The Stethoscope and the SIP
How a Doctor Mother’s Systematic Plan Funded Her Daughter’s Engineering Dreams
Dr. Ananya Sharma had witnessed countless emergencies in her 12 years as a pediatrician. Yet, nothing prepared her for the anxiety she felt when her daughter, Aisha, turned three. It wasn’t about health—it was about the future. Between demanding night shifts and caring for sick children, Dr. Ananya wondered how she’d afford quality education for her bright little girl.
One evening, after putting Aisha to bed, she calculated potential education costs. Engineering tuition alone could exceed ₹15-20 lakhs in 15 years. Her salary was comfortable, but not extravagant. That’s when she decided to prescribe herself a financial treatment plan.
The Investment Prescription
On Aisha’s third birthday, Dr. Ananya started her systematic investment plan:
- Initial SIP: ₹1,000 monthly in an equity-oriented mutual fund
- Annual Increment: Increase by ₹1,000 every birthday
- Time Horizon: 15 years (age 3 to 18)
- Assumed Return: 12% annual (historical equity market average)
This meant starting with ₹1,000/month when Aisha was 3, then ₹2,000/month at age 4, up to ₹16,000/month at age 18.
The Financial Journey
Year after year, through market ups and downs, Dr. Ananya maintained her disciplined approach. She increased the SIP amount each birthday, even during challenging times when medical emergencies in the family strained their finances.
Aisha grew from a curious toddler to a bright teenager fascinated by computers and robotics. By age 15, she was determined to pursue computer engineering. Dr. Ananya shared her investment secret, teaching Aisha about compounding and financial discipline.
The Revelation at 18
On Aisha’s 18th birthday, they logged into the investment portal together. Dr. Ananya had shared statements periodically, but seeing the total took their breath away.
Aisha had been accepted to a premier engineering institute with annual fees of ₹2.5 lakhs and estimated living expenses of ₹1.5 lakhs per year.
The Corpus at Age 18
Total investment: ₹11.4 lakhs | Growth: ₹71.3 lakhs
The power of consistent investing and compounding over 15 years had created this educational fund.
The SWP Strategy
Aisha needed ₹4 lakhs annually (₹2.5L fees + ₹1.5L expenses). They consulted a financial advisor who recommended a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) that would provide regular income while preserving capital.
Sustainable Withdrawal Calculation
Assuming the remaining corpus continues to grow at 10% during the withdrawal years:
- Annual Requirement: ₹4,00,000
- Corpus at start: ₹82,70,000
- Withdrawal Rate: Approximately 4.8% annually
- Growth on remaining: 10% annually
They set up monthly SWP of ₹33,333 (₹4L annually), which would be automatically transferred to Aisha’s bank account.
The Four-Year Engineering Journey
For four years, Aisha’s education was fully funded by the SWP. She never needed to ask her parents for additional money. The regular monthly transfers covered her tuition, hostel fees, books, and even a laptop upgrade in her third year.
Even after withdrawing ₹16 lakhs over 4 years, the corpus had continued to grow thanks to the power of compounding on the remaining amount.
The Graduation Gift
At Aisha’s engineering graduation, Dr. Ananya handed her not just a proud smile, but a financial statement showing ₹68.2 lakhs remaining in the investment account.
“This is for your masters, or to start your own venture, or for whatever dream you pursue next,” she told her daughter, tears in her eyes.
Aisha, now a software engineer with a top tech firm, continues the legacy. She’s started her own SIP for future goals, having learned firsthand the incredible power of starting early and staying consistent.
Start Your Child’s Financial Future Today
Like Dr. Ananya, you can build a secure future for your child with disciplined investing. Start small, stay consistent, and let compounding work its magic.
Start Investing for Your Child Now →*Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks. Please read all scheme related documents carefully.
Note: The story is illustrative. Actual returns may vary based on market conditions. The assumed rate of return (12%) is based on historical equity market averages but is not guaranteed. The SWP calculation assumes the withdrawn amount continues to earn returns during the withdrawal period. Consult with a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Investment calculations based on: Starting SIP ₹1,000/month increasing by ₹1,000 annually for 15 years at 12% annual return. SWP calculations based on ₹4L annual withdrawal with remaining corpus growing at 10% during withdrawal years.
