Money lessons don’t need fancy books or YouTube videos. Sometimes, they come from a ₹10 coin dropped into a dusty piggy bank.

Mine did.

The Day My Piggy Bank Spoke (Well, Almost)

When I was 9, I wanted a remote-control car. Not needed. Just wanted.

I ran to my piggy bank, shook it hard, and counted the coins—₹472. Just enough!

I grabbed the money and ran to Mom.

She looked at me, smiled, and said, “Let’s talk before we go shopping.”

And that’s when the big lesson started.

Mom’s Famous Filter: “Need or Want?”

Mom pulled out two sheets of paper. At the top of one, she wrote NEEDS. On the other, WANTS.

She asked, “What do we need every day to live?”

I said: “Food. Water. School books. Clothes.” She nodded.

Then, “What do we want but can live without?”

I thought. “Chocolates, toys, video games…”

She smiled, “Exactly. Needs keep you going. Wants feel nice, but you can survive without them.”

I looked down at my car ad. Silent moment.

Then she added, “If we spend all your money on this car, what happens when your school bag tears?”

Boom. Lightbulb moment.

The Golden Rule of Money: Save First, Spend Later

She taught me a rule that stuck:
Always save a part of your money first. Then think of spending.

Even if it’s just ₹10 from your pocket money, save ₹2.

She called it “Paying yourself first.”

Since then, my piggy bank has been more than a toy. It became my training ground.

Needs vs. Wants in Everyday Life

Here’s how this plays out now:

• You need a bus pass to school.
• You want a cab to feel cool.
• You need a basic phone to call family.
• You want the latest iPhone for show.
• You need a laptop to study.
• You want a gaming setup that costs more than your rent.

When you know the difference, you make smarter money choices. That’s how grown-ups avoid credit card traps and payday loans.

How to Teach Kids (and Even Adults) the Same Lesson

1. Use Real Examples: At stores, ask yourself: “Need or want?”
2. Make Lists: Before buying, write down needs and wants. Sleep on it.
3. Use Cash: Handing over real money hurts more than swiping a card.
4. Track Expenses: Apps like Walnut or simple notebooks work fine.
5. Set Limits: Keep a budget. Stick to it. If something’s over budget, skip it.

What About Emergency Wants?

Yes, sometimes a “want” can turn into a need.

Your only shoes broke? That cool new pair is now a need.

Your laptop crashed a week before exams? Need.

That’s why mom said: Save more than you think you need. Life throws curveballs.

Final Thought: Thank You, Piggy Bank

That small clay piggy bank gave me a skill I now use every day.

Money isn’t just for spending. It’s for thinking.

And the first step to getting rich?
Know the difference between what you want—and what you really need.

Do you remember your first money lesson?
Drop it in the comments. Share this with someone who still buys “wants” and calls them “needs”!