The Real Marks That Matter

My dear friends, I am Dr. Celso, your financial doctor from Goa. I want to tell you a story today, not about stocks or mutual funds, but about a teacher and her students. It’s a story that changed my life, and I believe it will change yours, too.

The Day the Teacher Didn't Teach Maths

One sunny afternoon, Mrs. Sharma walked into her classroom of bright, young students. Instead of opening the maths textbook, she closed it. The children were confused. Exams were just a month away.

She looked at them with a gentle smile and said, "Today, we will not talk about numbers that get you marks. We will talk about the numbers that will get you a life."

She began by asking a simple question. "If you get 95% in your boards, but you don't know how to save 10% of your first salary, what have you truly learned?" The room fell silent.

Your marks can get you a job, but your financial wisdom will determine if that job leads to freedom or just another form of slavery.

The Two Students: Rohan and Priya

Mrs. Sharma told them about two of her former students, Rohan and Priya. Both were brilliant. Rohan scored 98% and became a top engineer. Priya scored 85% and became a talented graphic designer.

Rohan earned a massive salary. But he spent every rupee, buying the latest phone, eating at expensive restaurants, and taking loans for a car he didn't need. He was living the high life, but his bank account was always empty. He was running a race with no finish line.

Priya, however, started with a smaller salary. But from her very first paycheck, she paid herself first. She saved, she invested in a simple mutual fund, and she learned. Within five years, her investments were earning more than her monthly expenses. She had built a machine that made money for her while she slept.

Rohan had the marks, but Priya had the map.

The Lesson: Your Financial Report Card

Mrs. Sharma explained that life gives us a different kind of report card. It’s not printed on paper; it’s reflected in our peace of mind, our choices, and our family's security. This is the curriculum we must master.

Here is the simple syllabus she gave her students that day. I give it to you now.

• Pay Yourself First: Before you pay any bill, set aside a part of your income for your future. Make your future the most important bill you pay.
• Know the Difference: Understand what an asset is (it puts money in your pocket) and what a liability is (it takes money out). Buy more of the first.
• Start Early, Think Long: A small seed, planted today and nurtured, grows into a mighty tree. Time is the most powerful force in finance.
• Learn Continuously: Your financial education never ends. It is more important than your professional degree for building lasting wealth.
• Talk Openly at Home: Make money a happy dinner table conversation. Teach your children not just to earn, but to grow what they earn.

The moral of the story is this: Don't just work for money; make your money work for you.