Ten years ago I had an old Android phone, no house, no car. Today I own a 3BHK home in Chennai and a Hyundai i20. Here’s the financial advice I wish I followed earlier.
🕰️ Financial Advice I Wish I Followed 10 Years Earlier in India
(A real Indian journey — no shortcuts, no hype)
If I could go back 10 years and meet my younger self, I wouldn’t give him stock tips or crypto advice.
I would just sit beside him and say:
“You don’t need more money right now.
You need better habits and patience.”
Because 10 years ago, my reality looked very different from today.
- ❌ Old Android phone (barely working)
- ❌ No own house
- ❌ No car
- ❌ Very limited savings
- ❌ Confused about money
- ❌ Constant worry about the future
Today:
- ✅ Own 3-bedroom house in Chennai
- ✅ Hyundai i20 parked outside
- ✅ Financial clarity
- ✅ Peace of mind (most days)
- ✅ A system that works
This article is not to impress you.
It’s to tell you what actually worked — and what I wish I had started 10 years earlier.
My name is H. Suresh, founder of SaveWithRupee.com.
Smarter Money. Better Life. One Rupee at a Time.
🙋♂️ Why This Advice Matters (Context First)
I’m not from:
- A rich family
- A finance background
- A high-paying corporate role
I’m from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and like most Indians:
- I learned money lessons late
- Mostly through mistakes
- And a lot of silent stress
That’s why this advice is Indian, practical, and lived.
📱 10 Years Ago: My Starting Point (Very Honest)
Let me paint the picture clearly.
My Financial Reality Back Then:
- Salary: modest
- Phone: old Android (used till it almost died)
- Transport: public / borrowed
- House: rented
- Savings: inconsistent
- Emergency fund: ❌ none
- Investing: ❌ zero idea
I used to believe:
“Abhi toh earning kam hai, baad mein dekhenge.”
That “baad mein” cost me years.
🧠 10 Financial Advice I Wish I Followed 10 Years Earlier
Each point here comes from experience, not theory.
1️⃣ Start Before You Feel Ready
I waited for:
- Higher salary
- Stability
- Confidence
- “Right time”
That time never comes.
What I Wish I Did:
Started saving and investing even with fear.
👉 This mindset shift changed my life later:
How to Save Your First ₹1 Lakh Step by Step
2️⃣ Track Expenses (Even When It Feels Annoying)
I avoided tracking because:
- It felt restrictive
- I thought I knew my spending
Truth?
I had money leaks everywhere.
Tracking showed me reality — and reality gave control.
👉 My turning point:
How My Life Changed After Tracking My Expenses
3️⃣ Habits Matter More Than Salary (Hard Truth)
I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again:
Bad habits at ₹30,000
become disasters at ₹1,00,000.
For years, I blamed income.
Later I realised — my habits were the real issue.
👉 Related personal story:
The Day I Realised My Salary Wasn’t the Problem
4️⃣ Build an Emergency Fund Before Big Dreams
Ten years ago, one emergency would have destroyed me financially.
No buffer.
No backup.
Only stress.
What I Wish I Did:
- Start with ₹5,000
- Then ₹10,000
- Slowly build safety
👉 Must-read:
Emergency Fund – How Much Should an Indian Household Keep?
5️⃣ Don’t Delay Investing Because of “Small Amount”
I used to think:
“₹500 SIP se kya hoga?”
Now I know:
Time + consistency > amount
If I had started SIPs 10 years earlier, even small ones, the compounding would have been powerful.
👉 Beginner guide:
SIP for Beginners – Start with ₹500
6️⃣ Lifestyle Control Is Real Freedom
Ten years ago:
- I wanted things quickly
- Compared myself silently
- Felt “behind” often
I learned late that:
Freedom is not buying everything.
It’s not needing to.
Controlling lifestyle helped me:
- Save for my house
- Avoid unnecessary debt
- Sleep better
👉 Connected truth:
Why Most Indians Never Feel Rich No Matter How Much They Earn
7️⃣ Insurance Is Not an Investment (I Learned Late)
I delayed insurance because:
- “Nothing will happen”
- “It’s a waste if unused”
That thinking is dangerous.
I wish I had:
- Health insurance earlier
- Term insurance earlier
Peace of mind is priceless.
👉 Practical guide:
Insurance Premium Saving Tips India
8️⃣ Don’t Chase Status Before Stability
Ten years ago, I wanted:
- Better phone
- Better lifestyle
- To “look settled”
Now I understand:
Stability creates status — not the other way around.
I lived below my means for years.
That’s how the 3BHK house in Chennai became possible.
That’s how the Hyundai i20 came without regret.
9️⃣ Build Skills, Not Just Depend on Salary
One of the best decisions I made later was:
- Learning
- Writing
- Understanding digital platforms
This eventually led to SaveWithRupee.com.
👉 If I had done this earlier, growth would’ve been faster:
Top Digital Skills That Pay in 2025
🔟 Play the Long Game (India Rewards Patience)
India doesn’t reward shortcuts.
It rewards:
- Consistency
- Discipline
- Patience
House ownership.
Financial confidence.
Mental peace.
All came slowly.
👉 This mindset helped me:
How to Build Wealth Slowly in India
📊 Then vs Now (My Personal Comparison)
| Aspect | 10 Years Ago | Today |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | Old Android | Choice-based |
| House | Rented | Own 3BHK in Chennai |
| Car | None | Hyundai i20 |
| Savings | Irregular | Structured |
| Stress | High | Controlled |
| Money clarity | Low | High |
🔄 Myth vs Reality (From My Life)
| Myth ❌ | Reality ✅ |
|---|---|
| Earn more, life fixes | Habits fix life |
| Investing needs big money | Needs early start |
| House is impossible | Possible with patience |
| I’m too late | You’re only late if you stop |
⚠️ Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t)
- ❌ Delayed investing
- ❌ Ignored emergency fund
- ❌ Emotional spending
- ❌ Compared silently
- ❌ Waited for “perfect time”
👉 More honesty here:
My Biggest Regret About Money
🧾 Simple Checklist I Follow Today
✔ Expense tracking
✔ Emergency fund ready
✔ SIPs running
✔ Insurance active
✔ Lifestyle under control
Tick 3+, and you’re on the right path.
🏆 Editor’s Pick (If You Remember Only One Thing)
“Start messy, start small, but start today.”
Ten years pass faster than you think.
❓ FAQs (Based on Questions I Get)
1. Is it too late if I’m starting now?
No. Late is better than never.
2. Did you earn a lot suddenly?
No. Growth was gradual.
3. Was buying a house risky?
Only if done without planning.
4. Should I buy a car early?
Only after stability.
5. What mattered more — income or discipline?
Discipline.
6. Can middle-class Indians really build wealth?
Yes. Slowly and surely.
7. What should I start with today?
Expense tracking + emergency fund.
❤️ Final Words (From Someone 10 Years Ahead)
If you’re where I was 10 years ago — struggling, confused, unsure — listen carefully:
You don’t need to have everything today.
You just need to start.
I created SaveWithRupee.com so you can avoid the mistakes I made and move faster — with clarity, not fear.
🚀 Strong Call To Action (CTA)
If this story felt real, don’t stop here.
👉 Start with this simple, proven guide:
7 Steps to Become Financially Independent
Bookmark SaveWithRupee.com
— where Indian money advice is honest, practical, and lived.
Smarter Money. Better Life. One Rupee at a Time. 💚
Disclaimer: This article is based on personal experience and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Readers are advised to do their own research or consult a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.
