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R P Yadav  | Answer  |Ask -

HR, Workspace Expert - Answered on Jun 01, 2023

R P Yadav is the founder, chairman and managing director of Genius Consultants Limited, a 30-year-old human resources solutions company.
Over the years, he has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award from World HR Congress and HR Person Of The Year from Public Relations Council of India.
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S Question by S on Jun 01, 2023Hindi
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Career

I am 47 yrs old, working as RSM. My career has stagnated for past 10 years due to wrong career decision ( change of jobs, choosing wrong profile, compromising on salary etc..). Now when i am looking for change, i am overaged for Regional positions, but lack experience for GM positions. What can i do. I am earning just 14 lacs inspite having exp of 23 yrs and been associated with MNCs. I am a B Tech MBA graduate !?

Ans: Dear S,
Yes, your career has strangled due to some wrong decisions. In order to strengthen yourself, you must try to improve on your skills and try to make friendship with the top management for better growth. This is the best option.
Other wise, you can look for better positions in other organizations once you get the right opportunity
This is a relatively risky proposition. .
Career

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Mayank

Mayank Rautela  | Answer  |Ask -

HR Expert - Answered on Mar 18, 2021

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Hello Mayank,I am a commerce graduate and have around 15 years of experience in back office operations.I am currently working at the document management department in an oil and gas MNC at a designation equivalent to that of a senior clerk.I am nearing 40 and I will be losing my current job in the next few months.My problem is that I am searching for a new job since one year but not getting any interviews. I guess this is due to my age (I am 40 and still at the clerical level) and my salary (around Rs 50,000) which is a bit on higher side with respect to my designation in my city.I don't have the skillsets or attitude for a team leader or managerial position.At present, I am not in a financial and mental state to acquire new skill sets, learn new things or start new businesses which are obvious suggestions.I can't work in BPOs as they don't hire associates at this salary and particularly at this age. Besides, I am not comfortable working night shifts.Could you suggest some different solution to my problem as I have already figured out/tried the common ones.Thanks in advance.Name withheld on request.
Ans:

Hi.

Your question has so many ‘I can't’ statements that you have yourself ruled out many feasible options.

Please remember that, in the job market, there are many more qualified people than there are decent jobs. So you will certainly need to change your mindset and be flexible to adapt and learn new skill sets.

Even Sachin Tendulkar had to adapt to T-20 to play the IPL!

Approach the situation with a positive mindset and things will work out for you.

..Read more

R P

R P Yadav  | Answer  |Ask -

HR, Workspace Expert - Answered on Mar 26, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 24, 2024Hindi
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Career
I have 18 yrs of exp in Recruitment field, yet have Not been able to build my skills. I have not become a manager and so my salary has not grown. I have worked in consultancies only (not companies ) At age 47, I feel burnout, and am without job opportunity due to stability and age . Pl advise.
Ans: I’m sorry to hear that you’re feeling this way, but please remember that it’s never too late to make changes in your career. Here are a few suggestions:

Upskill: Consider upskilling in areas that are in demand in the recruitment field. This could be data analysis, HR technologies, or even soft skills like leadership and negotiation. There are many online platforms offering courses that you can take at your own pace.
Networking: Networking can open up opportunities that you might not find in job postings. Attend industry events, join online forums or groups related to your field, and don’t hesitate to reach out to old colleagues or friends.
Mentorship: A mentor who has experience in your field can provide guidance, help you set career goals, and offer advice on professional development.
Well-being: It’s important to take care of your mental health. If you’re feeling burnout, it might be helpful to speak to a professional who can provide strategies to manage stress. Remember, it’s okay to take breaks and make time for activities you enjoy.
Consult a Career Coach: A career coach can provide personalized advice based on your specific situation. They can help you identify your strengths, explore different career paths, and plan actionable steps towards your career goals.
Remember, everyone’s career path is unique and it’s okay to take your time to figure out what works best for you. Good luck!

