Nobody taught me this in school but it changed my money game.

Nobody taught me this in school… but it changed my money game.

I still remember sitting in that hot classroom in Lahore, fan spinning slowly above my head, maths teacher writing complicated formulas on the board. We were being taught algebra, trigonometry, and some other stuff that, honestly speaking, I never used again. But you know what nobody taught me? How to save money. How to grow it. How to even think about it.

School made me memorise long formulas and dates from history, but never once did someone say, “Hey, here’s how to budget your monthly expenses,” or “This is how banks trick you with credit cards,” or even just, “This is how money actually works.”

I didn’t know anything about financial discipline. So, when I first started earning, I also started wasting. And trust me, I’m not proud of it, but I want to tell you this because maybe you're going through the same.

I thought making money was enough. I was wrong.

I used to believe that if I could just earn more, all my problems would go away. Like, okay, salary aya tou tension gaya. But that’s not what really happens. What I learned the hard way is that if you don’t manage your money properly, even a big income feels small.

In my early 20s, I used to spend without thinking. New phone? Le lo. Night out with friends? Let’s go. Birthday gifts? Mehngi wali hi honi chahiye. At the end of the month, I used to wonder, “Where did all the money go?”

Nobody taught me that your income means nothing if your expenses keep rising with it. And honestly, Pakistan ke school system mein is cheez ka koi zikr hi nahi hota. You're left to figure it all out on your own  often when it’s too late.

One simple habit changed everything for me.

It didn’t happen overnight. I didn’t suddenly become some finance guru. It started with one moment of frustration. I had just paid off a loan I took to buy a new phone, and I was completely broke. Like literally, Rs.200 left in my JazzCash wallet and two weeks till salary.

I opened a simple notebook, wrote “Income” on one side and “Expenses” on the other. I started writing every single rupee I spent. Even the Rs.50 tea. Even the Rs.300 Careem ride.

I did this for 3 months straight. It was boring sometimes, but eye-opening. I realised I was spending over Rs.6,000 per month on random snacks and online food. And around Rs.4,000 on unnecessary shopping.

So I made a decision. From next month, no matter what happens, 20% of my income will go into savings the day I receive it.

Guess what? I stuck to it.

The 70/20/10 rule that I wish someone taught me earlier.

This is something I learned later from a mentor, not a teacher or school. It’s a simple rule to divide your income: 70% for needs and lifestyle, 20% for savings, 10% for fun.

Most of us do the opposite. We spend 90% and then think of saving if kuch bacha tou. But that never happens.

Now, when I earn, I first pay myself. Not others. Not bills. Myself. My savings.

I even opened a separate Meezan Bank account just for saving. No debit card. No app. Just online access and monthly deposit.

Sometimes, when I’m tempted to buy something random, I look at that savings account and remind myself: “Your future self will thank you.”

Investing scared me at first. But not anymore.

Growing up, I used to hear elders say, “Stock market is jua (gambling).” So I stayed away. But after doing some real research, I realised that investing is not gambling. It’s about understanding.

I started small. Rs.1,000 in a mutual fund through HBL Konnect. It felt like nothing. But when I saw it grow even a few hundred rupees  I felt powerful. Like, finally, my money is working for me.

Since then, I’ve learned about gold investments, Roshan Digital Accounts (for my cousin abroad), and even some crypto — but only what I can afford to lose.

Nobody taught me that investing doesn’t need to be complicated. You don’t need 1 lakh rupees to start. You just need the courage to try.

Social media lies to us about money.

One more thing I want to share honestly: Instagram and YouTube messed up my brain a bit. Seeing young people driving sports cars, wearing expensive watches, travelling the world  it made me feel like I was failing.

But over time, I realised most of it is fake. Rented cars. Sponsored trips. Credit card debt. Filters.

Real wealth isn’t loud. It’s quiet. It’s peace of mind knowing you have emergency savings. It’s not stressing over a small medical bill. It’s being able to help your family in tough times.

Nobody teaches this in school. But real life does.

What I wish I could tell my younger self.

If I could go back to my teenage self in that classroom, I’d say:

Start saving, even if it’s just Rs.100 a week.

Don’t copy others, most of them are pretending.

Learn to say no to things you don’t need.

Keep learning about money. You don’t have to be rich, but be smart.

Money alone won’t make you happy, but money problems will definitely make you miserable.

Final thoughts from someone who’s still learning.

I’m not a millionaire. I still make mistakes. Sometimes I overspend. Sometimes I forget to track. But I’m learning. And I’m sharing this because I know there are others like me.

Pakistan ke schools may not teach us about money, but the real world will. The only difference is  real life charges interest on every lesson.

So, if you're reading this and you’ve felt broke, confused, or lost about money, just remember: you’re not alone. And it’s never too late to change your game.

Even small steps can lead to big changes. Nobody taught me this in school, but I learned it on my own. And honestly, it changed everything.

If it helped me, maybe i

t can help you too.