden cash needs

Tax Efficiency Plan
You are under new tax regime
So no deductions are used
But still:

NPS up to Rs 50,000 is allowed

You can still save tax under Section 80CCD(1B)

Use it smartly to lower tax outgo

Also note:

Equity mutual fund LTCG above Rs 1.25L is taxed at 12.5%

STCG taxed at 20%

Debt funds taxed as per your slab

So, don’t redeem mutual funds frequently

Stay long-term invested

Final Insights
You are doing great with your money.
Savings are strong. Discipline is solid.
But now focus more on:

Mutual funds than real estate

Actively managed funds than index

Regular plans than direct funds

Retirement cash flow plan

Health and life protection

SIPs for children’s future

Your Rs 3–4 crore retirement goal is achievable.
But don’t buy the new tourist plot.
Use that Rs 10 lakh in mutual funds instead.
It will grow to Rs 25–30 lakh by retirement.

Keep reviewing your plan every 12 months.
Stay invested. Avoid panic. Keep life simple.

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

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9456 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 08, 2025

Money
am 45 yrs old. 1.5 lac my take home salary( including annual bonus).18k from rent. Mother's pension+interest earned on her FD's 15k pm.3 houses of Rs 60L,75L and 30L. 1 Plot 30 Lac. FD 32 Lac, shares 2.15 lac. Sip 25k, ppf 19.5 lac, pf 20.7 lac, nps 9.7 lac current value, gold bonds 8 lac current value. One Home loan 19.8 lac left (I pay 15k extra in each emi so only 4 yrs left hence will finish my 20 yrs home loan within 10 yrs itself. Car loan 7 lac left for 5 yrs. Gold jewellery worth 30 lac. Am I going fine in my savings? We are a simple traditional family and believe on savings investments. Expenses 48k home loan emi. Car 13600 emi School fees 21k pm total for 2 kids. house hold expenses 15k pm Other expenses 10-12k pm As my calculation I save around 40-45k pm. Will 43 cr be enough for me after retirement as me and my wife plan to lead a simple cosy life. Can I retire at 57-58 yrs of age.
Ans: It’s great to see your savings mindset and disciplined investment habit. You have a strong asset base and clear goals. Let us assess your situation critically and provide a well-rounded strategy.

Evaluating Your Current Wealth Position

Age: 45 years

Take?home salary: Rs.1.5 lakh per month (including bonus)

Rental income: Rs.18,000 per month

Mother’s pension + FD interest: Rs.15,000 per month

Total monthly inflows: Rs.1.83 lakh

Your assured cash flows are strong. You also have assets across various categories:

Residential properties: Rs.60L, Rs.75L, Rs.30L

Plot: Rs.30L

FD holding: Rs.32L

Shares: Rs.2.15L

Mutual Fund SIP: Rs.25k per month

PPF balance: Rs.19.5L

PF: Rs.20.7L

NPS: Rs.9.7L

Sovereign Gold Bonds: Rs.8L

Gold jewellery: Rs.30L

Your known liabilities:

Home loan: Rs.19.8L remaining, 10 years tenure left

Car loan: Rs.7L remaining, 5 years tenure

Monthly obligations:

Home EMI: Rs.48k

Car EMI: Rs.13,600

Children’s school fees: Rs.21k

Household expenses: Rs.15k

Other expenses: Rs.10–12k

Est. monthly savings: Rs.40–45k

Your query: is this progress good? Will Rs.4.3 crore at retirement suffice? Can you retire at 57–58 years? Let’s assess.

Income Sustainability in the Near Term

Your current monthly inflows (excluding salary) total Rs.33,000. This is helpful but modest.
Your salary is major source. Continue managing both active and passive inflows carefully.

Debt Situation

Home loan at Rs.19.8L: you pay Rs.15k extra EMI. That shortens tenure and lowers interest.

Car loan Rs.7L will finish in 5 years. Good.

Better to accelerate home loan repayment using surplus cash.
No need for new debt. The aim is to be debt?free before retirement.

Expense Analysis & Savings Health

Total monthly expenses (fixed + variable): around Rs.1.17 lakh.
With monthly net inflows at Rs.1.83 lakh, you save Rs.66,000. This matches your statement of ~40–45k saving after expenses.

Your current saving rate (~36%) is strong for your age.
It’s good you maintain a prudent expense ratio of roughly 36%.

Assessing Retirement Corpus Need

You target retirement at 57–58 years—12–13 years from now.
You estimate needing Rs.4.3 crore corpus at retirement. Let us examine adequacy.

Typical assumptions:

Post-retirement annual expense: Rs.15 lakh (approx Rs.1.25 lakh monthly)

Life after 58 years may span 30 years (till age 88)

To generate inflation-adjusted Rs.15 lakh annually, corpus of Rs.4–5 crore seems reasonable, assuming moderate withdrawal and portfolio returns.

Hence, your Rs.4.3 crore goal appears aligned with a simple conservative model.

Projecting Your Corpus Accumulation

You currently hold:

Real estate: Rs.1.95 crore

Financial assets (FD, PPF, PF, NPS, SGB, shares): total approx Rs.1.12 crore

Ongoing SIPs: Rs.25k/month

Over the next 13 years:

Your PF, PPF, NPS will grow via contributions and interest

SIP contributions will compound

Debt obligations will reduce

With disciplined investing and no major lifestyle inflation, you are on track to build Rs.4–5 crore corpus.

But, a focused strategy is needed. Let us outline it.

Strategy to Optimize Current Assets

Keep your property. It gives rental of Rs.18k per month.

