7 Unconventional Wealth-Constructing Habits — Our Wealth Insights

Introduction

Rising up in a small city, Diwali was all the time particular for me. Not only for the lights and sweets, however for the teachings my grandfather (my Nanaji) taught me. He wasn’t wealthy by at present’s requirements. But, his easy habits formed how I take into consideration cash.

His knowledge felt like gold, particularly throughout Diwali. He used to inform me not less than two tales a day (trip time). However throughout Diwali, he additionally used to share tales of saving and planning.

Immediately, I wish to share seven unconventional wealth-building habits I discovered from him. Immediately, he’s no extra with me (he handed away a few years again). I’m penning this put up in his remembrance.

These aren’t ideas you’ll discover in fancy finance talks. They’re rooted in her life, and I consider they will help you too.

A Lifetime of Quiet Knowledge

My Nanaji was an Revenue Tax officer, who retired from his job in 1988.

He lived in a modest home. She raised 4 kids on authorities’s wage. Cash was tight. However Nanaji by no means complained. Throughout Diwali, my “Naniji” used to Pakwans at dwelling as an alternative of shopping for them.

He used to color the previous diyas and would reuse them, placing them on the roof of the home. For the remainder of the home, there have been new diyas. This was the ritual or his self-discipline.

His budgeting was like a science. He saved a small pocket book, jotting down each rupee spent. I nonetheless bear in mind, he sitting on his couch chair, beside his picket guide shelf, noting and calculating bills with a pencil.

What struck me was his mindset. He by no means chased fast cash. He taught us that it’s alright to develop sluggish however the progress have to be regular. I feel, he by no means dreamt to turn out to be a millionaire. However he had these habits that may assist him construct a safe life.

In at present’s world, the place apps and AI reveals us goals of instantaneous wealth, his classes really feel refreshing. They remind me that wealth gathered in fast time will go as early.

Our monetary well being is like our bodily well being. Crash weight-reduction plan and impulsive exercises might might you look skinny and slot in subsequent 3-5 months, however it’s not sustainable. What’s gathered slowly, with self-discipline, let it’s cash or well being, will final for a lifetime.

1. The Energy of Micro-Financial savings

Nanaji had a small portfolio within the file room.

Each Diwali, he used to drop a couple of rupees, cash, jewelry, and so on into it.

He used to inform me, this worth will be something, ranging from a Rs.1 coin to no matter one can afford on that Diwali Day. He known as it his “future fund.” Within the later a part of his life, I noticed how a lot these funds helped him.

These days, I used to snigger, considering how may such tiny quantities matter? However over years, that jar funded many household actions. It paid for emergencies. It even helped home repairs, schooling for grand kids’s, and so on.

This behavior taught me the ability of micro-savings.

We frequently suppose financial savings have to be large. However Nanaji confirmed me that small quantities add up.

Once I began investing, I apply this by setting apart Rs.100 each day. I let this cash get gathered after which, in a lump-sum, I put this liquid money in a liquid mutual fund. That is my piggy financial institution. Over all these years, this worth has turn out to be considerably larger. Rs.3000 invested for five% returns, will turn out to be Rs.8 Lakhs in 15 years.

Research says 60% of Indians don’t save often.

My Nanji’s financial savings behavior proves we don’t want a fats financial savings to start out. Why not attempt dropping Rs.10 a day right into a piggy financial institution?

2. Constructing Wealth By way of Neighborhood

My Nanaji was a great with relationships.

Throughout Diwali, he’d go to neighbours, sharing sweets and small presents. Nevertheless it wasn’t nearly festivity. He was constructing belief. When he wanted assist, like borrowing instruments or getting a reduction from an area shopkeeper, folks stepped up.

As soon as, a neighbour even helped him discover a wonderful contractor who used to do him home repairs when wanted (I bear in mind the contractor’s title, Tajim Bhai).

This taught me that wealth isn’t simply cash within the financial institution. It’s the neighborhood you construct.

In India, we’re fortunate to have robust social networks. A 2023 examine by the Nationwide Pattern Survey confirmed 70% of rural households depend on neighborhood help throughout crises (learn this Nabard report right here).

I’ve used Nanaji’s strategy in my life. I began my weblog, its my method of socializing with folks. I share my learnings, and browse the feedback of my readers. By way of my weblog, I’ve constructed some very priceless connections through the years.

How typically do you lean in your community for monetary progress? It’s a behavior value attempting.

3. The Artwork of Delayed Gratification

Diwali was tempting. Outlets have been full of garments and devices.

My cousins and I might beg for brand new issues. Nanji by no means stated no outright. As a substitute, he’d used distraction technique to divert our lure for brand new issues in the direction of issues extra rewarding. He used to play cricket, badminton, matches with us. He used to take us on drives on his white Ambassador automobiles. I bear in mind, at some point after I was very cranky for a toy, he took me to his workplace for few hours.

He’d defined to me how ready saved cash. He used to say, as soon as we are able to delay our purchasing urge, after few hours it is going to mechanically go away. As a rule, we purchase issues not as a result of we want it, however as a result of we simply need it (at that second of time). Its extra psychological, its not out of requirement.

