I hold Exide industries for the past three years with meagre profit of 8%. For long time horizon of three to five years, shall I hold or exit.

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
I am glad that both of you have been so thorough and responsible. It shows your sincerity towards this relationship. Now coming to her lying: it isn’t necessary that she lied about this one thing means she might be lying about a lot of other things. Usually, women find it difficult to talk about such sensitive topics. She might have actually fumbled and tried to be in your good graces, lied about it herself. Nevertheless, I understand your hesitation about trusting everything she says now. It’s great that you are trying to address it right away instead of waiting till after marriage. I suggest you have an open and honest conversation about your concern with her. Give her another chance to explain and gauge her sincerity. There’s a lot of things in life that we cannot really verify but we still choose to believe that it’s the truth. Have a talk and see where it goes. But I would also suggest not to be rash about your decision, whether to proceed or not at all; think calmly and rationally. In case, you feel that you cannot ever trust her and it might become a huge issue later, it’s best to reconsider right away. But if you think this relationship is worth fighting for, talk and talk till you are entirely sure that things are sorted.

Hope this helps.

Ans: Your daughter can apply to PSUs. However, PSUs generally recruit Smart Manufacturing graduates through GATE Mechanical Engineering (ME), so she should focus primarily on Mechanical Engineering subjects.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Ans: Hi,

Your concern regarding FDs is right. The interest is taxable and choosing FD is not the most practical approach to park savings.
In your sister's case, a bucket of mutual funds can be made where 7 lakhs will be parked in debt funds out of which SWP i.e. monthly withdrawal will be done; and remaining 28 lakhs in a mix of equity and hybrid funds for that amount to grow the capital.

Usually this approach is handled by professionals. So you can connect with a CFP to help you in this regard.

Hence connect a a professional Certified Financial Planner - a CFP who can guide you with exact funds to invest in keeping in mind your age, requirements, financial goals and risk profile. A CFP periodically reviews your portfolio and suggest any amendments to be made, if required.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

Ans: Hi,

It is great that you are investing since 2017. Long investments and patience always gives results.
You can easily achieve your goal corpus by the time you turn 58, if investment done correctly.

The funds you mentioned have so much overlapping and scattered. It needs rework and complete reallocation. Maximum of 5 funds should be there. Take the help of a professional to align your portfolio with your goal and customized profile.

A random portfolio like yours can create an opposite impact and generate negative to zero returns.

And try to increase the monthly SIP by 10% each year. This will take care of inflation power.

Hence do consult a professional Certified Financial Planner - a CFP who can guide you with exact funds to invest in keeping in mind your age, requirements, financial goals and risk profile. A CFP periodically reviews your portfolio and suggest any amendments to be made, if required.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

Ans: Hi,

As a 39 year old, you have sufficient time of 12 years to invest for your goals and let compounding do its work. Let us have a detailed analysis:

- your current monthly sip of 44.5k is not well distributed. overall portfolio is cluttered and overlapping of funds is there. Entire portfolio and money needs reallocation to work in alignment with your goals.
- also goals with soecific portfolio is good but quite cumbersome to maintain, hence not recommended for you.
- you should work with a professional who will work for an investment strategy keeping in mind your NRI status and reducing tax implications in future.
- it is also important for you to maintain a stable investment like PF account (but you can't because of NRI status). alternatively, go for balanced advantage fund of 10% of investment value to go for stability factor.
- choose aggressive equity funds like multi asset funds and small caps for kids marriage and retirement; and choose flexi cap and nifty index funds for education goal.
- stop current SIPs and reallocate them to the new chosen funds.
- but it would be better for you to consider taking a professional's help.

Hence do consult a professional Certified Financial Planner - a CFP who can guide you with exact funds to invest in keeping in mind your age, requirements, financial goals and risk profile. A CFP periodically reviews your portfolio and suggest any amendments to be made, if required.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

Ans: this is risk that is carried while investing in equity, you need to track the companies business with fundamentals.

Ans: Hi Vijay,

While you have shared a lot about finances, it would be better if you could have mentioned your age as well for me to guide you better. Exact details would have helped me to guide you in a better concise way to plan your finances.
Please share other mandatory details. Also will try to help you without age for now.

- this is a case of 'asset rich & cashflow tight'. Your total income is Rs. 1.81 lakhs and emis of Rs. 2.26 lakhs with expenses of 90k.
- prepay the loan of 58 lakhs; this will improve your cashflow by 71k per month.
- consider closing loan 3 of 61k per month emi.

When you close the 2 loans, your overall cashflow will become positive; total emi will reduce drastically by 1.32 lakhs.

- Do not close loan 1. Kepp it active and keep paying EMIs on time.

When Rs. 1.8 crores arrive, I suggest the following wrt goals you mentioned:
> Keep some amount as your emergency fund in liquid funds. keep a minimum of 10 lakhs for this purpose.
> Education Goal - requirement in 2031 and 2036 - invest 60 lakhs for this goal in hybrid funds.
> corpus requirement in 2042 and 2046 - invest 1 crore for this goal in multicap funds and other aggressive hybrid funds.

- use the rent of 37k to invest in REITs instead of buying a commercial space as property is not liquid where as REITs are. And buyin a property would mean going for 1 more EMI. Avoid the new emi.

