🌟 Introduction (Hook):
I never understood why my father would keep a tiny notebook in his shirt pocket. Every time he spent even ₹10, he’d quietly write it down. As a kid, I found it funny. As an adult, I now realize — that little book was the secret to his financial peace.
👤 Personal Story:
Growing up in a middle-class Indian family, we didn’t have much — but we never felt poor.
My father worked as a school clerk. His monthly income was under ₹12,000 back in the day. And yet, we never missed school fees, we had festivals with joy, and somehow — he even managed to save.
I once asked him, “Papa, how do you save when there’s so little?”
He smiled and said, “Beta, it’s not about how much you earn. It’s about how you respect money.”
He then showed me his notebook.
💡 Lessons I Learned (and You Can Too):
✅ 1. Write Down Every Expense
Yes, every chai, auto ride, or recharge.
When you see where your money is going, you’ll feel more in control.
📒 I started using a small diary too. Now I use Google Sheets.
✅ 2. Spend with Purpose
My dad always asked: “Is this necessary or just a want?”
Now, before I buy anything online, I ask myself the same.
It has saved me thousands in unnecessary shopping.
✅ 3. Respect Small Savings
He used to save ₹20 every day in a dabba. That became over ₹7,000 in a year.
Small daily savings turn into big amounts — just like water fills a pot, drop by drop.
✅ 4. Plan for Festivals & Emergencies
Every Diwali, we had new clothes and sweets — not on EMI, but because he planned ahead.
He kept a separate envelope for festival savings.
📊 Where I Am Now:
- I track every expense digitally.
- I save before I spend.
- And yes, I now use a tiny notebook too — just like Papa did.
🙌 Final Thought:
In a world of UPI, credit cards, and one-click spending — the old-school wisdom of our parents is more valuable than ever.
They didn’t have financial influencers or apps.
But they had discipline, planning, and contentment.
Let’s not forget those lessons. Let’s bring them back.
