I started my career with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in Pune. I worked in many companies and in different roles. I got married and had my first child in 1998 and my second child in 2005. I worked in a company far from my home, so I came home late. After some time, I started coming home once a week because the daily commute was taking its toll. I still come home once a week. While I was away, my wife took care of our kids.
I gave my salary to my parents, who spent it to their liking and gave me whatever was left over, if there was any. My wife and I raised our kids on her salary and whatever I received as leftovers. I had better opportunities that I couldn't pursue because my parents did not agree. Now that I look back, I think it would have been better for my family if I had taken those opportunities, even if it meant going against my parents.
The greatest financial struggle in my life came when my parents told me, my wife, my 8-year-old daughter and my 1-year-old son to leave home and live on our own. My family and I left home overnight and lived in rented accommodation. This continued until I took a loan and bought my childhood home from my own parents at three times the market rate. They had put it up for sale to get more money. But now I can say that my family and I are doing well.