How Money Really Works - And Why Your Assets Might Be Making You Poor
How Money Really Works - And Why Your Assets Might Be Making You Poor
Recently, I met a 50-year-old NRI who owned three properties in Dubai and two in India, yet was stressed about not having enough for his next venture. It hit me hard—how much is enough? When someone with five high-value properties isn’t feeling “secure,” where exactly have we gone wrong?
It’s time to confront an uncomfortable truth:
Getting emotionally attached to your assets is one of the biggest hurdles to building real wealth.
So, What Is Money?
Most of us grow up thinking money is just what pays the bills, buys us things, or funds a vacation. But money is much more than that. It’s not just paper or numbers in your bank account.
Money is a tool. A flow. A medium of exchange. A fuel for growth.
The most powerful truth about money is this:
Money must move. It is designed to revolve.
The moment you hold on too tightly, whether it’s cash, property, or any other asset.You break the flow. And when the flow breaks, so does the potential for more money to come in.
It’s like water.
- Store too much of it in one place? It stagnates.
- Let it all flow out carelessly? You’re left dry.
- But channel it thoughtfully? It gives life, growth, and prosperity.
Are You Emotionally Attached to Your Assets?
This is where most people fall into a silent trap.
Let’s talk about real estate, because that’s where this emotional attachment is most visible. For generations, we’ve been told that owning property equals security. That land is legacy. That homes are forever.
Yes, property can be a great asset, but only if it's used, leveraged, or developed. If you’re just holding it for the sake of pride, legacy, or emotion, chances are, you’re sitting on a dead asset.
The Tale of Two Mindsets
Let me paint a picture -
Person A and Person B both inherit an ancestral property worth ₹1 crore.
- Person A is emotionally attached. He leaves it untouched. After 20 years, its value grows to ₹3 crores. Not bad, right?
- Person B sees it as an opportunity. He develops it—converts it into a commercial space, earns rent, reinvests, and eventually uses the profits to buy five more properties, each worth ₹80–90 lakhs.
In 20 years:
- Person A has 1 property worth ₹3 Cr.
- Person B has assets worth ₹4.5 Cr+, plus active income and growth potential.
Same starting point. Completely different outcomes.
A lot of people think they are rich because they own assets. But assets aren’t wealth unless they’re working.
A property sitting idle is not an asset. It’s a liability dressed as pride.
Your land won’t feed your kids. Your unused house won’t fund your retirement or your startup idea.
This is where many NRIs and Indian families go wrong. They hoard, hold, and preserve—but forget to flow, grow, and build.
Understand the Bigger Game
The economy functions because of movement—of money, value, services, and goods. You cannot control the economy, but you can control how you participate in it.
“Wealth is not built by owning. It is built by building.”
So stop asking:
- "Should I invest in real estate?"
Start asking:
- "What will I do with this real estate once I own it?"
And more importantly:
- "Is this asset creating value or just satisfying my ego?"
You may feel like a crorepati today, but if your assets aren’t producing anything, inflation and inaction will silently turn you into a lakhpati tomorrow.
It’s not about how much you own. It’s about how well your money flows, works, and multiplies.
Final Thought
“Money is a terrible master but an excellent servant.”
Use it. Don’t worship it. Channel it. Don’t chase it blindly.
If this hit home, maybe it’s time to rethink how you’ve been handling your assets.