The Goa Dreamers vs The Goa Doers

My dear friend, come, sit with me. Let me tell you about two couples I know from my very own clinic in Goa. Both dream of the same thing, but only one couple ever feels the sand of a foreign beach between their toes.

The Dreamers: Rohan and Priya

Every evening, Rohan and Priya scroll through pictures of Switzerland and Bali on their phones. "One day, Celso, one day we will go," they tell me. Their dream is beautiful, but it lives only in their words.

Their money slips away quietly each month—on expensive dinners they forget by morning, on the latest gadgets they don't need, and on impulsive shopping. The dream vacation is always a "next year" plan. It is a lovely, distant fantasy that never gets any closer.

They were always waiting for the right time, but time, my friend, never waits for you.

The Doers: Sameer and Anjali

Now, let me tell you about Sameer and Anjali. They also dream of Paris and Singapore. But they do something different. They made their dream a project.

They sat down one Sunday and made a simple plan. They calculated the cost, decided on a timeline of three years, and then they began their "Vacation Fund."

How did they do it? It was not magic.

• They started small: A fixed amount was set aside from every salary, the moment it arrived.
• They made it automatic: The money travelled directly to a separate savings account. Out of sight, out of mind.
• They invested it wisely: They didn't just let the money sleep in a savings account. They put it in a good mutual fund where it could grow over time.

Last year, they sent me a postcard. It was from Italy. The joy in their words? That was real. They were not just dreaming; they were living.

Your Financial Lesson

The difference between a dream and a goal is a plan. Here is how you can be a Doer, starting today:

1. Define Your Dream: Be specific. "A trip to Europe" is better than "a foreign vacation."
2. Break It Down: Calculate the total cost. Divide it by the number of months until you want to travel. This is your monthly target.
3. Pay Yourself First: Treat your dream fund like a necessary bill. It is the first payment you make after your salary is credited.
4. Make Your Money Work: Let your savings grow through a disciplined investment plan. A small amount today can become a large sum tomorrow.

A dream written down with a date becomes a goal. A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan. A plan backed by action makes your dreams come true.