I’ve had conversations with high-earning professionals in their late 40s who still don’t know how much they spend or save. Financial independence and investing are important, but the first step is learning how to manage your money.

Saving wasn’t something I suddenly decided to do one day. I still remember my first lesson in finance—back in 1990—when my dad took me to the bank to invest in his PPF account. He deposited ₹11,300, and the entire process took hours.

I was a curious kid, always asking questions. Why are we saving? What is PPF? Why ₹11,300? Could we have saved more? Dad answered them all patiently (no mobile phone distractions back then 😊).

That conversation stuck with me. It made me realize how hard my parents worked to balance their present and future needs. Every expense—Diwali shopping, our yearly train trip from Bombay to Chennai—was carefully planned around savings. Being part of that process from a young age built a habit that I still follow today.

Seeing my curiosity, my parents introduced a piggy bank (a white purse). I started collecting cash—birthday gifts, money from visiting relatives (a classic Indian tradition), and even a reward system they set up for completing tasks (not a bribe, but an incentive!). Over time, I had a couple of thousand rupees saved up.

That money became my small contribution to the household—helping buy a refrigerator, my bicycle, or any sports kit I needed.

I lost this habit in my teenage years (call it the rebellious phase), but the moment I started earning, it fell back into place.

Now, I try to pass this habit on to my daughter. It’s not easy, but I believe financial planning is something everyone must learn.
✅ Know where your money comes from and where it goes.
✅ Don’t blindly follow online advice.
✅ Stay invested in the process.

Financial independence isn’t just about earning more—it’s about managing what you have. Are you actively tracking your finances, or are you waiting for a wake-up call?