By Adarsh Thampy | Updated for 2025

Before joining a fintech company, I had no real understanding of finance. Coming from a computer science and marketing background, I believed investing and financial planning were complicated—meant only for experts. But over 18 months, that changed dramatically.

Here are six important lessons I learned—each one changing how I think about spending, saving, and investing.

1. Don’t Just Look at the Price Tag—Think Total Cost

When making major purchases, we often look only at the upfront price and ignore associated costs. A gaming console may cost ₹45,000—but when you add in a 4K TV, accessories, and games, you might end up spending almost double.

Lesson: Always evaluate the total cost of ownership, not just the MRP. This prevents overspending and impulse decisions.

2. Start Early, Even if It’s Imperfect

I delayed investing because I was unsure where to begin. Eventually, I started a SIP of ₹1,000/month. It wasn’t ideal—but it got me started, and that’s what mattered.

Lesson: Time is more important than timing. Start small and stay consistent—compounding will do the rest.

3. Let Your Goals Guide Investment Strategy

Initially, I avoided equities, thinking they were too risky. But when I planned for a long-term goal like retirement, I realized conservative options like FDs weren’t enough.

Lesson: If your goal requires higher returns, you’ll need to take calculated risks. Match the product to the timeline and target—not just your comfort level.

4. Don’t Mix Insurance with Investment

Like many, I was told to buy a traditional insurance policy to save tax. But combining investment and insurance rarely gives good results.

Lesson: Keep it simple. Use term insurance for protection and ELSS funds for tax-saving investments. This gives better returns and adequate coverage.

5. Mistakes Will Happen—Learn and Move On

I’ve made poor investment choices—investing in a ULIP without understanding it, acting on stock tips, skipping SIPs during market volatility.

Lesson: Mistakes are part of your financial growth. What matters is learning from them and making better decisions over time.

6. Review and Adjust Regularly

Even the best financial plan needs annual check-ins. As life changes, your investment mix should too. I review my portfolio once a year and rebalance it using platforms like Scripbox.

Lesson: Don’t "set and forget" your investments. Regular reviews ensure your goals and portfolio stay in sync.

Conclusion:

Finance isn't as intimidating as it seems. With a few disciplined habits—like understanding true costs, starting early, aligning investments to goals, questioning advice, learning from mistakes, and reviewing annually—you can build long-term financial stability without being an expert.