Highlights of FY 2018-19 in terms of inflow and outflow

This is the first FY review post I am writing since I decided to track finances FY wise.

FY 2018-19 has been amazing from financial learning point of view. Robert Kiyosaki and a few others have completely changed my outlook on finance. I started thinking 'money mindedness' might not be a bad idea as I used to think. A few quick recollections:
1. I started thinking how I can diversify my inflow/earning. Although I have not been able to find any concrete idea, I started experimenting. The investment at Pranjal's agriculture is one such example.
2. Testing out different financial tools is one encouraging thing. First time I tried non-banking FD when I opened a FD with Mahindra & Mahindra Finance for 33 months with an interest rate of 9%.
3. I started heavily on Shares and MFs. Only in Sharekhan I invested INR 1,70,000/- in last FY. For now, the idea is to invest only for long term. I have 3 SIPs running currently (although amounts are smaller).
4. For diversification and tax saving, I invested in FD via Moina (1 Lakh) and Maa (2 lakhs). For various reasons, Maa's FD has not been opened yet. It might be opened in Maa's Canara bank account soon.
5. I put much energy in the lands of Kalitapara, Agia-college, Guwahati and Xonsapori. Until now, no progress has been made. I must have investment in Real Estate.


Now, let's have a look at my performance against the goals I wrote in last year's FY review post.
A. Structural Changes: All DONE.
B. Investment should be 30% of total income - DONE (it is 57.34% with a caveat though)
C. Travel should be 10% of total income - Not DONE (it is 4.05% only)
D. Gift/Help should be 5% of total income - Not DONE (it is 3.36% only)
E. Liquid money should be 25% of total income - DONE (it is only 3.4% with a caveat though)



Now, lets have a look at the tables:

1. The outflow/Expenditure table:

	Upkeep	Food	Personal	Family	Investment	Transport	Travel	Gift	Recreation	Tax	Loan	Total
April	18383	2614	3113	1170	105130	1722	11261	1344	3091	0	101550	249378
May	40639	6950	700	1457	228172	1367	4144	6130	1540	0	14050	305149
June	18902	2902	1589	5890	48192	1426	450	0	6095	46140	12000	143586
July	16260	5084	500	1001	229157	1626	14068	25015	2481	18132	5000	318324
August	16000	5730	1970	2021	36457	720	5762	4619	1252	16422	9170	100123
Sept	16531	2599	5600	2109	20157	1751	17528.76	135	3866	16422	9969	96667.76
Oct	17611.67	2698	1500	22277	177463	3493	3019	7357	1080	16194	1442	254134.7
Nov	16148	3891	732	828	99157	667	7049	280	476	16194	29000	174422
Dec	16215	3485	549	7838	48172	726	4844	4282	1431	16195	0	103737
Jan	14471	1536	633	3433	84657	882	1927	8100	2650	16194	6000	140483
Feb	14471	3154	0	1831	26657	210	8092	8500	320	14947	1500	79682
Mar	15560	2245	530	10123	69457	886	4280	2519	3756	14946	0	124302
Total:	221191.7	42888	17416	59978	1172828	15476	82424.76	68281	28038	191786	189681	2089988
Percentage of total income	10.87%	2.11%	0.86%	2.95%	57.64%	0.76%	4.05%	3.36%	1.38%	9.43%	9.32%	102.71%
* the tax component does not capture the taxes I pay on FDs
* If I don't show the maturity amount in earning, I shouldn't show the reinvested amount in expenditure (under investment)- I must make separate category of rotating money type

