Dear Sir I am 37 year old. Working in IT from 13 years. Recently, i have taken personal loan and paying 19k monthly for 6 years. Also taken home loan of 52 lakh and paying an emi 47k. My take home salary is 1.25L. i have ppf running from 8 years with 8 lakhs and also pf of 7 lakh. Recently i have paid 13 lakh of my savings to purchase home. Present holding 3 lakh amount for safer side and depend on monthly take home. I am having a plot which is worth 13 lakh. I don't use credit card and no other loan apart from mentioned above. Have a son 6 year old. Kindly help me in managing the loans with the given details parallel to financial safety and growth to maintain family future
Ans: You are 37 years old, with over a decade in IT. You are responsible, debt-aware, and family-focused. With home and personal loans, a young child, and limited liquidity, managing your finances now becomes more strategic than ever. Let’s explore your financial journey from a 360-degree view. This will help you repay loans steadily, stay financially secure, and build a better future.
Emergency Fund and Immediate Safety
You are currently maintaining Rs 3 lakhs in cash for emergencies.
This is a good beginning, but not fully sufficient.
Ideally, your emergency fund should be 5 to 6 months of total monthly expenses.
This includes EMIs, home needs, school fees, medical, and unplanned expenses.
Right now, your combined EMI burden is Rs 66,000 monthly.
Your total expenses are probably Rs 90,000–1,00,000 monthly.
So your ideal emergency fund should be Rs 5–6 lakhs.
You can gradually build this in 6 months.
Avoid putting emergency money in savings account.
Instead, use liquid mutual funds or ultra-short debt funds for better returns.
This ensures liquidity and safety without market risk.
Build this fund as priority before any other investment.
Smart Loan Strategy: Personal Loan First, Then Home Loan
You are paying Rs 19,000 per month for personal loan.
This loan will run for the next 6 years.
You are also paying Rs 47,000 as home loan EMI.
Your total EMI burden is Rs 66,000 each month.
Personal loan usually has higher interest than home loan.
So, focus on clearing personal loan first.
If you get bonuses or salary hikes, use them to part-pay this loan.
Once the personal loan ends, you will save Rs 19,000 monthly.
Redirect this amount to home loan prepayment or investments.
Do not increase lifestyle expenses when the personal loan ends.
Prepaying home loan after personal loan saves interest and gives peace of mind.
Avoid missing any EMI, and maintain a healthy credit score.
Use auto-debit to avoid delays in repayment.
Your Home Purchase: Big Step, Now Manage Wisely
You recently used Rs 13 lakhs from your savings to buy a home.
This was a big and bold step.
Ensure you stay within budget now.
Avoid further loans or purchases that increase your EMI.
Track all home-related expenses strictly.
Avoid using credit cards to furnish or improve the home.
Do not fall into the trap of "I own a home, so I can splurge."
Keep your lifestyle in check for next 5–6 years.
This will help reduce stress and improve savings rate.
Plot Valued at Rs 13 Lakhs: Use With Purpose
You own a plot worth Rs 13 lakhs.
You are not using it currently.
Think carefully whether to retain or sell.
If you hold, it may appreciate over the next 10–15 years.
But it does not give regular income.
Also, you are paying high EMIs now.
Selling the plot can allow you to prepay the personal loan fully.
Or you can reduce the home loan EMI burden by a large amount.
Another option is to split the proceeds: use some for loan and rest for investing.
Do not rush into selling the plot.
Evaluate market rates, legal status, and long-term needs.
If you sell, invest the amount wisely in safe and growth-focused products.
Avoid putting this amount into a bank account.
Consult with a Certified Financial Planner before you take this call.
PPF and PF: Solid Foundation, Continue With Discipline
You have Rs 8 lakhs in PPF.
This is an excellent long-term savings tool.
Continue contributing Rs 1.5 lakh per year to get full benefit.
PPF has no tax at withdrawal.
Also, you have Rs 7 lakhs in EPF.
This is also building up steadily through your salary.
Together, these can form your debt side of retirement savings.
Do not touch this amount for any emergency or goal.
Allow them to compound till you retire.
You can increase your VPF contribution gradually once loans reduce.
This helps build more tax-free retirement savings.
Start Goal-Based SIPs Slowly, Grow Over Time
You said you are not currently investing in mutual funds.
This is understandable, since you are focused on EMI.
But over time, you need equity exposure to beat inflation.
Start a small SIP of Rs 3,000–5,000 per month.
You can increase this once personal loan ends.
Later, once your home loan is cleared, SIPs can go up to Rs 25,000–30,000 monthly.
SIP helps you invest monthly in small steps.
Use active mutual funds, not index or direct plans.
Regular plans through a Certified Financial Planner give guidance and review.
Avoid investing in index funds.
They lack human judgement and cannot protect against market fall.
Also, avoid direct plans as they miss expert tracking.
You need professional help to plan exits, rebalance, and avoid poor fund selection.
Choose well-diversified flexi-cap and hybrid funds.
Review them every 6 months with your planner.
Stay invested for minimum 10–15 years.
Do not stop SIPs during market fall.
This discipline builds wealth and helps meet goals.
Planning for Your Child's Future
Your son is 6 years old now.
You need to plan for two goals: higher education and marriage.
Education will need money from age 18 to 24.
Marriage may be needed around age 28.
Start with a SIP of Rs 3,000–5,000 monthly in equity mutual funds.
Later, add lump sum or increase SIP when loans reduce.
You can create a separate folio just for his education.
From age 14, slowly shift to hybrid or debt funds to protect capital.
Marriage planning can remain in equity longer.
Avoid mixing this goal with your retirement savings.
Insurance Protection for the Family
You have not mentioned life or health insurance.
This is a must-have.
Buy term insurance of at least Rs 1 crore immediately.
Premium is low at your age.
Take a separate term plan, not ULIP or endowment.
Avoid LIC or savings-based insurance plans.
Your family depends on your income.
Insurance gives them security if something happens.
Also buy health insurance of at least Rs 10 lakh for family.
This covers major hospitalisation costs.
Even if employer provides it, take a personal plan.
You can also add critical illness rider.
Premiums paid give tax benefit under 80D.
If you already hold ULIP or LIC, consider surrendering them and reinvesting.
Mutual funds give better growth and flexibility.
Future Plan for Wealth Creation
Let’s break down your future plan in simple steps:
For next 6 years, focus on:
Maintaining emergency fund of Rs 5–6 lakhs
Repaying personal loan faster with bonuses or plot proceeds
Starting small SIPs for son and retirement
After 6 years:
Personal loan ends, saving Rs 19,000
Redirect this to mutual fund SIPs and home loan prepayment
By year 10:
Try to clear home loan or reduce tenure
Your total EMI will be zero
You can start investing Rs 66,000+ every month
This builds large wealth for retirement
By age 50:
Have clear separation between education fund and retirement fund
Have insurance, emergency fund, and investments working smoothly
Avoid real estate and focus on liquid, growth-oriented financial assets
Finally
You are doing many things right.
No unnecessary credit.
No impulsive spending.
You invested in a home with your savings.
You have PPF, PF, and some cash buffer.
Now the next steps are simple but important.
Build emergency fund more.
Kill personal loan faster.
Start SIP, however small.
Buy term and health insurance now.
Sell plot only if that helps your loan reduction.
Avoid real estate investment again.
Use mutual funds through Certified Financial Planner.
Do not choose direct or index funds.
Focus on child education goal.
Be disciplined for 10–15 years.
The result will be peaceful life and secure future.
Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP
Chief Financial Planner
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment