Sharan was the young, energetic tour manager on a trip where
CA Srini happened to be a participant. Over five days of travel, polite
introductions turned into casual chats, and soon Sharan learned that Srini
specialised in personal finance. During a quiet moment, Sharan finally asked
what had been on his mind.
Sharan: “Sir, I’ve been wanting to
invest… but I don’t really have any clear-cut goals. No house plans, no car
plans. Is investing without a goal even meaningful?”
Srini: “Absolutely, Sharan. Let me ask
you, if you find a crisp ₹500 note lying on the road, what do you do with it?”
Sharan: “Hmm… maybe I’ll treat myself to
something. Or maybe I’ll just tuck it away.”
Srini: “Exactly. You don’t always need
a fixed purpose to handle money wisely. Saving or investing without a goal is
completely possible and often very beneficial.”
Sharan looked surprised. “But everyone keeps saying you must
have goals for financial planning.”
Srini: “Goals are helpful, no doubt.
But real life is not always organised. Sometimes you begin saving because it’s
simply a good habit. That’s what we call general saving. And this habit becomes
the foundation for future financial decisions.”
Sharan nodded thoughtfully.
Srini continued: “Start by building an
emergency fund. It’s not exciting, but it protects you from surprises like medical
expenses, sudden travel, repairs. After that, even simple investments like
recurring deposits or low-risk funds can quietly grow in the background.”
Sharan: “But sir, with no target… how do
I know if I’m saving enough?”
Srini: “You don’t need to worry about
perfection in the beginning. What matters is starting. As life progresses,
goals will emerge - maybe a business idea, higher studies, or something
personal. When that time comes, the money you’ve been saving ‘without a plan’
becomes ready capital. Many people panic when new goals arise because their
savings aren’t ready. You’ll be ahead of them.”
Sharan smiled. “So saving without a goal is basically keeping
doors open?”
Srini: “Exactly. And it reduces stress.
No pressure of chasing targets. You focus only on healthy money habits, staying
within your means, tracking expenses, avoiding unnecessary loans. That’s the
real driver of long-term wealth.”
Sharan: “Sir, this makes investing feel
much simpler. I think I’ll start now, no big plan, just consistency.”
Srini: “That’s the best approach.
Financial well-being isn’t only about the destination. It’s also about building
a strong road so your journey becomes easier whenever you decide the
direction.”
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