Small savings, big lessons

A man gave away 500 rupees to his wife and the same amount to his domestic help. The wife had sought this money to cherish a pizza. The maid made some remittances. She paid 110 rupees to vegetable vendor, another 110 to milk-man, bought pencils for 30 rupees and a notebook for his child for 150 more rupees. She still saved 100 rupees that was more than enough for her bus fare to reach back home. The wise old saying is that money saved is money earned. The man also learnt that the true measure of financial maturity lies not in how much one earns or owns, but in how effectively one allocates resources. In a more concise couplet: Fazool kharchi se jo bacha, wo nafa’ shumar karBachhat bhi ek kamai hae uss ka wiqar karCount what you save from wasteful spending as profitSaving itself is a form of earning When recent geopolitical tensions threatened vital energy routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, nations that depended heavily on imported oil become vulnerable to rising fuel prices, inflation, and economic instability. In such times, choosing car-pooling instead of purchasing an additional vehicle, avoiding unnecessary travel, conserving fuel, and postponing non-essential luxury purchases are not acts of deprivation but of economic discipline. Every rupee spent is a decision about priorities and values. The division of money is as important rather more important than multiplying it. Mathematics also teaches us that division and multiplication is essentially the same operation, so is addition and subtraction. Credit and debit are only a means to keep the fine balance.  Money is often measured in numbers, currencies, and balances, but its true value lies far beyond what appears on a bank statement. On International Day of Family Remittance which was observed just a few days back, we are reminded that every amount sent home carries a story of sacrifice, love, and responsibility. For millions of migrant workers and family members living away from home, remittances are not merely financial transactions but expressions of care that bridge distances and strengthen family bonds. Every rupee, dollar, or euro earned through hard work represents time, effort, and dedication. When families use remittances wisely—saving for education, healthcare, or small businesses—they transform money from a temporary resource into a lasting foundation for growth and stability. The money may pay for groceries, school fees, or medical expenses, but its deeper significance is the assurance it gives the family that they are not alone. In this way, money becomes a symbol of connection. In most of the life situations money becomes more fulfilling than ordinary remedies, advice and companionship.  However, every human being requires only a finite amount of money and material provision to live a secure, dignified, and fulfilling life. Beyond the essentials of food, shelter, healthcare, education, and a reasonable measure of comfort, the pursuit of ever-increasing wealth often becomes detached from genuine human needs. At that point, accumulation can turn into an illusion that more possessions will bring greater happiness, more security, or lasting contentment. The tragedy of unchecked accumulation is that while one’s assets may continue to grow, the capacity to enjoy them remains limited by the finite nature of human existence. A person’s assets may multiply beyond imagination, yet his ability to eat, sleep, travel, rejoice, and experience life remains confined to a few fleeting decades like any ordinary being.  A rich man and a poor man may live very different lives, but in the end, both need only two simple meals a day to satisfy their stomach. The stomach has no regard for bank balances, titles, or possessions nor does it appreciate over-eating or being a bag of junk. Yet many spend their entire lives chasing more wealth than they can ever use, sacrificing peace, relationships, and contentment along the way.