Financial Planning as Important as Setting up a Career

 Growing up in Nepal, in  a middle class family amongst six girls, my only duty was to get good grades and learn household work.  I was always bothered by the question, what line of studies I wanted to pursue. Nothing particularly interested me, and often times I thought I might be a failure in life.  At that age, I probably did not even have a good understanding of what a "failure in life" meant. 

Today I work in the field of Information Technology, run my own small business and am parent to two beautiful girls. I do not view my life as a failure in terms of career, but there is still one thing that bothers me; and that is the lack of knowledge or involvement in financial planning. 

This is a topic I missed out in life, as my father managed all the finance and later on my husband managed it. I grew up with a mindset that finance was supposed to be managed by men. The topic bored me, and I just thought to myself that this was not my cup of tea. I was modeling after my mom; who too did not take any keen interest in finance as well.

When my dad passed away, it was a rude awakening for me as i never prepared myself for such a day. During that time I saw my mother struggle, she had no idea what his accounts looked like, she wasn't aware of what was left for her. Anybody in her shoes would have gone thru the same struggle; including me.  

 I realized that my father was a great financial planner. He had made sure that my mom would be taken care of for her entire life. He had made the right investments, and had the correct pension plans, and also made good estate planning. I also remember the few sacrifices he had made during his lifetime, so he could meet his goals to take care of his loved ones when  he departed.

 As I reflected on his life, I began to appreciate his ability to look forward to our future. Raising 6 girls and equipping them with education and ability to stand on our own two feet is not an easy task. Yet, he was able to do all of that flawlessly. I regret that I did not spend enough time with him to talk about his strategies. I am sure I would have been able to add value to some of my husband's financial decisions. 

Now as a parent of two girls, the importance of them understanding money management holds way more importance than just being defined by a career. I would not want them to model after me; hence I am trying my best to engage in our own financial planning. 

I am fortunate to have found Arushee Diivyakirti who helps in financial planning. Here is a short video of her sharing her passion to help people like me :)