Have you ever been tempted by something big a shiny new car, the thrill of an upgrade only to realise it might derail your financial goals?
A few years ago, my husband and I faced that exact dilemma. It started innocently enough: a weekend test drive, a glossy brochure, and the feeling of sinking into a brand-new car seat. The salesperson made it sound easy: “Just an EMI away from a lifestyle upgrade.” For a week, we convinced ourselves that buying the car was a reward for working hard.
But then reality stepped in.
One evening, we sat down with our expenses. Between rent, school fees for our daughter, insurance premiums, and existing SIPs, that EMI didn’t look so harmless anymore. Buying the car would mean cutting back on investments, including the SIP we had started for our daughter’s future.
That’s when the real conversation happened.
“Do we want a new car today,” my husband asked, “or a stronger financial foundation tomorrow?”
When priorities become clear
It wasn’t dramatic. Just practical. A realisation that instant gratification is powerful, but so is the peace of knowing your long-term goals are within reach.
We postponed the car purchase and redirected the EMI amount into a dedicated mutual fund SIP.
It wasn’t easy watching friends flaunt their new cars while we stuck with our old, reliable one. But each month, when we saw our SIP deduction, it felt less like a sacrifice and more like a commitment to our future.
Over time, that decision brought clarity. We realised how easily short-term desires can dilute long-term priorities. By choosing to invest instead of indulge, we created space for multiple goals our daughter’s education, a future home upgrade, and yes, even the eventual car purchase but in a financially comfortable way.
Delaying gratification isn’t denial
Delaying gratification isn’t about denying yourself joy; it’s about sequencing your financial decisions wisely.
A mutual fund SIP helps build a corpus gradually, allowing investors to stay aligned with their goals without relying on debt-heavy purchases. The discipline of investing before spending can be especially meaningful for families managing multiple responsibilities.
When you choose to invest first, you’re prioritising what matters most. Every SIP is a step toward achieving your goals — whether it’s education, security, or even that car in the future.
Over time, these small, consistent contributions add up, giving you the flexibility to make lifestyle upgrades without financial strain.
A simple way to look at it
Think of it this way: a car depreciates the moment it leaves the showroom, but an investment has the potential to grow over time.
By focusing on long-term goals over short-term excitement, you create room for better choices and avoid impulsive, debt-driven decisions. And when the time eventually comes to buy that car, it may be done with far more confidence and far less compromise.
LIC Mutual Fund
Authored by:
Ranjit Jha (CEO)
Team: Rurash Financials