​
Here is what young people do not have

I received an email this morning.
She earns well, has a stable job, is well-qualified, and has been investing for over 5 years.
Her investment corpus is 25 lakhs, which is impressive.
But her email mentioned a common, naive goal:
​"I want to reach 1 crore in the next 3-4 years."

In personal finance, compounding is key.
​
For those unaware, here’s a quick explanation:
Start with 100 rupees and earn 10% annually.
You might think the amount you make every year stays the same, but it doesn’t.
Year one: 10% of 100 is 10, making it 110.
Year two: 10% of 110 is 11, totalling 121 (110 + 11).
Year three: 10% of 121 is 12.1.
Every year, you earn more than the last, even at the same rate.
Over time, this growth compounds, resulting in what is called an exponential curve.

​

This post isn’t about compounding — most of you know it.
It’s about a problem with the youth: You understand compounding, but haven’t experienced it.
That’s not your fault because you haven't had what is the most important ingredient of compounding:
Time!
If you’re in your 20s or 30s, you haven’t seen 15-20 years of compounding.
This leads to a desire to "Get rich fast", like in the email.

The only quick way to wealth is the lottery.
Nearly everything else takes time and relies on compounding.
But without seeing it work, you might doubt it — leading to risky shortcuts or scams promising instant returns.

Now, you have two options:
1. Ignore compounding and chase quick riches
2. Trust it and build wealth steadily.

What will you choose?

Book I read this week

​

Finished reading Delhi Darshan: The History and Monuments of India’s Capital by Giles Tillotson.
I love history (though can rarely remember it, lol) and this book was a wonderful glimpse into the city that I call home. Fascinating account of Delhi's built heritage, from the traces of the earliest settlements at Indraprastha, the Delhi Sultans and the Mughals, to Lutyens' Delhi finally.
Quick read and thoroughly enjoyable if history is your thing.
​
I have shared several books in this newsletter over the years. A list of all of them can be found here.

​

​

​

Build An Epic Career - 45% discount!

The 4.7 rated book is running a 45% discount on Amazon! I do not know how long it will last, but the 450 rupees book is currently available for 248 only (and it's a hardcover!)

​Grab it now!​

Click to check out "Build An Epic Career" - in English, in Hindi​

Question of the week

When do you think is the right age to buy your first car?

• Between 18-22
• Between 22-27
• Between 27-32
• Between 32-40
• In your 40s
• Don't believe in buying a car

(and see the results of others, too)

​

Results of last week's question

As I would have predicted — the younger you are, the earlier you think one should buy a house. It is only with age that you realize the right time to buy a house is when you have a stable income, you know where you want to live, how big a house you want, which locality you want to buy it in, and how big a house you can afford.
​
​My response?​
I'd say the right age to buy a house is after 35 years. Before that, rent and invest towards the house.

3-2-1
​

3 pics from last week

Traveling through MP this week and it has been incredible. What a stunning state.
This is the Gwalior Fort.

Orchha Fort.

Sanchi Stupa (the same picture that we find on the Rs. 200 note).

​
2 quotes I wish to share

Many people secretly hate their own lives, but can’t bring themselves to admit it.
So, they direct that pain the easy way — by hating yours.

​

Traveling isn't about seeing what the world has to offer.
It is to see who you become in a new world.

​

1 new thing I learnt this week

Kangaroos can't walk backward! Their large tails and muscular legs make it impossible for them to move in reverse.
Poor thing!
​
And oh, one more:
More iPhones are sold every day than people are born.
​(iPhones sold daily: ~611,000; People born daily: ~362,437)

​

​
🎙️ My top content from last week
​

📹 YouTube:​ Why is the middle class suffering?​

📱 Instagram: 5 signs your relationship is strong​

🐥 Twitter: 10 fascinating concepts about life​

🎧 Podcast: Comparison​
​

​

You can, of course, always write to me by simply replying to this newsletter.

I love reading all your emails, even though I may not be able to reply to them all.
Yes! I READ ALL MY EMAILS. ALL OF THEM.​
​(Duniya bhar travel karne ki kasam)

​