Respect Money before it's too late? Real Stories: Spend Precisely and Invest Wisely
Respect Money💰: Real Stories
Spend Precisely and Invest Wisely
When the water of wealth rises, the lotus of desire expands. When the water recedes, the lotus, rooted in expectation, withers completely.
The Opening: Respecting the Cycle of Wealth
Those who fail to respect money rarely remain wealthy in the long term. This isn't about mere saving; it's about understanding the psychology of prosperity. When individuals experience unexpected profit or a significant salary increase, the mind often mistakes this temporary surge for a permanent reality. Rather than securing their future through investment, many succumb to "lifestyle creep"—wasting capital on unwarranted luxuries, grandstanding, or perpetual celebrations. History teaches a harsh lesson: when the inevitable downturn comes, the hands once extended for aid remain empty.
The timeless wisdom of the great poet Bihari captures this perfectly:
बढ़त-बढ़त संपति सलिलु, मन-सरोजु बढ़ि जाइ।
घटत-घटत सु न फिरि घटे, बरु समूल कुम्हिलाइ॥
The desire of the mind (the lotus) expands with increasing wealth (the water). But when the wealth declines, the desires refuse to shrink, causing the mind to shrivel and suffer from its very root.
Let us reflect on two separate incidents that vividly illustrate this truth.
Real Incidents: The Cost of Unsecured Generosity and Compromised Discipline
Incident 1: The Farmer’s Uninsured Generosity
A kindhearted farmer in a village was the epitome of generosity. He consistently aided villagers and even close relatives who sought financial help, lending substantial amounts without collateral or a strict repayment timeline. While his intentions were noble, he neglected one critical aspect of financial planning: preservation. He had no savings, no investments, and crucially, no health insurance.
Tragedy struck when his son suffered a severe accident requiring admission to the expensive Apollo Hospital in Delhi. In desperation, the farmer reached out to those he had helped. Not one relative or villager came forward, knowing that the debt would likely be "blocked" forever. Forced into a corner, he sold his fertile land at a distress price to a shrewd, opportunistic farmer. Though the funds covered the exorbitant hospital bills, he tragically lost his son. Overwhelmed by grief, guilt, and the agony of betrayal, the farmer and his wife abandoned their village life, becoming caretakers of a garden adjacent to the very hospital that saw their loss.
They shared this heartbreaking story with me when my younger brother was admitted there. In contrast, our family was blessed with well-wishers who came forward readily, knowing my father's track record of discipline and repayment. We returned every debt within two years. The difference was not in the need, but in the trust built by financial prudence.
Incident 2: The Diamond Merchant's Slippery Slope
Mr. Suresh (name changed), a trainee at my Praxis Academy in 1998, shared the downfall of his wealthy brother-in-law, Jatin Bhai (name changed), a successful diamond merchant in Mumbai's Opera House. Jatin Bhai was a man of discipline with no prior bad habits.
However, repeated insistence from friends led him to a local establishment "just to taste" on the promise of friendship. Though he resisted at first, slowly and subtly, his personal boundaries eroded. A casual, conditional visit soon turned into weekly, then daily visits. The desire for momentary pleasure and the lure of the dancers superseded his professional focus. Within months, his business began to collapse. He was forced to sell his office, suffered severe health issues from the lifestyle change, and ultimately became an employee after his family rallied to save him from complete ruin. The desire (the lotus) for that brief, luxurious environment had expanded, but when his income dried up, the habit remained, leading to a "withering from the root."
Reflections: The Long-Term Vision
Life is not a lottery game to be lived with a short-term mentality. Financial stability demands a long-term vision rooted in discipline.
Avoid Emotional Decisions:
The Power of Preservation:
Generosity is a virtue, but it must be funded by surplus. One must secure one's own foundation (insurance, investments, emergency fund) before becoming a permanent foundation for others.
Takeaways for a Stable Future
Delay Gratification:
Do not inflate your expenses immediately when income rises. Practice sustained financial discipline; it is the only way to make the shrink possible, should the need arise.
Define Giving:
When lending money, treat it as a gift. Give only what you can afford to lose without it significantly harming your long-term stability.
Maintain Boundaries:
Do not mix personal, emotional life with professional commitments. Unhealthy habits or family dramas brought into business can destroy trust and capital.
From the Desk of the Author
I have personally witnessed the tragic cycles of wealth destruction: once-rich landlords' children working as laborers due to the bad habits of their parents, and factory owners losing everything due to unchecked expenses and unbearable debt.
Once the mind gets accustomed to a luxurious life, the psychological barrier to affording an ordinary life becomes impenetrable. This is the essence of Bihari’s couplet. Your future self deserves the respect of your present discipline. Spend Precisely, and Invest Wisely.
Disclaimer:
All incidents shared are for educational and motivational purposes. They are based on real-life accounts used to illustrate ethical and financial principles and are not intended to harm any individual, community, or organization. Any resemblance in names or specific details is coincidental.
Rakesh Kushwaha
Founder, Mathivation HUB | Author | Educator | Writer | Mathivator
Very informative stories and everyone should learn from such incidents
ReplyDeleteThank you Garima Chandel for sharing your open feedback!
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