The Real Marksheet Your Child Will Never Get in School
Good morning. Please, sit. I am Dr. Celso. Not a medical doctor, but a financial doctor. And today, in my little clinic in Goa, I want to talk to you not about your portfolio, but about your child's future. I want to tell you a story about two of my favourite students.
The Two Brilliant Students of Life
Once, there were two boys in my neighbourhood. Let's call them Arjun and Rohan. Both were brilliant. Arjun always had 95% marks. His room was filled with trophies. Rohan? He got decent 75% marks, but he was always curious. He asked strange questions: "Uncle, why do prices go up?" or "How does our chai shop owner save money?"
Years flew by. Both became engineers. Arjun got a high-paying job in a big city. He bought a big car on loan, moved into a fancy apartment on rent, and lived a 'perfect' life shown in advertisements. Rohan started with a smaller salary. But he remembered the chai shop owner. He lived simply, saved first, and invested a small amount every month without fail.
The market does not ask for your percentage. It asks for your patience.
The Unexpected Exam No One Prepared For
Then, life conducted its own exam. After ten years, Arjun's father fell ill. The medical bills were huge. Arjun's impressive salary was already spent on his lifestyle. He had savings for barely two months. He was forced to take high-cost loans, which trapped him for years. The stress was unbearable.
Rohan's mother faced a similar health issue. It was difficult, but Rohan had built a financial safety net. His small, regular investments had grown. He had an emergency fund. He could focus on his mother's recovery, not on the hospital bills. His financial marksheet, built quietly over a decade, passed the toughest test.
You see, school taught them how to earn. But it never taught them what to do after they earn. That is the most important lesson of all.
Your Family's Financial Lesson
So, my dear friends, as the head of your family, your most crucial duty is not just to pay school fees. It is to teach the subject that school skips. Here is your syllabus:
- Start with 'Why': Explain to your child why you work, where money goes (rent, groceries, savings), and the difference between a 'want' and a 'need'. Use your monthly budget as a live example.
- Make Money Talk Normal: Discuss savings goals openly at the dinner table. Are you saving for a new home? A family trip? Let them be part of the journey. This removes the mystery and fear around money.
- The Magic of 'Little and Often': Give them a small amount to manage. Let them make mistakes with a hundred rupees now, so they don't lose lakhs later. Show them how saving just ā¹50 a week can grow into a big tree.
- Lead by Your Example: Your actions are their loudest teacher. When you choose to repair something instead of throwing it away, or when you calmly say "it's not in our budget this month," you are teaching powerful financial values.
- Grade Them on Generosity Too: Teach them that money is also a tool to help others. Let them set aside a small portion for charity. A wealthy heart is the greatest wealth of all.
A high score can get them a job, but financial wisdom will give them a life of freedom and dignity.