He would say, use that cash to purchase books. This behavior of delayed gratification caught with me.

It’s powerful in at present’s world of straightforward EMIs and “purchase now, pay later” schemes.

However ready can prevent 1000’s. For instance, I needed a brand new cellphone final 12 months. As a substitute of shopping for it on launch day, I waited for 10 months. The worth dropped by Rs.20,000.

Research reveals, impulsive spending is a high motive Indians battle to speculate.

4. Reusing The Present Assets – Creatively

My Nanaji by no means wasted something.

Outdated garments grew to become quilts. Leftover meals become new dishes.

Throughout Diwali, he’d reuse final 12 months’s decorations, including only a few new touches. This wasn’t nearly saving cash. It was about seeing worth in what you have already got.

He as soon as turned an previous trunk right into a storage field. It saved him saving from shopping for a brand new furnishings.

This behavior of repurposing is highly effective for wealth-building.

We frequently overlook what we personal. I began making use of this by reviewing my bills.

I spotted I used to be paying for unused subscriptions, like a fitness center membership, YouTube Premium, un-sued cell phone quantity, and so on. Cancelling them saved me Rs.15,000 a 12 months. I redirected that cash to an fairness fund.

Statistics says, households waste 10–15% of revenue on redundant bills.

Have a look round. What are you able to repurpose or lower to spice up your financial savings?

5. Investing in Data First

My Nanji was on a traditional graduate. However he was curious. His home was stuffed with books and newspapers.

He’d take heed to DD Information would learn not less than two newspapers every day (one at dwelling and one within the workplace). He would store in a grocery retailer and choose their newspapers and look on the headline for 10-Quarter-hour. He all the time ued to learn newspapers each time he was ready in a barber’s store for his flip. He by no means saved idle, considering in nothingness.

He’d ask query and debate on the reported matters associated to markets and banks. Throughout Diwali, he’d speak to an area goldsmith about gold costs.

This helped him resolve when to purchase small ornaments. His data was not solely from books however was additionally sensible knowledge picked from avenue savvy folks. It was a really sensible man whose perceive of the world was constructed over years.

I used to be very near him. He taught me to speculate my time in data. I targeted my consideration of “monetary” data.

6. Educating Children About Cash

Nanaji believed in beginning younger.

Each Diwali, he’d give us youngsters Rs.50 every. However there was a catch. We needed to save half and spend the remaining correctly. She’d examine our decisions, asking why we purchased what we did.

As soon as, I spent my share on goodies. He didn’t scold me. He simply requested, “Will this make you cheerful tomorrow?” That query stayed with me.

Educating youngsters about cash is a wealth-building behavior.

In India, monetary literacy is low (examine right here for the monetary literacy knowledge by nations). A survey discovered that, 80% of fogeys don’t focus on cash with their kids. We frequently say that, “let’s maintain youngsters out of the cash associated discussions.” Why?

I focus on with my son matters associated to cash administration. I present him my flow-charts and infographics I draw for my weblog posts. He additionally loves to attract circulation charts, its his solution to study new issues.

7. Trusting Our Instincts

My Nanji didn’t depend on fancy recommendation. He trusted his intestine extra.

As soon as, a relative pushed him to put money into a dangerous scheme. He refused, saying it didn’t “really feel proper.” Years later, that scheme collapsed. His instincts saved her.

Throughout Diwali, she’d solely purchase gold which he trusted. In these days, I bear in mind, gold was priced at Rs.5000 per 10 grams. Immediately, it has crossed the Rs.100,000 per 10 grams ranges.

This behavior is significant in at present’s noisy monetary world.

Apps and influencers push scorching shares or crypto. However Nanji’s gut-check strategy works.

I analysis investments however all the time pause to ask, does this align with my objectives? Final 12 months, I prevented a hyped-up IPO. It crashed quickly after.

SEBI additionally warns us informing that “90% of retail buyers lose cash in speculative buying and selling.” Trusting your instincts, backed by analysis, is essential.

Conclusion

We reside in a world of AI and algorithms.

Robo-advisors and budgeting apps are nice. However they lack knowledge.

My Nanaji’s habits have been about self-discipline, neighborhood, and instinct. These are human qualities no app can replicate. In 2025, in final one 12 months, gold costs has gone up by 34%. In the identical priod, fairness (Nifty 50) is simply 6% up. In intervals of time, fairness has carried out higher and gold’s returns have been sluggish.

These sort of market behavious can confused us.

Comply with the nanaji’s rules, saving small, ready sensible, studying all the time. It should maintain you grounded.

I mix his knowledge with fashionable instruments.

Nanaji handed away a couple of years in the past. However his classes mild up my life like Diwali diyas.

His habits aren’t flashy. They gained’t make you a billionaire in a single day. However they’ll construct wealth that lasts, cash, relationships, peace of thoughts.

In a world chasing fast fixes, his knowledge looks like a present.

Have a contented investing.