Navratri 2023: Learn These 11 Financial Lessons For a Secure Future

Financial freedom is like having the superpower to live life the way you want, without being held back by money problems. It’s when you’re in really good shape with your money and can do cool stuff like chase your dreams, live the life you want, and make your big money goals happen without having to follow the usual money rules. There’s no one way to do it, but here are 11 money lessons that can help you get there. Let’s dive into these 11 money tips for your path to financial freedom!

Shailputri: Establish a solid foundation

Shailputri, also known as Sati, is the first Navadurga, often associated with the Himalayas. The Himalayas, the world’s tallest mountain range, provide a sturdy foundation for countless ecosystems and rivers. Just as a strong foundation is vital for nature’s balance, a solid financial base is essential for a fulfilling life.

A financial foundation allows you to cover your basic needs, like food, housing, and clothing, while also giving you the freedom to chase your dreams. To build this foundation:

Budget: Craft a monthly budget to manage your spending. It helps you keep track of your money, ensuring you don’t overspend. Choose a budgeting method that works for you and stick with it.
Debt Reduction: Debts can weigh you down financially. Create a plan to pay them off swiftly. List your debts, noting interest rates and minimum payments. Prioritize those with the highest interest rates.
Emergency Fund: Establish an emergency fund, an account to cover unexpected expenses like job loss or medical bills. Aim for at least three to six months of living expenses.
Investment: Grow your wealth over time by investing. Research and seek advice from a financial advisor if you’re new to investing.

Building a strong financial foundation requires time and effort, but it pays off in the long run. Shailputri’s lesson is to start with a sturdy base. With financial stability, you can better weather life’s challenges.

Brahmacharini: Discipline is key

Brahmacharini, the second form of the Hindu goddess Durga, teaches us about discipline. She’s a young lady holding a water pot and prayer beads and is all about self-control and sticking to the plan.

Being disciplined is super important, especially with money. When we’re disciplined, we can follow our budget, save, and invest smartly. We also avoid buying stuff on a whim and make good money choices.

Make a budget and stick to it: A budget is like a money plan for each month. It helps you see where your money goes and stops you from spending too much. Pick a budget that works for you and stay with it.
Automate your money: Set up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings and investment accounts. This way, you save and invest without even thinking about it.
Pay your bills on time: Paying your bills when they’re due and in full keeps you from getting charged extra fees. It also helps you build good credit.
Avoid impulse buying: Before buying something, ask if you really need it. If you can wait at least a day before buying, it’s probably not an impulse buy.
Invest wisely: Investing is a cool way to make your money grow over time. But be smart about it. Do some research before you invest. If you’re new to this, talk to a money expert (like a financial advisor).

Chandraghanta: Be wise in your financial decisions

Chandraghanta, the third goddess of Navratri, is known for her wisdom and intelligence. She is depicted with a bell on her forehead, which represents sound and vibrations. Sound is a powerful tool that can be used to heal, cleanse, and protect. In the context of personal finance, Chandraghanta teaches us the importance of being wise in our financial decisions.

Do your research. Before making any financial decision, it is important to do your research and understand the risks and rewards involved. This is especially important when it comes to investments.
Seek professional advice. If you are unsure about a financial decision, it is a good idea to seek professional advice from a financial advisor. A financial advisor can help you to assess your financial situation and make recommendations that are tailored to your individual needs.
Be patient. It takes time to build wealth and achieve your financial goals. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Just keep saving, investing, and working towards your goals.

Kushmanda: Grow your wealth.

Kushmanda, the fourth Navaratri goddess, is known as the goddess of wealth and prosperity. She is depicted as riding a lion and holding a pumpkin, which symbolizes abundance and growth.

Kushmanda’s story teaches us that wealth and prosperity can be achieved through hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Just as the pumpkin grows and thrives, so too can our wealth grow over time if we are patient and persistent.

Set financial goals. What do you want to achieve with your money? Do you want to save for a down payment on a house? Retire early? Start your own business? Once you know what you want to achieve, you can start making a plan to get there.
Create a budget and track your spending. This will help you to understand where your money is going and identify areas where you can cut back.
Pay off debt and avoid new debt. Debt can be a major drain on your finances. Make a plan to pay off your debt as quickly as possible and avoid taking on new debt unless absolutely necessary.
Invest your money wisely. Investing is one of the best ways to grow your wealth over time. However, it’s important to do your research and invest in assets that are appropriate for your risk tolerance and time horizon.
Live below your means. This simply means spending less money than you earn. When you live below your means, you can save more money and reach your financial goals faster.

Skandamata: Be patient and persistent.

Skandamata, the fifth Navaratri goddess, is known as the mother of Lord Kartikeya, the god of war. She is depicted as riding a lion and holding her son in her arms.

Skandamata’s story teaches us the importance of patience and persistence in achieving our goals. Lord Kartikeya was born after a long and difficult pregnancy, but Skandamata never gave up hope. She remained patient and persistent until her son was finally born.

