We’ve heard it at some point. Be it trying to sneak in the 4th delivery parcel of the week while trying to evade his hawk eyes, or when you forget to turn off that light in the next room - his stern voice rings through space: “Paisa ped pe nahi ugta!” (“Money doesn’t grow on trees.”)

Indian dads have long been the unofficial CFOs of the house. Afterall, we turn to them when we’re looking for a good financial sounding board - and they oblige, giving us financial wisdom disguised as dramatic one-liners. These “dad-isms” are almost universal, and even though we may roll our eyes at them, they often hold more truth than we’d like to admit, especially when it comes to matters of money.

With money lessons, few teachers are as unintentionally wise as our dads. This Father’s Day, let’s decode a few classics and what they really teach us about mastering money.

1. “Pehle bachat, baad mein kharch.”

(“Save first, spend later.”)

You probably heard this when your first salary came in (and every payday since then) and your dad told you to start an SIP, instead of buying those sneakers. Annoying? Yes. But honestly, it’s solid advice. Getting into the habit of saving before spending, especially for an emergency fund, is one of the smartest things you can do. 

Emergency funds are the quiet heroes of personal finance. You don’t think about them when things are good, but when things go south: like a surprise hospital bill, a laptop crash or, worse, a layoff, that cushion makes all the difference.

2. “Udhar lena achhi baat nahi hai.”

(“It’s not good to borrow.”)

That’s the kind of line your dad throws at you while peeking over his glasses and the morning paper, giving you that quiet look of disapproval as your credit card bill lands on the table. While it is an outdated idea to claim that all debt is bad, the caution behind the line is valid.

Debt isn't the enemy if you're smart about it. Borrowing can support many goals, from education and housing to personal experiences. What matters most is being clear about your priorities and having a solid plan to repay. It's less about what you borrow for and more about how responsibly you manage it. It's all about borrowing with purpose and a plan.

3. “Don’t wait till the last minute”

(“Akhri tareekh tak wait mat karo.”)

Reaching the airport or train station a good 3-4 hours early is peak dad energy, and also a reminder that being early is better than cutting it close. And honestly, this mindset can also serve you well in other areas - be it paying bills, EMIs, or taxes. Why deal with the headache of late fees and unnecessary stress when it’s completely avoidable - just by getting ahead of it? This applies for emergency preparedness too. Don’t wait for a crisis to strike to realise you should’ve saved. Start small, start today.

4. “Is it a need or just a want?”

(“Zarurat hai ya bas chahiye?”)

You might argue saying that your 5th pair of shoes this year is an absolute need when your Dad gives you a disapproving look, but they have a knack for identifying emotional spending. It’s a simple question, but it can seriously shift the way you spend. Always pause and reflect before impulsively clicking that checkout button, because being intentional with your money goes a long way in keeping debt in check. 

5. “Main jab tumhari umar ka tha...”

(“When I was your age…”)

Ah, this is the ever eternal Dad dialogue that sends our eyes rolling to the back of our skull. It is usually followed by a nostalgic tale of walking miles, studying under a streetlight, or surviving on pocket change. While it might sound exaggerated, there’s a real takeaway hidden there. Life back then was built on fewer choices but stronger habits. Living within your means, saving regularly, and being prepared for the unexpected weren’t strategies, they were just how things were done. Times have changed, but those core money principles still hold up.

In Conclusion: Dad said it Best

They might seem old-school or a little too dramatic at times, but those classic dad lines often come with more wisdom than we give them credit for. Hidden in all that dramatic delivery are simple truths about saving smart, spending wisely, and being ready for whatever life throws at you.

Next time you hear, “Paisa ped pe nahi ugta,” smile - and start that emergency fund :)

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