Understanding personal values and emotional drivers, like peace and family, helps define one's financial purpose. This clarity aids in making aligned financial decisions, transforming money from a mere number into a meaningful journey.

What’s Important About Money to You?

In India, we often speak freely about financial goals—buying a home, saving for children’s education, planning for retirement. But rarely do we pause to ask: What’s truly important about money to me?

This isn’t a question about surface-level financial objectives. It’s about digging deeper—understanding the emotional and psychological drivers that shape our relationship with money.

At first glance, most people respond with common terms like “security,” “freedom,” or “comfort.” These are valid, but they often serve as placeholders for something deeper. When we reflect more mindfully, we begin to uncover personal values and life priorities hidden beneath those words.

Take the case of one of my clients, Mr. Rajesh Kumar, a successful businessman in his mid-40s from Delhi. When asked what money meant to him, he promptly said, “Security.”

I gently probed further, “What does security mean for you?”

He replied, “It means having enough savings so that I don’t have to worry about paying bills every month.”

We went a step deeper: “And once you have that, what will it give you?”

This time, his tone softened and his eyes welled up slightly. He said, “Peace of mind... so I can be more present with my family. I want to give my children a stress-free upbringing and spend time with them without the burden of constant financial anxiety.”

This was his real answer. It wasn’t just about wealth or returns; it was about peace, presence, and family. His “why” had emotional weight—beyond financial spreadsheets and growth charts.

Each of us has a unique financial purpose. For some, it’s about legacy. For others, it's about independence, philanthropy, dignity in retirement, or even redemption from past struggles. The key is to go beyond the “what” and reach the “why.”

Why is this question important?

Because once we clearly define what money truly means to us, our financial decisions gain alignment and clarity. We stop reacting to market noise, peer pressure, or temporary impulses. Instead, we start making choices that are consistent with our deeper values.

As Stephen Covey put it, “It’s easy to say ‘no’ when there’s a deeper ‘yes’ burning inside.” That “yes” is your financial purpose.

For Mr. Kumar, this clarity became his anchor. He started focusing more on building a robust contingency fund, securing adequate insurance, and balancing work-life priorities. The clarity allowed him to say “no” to overleveraging in real estate and “yes” to increasing quality time with his family.

*Your Turn: Define Your Why*

Don’t rush the answer. Sit with the question. Reflect. Think about moments when you felt most satisfied or stressed about money. Consider what gave you peace or unease. Ask yourself:

D* What does financial freedom mean to me?

* What am I trying to protect or provide with my wealth?

* How do I want money to serve my life—not control it?

*Create Your Statement of Financial Purpose*

Once you find your deeper “why,” write it down. Create a simple yet powerful Statement of Financial Purpose. This becomes your personal compass during financial decisions, helping you stay grounded during market volatility or life changes.

Money, at its best, is a tool to live your values—not a scoreboard. And when you discover what’s truly important about money to you, it transforms from a number into a meaningful journey.

Note to the Reader: This article is part of Mint's promotional consumer connect initiative and is independently created by the brand. Mint assumes no editorial responsibility for the content.