Mobikwik’s Upasana Taku: Save a considerable amount of salary every month

Smartest money decision: Buying a pure life insurance policy, which I bought recently. The policy should be for a large enough sum, at least 4-5 times your earnings.

Biggest money mistake: While I developed the habit of saving early, I did not have much knowledge of financial planning and management. It is important for an individual to do intelligent financial planning, to manage not only budgets and expenses every month, but also ensure ongoing savings.

Money mantra: Keep separate accounts for savings and expenses. Save a considerable amount of salary every month. After marriage, my husband and I have continued to have our own accounts for our salaries, and then we have a joint account. If you spend directly from your personal savings account, one tends to spend more. Set aside a monthly budget for expenses across categories. This helps maintain a good earning to spending ratio.

Gender clichés: Some common clichés faced by women at work include women not being suitable for some roles and that they will not be able to do a good job. This is very old school and irrational. A person’s gender should not be the criteria to decide their suitability for a role. Don’t get affected by roadblocks and adversities. Believe in yourself.

Letter to young women employees

From: Upasana Taku

To: Millennial women employees

Subject: Women’s day

Dear ladies,

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, I want to take the opportunity to advise young women who are starting their careers at our organisation. For the young women, the world today is bright, full of opportunities and more than willing to believe in the productivity of the women workforce and their potential skills.

For women, having a professional career is important not only to get a pay cheque but also for their personal and professional growth and development. My only advice to all you young women is—be willing to take risks in your life, be prepared to revamp yourself, always believe in yourself, and focus on achieving your goals. There is a lot more that you can accomplish if you focus on your career and stretch yourselves beyond the conventional.

Being financially independent is also very important for women. Your parents did the hard work of ensuring you get the right education in school and college, and I believe that you owe it to them and to yourselves to be independent. I find it hard to see women who are comfortable being dependent on their spouses. It is good to be proud of your spouse’s achievements, but you should also have your own achievements. Be financially independent and have your own money for a rainy day or for some hobby that you appreciate or enjoy. Regardless of how rich one is, your identity and your life is dependent on what you do with it.

It takes courage to show up and excel. But you can do it, and I can do it. Together, the time is now.