Most of us want to learn how to invest — so we can make good money.
People join communities, buy courses, and follow experts. Nothing wrong with that.
But I’ve observed a simpler skill that can make both investing and living better.
It’s something we can learn easily — and it’s not talked about enough.
It’s how to buy better — or, how to spend better.
I’ll share three basic things on why this matters, and how it can quietly change your relationship with money.
Why This Matters
How we buy things says a lot about how we think about value — whether it’s buying groceries, an iPhone, or investing in gold or mutual funds.
Our approach to spending reveals how we perceive worth and make decisions.
Is haggling over the price of tomatoes worth it? Maybe.
But how much time and mental bandwidth are we willing to trade for a few rupees?
Because our habits shape our mindset.
If we lack patience and long-term clarity over small purchases, chances are we’ll struggle with the same when making bigger ones — like buying stocks, a car, or a home.
When you develop a better value system in everyday buying, it reflects in your bigger financial choices — and ultimately, in the quality of your life.
1. Frugal Is Not Smart
I used to think being frugal was the same as being smart.
But over time, I realized that saving money and spending it well are two very different skills.
Impulsive buying is not good — it’s emotional, short-term, and unplanned.
But extreme frugality isn’t smart either. It can make you miss out on opportunities to improve your quality of life.
When you value only money, you forget that things hold value too.
You trade money for time, comfort, and mental peace — and that’s perfectly valid.
This mindset applies to investing as well. Being frugal doesn’t always give you the best outcome for your money.
2. My Learnings from Business
In business, how well you spend directly affects how well you earn.
I’ve learned lessons here that apply deeply to personal finance.
In personal life, it’s simple: if you earn ₹100, you divide it between needs, wants, and savings.
But in business, those same ₹100 must be allocated among marketing, team, product R&D, and operations — all while maintaining margins and ensuring long-term growth.
That process teaches perspective — the importance of spending strategically on things that may not give instant results but create compounding value over time.
The same principle applies to personal investing and living well.
Sometimes, the best decisions are the ones that don’t pay off immediately but build lasting returns.
3. Not Falling into Analysis Paralysis
When you focus on the process, you stop being controlled by outcomes.
Success or failure — especially in investing — is rarely fully in your control.
Doing your due diligence is important, but trying to time every purchase perfectly or waiting for the “best deal” often leads to analysis paralysis.
Learning how to buy better helps you trust your process.
You make decisions with calmness and confidence.
Over time, your ability to evaluate things improves, your decision time reduces, and your chances of getting better outcomes increase — all while staying composed, even through failures.
Before You Learn to Invest — Learn How to Buy
So before you learn how to invest — learn how to buy.
Every purchase is a small test of judgment, patience, and awareness.
Because the truth is, good investing doesn’t start on a trading app or reading about MF alfa ratios—
it starts every time you reach for your wallet.
Next time you’re about to buy something, ask yourself:
“What value is it adding to my life?”
That single question can quietly change your relationship with money —
and over time, your life.