Do not convert property into pension-income real estate. It takes effort.

Maintain FD of Rs.32L as liquid reserve.

Keep NPS, PF, PPF as part of retirement mix. All are tax-efficient vehicles.

Shares: continue small equity exposure via SIP to benefit from long-term growth.

Sovereign Gold Bonds and jewellery: maintain 5–8% of portfolio weight.

Debt Reduction Plan

Home loan: pay extra Rs.15k EMI. This reduces total interest materially.

Aim to close home loan before age 55 if possible.

Car loan will end in 5 years. Then redirect Rs.13.6k towards investments or loan prepayment.

Eliminate debt before retirement to reduce financial burden and increase monthly surplus.

SIP Planning & Asset Allocation

Current SIP of Rs.25k/month is good. But you can increase selectively.

After home and car loan finish, redirect that EMI into SIP.

Increase SIP by at least Rs.25–30k per month over the next 5–7 years.

Maintain an asset allocation ratio: 60% debt/fixed income, 30% equity, 10% gold.

Do not invest in index funds—they lack active risk management.

Do not use direct funds—they lack guidance, professional review, and rebalancing.

Use actively managed equity and hybrid funds, via regular plans under Certified Financial Planner’s guidance, to ensure disciplined growth and periodic portfolio reviews.

Emergency & Contingency Planning

You need liquid funds for emergencies or medical events.

Maintain 6–12 months of expenses (Rs.7–8 lakh) in liquid fund or sweep-in FD.

Keep a separate buffer for your mother if needed.

Consider health cover for yourself and family, as medical costs rise at older age.

Children’s Educational Planning

Your children’s school fees are Rs.21k per month total.
Your current savings and income can support their schooling until graduation.
But consider:

Future educational goals (professional courses, abroad, etc.)

Build goal-based corpus via separate SIPs for higher education.

Rebalance once fees are stable or decrease after college is over.

Tax Efficiency and Investment Mix

House rent helps reduce taxable income partly via standard deduction.

PPF and PF contributions are tax-efficient.

NPS contributions get 80CCD benefits, and tier 1 withdrawal gets favourable tax treatment.

FD interest and rental income are fully taxable; manage via slab planning.

As per new MF tax rules:

Equity mutual fund LTCG above Rs.1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%

STCG at 20%

Debt mutual fund gains taxed as per income slab

Plan mutual fund withdrawals via SIP SWP or goal-based exits to optimise tax.

Retirement Income Generation Strategy

Goal: retire at 57–58 years, staying financially comfortable.

Post?retirement: You will rely on:

Rental income

Systematic Withdrawal from mutual fund corpus

Interest from PF, PPF, NPS, FD

Pension (if any under NPS Tier 2)

To ensure monthly income of Rs.1.25 lakh:

Rental + pensions + interest together should cover Rs.60k

SWP from mutual funds to cover remaining Rs.65k

With Rs.4–5 crore corpus, safe withdrawal rate of ~6% yields Rs.25–30k per month depending on returns

Add to interest and rent, it totals required amount

Adjust based on actual return trajectories and inflation.

Portfolio Rebalancing Over Time

As you near age 55–58:

Gradually reduce equity exposure while increasing debt allocation

Shift part of accumulated equity portfolio to hybrid or debt instruments

Keep monthly SWP going post-retirement

Maintain flexibility and avoid rigid options like annuities

Lifestyle, Inflation and Expense Management

Projected inflation of 6–7% annually means cost of living in future doubles every 10–12 years.
If today you spend Rs.1.17 lakh, at 58 years it could be Rs.4–5 lakh.
Your corpus needs to cover this indexed expense for 30+ years.

Simple cosy lifestyle may still escalate due to medical and travel ambitions.
Keep reviewing lifestyle plans every 5 years.

Contingency for Medical, Long?Term Care and Caregiving

In later years, medical expenses can be high.
Need to plan for long?term care or assisted living.

Consider personal health cover for family.

Keep liquidity for unexpected medical events.

Build critical illness top?up plan if not already.

Plan will/estate, with instructions for elder care.

Estate Planning and Succession Readiness

By age 55, ensure legal and succession matters are in order:

Draft or update your will

Nominate family members in all investment and bank accounts

Keep property documents accessible

Discuss financial plan with spouse and children

Ensure they understand how to access accounts and investments

This gives peace of mind and clarity for family.

Review Plan Annually with Certified Financial Planner

An annual review helps to:

Track progress on home loan repayment

Measure corpus accumulation vs target

Rebalance allocation to match age and goals

Adjust for change in expenses or incomes

Refine retirement age goal based on updated data

Consistent monitoring ensures you stay on track.

Risks to Watch Out For

Medical emergencies or sudden lifestyle changes

Market corrections impacting SIP returns

Asset illiquidity, especially property

Inflation eroding monthly spending power

Underestimating future tax or rule changes

Proper planning helps mitigate these risks.

Final Insights

You are saving well and building wealth steadily

Your target corpus of Rs.4.3 crore seems realistic

Debt is under control and will be cleared before retirement

Continue active investing via SIPs, increasing gradually

Avoid passive index or direct funds; choose active funds via CFP?supported regular plans

Balance portfolio across equity, debt, gold for stability

Plan health cover, estate documentation, and will in place

Review annually to stay aligned with your goal

Rs.4.3 crore at retirement, aligned with rental, pension, and SWP, can sustain your desired post-retirement lifestyle

Your disciplined savings and investments provide a solid foundation.
Retirement at 57–58 is achievable with proper execution.

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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