I’m looking for suggestions on the best investment options for my 22-month-old daughter. My primary goal is to build a substantial corpus by the time she turns 18, mainly for her education and future needs.

Last year, I already started investing in Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana. Along with that, I’m exploring other investment avenues that can provide good long-term growth.

Could you please share your recommendations on:

• Best investment plans(MF or if any) for long-term (15–18 years horizon)
• Balanced options between risk and returns
• Any specific funds, policies, or strategies that have worked well for you

Note: I already have term insurance (Tata AIA Maha Raksha Supreme Select) and health insurance (HDFC Ergo), so I’m primarily looking for investment-focused suggestions.

Thanks in advance for your insights!

Hope you are doing good!

I have been following your blogs for a long time. I have query related to my current MF portfolio.

Currently, I am investing in below funds for a year now. Need your review if I should continue or switch to any other.

Parag Pareekh Flexi Fund- 3000

HDFC Hybrid Equity Fund- 2000

TATA Small Cap- 2000

UTI Nifty Index fund- 2000

UTI next 50 index fund- 1000

I was working as a full-time employee till June 2024. Later i started Freelancing services and have not taken any full-time employment. I have a PF account along with UAN number. Now, i want to understand the below as i have purchased a new flat and the registration is completed. I will be moving in to the new flat in 1 month time. 

1. Can i still continue my PF account even though there is no PF amount being deposited?

2. In case i continue, will i get the PF interest rate, or will it be reduced?

3. In case i continue, during the time of withdrawal after say 5 years will this total amount be tax free or will i be taxed?

4. If i want to withdraw the complete amount in 1 WEEK, what will be the tax applicable and what % of the amount i can withdraw?

5. Is it advisable to keep the PF as it is or withdraw and repay a part of the home loan or use this and invest in SIP?

Thanks

Regards

Anand

Hi Shreekanth, How are you doing. It's been years to contacted with you. Not sure if you remember we had connected earlier on this forum. Good to see yours blogs and continuously making efforts with newly informative content.

I would like to touch base with you on my portfolio once. Please let me know.

Every year I file NIL Returns through ITR-1 and in this financial year 2025-26/AY2026-27, I received Gold Coin as Gift from my spouse and I sold it within two months in the same financial year 2025-26/AY2026-27.

1. Does the gold coin sale result in Capital Gains for me in financial year 2025-26/AY2026-27?  Or can I still continue to file NIL Returns?
2. If the gold coin sale results in Capital Gains, should I file using ITR-2 or can I file using ITR-1?
3. Will the gold coin sale be considered as Short-term Gains or Long-Term Gains?
4. If Short-term how will tax be calculated in my case?
5. If Long-term how will tax be calculated in my case?

I have recently changed my primary mobile number.

Is it possible to update the new contact number via icici bank internet banking without visiting icici bank branch?

Please advise!

I have a query regarding my financial planning. I started investing 10,000 monthly SIP in one mutual fund(small cap&mid cap combo)in the year 2016 for my first kid(male) who born in that year and started second SIP of 10,000 in 2018 for my second kid(female).These both funds are completing 10 years time frame nearly. At present these funds are performing well and accumulating returns decently.

From the 10th year onwards, what should be my financial strategy? Should I continue the same way, or should I start an SWP or i transfer the accumulated corpus to any debt fund?My ultimate goal is to ensure that there are no difficulties in funding my children's higher education and marriage. I have separate plans for my retirement.

The reason I’m asking like this is because many people are saying that in the coming years the CAGR of mutual funds will not remain like it is now, it will decrease a lot.

Why Choose Gold Mutual Funds?

Gold mutual funds invest primarily in gold Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). This means their performance is directly linked to the price of gold. Investors prefer them because they are easy to invest in, require no demat account, and offer high liquidity compared to physical gold. Moreover, they help in diversifying the portfolio, which is important for reducing overall risk.

Factors to Consider Before Investing

Before choosing a gold mutual fund, it is important to check the expense ratio, fund performance over the last 3 to 5 years, and the reputation of the fund house. One should also consider their own investment horizon. Gold works best as a hedge against inflation and is ideal for medium to long-term investments.

Some of the Best Gold Mutual Funds in India

A few popular options among investors include:

• Nippon India Gold Savings Fund

• HDFC Gold Fund

• SBI Gold Fund

• ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund

These funds have shown consistent performance and are managed by reputed fund houses.

Final Thoughts

Gold mutual funds are suitable for investors who want to add stability and safety to their investment portfolio. While they may not deliver very high returns like equity funds, they play a crucial role in wealth protection and diversification. For long-term financial planning, including gold mutual funds can be a smart decision.

In the early years of my investment journey, I tried different types of mutual funds, including mid cap and small cap categories. While they gave me some exciting returns, I also faced more volatility. Over the years, I realised that large cap funds provide a balance between growth and stability. They may not always give the highest returns in the short term, but they have the power to hold strong during market fluctuations and deliver consistent returns over time.

Why I Prefer Large Cap Funds for the Long Run

One of the biggest reasons I trust large cap funds is their resilience during uncertain times. When the market faces sudden drops, these funds tend to recover faster because they are backed by financially strong companies. I have seen this during multiple market corrections, where my large cap investments did not panic me as much as others.

Another point I have noticed is the dividend payouts and long-term growth. Many large companies regularly distribute dividends, which adds to the total return of the fund. This can be very helpful if you are looking at your investment as a source of stability and growth.

My Advice for New Investors

If you are starting your investment journey, consider allocating a portion to large cap mutual funds. They may not double your money overnight, but they can give you the confidence to stay invested and grow your wealth steadily over the years. Patience truly pays off here.