From “Money doesn’t grow on trees” to “Don’t eat out every day”, dad’s one liners were less nagging and more finance masterclasses in disguise. Here’s a nostalgic tribute that decodes the real wealth behind every classic Indian dad’s financial wisdom.
We realise how hard adulting is when we start managing our finances. We can’t go running back to dad asking for extra money because our monthly allowance was spent in 15 days. It is now we understand that behind every “We don’t need that right now” was a genius savings strategy. All those term life policies, SIPs and insurance premiums? Well, now we know their real value.
Typical Dad Dialogues All Can Relate To:
Take a nostalgic ride through the classic dad dialogues and one liners of learning finance with dad – a tale of every Indian middle-class father.
“Money Doesn’t Grow On Trees”
Every time you wanted to go all out and splurge on something extravagant, this sentence was a complimentary add-on. It was not to stop us from spending, but a not-so-gentle reminder to be mindful while spending. Whenever we were stuck in a financial issue, somehow, he would magically come up with a solution and make it look as easy as if money had fallen like fruit from a tree.
Additional Reading: 8 Smart Strategies for Building a Strong Financial Foundation: The Power of Savings
“If The Electricity Bill Is High, It Will Be Deducted From Your Pocket Money”
This iconic threat, as much as it was about energy conservation, was also about instilling the idea that every rupee counts. Switching off lights and fans when not in use was turned into lessons taught to respect recurring expenses.
Today, we receive digital alerts to pay bills online and use Credit Cards to receive cashbacks and rewards on electricity bill payments. It is a modernised method of what dad followed religiously – planning monthly expenditures.
“Back In Our Days, We Managed An Entire Week In ₹10”
Honestly, everybody has grown up listening to the “back in our days..’ stories. When you could get a haircut, a meal and a sweet treat for ₹10, what would you need ₹1,000for? While we were busy rolling our eyes to these statements, what we didn’t realise was dad introducing us to think about everything in terms of its value for money. It was not just a concept of comparing eras, but a simple reminder that happiness isn’t available only through purchases.
“A Sale Doesn’t Mean You Buy Things You Don’t Need”
It’s not that our dads didn’t understand marketing strategies; they simply saw through the flashy ‘Flat 50% Off’ signs. They could spot an impulsive purchase from a mile away. Now, as adults, we finally understand what a sale really means, especially when the amount gets debited from our account. Every time we shop during a sale, their wisdom echoes in our minds: buying something you don’t need, even at half price, is still spending, not saving.
Additional Reading: The Eerie-sistible Allure of Online Shopping
“You Don’t Need Outside Food Every Day. A Home-Cooked Meal Is The Best”
It wasn’t just about nutrition, it was about discipline, too. As outdated as it may have sounded back then, that strong statement now makes our Swiggy orders feel like guilty pleasures. It was a warning about lifestyle inflation and how luxuries slowly become everyday habits. Growing up and moving out made us realise the true value of those words. A home-cooked meal was his way of teaching us appreciation for both what we had and what we now miss, while keeping our digestion and our wallets in check.
“Money Left After Paying Fixed Expenses Is The Real Money You Own”
It’s a statement shaped by years of life experience – a dad’s version of a financial planning session. It taught us not to mistake our entire salary for our spending budget. First, set aside money for essentials like rent, groceries, EMIs, bills, and savings. What’s left is what you can truly afford to spend on weekend getaways or shopping sprees. We may not have understood it back then, but those small habits he instilled in us are what help us manage our finances better today.
“Always Keep Some Savings Aside For An Emergency”
Whether it was SIPs or a hidden stash in the locker, there was always a backup or an emergency. If COVID has taught us anything, it has to be that dad’s savings for an emergency wasn’t just paranoia; they were thoughtful preparation for the unexpected.
What Do Dads Say About Credit Cards?
Back in the day, mentioning Credit Cards at the dinner table often led to a long lecture that ended with, “Don’t drown in debt.” But let’s give the old man some credit. Now it’s our turn to show him that, when used wisely, Credit Cards aren’t a debt trap; they’re smart tools for managing everyday expenses. From building credit history and earning rewards to handling monthly bills, Credit Cards can be powerful allies in financial planning.
Additional Reading: Your Credit Card Has A Past You Probably Didn’t Know About!
“You Will Realise Once You Have To Run The Household”
It’s only as adults, when we’re budgeting, managing expenses, and making financial decisions, that we truly begin to appreciate the lessons passed down to us over the years. We even catch ourselves repeating those same lines, sometimes to ourselves, and sometimes to our kids.
So, take a moment, sit down with your dad, ask him about insurance policies or how to fill out tax forms, and let him know how his wisdom has shaped your financial choices. Here’s to the original CFOs of our lives.
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