Set realistic goals. Don’t try to achieve too much too soon. Set small, realistic goals that you can achieve over time.
Break down your goals into smaller steps. This will make them seem less daunting and more achievable.
Create a plan. Once you have broken down your goals into smaller steps, create a plan for how you will achieve them.
Take action. Don’t just sit around and wait for your goals to happen. Take action towards achieving them every day.
Don’t give up. There will be setbacks along the way, but don’t give up on your goals. Keep working towards them and you will eventually achieve them.

Katyayani: Protect your wealth.

Katyayani, the sixth Navaratri goddess, is known as the warrior goddess. She is depicted as riding a lion and holding a sword and shield.

Katyayani’s story teaches us the importance of protecting our wealth. Just as a warrior protects their kingdom, so too should we protect our wealth from financial threats.

Have adequate insurance coverage. This includes health insurance, life insurance, and property insurance. Make sure that your insurance coverage is sufficient to meet your needs.
Diversify your investments. This means investing in a variety of different asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, and real estate. By diversifying your investments, you can reduce your risk of loss.
Monitor your finances regularly. Review your budget, investments, and insurance coverage regularly to make sure that you are still on track and that you are protected from financial threats.
Work with a financial advisor. A financial advisor can help you to create a financial plan that meets your needs and goals. They can also help you to protect your wealth from financial threats.

Kalaratri: Be fearless.

Kalaratri, the seventh Navaratri goddess, is known as the black goddess. She is depicted as a fearsome warrior with eight arms, each of which holds a different weapon.

Kalaratri’s story teaches us the importance of being fearless in the face of challenges. She is a powerful warrior who is not afraid to face any obstacle.

Don’t let fear control you. When you are faced with a financial challenge, don’t let fear control you. Take a deep breath and think rationally about the situation.
Do your research. The more you know about a situation, the less fearful you will be. So, do your research and learn as much as you can about the financial challenge you are facing.
Talk to someone you trust. Talking to someone you trust can help you to feel less alone and more confident. So, talk to a friend, family member, or financial advisor about your financial challenge.
Take action. Don’t just sit around and worry about the situation. Take action to address the challenge.

Mahagauri: Be generous.

Mahagauri, the eighth Navaratri goddess, is known as the white goddess. She is depicted as riding a bull and holding a trident and lotus.

Mahagauri’s story teaches us the importance of generosity. She is a benevolent goddess who is always willing to help others.

Generosity is important for both spiritual and financial well-being. When we are generous, we give back to the universe and receive many blessings in return.

Donate to charity. One of the best ways to be generous is to donate to charity. There are many different charities that you can donate to, depending on your interests.
Volunteer your time. Another way to be generous is to volunteer your time. There are many different organizations that need volunteers. Find an organization that you are passionate about and volunteer your time to help them.
Help others in need. Even small gestures of kindness can make a big difference. If you see someone in need, offer to help them. You could hold the door open for them, help them carry their groceries, or simply give them a smile.

Siddhidatri: Achieve your financial goals.

Siddhidatri, the ninth and final Navaratri goddess, is known as the goddess of perfection. She is depicted as riding a lion and holding a mace, a lotus, a conch, and a chakra.

Siddhidatri’s story teaches us that it is possible to achieve our financial goals if we are willing to work hard and persevere. Just as Siddhidatri is the goddess of perfection, so too can we achieve our financial goals if we are willing to put in the effort.

Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals. This means setting goals that are clear, quantifiable, and achievable, and that are aligned with your overall financial plan and timeline.
Create a budget and track your spending. This will help you to understand where your money is going and identify areas where you can cut back.
Pay off debt and avoid new debt. Debt can be a major obstacle to achieving your financial goals. Make a plan to pay off your debt as quickly as possible and avoid taking on new debt unless absolutely necessary.
Invest your money wisely. Investing is one of the best ways to grow your wealth over time. However, it’s important to do your research and invest in assets that are appropriate for your risk tolerance and time horizon.
Live below your means. This simply means spending less money than you earn. When you live below your means, you can save more money and reach your financial goals faster.

Celebrate your successes

Celebrating your successes is important for a number of reasons. First, it helps you to recognize and appreciate your accomplishments. This can boost your confidence and motivation, and help you to stay on track towards your goals.

Second, celebrating your successes can help you to develop a more positive outlook on life. When you focus on your successes, it’s easier to see the good in things and to stay positive even when faced with challenges.

Finally, celebrating your successes can help you to build stronger relationships with others. When you share your successes with others, they are able to celebrate with you and support you on your journey. This can deepen your relationships and make your life more fulfilling.

Be grateful for what you have

Having a grateful heart can help you appreciate your financial blessings, no matter how big or small.

Navratri is a time for celebration, renewal, and spiritual growth. It is also a time to reflect on your financial goals and make sure that you are on track to achieve them. By following these 11 financial lessons, you can improve your financial well-being and create a more secure future for yourself.