..Read more

Archana

Archana Deshpande  |113 Answers  |Ask -

Image Coach, Soft Skills Trainer - Answered on Apr 16, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 28, 2024Hindi
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Career
I have 17 yrs experience in the Recruitment field, yet have Not been able to build my skills. I have not become a manager and so my salary has not grown. I have worked in consultancies only (not companies ) At age 47, I feel burnout, and am without job opportunity due to stability and age . Pl advise.
Ans: Hi!!You have the experience, 17 yrs ….build your future on it! Nothing in life ever goes waste. Look a little deeper into yourself, why is that you didn’t become a manager? What skills you need? Looking the part, leadership skills, public speaking, communication skills? In today’s world you can learn any skill that you want… believe in yourself, perform a SWOT analysis ( Google SWOT ) .
Put everything on paper… you’ll get a lot of clarity and it will no longer overwhelm you. Any age is a good age to start learning. You are just 47… there is still a whole life ahead of you!!
Burnout comes when you stop learning and not doing stuff that brings you joy. Next 30 days., you’ll do the following-
1. 20 mins of physical activity, it can be anything which makes your heart beat faster, brisk walks, dancing non- stop , etc
2. 10-15 mins of any activity which fills your heart with joy,( make your joy list, start doing one of them every day) Your energy for life comes from your joy list!
3 spending time in nature ( nature heals you)
4. Up skilling yourself
Forget the past now, we can’t change it…plan all of your today with one step in the future and it all starts with taking care of yourself..
All the best…

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8509 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 24, 2025

Money
Hi Sir, I'm a 36 yrs aged software employee working in Hyderabad with monthly in hand salary of 120k and withs 2 kids my son(his age is around 4 yrs) and my daughter (her age is around 2yrs). I have the following investments as of today. 1) PPF -8.5 Lakhs (12500/- monthly contribution) 2) Sukanya(SSY)- 4.8 Lakhs (12500/- monthly contribution) 3) NPS - 1.5 lakhs (8560/- monthly contribution) 4) EPFO - 6.5 Lakhs 5) NPS Vastalya (My son) - 13k (1k monthly contribution) 6) Post office RPLI (My wife) - 1.3 lakhs (22000/- yearly contribution) after the above all deductions, I can save 50k per month. My long term goal is buying a flat/house along with my retirement plan in next 10 yrs and need take care of my children education & marriage. I don't have any accumulated amount for down payment for buying a flat/house. What would be best approach to purchase a flat/house in Hyderabad ? should I take a home loan and buy a flat immediately in next 1/2 yrs (or) Should I invest an SIP of 50K per month for 5/10 yrs then buy ?
Ans: Thank you for sharing detailed information. You already have a disciplined approach to savings. You are clearly focused on long-term goals. Let's now look at the best approach to meet those goals.

 
 
 

Income and Savings Review
Your monthly in-hand salary is Rs.1.2 lakh. That gives a good base.

 
 
 

After all deductions, you can save Rs.50,000 monthly. That is a strong habit.

 
 
 

With two kids, financial responsibilities are high. You are still managing savings. Appreciate it.

 
 
 

Let’s now assess each of your investments.

 
 
 

Review of Existing Investments
PPF of Rs.8.5 lakh with Rs.12,500 monthly. Good for long-term. Safe and tax-free.

 
 
 

Sukanya for your daughter with Rs.4.8 lakh is well-planned. Continue it till she turns 14.

 
 
 

NPS of Rs.1.5 lakh with Rs.8,560 monthly. It builds retirement corpus. Continue it.

 
 
 

EPFO of Rs.6.5 lakh is part of your salary benefits. That’s a stable addition to retirement.

 
 
 

NPS for your son is a new initiative. It’s too early to predict its usefulness.

 
 
 

Post office RPLI in wife’s name with Rs.1.3 lakh. Yearly Rs.22,000 is manageable.

