Hi there! 👋
I’m Raj, a Software Engineer based in Hyderabad, Telangana.
I hold a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Engineering.
On this blog, I write about personal finance for young professionals — people like you who are just starting out in their careers and trying to figure out how to manage money without getting overwhelmed.
Let me take you back to where it all began for me.
My Money Story – The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
When I was growing up, the only investments I ever heard about were FDs and RDs — from my parents, relatives, even the bank staff. That’s all they knew, so that’s all I knew.
When I got my first job and started earning a salary, no one told me what to do with it. I had no clue about budgeting, saving, or investing. Like many of us back then, I used to first pay off my monthly living expenses — grocery shopping, petrol, bills, eating out, even small indulgences like buying chocolates. I also sent some money home to help my parents with their expenses.
After all these deductions, whatever little was left, I used to invest it entirely in 1-year Fixed Deposits (FDs) every single month. It felt safe and predictable — so I stuck to it for a while.
Then came a presentation at the office — on Mutual Funds. Honestly, I didn’t understand much at first, but it sounded different from FDs, so I decided to try it out with a small lump-sum investment. I didn’t expect much — just wanted to see how it worked.
But soon after, the stock market grabbed my attention. It looked exciting, fast-paced, and honestly, a bit intimidating at first. Still curious to learn more, I decided to open my first Demat account, just to experiment.
Back then, opening a Demat account wasn’t as easy as it is now. Everything had to be printed, signed, and mailed — yes, those were the days! It was a bit tedious, but I got through it somehow.
Once my account was active, I started learning how to buy and sell shares — mostly during lunch breaks at work. I used to place trades just before lunch and sell them off by the end of the break. To my surprise, I made small profits most of the time. It felt good. I thought maybe this was something I could do regularly.
But as I started doing this more often and holding onto positions longer than just a lunch break, things started getting complicated.
I began checking stock prices during work hours, worrying about movements, and not being able to focus. Sometimes I’d hold onto a trade hoping it would go higher, only to end up with losses instead of locking in gains. That phase taught me a hard lesson: trading isn’t easy, especially while working full-time.
Then came the biggest mistake of all.
A friend gave me a “hot tip” on a stock that was supposedly going to boom. I did zero research and invested a big chunk — lakhs of rupees — thinking I’d finally cracked it. For a few days, it looked like magic — the price kept rising. Upper circuits every day. My portfolio value shot up.
And then reality hit.
The very next week, the price started crashing — lower circuit after lower circuit. I couldn’t even sell because the market was locked. In less than two weeks, I lost almost two-thirds of what I had invested. That wasn’t just a financial hit — it messed with my head. I lost sleep, peace of mind, and focus at work.
After that disaster, I stepped away from direct stock trading for a few months. When I finally checked back, the stock hadn’t recovered — and I realized I had no idea when it would. Eventually, after 8 years, I sold whatever I could and moved on.
Meanwhile, I had completely forgotten about that tiny Mutual Fund investment I made earlier. When I checked it again after 3 years, I was surprised — it had grown steadily and more than doubled (almost 3 times). No stress, no panic, no late nights. Just quiet growth.
To understand this, check out the screenshot of my fund in my portfolio below. The red arrow points to my invested amount, and the green arrow points to the current value of my invested amount:
That’s when I realized: Mutual Funds were actually the better fit for someone like me — a working professional, not a full-time trader.
Since then, I’ve stuck to Mutual Funds. There have been ups and downs, of course — because markets move — but overall, they’ve given me solid returns without eating into my time, energy, or mental peace.
What You’ll Find on This Blog
This blog is born out of my own experiences — the good decisions, the bad ones, and the ugly mistakes. I don’t want you to repeat them.
I’ll be sharing what I’ve learned about Mutual Funds, Credit Cards & Debit Cards, Stock Market Mistakes, Traditional Investment Options like FDs, RDs, Post Office Schemes, and NSC, and how to build a strong Credit Score — all from hands-on experience, not just theory.
You’ll also find practical advice on budgeting, emergency funds, goal-based planning, and avoiding common financial traps that so many of us fall into early in our careers.
Why Read This?
Because I’m not here to impress you with jargon or complex charts. I’m just someone who’s been through trial and error — and come out wiser on the other side.
If you’re new to the workforce, trying to manage your finances, and looking to grow your money without losing your sanity — this space is for you.
No fluff. No fake motivation. Just real talk, practical advice, and lessons from real life.
Welcome to my blog. Let’s start your financial journey the right way. 💸
P.S. I’m not a certified expert — just someone who’s learned from trial, error, and a few costly mistakes. If you’re feeling confused or overwhelmed, remember: You’re not alone!