Welcome to Fintastic Females, the show where we embark on a journey to discover the fabled island of freedom. I’m Kalyani, and with me is Rupali, your friendly finance expert. Today, we thought it would be interesting to share our personal stories and how we got started in the world of finance. It’s a roller coaster ride filled with comedy, drama, and emotions, so buckle up! Rupali studied maths and stats and worked in a bank without initially investing. However, her brother, who was into personal investments, introduced her to the idea of investing in a property. Although unplanned, she took the leap and made her first investment with her uncle. Within just 10 months to a year of her first job, she found herself owning a property. It was an unreal experience, but it opened up a world of possibilities, including rental income and future options. I chime in, revealing a similar experience.

After studying in the UK, I moved to Dubai and started my career there. My father-in-law had been investing in properties for years, based on advice he received during his travels. When my husband and I settled in Dubai, he wanted to expand the portfolio, and that’s when we entered the world of property investments. Initially resistant, as we wanted more liquidity, we eventually saw the value of rental income and the security it provided. We both acknowledge that our entry into investments was not planned or intentional, but it taught us the importance of diversification and seizing opportunities as they arise. We discuss the significance of having a safety net and feeling financially secure, which enables us to take calculated risks in other areas of our lives.

Rupali shares how her mother’s practice of putting cash gifts into fixed deposits inspired her to start a similar practice for her son. This helps teach him about money management, including saving, spending, and charity. We discuss the importance of instilling financial awareness from a young age and how it shapes our mindset and decision-making. Moving on, we delve into the topic of gold investments. Both of us have received gold jewelry as gifts throughout our lives, and we recognize its value as a store of wealth. While we acknowledge the cultural significance and security associated with gold, we also discuss the changing dynamics and the need to adapt to a more modern perspective. We touch on the concept of being self-made and how our upbringing influences our mindset.

I share how my father helped me realize that being self-made doesn’t mean doing everything alone. It’s about making the most of the platform and support we have, regardless of our qualifications or backgrounds. As finance professionals, we reveal that even with our degrees and experience, we still find ourselves constantly learning and adapting. Finance is a vast and ever-changing field, and no one has all the answers. We emphasize that anyone can start investing, with or without a finance degree, and the key is to continuously educate ourselves and find our space within the world of finance.

We conclude by highlighting the importance of sharing knowledge and experiences. Our goal as Fintastic Females is to guide our listeners, providing information and support as we navigate the world of finance together.