2. The Inflow/Income table: 

Salary (includes food coupon) Loan Repay/ Rmbrsmt Savings Account Interest Others Maturity of investment (only interest) Market Total April 0 10923 0 0 0 0 10923 May 32000 6677 38677 June 254672 17000 9184 161158 76 442090 July 135608 52000 457 188065 August 135608 28102 25 16 163751 Sept 135608 7743 9604 676 153631 Oct 131003 35090 51 39038 718 205900 Nov 135836 12350 32 148218 Dec 135835 2000 11653 742 150230 Jan 135836 13000 11505 2825 163166 Feb 166972 2200 4773 174 174119 Mar 143750 34590 12669 5070       196,079 Total- 1510728 246998 43110 161234 61993 10786 2034849 74% 12% 2% 8% 3% 1% 100% *Xomidhan receipts are not included *the total receipt on maturity of investment not included * Does not include the interest on PPF account
Observation & thoughts for next year:
1. Dependency on salary: My income is still concentrated on salary. Although it is 74%, if I show the F&F from NISG under Salary, it would again shoot up. Also, Loan-repay is not exactly income per say. If I consider the two sources- Savings & deposite account interest and market, my non-salaried income is only 5%  of my total income.
2. Other money concept: Some inflow/outflow is confusing when I think from a long term analysis point of view. Eg- the matured amount of an FD, the repaid amount of a loan I extended, exchange happening between cash and card, ATM withdrawn money etc. From next year onward, I have created a separate section called Others to make a mention and track those. The details of this table will not necessarily come in year-end calculation.
3. FD in my accounts: I have decided I will create no further FDs (let's try at least you middle class!). Existing FDs will be rotated. Only the interest component will come into inflow.
4. Heavy tax: I have a huge tax component piled up. Also, liquid money is only increasing. I must do something. An investment in real estate, heavy expenditure in marriage of Moina/mine are the only way forwards.
5. Loan component, NPA etc: I have just observed my loan component is around 10%. The NPA is only INR 300/- for the last FY. However, I must rename this as interest free loan (rather help) as I don't get a penny as interest.
6. Total inflow/outflow comparison: I was trying to do a total inflow vs outflow. However, it is difficult this year as I put FD amount in outflow at 2-3 places, but didn't put the maturity amount in inflow. From FY 2019-20, this would make sense I have introduced the 'Other' section. With an quick uninformed eye, I spent INR55,139 more than I earned last FY.
7. Diversification of investment: I should keep doing this and must also keep track. In next year, I should be able to give different heads under which investment has been made.
8. Overlapping expense heads: Suppose I travel for the book. Should I keep this under Personal or travel? [for now under travel] These questions will keep coming and I must keep finding solutions.
Parting thought: When we do a task without a coherence objective, confusion/frustration do come. Many a times, I think financial analysis is like this. However, you never know how and when you find out the coherence objective. And then, all these pre- activities act as stimulus.
My this observation has come from the recent personal initiative of "Zing Travel Express". All the travels I had undertaken long back, 1-2 photos I took, 1-2 posts/notes I have written suddenly became so much important for me.

Just writing life (before this FY ends)

Before I start this post, I glanced at the labels available in this blog. Nothing matches with what I am going to write. In fact, I am not sure what I am going to write. After spending two days of weekend at the rented house alone without much work, I am up with this post. For the time being, I am putting this under 'event' label.

Since I have not been able to write regularly, I feel the necessity of penning down my changing thought process at times in some format. Let me write a few below:

One yogi in front of Adiyogi

A. Finding a purpose for travel: As you might know, I am not a travel enthusiast. When the requirement of making monitoring visits came at office, and I have to select a place out of the list of 50, I took a pause. I must associate a purpose to this, otherwise, I will not be able to connect the dots. I made the excel sheet "Zing Travel Express" mentioning all the Indian states (today I made for other countries as well) I visited with dates and purpose. It threw up names of states I never visited. In the last 2-3 months I ticked the states such as Madhya Pradesh, Bihar etc. I am also utilizing one day of the weekend for official travel purpose without asking for any compensatory off. I have realized amazing thoughts keep coming to my mind when I am traveling. I talk to my inner self a lot. From knowledge point of view as well, I am learning hell lot of new things. The last RPL BICE visits (one during Holi) made me aware how logistic companies and mines work. Superb learning! Thus, I have found a purpose behind travel and a counter (Zing Travel Express) to keep track.

Writing while traveling via train

B. Setting up the other goal of life: As promised in the year-review post, I have started writing the book. You would be surprised I have completed three chapters as well. Again, travel has to be credited as I wrote the first chapter while traveling in Satabdi Express. In trains, my brain opens up like anything. While traveling from Bhopal to Delhi, I didn't request for air travel to concentrate on writing; output was the second chapter. This mission works as a medicine whenever I feel disillusioned with the NSDC job. I am forced to read many books and establish contacts as well for this endeavor. I feel good that I am investing my time into something productive, irrespective of the final output.

