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Ans: It’s great that you’ve been consistent with your HDFC SL Youngstar Super policy since 2010. Maintaining regular investments shows financial discipline. However, it’s wise to periodically review your investments to ensure they align with your goals.

Let’s analyse the policy and explore other potential options.

Understanding Your Current Policy
HDFC SL Youngstar Super policy is a unit-linked insurance plan (ULIP). It provides a mix of insurance and investment. While you’ve been paying Rs 25,000 annually, part of this premium goes towards life cover and the rest is invested.

ULIPs come with benefits like tax savings and potential market-linked returns. However, they also have certain charges like premium allocation, fund management, and mortality charges. These can impact your overall returns.

Evaluating ULIPs
ULIPs are good for disciplined savings with insurance cover. They offer flexibility in switching between funds based on market conditions. The lock-in period encourages long-term investing.

However, ULIPs can be complex and expensive due to various charges. The returns might not always meet expectations after accounting for these costs. It’s essential to understand these aspects before deciding to continue with the policy.

Alternative Investment Options
Exploring other investment avenues might be beneficial. Here are a few options to consider:

Mutual Funds
Mutual funds are a popular investment option. They offer a variety of schemes tailored to different risk appetites and investment goals. They are managed by professional fund managers, aiming to provide good returns.

Mutual funds come with advantages like liquidity, diversification, and potential for high returns. They have different categories like equity, debt, and hybrid funds, catering to various investor needs.

Public Provident Fund (PPF)
PPF is a government-backed savings scheme, known for its safety and attractive interest rates. It is ideal for long-term investment, offering tax benefits under Section 80C. The interest earned is also tax-free.

PPF has a lock-in period of 15 years, encouraging long-term savings. It’s a risk-free investment, suitable for conservative investors seeking steady returns.

National Pension System (NPS)
NPS is designed for retirement savings. It offers the advantage of market-linked returns with professional fund management. It also provides additional tax benefits under Section 80CCD.

NPS allows for partial withdrawal after a certain period for specific purposes like education or buying a house. It is suitable for those looking to build a retirement corpus.

Equity-Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS)
ELSS is a type of mutual fund that offers tax benefits under Section 80C. It invests primarily in equities, providing the potential for high returns. ELSS has a lock-in period of three years, one of the shortest among tax-saving options.

ELSS is suitable for investors with a higher risk appetite, looking to save on taxes while investing in equities.

Pros and Cons of Your Current Policy
Pros
Combines insurance and investment.
Offers flexibility in fund switching.
Provides tax benefits under Section 80C.
Cons
High charges can reduce returns.
Complexity in understanding the product.
Returns might not always meet expectations.
Assessing Your Financial Goals
Reassess your financial goals to decide whether to continue with the policy. Consider your risk appetite, investment horizon, and financial objectives.

If you seek simpler, more cost-effective investment options, alternatives like mutual funds or PPF might be suitable.

Conclusion
It’s commendable that you have maintained your HDFC SL Youngstar Super policy. Reviewing your investment periodically ensures it aligns with your goals. Consider other options based on your risk profile and financial objectives.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

Ans: For a 5-year SIP, seek index funds with low expense ratios and minimal tracking error against the benchmark index. Evaluate historical performance, fund size, and consistency in tracking the index. Consider funds with reputable fund managers and robust investment strategies. Additionally, assess the fund's liquidity and underlying assets. Prioritize funds that align with your risk tolerance and investment objectives. Regularly review fund performance and make adjustments if necessary to ensure your investment remains on track to meet your financial goals. Consult with a financial advisor for personalized guidance tailored to your specific needs and preferences.

Ans: Hello Sedrick and thanks for writing to me. Nippon India Nifty Next 50 ETF is an exchange traded fund that tracks the Nifty Next 50 Index. As it is an ETF, you can purchase or sell the units in the open market.

You can consider investing in it for the long run.

Ans: Hi Sedrick,
Post a knee surgery physio treatment goes on for 2-3 months depending on the patient’s tolerance to pain and if the exercises are been done otherwise in the day too. If their pain threshold is less and exercises are only done once a day then it takes longer. It’s best to make sure the knee has good strength before you discontinue.

Ans: Hello Sedrick and thanks for writing to me with your risk appetite and goal.

Apart from Nippon India NIFTY Next 50 Junior Bees, you can also consider investing in or beginning SIP's in active small and midcap funds over the long term to for wealth creation. India is a developing economy and active funds in the small and midcap space can and do outperform index funds in the same category.

Periodic rebalancing of your portfolio is essential to create long term wealth. Stepping up your SIP's every year will also help you create a larger corpus.

Ans: When you invest, try making a portfolio which is diversified. In the scheme that you have mentioned you are only taking exposure to Value style of investing. Have a more broader portfolio which also has growth style of investing + has exposure to mid and small caps as well. You may consider the below,

- ICICI Large & Mid
- Kotak Emerging
- PPFAS Flexicap
- SBI Small Cap

Ans: Hello Sedrick and thanks for writing to me.

Nippon India Nifty Next 50 Junior Bees are index tracking ETF's and will give returns closely linked to the performance of the Nifty Next 50 Index and you can consider continuing your investment in them.

If you share details like your risk appetite and goals, I may recommend another scheme instead.

Ans: Our culture has always promoted Milk, buttermilk, curd and paneer as they are rich in protein and much lower-carb. They are healthy and also filled with enough probiotic that is good for our gut. Lentils, chana, rajma etc. are also lower in carbs compared to other grains and can be included as part of a low-carb diet plan. Since I am a strict vegetarian these are the things I include in my personal diet. Also, don’t micromanage your diet, keep an overall goal and eat without guilt. I always recommend that you take a U turn and go back to what your grandparents ate!

Ans: I think you need to work out to improve the tone of your abdominal muscles.

Ans: Investing in a passive index fund can be a good option. But given the nature of equity markets, you should be willing to wait longer than 5 years if need be when you invest. There are no multiple options in passive funds too, but for most investors, picking a Nifty50-based index fund is good approach.

Note (Disclaimer) - As a SEBI RIA, I cannot comment on specific schemes/funds that are provided or asked for in the questions in the platform. And the views expressed above should not be considered professional investment advice or advertisement or otherwise. No specific product/service recommendations have been made and the answers here are for general educational purposes only. The readers are requested to take into consideration all the risk factors including their financial condition, suitability to risk-return profile and the like and take professional investment advice before investing.

Ans: These 5 Mid Cap #mutualfunds have given the highest returns in the last 5 year time period :

🎯Quant Mid Cap Fund
🎯PGIM India Midcap Opps Fund
🎯Motilal Oswal Mid Cap Fund
🎯Axis Midcap Fund
🎯Kotak Emerging Equity Fund

Ans: Hello Sedrick,
There are some muscles that connect the wrist and elbow so maybe you have strained that muscle.
Usually icing for 10 minutes followed by hot packs for 10 minutes relieves the pain. You can apply any pain relief gel like Volini post the icing and hot packs. This can be done twice a day for 3 days.
If still not better than please show to an orthopedic or physiotherapist.