 
 
 

Overall, you have built a strong base with safe and regular investments. But these are mostly conservative. They may not beat inflation by a good margin.

 
 
 

Let’s now look at your primary goals.

 
 
 

Goal 1: Buying a Flat in Hyderabad
This is a big financial goal. Needs careful planning and timing.

 
 
 

You have zero savings for down payment now. That limits immediate action.

 
 
 

Buying now through a loan will put pressure on your cash flow.

 
 
 

If you go for loan now, EMI may be Rs.30,000–Rs.35,000 monthly.

 
 
 

That leaves you with very little for future goals and emergencies.

 
 
 

It is better to avoid rushing to buy flat now.

 
 
 

You can start a savings plan for down payment. Build at least Rs.6–8 lakh in 3–4 years.

 
 
 

Then you can take loan for balance amount. EMI will be safer then.

 
 
 

This way, your financial stress remains low.

 
 
 

Should You Wait or Buy Now?
Let’s compare both approaches carefully.

 
 
 

Buy Flat Immediately:

EMI pressure starts immediately. About Rs.30,000–Rs.35,000 per month.

 
 
 

You won’t be able to invest Rs.50,000 monthly anymore.

 
 
 

No funds left for kids’ future or your retirement.

 
 
 

You will be forced to stop current PPF or NPS contributions.

 
 
 

Not a safe approach. Will affect your other goals badly.

 
 
 

Wait and Invest for 5 Years:

Invest Rs.50,000 every month for 5 years.

 
 
 

You can build a down payment corpus of Rs.6–8 lakh easily.

 
 
 

Invest this amount in regular mutual funds with CFP guidance.

 
 
 

You can plan your home buying calmly. With less loan burden.

 
 
 

Your EMI will start only after 5 years. By then income also will grow.

 
 
 

Verdict: Wait and invest. Buy later. More secure path.

 
 
 

About Mutual Funds for SIP
SIP is best way to grow money in a planned way.

 
 
 

You should go for actively managed mutual funds.

 
 
 

Avoid index funds. They just follow index. No protection in falling market.

 
 
 

Actively managed funds try to give higher return than index.

 
 
 

They select good companies using deep research.

 
 
 

Use regular mutual funds through MFD with CFP support.

 
 
 

Avoid direct mutual funds. No help, no monitoring, no personal advice.

 
 
 

Regular funds provide tracking, rebalancing and expert guidance.

 
 
 

For you, regular plans through CFP will reduce risk and improve returns.

 
 
 

Start SIP of Rs.50,000 monthly in 3 to 4 funds.

 
 
 

Mix of large, mid and flexi-cap funds can work well.

 
 
 

Over 5 years, this SIP will help in flat down payment.

 
 
 

After that, you can reduce SIP and start EMI for flat.

 
 
 

Also continue SIP with lower amount for retirement and kids’ goals.

 
 
 

Retirement Planning
You are 36 now. Planning retirement early is smart.

 
 
 

NPS and EPFO are your current retirement tools.

 
 
 

They are safe but not flexible. Returns also moderate.

 
 
 

Mutual funds SIP gives better flexibility and return potential.

 
 
 

You can assign one fund’s SIP fully to your retirement goal.

 
 
 

You need bigger retirement fund. So SIP is needed even after NPS and EPFO.

 
 
 

Don’t rely only on NPS. Add mutual fund SIP to build a proper retirement fund.

 
 
 

Children’s Education and Marriage Planning
Your son is 4. Your daughter is 2. You have 13–16 years for education planning.

 
 
 

Sukanya is good for daughter. But more is needed.

 
 
 

For both kids, education cost will be high.

 
 
 

Start separate SIP for each child’s education.

 
 
 

You can start with Rs.10,000 each per month. Adjust based on your income.

 
 
 

Use separate mutual funds for these goals.

 
 
 

Later, assign some part of PPF maturity also for child marriage.