Also, would suggest you to go for a professional advice to start your investments in a holistic way to fulfil your financial requirements within the specified timelines.

Hence do consult a professional Certified Financial Planner - a CFP who can guide you with exact funds to invest in keeping in mind your age, requirements, financial goals and risk profile. A CFP periodically reviews your portfolio and suggest any amendments to be made, if required.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

Ans: Pritesh, this is a scam please file a complaint at cybercrime and if possible withdraw your capital.

Ans: I truly appreciate your openness at this difficult phase.
Losing a job at 54 creates emotional pressure.
Your asset base gives you strength and options.
You are not starting from zero.
Hope is very much alive here.

» Understanding your current financial position
– You are 54 years old today.
– You want income till age 76.
– Time horizon is about 22 years.
– Monthly need is Rs 1 lakh.
– Annual requirement is Rs 12 lakh.

» Assets you currently hold
– PPF around Rs 80 lakh.
– Another PPF around Rs 50 lakh.
– Equity mutual funds around Rs 50 lakh.
– Direct equity around Rs 20 lakh.
– Own house with no rent pressure.

» Total investible financial corpus
– Excluding house, corpus is around Rs 2 crore.
– This is a solid base.
– It provides breathing space.
– Liquidity and growth both exist.

» First emotional and practical reassurance
– Your situation is not a failure.
– Many professionals face late career disruption.
– Assets have been built with discipline.
– This discipline will now protect you.

» Key risks we must manage
– Longevity risk till age 76 or beyond.
– Inflation reducing purchasing power.
– Market volatility during withdrawals.
– Overuse of safe assets too early.

» Key strengths working in your favour
– No rent expense.
– No debt pressure.
– Diversified assets already present.
– Long-term mindset evident from PPF.

» Why immediate panic actions must be avoided
– Do not liquidate equity fully now.
– Do not exhaust PPF early.
– Do not chase risky income ideas.
– Capital protection matters first.

» Core principle for next 22 years
– Spend from stable sources first.
– Let growth assets compound longer.
– Create a predictable monthly flow.
– Review annually and adjust calmly.

» Structuring your Rs 1 lakh monthly need
– Think in yearly buckets, not lump sum.
– Keep two to three years expenses ready.
– Rest stays invested for growth.

» Suggested income bucket approach
– Short-term bucket for immediate income.
– Medium-term bucket for next phase.
– Long-term bucket for later years.

» Short-term income bucket design
– Cover first five years expenses.
– Amount needed roughly Rs 60 lakh.
– Use safest available instruments.
– This reduces stress and volatility risk.

» Source for short-term bucket
– Use part of PPF maturity planning.
– Use low-risk debt oriented holdings.
– Avoid equity for this bucket.
– Income stability is priority.

» How monthly income flows
– Transfer yearly amount to savings account.
– Withdraw Rs 1 lakh monthly.
– Do not watch markets daily.
– Focus on life, not volatility.

» Medium-term growth and support bucket
– Covers years six to twelve.
– Allows partial growth with controlled risk.
– Equity exposure should be moderated.
– Rebalancing is essential here.

» Long-term growth bucket importance
– Covers age 67 onwards.
– Equity must remain invested longest.
– This beats inflation over time.
– This bucket protects later life dignity.

» Handling existing equity mutual funds
– Do not exit fully now.
– Gradually rebalance to reduce volatility.
– Shift part to balanced structures.
– Preserve long-term compounding power.

» Handling direct equity holdings
– Review concentration and volatility.
– Reduce exposure gradually if needed.
– Avoid emotional selling during downturns.
– Use this only for long-term bucket.

» Role of PPF in your plan
– PPF is your stability backbone.
– It provides predictable, tax-efficient growth.
– Use it slowly, not aggressively.
– Avoid exhausting PPF early years.

» Why Rs 1 lakh monthly is feasible
– Annual need is moderate.
– House ownership lowers expenses.
– Corpus size is meaningful.
– Spending discipline already exists.

» Inflation reality and adjustment
– Expenses will rise gradually.
– Annual review is essential.
– Small lifestyle adjustments help greatly.
– Flexibility keeps plan alive.

» About daughters and responsibilities
– Avoid gifting large sums now.
– Preserve retirement independence first.
– Support them without harming yourself.
– Financial dignity is also family security.

» If re-employment happens later
– Treat income as bonus buffer.
– Do not change lifestyle suddenly.
– Extend corpus life further.
– This gives emotional confidence.

» If income never resumes
– Plan still works with discipline.
– Annual withdrawal rate remains reasonable.
– Growth assets support later years.
– Calm execution is key.

» Healthcare and insurance focus
– Maintain adequate health cover.
– Build a separate medical buffer.
– Avoid using core corpus for health shocks.
– Health costs can derail plans.

» Behavioural discipline matters most
– Avoid reacting to market noise.
– Stick to withdrawal structure.
– Review once every year.
– Emotional control protects money.

» What not to do now
– Do not chase guaranteed income products.
– Do not lock money irreversibly.
– Do not depend on friends’ advice.
– Personal plan beats generic ideas.

» Final Insights
You can sustain Rs 1 lakh monthly with discipline.
Your assets give you time and dignity.
Structure matters more than returns now.
Calm execution will carry you through.
You are financially wounded, not broken.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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