C. Office: Appraisal activities have started at office, RPL certification has crossed 1 million last week. Chasing the RPL numbers has become a nice purpose at office work. The non-learning from manager has continued. I feel, the more I am getting experienced in job, the more my manager is feeling inferior. With brilliant ideas clicking in my mind, I need to think ways how not to override him. I have realized my potential and now sincerely believe a super smart manager is what I should aspire to work under. The team is good so far apart from pains such as Mrs P(I can't understand how a CA can be so dumb), Miss T (how people can interpret everything in the wrong way and effectively utilize attack is the best way for defense) and Miss N (thank God she moves out). To be honest, I feel possessive about my reportees and want to do the best to them. But, as they say "being good is the least you can do". I don't think highly about the CEO now, looking at the mess and favoritism at the leadership level. I am slowly losing interest in NSDC, except the RPL thing (even I discussed about writing a paper on RPL with Monu). Just waiting for the post election changes.

D. National Election: I am going home for Rongali Bihu and will return only after voting. I was expecting a lot of change with HBS coming into Delhi and taking up a powerful ministry in case Modi returns. But there was big drama about his ticket and finally he was denied. I (and many others) was stunned. I couldn't help myself writing an email to him. Kamakhya Da was also denied. Now, I don't have any hope that election result would impact anything personally. Long back astrologer told my good times will start from May-June this year; I don't know how. If good time mean a job in NSDC with nice work and relatively calm atmosphere, I pity the astrologer.

E. Family: Moina joining PWC in Guwahati  is definitely a good news of recent days. Although she lost her bag just on the second day and her quarrel with Tapan has been continuing on marriage front,

I am still positive - that's the charm of native place maybe. In case of Dada, I have no visibility whether sending back Bou and family to Agia has helped him save any money or not. Working under an Army officer and looking at his level of thought, I often get paranoid about Dada. He was just a sailor which these officers don't even consider worth talking. Now, look at their thought level (relating Mohit's Malaysian trip expense with salary increase request) and my expectation from Dada. I want to cry for Dada- he missed the bus. He has gone so far now that making him realize where he is standing, is itself a challenge. The other day in Xomidhan meeting, when Bidyut Da was mentioning why aiming to be a clerk is wrong, I kept silent. I have one brother who is a clerk and one sister-in-law who is not able to clear exam even for clerk. I am not ashamed of them; I feel bad for the missed opportunity. With the level of knowledge and enthusiasm Dada deserves much better position. Being a rank holder in Mathematics Hons in GU, Bou could have nailed an amazing career. They are both victim of middle class thought process (maybe) and that's my pain. Maa is fine; she tries to do emotional blackmailing with the marriage thing sometimes. I should have a serious conversation with her soon, maybe that would be my second attempt after the disastrous attempt in April 2018. She still thinks marriage in her own terms, but for me, the definition is completely different. I don't know whether I would be able to convince her or not. The bigger question is - am I convinced about anything on this? Answer is NO. In my prayers to God these days, I often said, "Dear God, I will take care of office, career, election, book, but I am clueless on the marriage thing. You please concentrate on my marriage". God still hasn't listened.

F. Gaining maturity: I feel good after seeing a few people victim of turbulent thoughts which I underwent years ago. Some thoughts are related to middle class, some are with relationship, some to do with liberalism and some are with conservatives; a few with finances, a few with goals & objectives. There was a time I used to cry/wonder how I would live with so disturbing and unanswered thoughts. Time is a great healer. But when I think about BD and Junma going through these thoughts and coming to maturity one day, somewhere I get scared. I have been tough throughout, it is not that easy to maintain toughness.

G. Health: I have been thinking of writing a blog on the reports of health check up I did at Medanta as part of company package. For last two months reports are lying at my desk, but I have not been able to write anything. The biggest pending thing in health is the 2 RCT in my teeth that is pending. It has already crossed all limits and I must make sure some steps. There is no good dental clinic in Mahipalpur. Rest everything is fine. Even blood pressure is at the normal level.
The winter was quite long this time and the summer is just knocking on the door.

