Money Should Be A Partner, Not The Master, Says Vishal Kapoor

After dabbling in a few small summer jobs during college, my first ‘official’ job with a pay cheque was as a management trainee at a leading conglomerate’s financial services division. If memory serves me right, my first monthly pay cheque was around ₹6,000.

One quickly learnt one of life’s inevitable realities like deductions and taxes, while reconciling the gap between the anticipated (gross) income with the (net) credit received. Also, what was true then and is probably true even today is how quickly money disappears!

Is it ever? Even as bachelors living in a shared apartment, we often found ourselves running a mini credit cycle—borrowing from the neighbourhood kirana shop and then settling the dues once payday arrived. Financial planning, in its rawest form!

Yes, I offered my first salary to my parents. It was a simple but deeply fulfilling gesture—expressing gratitude for their unwavering support and everything they had done for me.

Not so much about the first pay cheque, but looking back, I wish I had realised just how powerful early savings can be. The magic of compounding works best when given time, and those first few years of disciplined saving can set you up for life. So, to my younger self: enjoy the moment, but also start saving early—you’ll thank yourself later.

The first pay cheque brings a whirlwind of emotions—pride, excitement, and that indescribable feeling of independence. Coming in from carefree student days, you realise that your time and effort have a financial value! It’s an important lesson: don’t underestimate yourself, and don’t sell yourself short.

Absolutely. First, there was the pride (and relief!) of no longer having to rely on my parents. But very quickly, reality hit—it’s incredibly hard to save. I also saw how easy it is to get caught up in lifestyle pressures—trying to keep up with peers, upgrading little luxuries, and before you know it, your expenses have a life of their own! The biggest takeaway? Finding your balance—spending where it matters, saving where it counts.

Definitely. That first pay cheque was more than just money—it was my first real experience of managing finances, understanding trade-offs, and feeling the tug-of-war between spending and saving. Experiencing these emotions firsthand gave me a deeper appreciation of personal finance, which has played a huge role in my journey through asset and wealth management. It’s one thing to study finance, theoretically, but implementing it in your life makes all the difference.

I certainly tried! In fact, my investment journey began even before my first pay cheque. Thanks to my early fascination with investing—and my parents’ faith in me—I got to manage small sums of their savings. I also experimented with investments using earnings from part-time jobs and pocket money. The amounts may have been small, but the lessons were massive. I made mistakes, saw some successes, and those early experiences shaped the way I think about investing today.

That first pay cheque was a wake-up call—it made me realise what it means to own money, rather than just spend it. Over the years, as expenses grew, so did my understanding of its importance in day-to-day life. But one thing I’ve come to believe, money should be a partner, not a master. Respect it, manage it wisely, but don’t let it dictate your choices.

First enjoy it! You’ve earned it, and that feeling is priceless. Whether it’s treating yourself, expressing gratitude, or fulfilling a small dream, make it count. But also remember that your first pay cheque marks the start of a new phase in life. Take a moment to plan, set goals, and start small but consistent savings as it can make a world of difference. The choices you make today will shape your financial future—so balance the fun with a little foresight!