 
 
 

Avoid child insurance plans. Low return, high cost, and lock-in.

 
 
 

SIP in regular funds gives better flexibility and growth.

 
 
 

Emergency Fund
Emergency fund is must for every family.

 
 
 

Keep at least 6 months’ salary as emergency money.

 
 
 

That is Rs.7.2 lakh in your case.

 
 
 

Use bank savings or liquid mutual funds for this.

 
 
 

Emergency fund is not for investing. Don’t mix it with SIP.

 
 
 

Build this fund slowly over 6–8 months.

 
 
 

Insurance Review
You have RPLI for wife. That is a savings product.

 
 
 

You need pure term insurance. Sum assured of Rs.1 crore is needed.

 
 
 

Premium is low. Life protection is high.

 
 
 

No need for ULIPs or investment-cum-insurance plans.

 
 
 

Also check for proper health insurance for family.

 
 
 

Don’t depend only on office health plan.

 
 
 

Tax Efficiency
Your current investments give good tax benefits.

 
 
 

PPF, Sukanya, NPS all have tax benefits.

 
 
 

EPFO also gives tax-free interest.

 
 
 

Mutual funds have long-term tax advantages too.

 
 
 

LTCG above Rs.1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.

 
 
 

STCG taxed at 20%. Still better than FD or RD taxation.

 
 
 

Mutual funds help in better tax planning in long term.

 
 
 

What You Can Do Now – Step-by-Step
Start SIP of Rs.50,000 monthly in 3–4 mutual funds.

 
 
 

Take help from CFP for selecting right funds.

 
 
 

Review current RPLI. Keep only if not affecting liquidity.

 
 
 

Buy term life cover of Rs.1 crore immediately.

 
 
 

Start emergency fund. Target Rs.7.2 lakh over 1 year.

 
 
 

Start planning for home buying after 4–5 years.

 
 
 

Rebalance your investments every year with your CFP.

 
 
 

Track progress of each goal separately.

 
 
 

Don’t take any loan now. Wait until you are ready.

 
 
 

Finally
You have done a good job with disciplined savings.

 
 
 

But now, you need to shift from saving to smart investing.

 
 
 

Mutual funds with CFP guidance will take your goals forward.

 
 
 

Avoid direct funds and index funds. Use active regular funds.

 
 
 

Delay home buying. Build your down payment through SIP first.

 
 
 

Continue PPF, NPS and Sukanya. But add mutual fund SIP for higher growth.

 
 
 

Keep insurance pure and simple. No ULIPs or endowment plans.

 
 
 

Follow this roadmap. All your goals can be met peacefully.

 
 
 

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

...Read more

T S Khurana

T S Khurana   |477 Answers  |Ask -

Tax Expert - Answered on May 24, 2025

Money
I am 55 years old and suffering from Cancer, this month I missed credit card and personal loan EMIs due to my ill health despite being a loyal customer of the banks for more than 10-15 years. I get 200 calls from each bank along with threatening WhatsApp messages. A couple of banks sent abusive Collection Agents to my house, who created quite a scene at my door. Despite requesting the banks to give a few days for payment, their threatening and abusive behavior is increasing day by day. Fear of losing my life not because of this dreadful disease but because of the threats from the banks. Please guide me.
Ans: 01. You should consult an Advocate for this purpose.
02. In my personal opinion, You should write to the concerned Banks (Speed Post or letter acknowledged by bank), expressing your intention to clear your liability & explaining your position & requesting them some time to take care of your liability towards bank.
03. If they don't co-operate with you, write/tell them to file a case against you, instead of creating non-sense, when you are suffering from a life threatening disease. This is a civil case & not a criminal case & I feel you would be getting reasonable time, while the case is processed.
However, an Advocate's opinion in such matters is a better option for future course of action.
In the mean while, please don;t panic but concentrate on your treatment. In such cases, court has the jurisdiction to decide and that takes time normally (which you require).
Wish you all the best & speedy recovery. Most welcome for any further clarifications. Thanks.

