I see a lot of people posting about saving and investing these days under the umbrella of personal finance. However, in my opinion, personal finance is more than that. It’s about building a balanced relationship with money that supports both your future goals and your present quality of life.
Let’s break it down into four simple pillars:
1. Pay Yourself First: Yes, spending is just as important. A good lifestyle — the right environment, health, experiences — directly impacts your mental clarity, motivation, and earning capacity. But balance is key. Don’t spend to impress, spend to enhance your life. The real flex is financial peace, not flashy purchases.
2. Save Whatever You Can: Your salary isn’t truly yours until you’ve saved a part of it. Whether it’s 10% or 30%, consistency is more important than the amount. Automate your savings so it becomes non-negotiable — like a monthly bill you owe your future self.
3. Track, Don’t Restrict: Budgeting isn’t about saying “no” to everything fun. It’s about knowing where your money goes and making intentional choices. Use the 50/30/20 rule as a starting point:
50% for needs
30% for wants
20% for savings & investments
Awareness creates control — not guilt.
4. Grow What You Save: Saving alone won’t beat inflation. Investing — whether in fixed income, mutual funds, or stocks — helps your money work for you. You don’t need to be a market expert to get started. Start small. Stay consistent. Focus on the long term.
In the end, I would like to reiterate that you don’t need to worry if you can’t spare 10% of your salary today. Consistency is more important than the amount even if it is only 2%. In the next writeup, I would delve into how your monthly savings or contributions can grow exponentially over time.