FAMILY: A.L. Balasubramanyam, 29, Application Development Engineer, Intel India; Jayashree, 26, Customer Guest Relations Exec, Advaith Hyundai (dealership); Poorvi, 2; Lakshmipathi (Father), 58; Prema (Mother), 54

SALARY: Rs 8 lakh a year (Rs 6 lakh his; Rs 2 lakh, hers)

INVESTIBLE SURPLUS: Rs 4 lakh a year

ASSETS/INVESTMENTS: Lives with parents in their house in Kalyan Nagar, Bangalore; Insurance policy (Rs 30,000 a year premium); a few fixed deposits; wants to buy a house

RAJIV BAJAJ, Managing Director, Bajaj Capital, recommends:

• The Balasubramanyams seem to be adequately insured

• They should buy medical insurance for his parents (if they are dependant on him) and claim tax deduction under Section 80 D of the Income Tax Act

• They should invest in a child plan from a insurance company for Poorvi's education and marriage. An annual premium of Rs 10,000 will go towards this

• They should invest 60-70 per cent of his annual savings in debt funds, 15-20 per cent in equity funds, and the remainder in monthly income plans (MIPs) of mutual funds (all sips)

• They should withdraw their deposits and invest these in debt funds; this and the systematic investment plans will help him raise the down payment for an apartment Assuming Balasubramanyam is a conservative investor

ROHIT SRIVASTAVA, Market Strategist, SSKI Securities, recommends:

• The Balasubramanyams should invest 90 per cent of their portfolio in equity and 10 per cent in real estate

• Of the equity investment, 70 per cent should be in growth equities or funds and 30 per cent in blue chip ones

• They should look at direct investment through a broker with good advisory services or at mutual funds with an emphasis on growth stocks.

-compiled by Venkatesha Babu and Shilpa Nayak