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8509 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 24, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - May 24, 2025
Money
Sir, i am 38 yrs now. I have PLI of sum assured 20 lac which will be matured in 2038. Our monthly income is 1 lac. I have RD 35000 monthly which started in 6 months ago .and other savings nearly 2lac. We have two kids for them I deposit in sukanya samridhi and sbi smart scholar.We want to buy a home in Delhi with loan. Currently we don't have any loan. We are not aware about mutual funds and other things.
Ans: Let me help you build a well-rounded financial strategy for your goals and responsibilities.

As a Certified Financial Planner, I will provide a detailed and practical review of your situation.

Let’s assess it in different aspects.

 
 
 

Income and Savings Evaluation
Your monthly income of Rs.1 lakh is a strong base.

 
 
 

Monthly RD of Rs.35,000 shows strong saving discipline.

 
 
 

PLI of Rs.20 lakh is a traditional savings policy. Maturity is far in 2038.

 
 
 

Other savings of Rs.2 lakh are useful for short-term needs.

 
 
 

Contributions in Sukanya Samriddhi and SBI Smart Scholar for your kids is a good step.

 
 
 

Currently, you have no loans. That’s a positive financial position.

 
 
 

Now, let’s understand how to better structure everything for long-term results.

 
 
 

About PLI – Postal Life Insurance
PLI is a low-return product, around 5-6% interest per year.

 
 
 

This return may not beat long-term inflation.

 
 
 

But since you already have it, and maturity is in 2038, it can be kept.

 
 
 

You may not need to surrender it now. Treat it as a conservative part of your portfolio.

 
 
 

About RD – Recurring Deposit
RD gives fixed returns. Returns are usually 6 to 7%.

 
 
 

It is useful for short-term savings. Not for long-term growth.

 
 
 

You are investing Rs.35,000 monthly in RD. That’s 35% of income.

 
 
 

Consider if you will need that much liquidity. Or can you invest for growth?

 
 
 

You may reduce RD slowly and divert part of it into higher return products.

 
 
 

About Your Children’s Plans
Sukanya Samriddhi is a good option. It is safe and gives tax-free returns.

 
 
 

Keep investing in it till your daughters reach 14 years of age.

 
 
 

SBI Smart Scholar is an insurance-linked plan. These often have high costs.

 
 
 

If already running, you may continue if surrender leads to loss.

 
 
 

But avoid any more insurance-cum-investment policies in future.

 
 
 

Home Purchase Through Loan
Buying a house is a big financial goal. Needs careful planning.

 
 
 

You have no loans now. So you are eligible for a home loan.

 
 
 

Home loan EMI can be around 30-40% of your monthly income.

 
 
 

That means max EMI of Rs.30,000 to Rs.40,000 is safe for your income.

 
 
 

Include property registration, interiors, moving cost in your budget.

 
 
 

Keep Rs.5-7 lakh ready for down payment and expenses.

 
 
 

Don’t break children’s investments for this purpose.

 
 
 

You can continue your RD for this goal. RD maturity will help in down payment.

 
 
 

Awareness About Mutual Funds
You said you are not aware about mutual funds. Let me explain.

 
 
 

Mutual Funds are managed by expert fund managers.

 
 
 

They invest across shares, bonds, etc., based on the scheme type.

 
 
 

Best way to invest is through Regular Funds via MFD with CFP support.

 
 
 

Certified Financial Planner (CFP) gives right guidance based on your needs.

 
 
 

Regular Funds come with advice, handholding, and portfolio review.

 
 
 

Direct funds don’t offer personal advice. You may end up choosing wrong funds.

 
 
 

With Regular Funds, CFP helps you track, rebalance, and stay goal-focused.

 
 
 

For someone not aware of mutual funds, Regular plans with CFP guidance are safer.

 
 
 

Avoid direct funds if you want personalised support and less risk.