That's all for today! Take care.

How was 2018 for me?

Saute Saute one more year passed by. As usual, in the last couple of days, I kept myself busy going through every page of my 2018 diary. The big observation is that my diary writing habit has become completely irregular after joining NSDC. There is absolutely no writing on any front. I am so sorry for this.

Two events dominated the last year.

Shifting from NeGD (Jangpura) to NSDC(Mahipalpur) was the biggest event. I started the year on non-inspiring mood with desperate attempt for a change from NeGD. Apart from the accidental trip to Saudi Arabia, I can only remember my repeated failed job applications, working under arrogant manager such as Neeraj Kumar and worst colleague Jayalakshmi on Digigaon project, talk of NeGD getting shut, transfer of Sanjeev Gupta, the office politics even within A&C team, talks of despair with Amit and Loonaji, trying to buy home furniture after the Guwahati shift fiasco- that's it.

The last moment captured at Jangpura

Then the final good news came from NSDC on 9 March and my activities change. After the disastrous home trip in April (I will write about this later), I focused on house hunting in Vasant Kunj E2 and Mahipalpur areas. House hunting is always a memorable (read as painful) experience; Debismita (Mamu) helped a lot and finally I zeroed down my current rented house on 27 April. The shifting was done in a Tata Ace at only 1400/- with help from only Trishna. This shows my minimalism. I slept at Mahipalpur first time on 29th. My philosophy of 'commuting to office on foot' remained intact- I was happy for that.

I don't have much complaint about Mahipalpur except the water issues. I can write pages how I faced humiliation and discomfort (went to Aerocity metro station for clearing one day) because of water issues at the new place. Rest has been ok. But, I indeed have many complaints about NSDC, the manager and the people & the company culture. I had to struggle to understand the skill ecosystem which is an entirely different world. My self confidence touched bottom many a days when I thought I chose the wrong job. The obsession(forced) with work went to such a level that I start dreaming about pending works in my sleep. My manager who is a retired colonel of Indian Army, has been super non-inspiring (on multiple days I have mentioned this in diary). He crossed his lines many a times(not inviting for meetings, making my weekends hell, setting up unattainable targets etc) and I felt like quitting. But somehow I continued, although my learning from him has been minimal. Some team members/reportees also created huge issues many a times, which was quite new for me as a people's manager. On several Mondays, I have written how I had to literally drag myself to office (after Monday, things used to get settled somehow). The changes in leadership, most specifically the way NSDC fired COO, CPO and HR-head had created a bad impression about NSDC. I think from October onwards, I first wrote in my diary that I started loving the job. Of course, some good things did happen in between- health check-ups, ISB pass-out student reporting to me directly, my initiative to know what other team of NSDC does, meeting couple of good people in NSDC and of course, learning things & meeting people from a completely different ecosystem. Now,eight months into the job- I won't say I am enjoying, but the bad anguish have gone. I will stay here until the end of election, for sure.

The second big event is the marriage discussion. After much deliberation, I decided to speak about Trish at home. The feedback was negative from Moina. On April trip, while going from Airport to home, I told Dada, and surprisingly, he was also negative. Then at home, the topic of marriage was just initiated by Dada. There was no name mentioned. But the way Maa reacted to BA vs MA, working vs non-working components I was stunned. I felt like Maa was indirectly talking about Trish only; I maybe wrong. I got angry/cried after many days. I didn't have slightest clue Maa would react in such a way. Later, Pranjal initiated the topic one day without naming anyone and then Bhini and Majani bai discussed this one day with name. Both Bhini and Pranjal told Maa's reaction was quite unusual. It seemed she knew something, already decided and was sitting on a volcano. The last thing happened, on 15 June, when Maa one day called to ask me that I should stop sending messengers to her advocating Trish. To be honest, Bhini's visit with Majani bai was a complete surprise for me. Maa also used many bad languages and derogatory remark that I was completely shocked. Is this my mother only? Maa's reaction on Trish case is something I could not comprehend at all. I have been taking most of my decisions until now; for some reasons, all family people believe they are the smartest and I am the dumbest in marriage decision. But, looking at Maa's situation, she might get heart attack if I do anything against her wish. Even while mentioning about this marriage thing, the way she fumes, I really get scared.

