The Goa Getaway That Never Was

My dear friend, come, sit. Let me tell you about two couples from the same Mumbai building. Their story changed how I advise families on money.

The Dreamers in 4B

Rohan and Priya loved to dream. Evenings were for scrolling through photos of Swiss Alps and Italian coasts.

"One day, we will go there," Priya would sigh, looking at her phone.

"Yes, next year for sure!" Rohan would promise. But 'next year' never came. Their money slipped away on expensive dinners, the latest gadgets, and impulsive online sales. The foreign trip remained a beautiful, distant dream—a 'someday' that always felt just out of reach.

The Planners in 7A

Now, meet their neighbours, Arjun and Anjali. They dreamed the same dreams—of walking through Parisian streets and feeling London's rain.

But one Sunday, Anjali said, "What if our dream had a plan?"

They calculated. A trip to Europe in three years would need about ₹3 Lakhs. It seemed impossible. But then, they broke it down.

1. They opened a separate 'Vacation Fund' savings account.
2. Every month, they automatically transferred ₹8,000 into it.
3. They invested this money in a simple mutual fund SIP.

They didn't stop living. They just became a little more mindful. That third cup of coffee out? Sometimes, it became a homemade one, with the money going to their fund.

The Reveal at the Society Diwali Party

Three Diwalis later, the conversation turned to holidays.

"We're still planning for Goa," Rohan said with a wistful smile.

Arjun and Anjali exchanged a happy glance. "We just booked our tickets," Anjali shared. "We're going to Rome next month."

The room fell silent. The dreamers were stunned. The planners had done it. They hadn't won a lottery. They had simply chosen a different path.

Your Financial Prescription

My dear family, the difference wasn't in their salaries. It was in their strategy. Here is your simple prescription:

• Give Your Dream a Deadline: A dream with a date becomes a goal. It stops being a 'someday'.
• Automate Your Ambition: Set up a auto-debit for your goal. Let the system do the hard work of saving for you.
• Start Small, Think Big: Don't be scared by the big total. Even ₹500 a month is a powerful start.
• Separate Your Dreams from Your Daily Money: A dedicated fund ensures your goal isn't eaten by daily expenses.

A dream without a plan is just a wish. A dream with a plan is your next holiday.