Harshad’s Timely Call

Standing outside yet another dark, airless room for rent, I felt my hopes sink—until Harshad’s call came with a plan so perfect it felt like a lifeline.

From Pocket Money to Investments: The Psychology of Your Financial DNA

When you think about your relationship with money, you might assume it started with your first job or when you opened your own bank account. In reality, it began much earlier—when you were just a child, getting pocket money, watching, listening, and quietly absorbing how the people around you dealt with money. Those early lessons, sometimes spoken, sometimes silently demonstrated, planted the seeds of your “money mindset.” Some seeds grow into healthy habits; others sprout into limiting beliefs. The Unspoken Money Lessons We Inherit (Pocket Money Times) Even if your parents never gave you a lecture on budgeting, you were still learning. Example 1:Ravi grew up in a middle-class home where his father often said, “We can’t afford that, beta.” Over time, Ravi internalised that money was always scarce. Even now, at 35, with a comfortable salary, he hesitates to spend on himself, worrying that the good times might vanish. Example 2:Meera’s parents were generous spenders. Vacations, new gadgets, dinners out—it was all part of life. She loved it as a child, but as an adult, she found herself swiping her credit card for “wants” without much thought, struggling to save consistently. These aren’t isolated cases. Psychologists call this financial socialisation—the process of learning about money from early experiences. Whether you saw abundance, scarcity, or secrecy, those patterns often show up in adulthood. Common Money Mindsets Shaped by Childhood 1. The Scarcity Mindset If you grew up hearing, “Money doesn’t grow on trees,” or watching your parents stretch every rupee, you might be overly cautious with spending. Story: Ravi’s parents taught him to save for emergencies, which helped him build a strong financial cushion. But when a friend suggested starting a side business, his fear of “losing money” stopped him from even considering it. 2. The Abundance Assumption Growing up where money was always available can create confidence—but sometimes overconfidence. Story: Meera assumed her income would always match her lifestyle. It wasn’t until a job loss during the pandemic that she realised she had no emergency savings. 3. Money Equals Status If your family linked financial worth to social standing, you might equate possessions with self-worth. 4. Avoidance Mindset If money was never discussed at home, you may have entered adulthood without basic financial literacy. The Emotional Side of Money Money is rarely just about maths—it’s about meaning. The feelings you associate with money often stem from childhood. Example: As a child, Arjun saw his parents fight about expenses every month. Now married, he avoids conversations about budgeting with his wife, even when it causes tension—because in his mind, “talking about money equals fighting.” Parenting and Passing It Forward If you have children, your money habits are already teaching them—whether you realise it or not. Example: Sneha involves her 10-year-old son in grocery budgeting. She shows him how to compare prices and stick to a shopping list. It’s not about restricting; it’s about teaching decision-making. Here’s how to model healthy money behaviour: Your childhood is the foundation of your financial mindset, but it’s not a life sentence. By becoming aware of the money stories you inherited, you can choose which ones to keep, which ones to rewrite, and which ones to leave behind.