I informed everything to Trish. One day, even her mother called(28 Aug), I told there is no future. However, we keep meeting sometimes in Delhi. Most of the times, she only initiates the meeting. I also don't feel like forbidding her for no fault of her own. Many other people also knew about this fiasco, I believe, since Joy Da one day telling "Maa i kotha bilak mana nai bule". Though Trish says she does not expect anything now, I know she still does. On top of everything, I have not met any girl also in the whole year that I might get attracted. Manjil and Nabanita told about two girls- unemployed after PhD. But I am not even interested in those profiles.

I am in a deep shit in this matter. I see no ray of hope in coming days. I tried writing a letter to Dada and Moina which is currently lying in my draft, asking me to get out of this and requesting to consider the whole event from a different angle. I have no intention of sending that now. I am getting old day by day. But, there is no way to come out of this mess. I never thought marriage thing would be so complicated for me. God- you have to take me out of this. There is absolutely no one that I can rely in this case. Please ! show me a direction at least.


There is one more event, which might lead to a big event later, but, for now an insignificant one. I have finally started working on the book. Although I have not written a single word, the requirement gathering has led me to meeting top notch bureaucrats, ULFA leaders etc. I am also tracking my efforts in this endeavor and that calls for a separate blog(maybe book chapter) itself. If all goes well, I should be able to make some progress on this in 2019.


Death:
As I always say, one sign of growing up is to lose the near and dear ones. This year was dominated by multiple deaths. The big one is Sukracharjya Da. This was unimaginable and unacceptable. Losing a person with so many unfinished dreams actually breaks down the whole chain. This death has a big impact and we all are victims still. I created a folder "If I die" in my hard disk with the passwords, my various investments etc after this incident. Losing Dibakar Da is another bad news of the year. If I go back to my childhood, Dibakar Da is one of the most important figures. His last days have been really painful. I wish I could help him in some ways. Except donating Rs 5,000/- once, I only talked over telephone. What a waste of valuable life for him!
Apart from the two, death of Himani Rabha's father by accident, Parimal Khura by accident, the E&Y guy at office, the young guy from Solmari by heart attack during gym, and finally news of Alok, who is in the last stage of cancer. Maybe I have learnt to value life more in this year. And death- let's accept this.

Noteworthy public event:
The year started with publication of the first draft of NRC. The protest by 4 senior judges (including Ranjan Gogoi who became CJI later in the year) against CJI was a big event for Indian democracy. The issue of Cambridge Analytica shook the whole world. From Assam, the class-12 paper leak at Goalpara Science academy, the amazing success stories of Rima Das and Hima Das and the arrest of corrupted APSC officials are some highlights.

Trips outside NCR:
1. Bhangagarh (with Dhurjyoti Da and others)

At Alvaro's marriage

2. Riyadh (with Suraj Arora)
3. Thukran farmhouse (with Sumo on invitation from Trish)
4. Dehradun- Missouri trip (alone to meet Dibakar and visit IAS training academy)
5. McLeod Ganj - Dharamshala trip (with Moina)
6. Home trip in April (the disturbing one), then to Goa for Alvaro's marriage
7. Aligarh, Bulandsehar for RPL Saubhagya surprise visit (official)
8. B-day trip to home (first after death of Sukracharjya Da)
9. Meeting ULFA/the Book trip to home (met Sunil Nath, Hemaprobha Saikia etc)
10. Guwahati trip (official) for 5 Oct Agriculture workshop
11. Visit of family members (trip to Jaipur, Agra) and my subsequent trip to Mumbai (bought MF)
12. Shillong trip (official)
13. Personal visit to home for Under the Sal Tree festival
14. Official trip to Hazira at L&T premise