 
 
 

Why Not Index Funds or ETFs?
Index Funds just copy the index. No fund manager selection.

 
 
 

They do not protect your investment during market falls.

 
 
 

Actively Managed Funds are better. They try to beat market returns.

 
 
 

Fund manager uses research to select right companies.

 
 
 

That gives higher chance of long-term growth.

 
 
 

For your profile, actively managed funds with CFP advice are more suitable.

 
 
 

Insurance-Linked Plans and ULIPs
Many people mix insurance and investment. That leads to poor returns.

 
 
 

If you have any ULIP or endowment plans, better to surrender early.

 
 
 

Reinvest that money in mutual funds through a CFP.

 
 
 

Buy simple term insurance separately for life protection.

 
 
 

This keeps your insurance cost low and investment more effective.

 
 
 

Emergency Fund and Liquidity
Keep at least 6 months' income as emergency fund.

 
 
 

That’s around Rs.6 lakh in your case.

 
 
 

You already have Rs.2 lakh. You can add more over time.

 
 
 

Emergency fund can be in liquid mutual funds or bank savings.

 
 
 

Don’t use RD or kids’ savings for this.

 
 
 

Term Insurance and Health Cover
You need term insurance if you don’t already have.

 
 
 

Sum assured should be at least Rs.1 crore at your age.

 
 
 

Premium will be very low if taken early.

 
 
 

Don’t mix insurance with investment.

 
 
 

Also check for health insurance for entire family.

 
 
 

Medical costs are rising. Health cover avoids financial shocks.

 
 
 

Children’s Higher Education Planning
Both your kids need future planning for education.

 
 
 

Sukanya is for girl child and is good for long-term.

 
 
 

But also invest in mutual funds through SIP for both children.

 
 
 

Long-term equity mutual funds give better growth for 10+ year goals.

 
 
 

Use actively managed funds, with help of a CFP.

 
 
 

Plan separately for education and marriage.

 
 
 

Start small SIP now and increase over time.

 
 
 

Tax Efficiency
RDs are taxable as per your income slab.

 
 
 

PLI gives tax-free maturity. So it’s useful from tax angle.

 
 
 

Sukanya is also fully tax-free. Use the full limit if possible.

 
 
 

Mutual funds are more tax efficient than RDs.

 
 
 

Equity mutual funds have 12.5% tax on LTCG above Rs.1.25 lakh.

 
 
 

Short-term gains are taxed at 20%.

 
 
 

Debt mutual funds are taxed as per your tax slab.

 
 
 

But overall, mutual funds help in managing taxation better than RDs or ULIPs.

 
 
 

Step-by-Step Action Plan
Start SIP in mutual funds for long-term goals with CFP support.

 
 
 

Review existing insurance-linked investments. Exit if costly or underperforming.

 
 
 

Maintain emergency fund separately from investment.

 
 
 

Buy term life and family health insurance immediately.

 
 
 

Use RDs for short-term goals like home down payment.

 
 
 

Postpone home purchase if savings are not yet enough.

 
 
 

Track monthly budget to free up more for investments.

 
 
 

Avoid direct mutual funds and index funds.

 
 
 

Focus on customised regular funds guided by CFP.

 
 
 

Plan goals separately for retirement, children, and home.

 
 
 

Do annual reviews of your financial plan with your CFP.

 
 
 

Final Insights
Your savings habits are good. You have no debt. That’s a strong start.

 
 
 

You are serious about family goals. Appreciate your clarity.

 
 
 

But to grow faster, you need better investment choices.

 
 
 

Mutual funds with CFP guidance offer balance of growth and safety.

 
 
 

Avoid direct and passive funds. Stay with actively managed regular plans.

 
 
 

Use insurance only for protection. Not for investing.

 
 
 

Plan every goal step-by-step and review progress yearly.

 
 
 

You are on the right path. You just need expert guidance from here on.

 
 
 

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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