Important days of 2018:
4th Jan (both UNDP and NSDC application was submitted, got calls from both eventually), 5 Feb (standing whole day in front of Saudi embassy), 20 Feb (sudden & marathon interview at NSDC), 8-9 March(offer letter - first and then final one), 10 March (watching stand up comedy with Sumo at Laughing Club), 19 Mar (attended Off the cuff with Himanta, with Karuna Da), 9 April (finished the much awaited Atal Mentoring task by calling Axom Jatiyo Bidyalay; no progress later), 27 April (finalized my current residence), 2 May (first day at new office), 26 May ('typical middle class' - buying the first windows AC), 4 July (@Office surprise entry of Aakarshan), 18 July (NeGD get together at PSOI), 25 July (bad day at office - culprits like Nishtha & Shahbaz, ended up meeting Toby from BSG), 8 Sept (watched Zubeen live after many days), 29 Oct (meeting Jayati after ages), 19 Nov(worst OLA ride with Aakarshan coupled with longest stay at office), 8 Dec (Attending Akhil da's protest), 16 Dec(presenting at NRL ideathan)


Meeting new people:
Ruskin Bond, Nagesh Lukmoni(revived after Microsoft days), Jyotiprasad Deka (revived after IITG days), Rinku (debaroon's cousin), Ayo (from BSG), Suresh Ranjan Goduka (revived after Library opening days), A M Naik (L&T group chairman becoming NSDC chairman), and of course all the NSDC people - the manager and the team.

Good and bad things:

Badungduppa without Sukra Da

I just want to glance at some good-bad things happened last year with me. Some good things for which I feel good - preparing the Agri startup concept for Sasha da, getting shortlisted for UNDP finally although declined from my end, interviewing by BSG for alumni profiling, sending Nischal to Badungduppa to clear the pending documentation after Sukra Da's death, solving the fight between Arup  and Ruma, buying the air conditioner, putting up OLQ in Youtube via Pocket Films (although the list of unfulfilled wishes are more for OLQ promotion),  spending money on ISKCON's Discover yourself course (although couldn't attend fully), the much awaited family trip to Delhi, reviving the Ghy land thing with finding the jamabandi, Dada submitting the khazna etc, introducing Komal Chamling to Badungduppa, pushing the Tranche 2 thing at office.
On bad/failure things - rejection of my service delivery proposal by BSG, my failed attempt to revive the  Xomidhan bank account although the PAN card was a partial success, the failed attempt of Dada's promotion.

Family:
The second big event of the year is indeed related to family and I already elaborated. Maa's retirement and subsequent re-appointment along with the pension works are highlighted events on family front. Dada's financial condition has been the most worrying component on family. This has led to many confrontations and finally has led his whole family to shift to Agia. I can only hope new year will bring some good news to Dada's financial condition.


Health:

• Started taking high BP tablet (Cilacar), although not regular
• The big teeth X-ray and my pending works (2 RCT, fillups) on my teeth
• Multiple times cold and this taking much longer to get recovered. After buying AC and in December - the cold & cough are still bothering me. Delhi weather is the main reason
• Dada's mild heart attack has frightened me
• I have started wearing the MI band that I bought long back. Now I track my sleep and steps
• Ended the year with full body check up with package from NSDC at Medanta hospital

  

  At NSDC

  
  

How I performed against the things I planned in the last year review post:

1. More trading- Beyond expectation. I invested around 3 Lacs in equity this year
2. More writing- Terribly below expectation. Even no post in the autobiography blog, leave aside other writing. I must do something about it.
3. More effectiveness: The month of January was effective as I was tracking via diary. This was the reason I bought a diary this year also. NSDC work took hell lot of time. I must manage office timing this year
4. Moina'a marriage - no progress; job change - DONE; new tenant at Agia- DONE; buy nearby Agia college land- made some progress, but still incomplete; Library award ceremony- NO
5. More reading- Yes, maybe for the ULFA book.

Thoughts for next year:
Moina's marriage, post-election big-bang something, work on the book, more public writing - now stop. Let's not expect anything more.

Goodbye!

The new 'kida' - Wealth creation, asset etc

I am writing after a long time. Office work is keeping me completely occupied. In between, Xomidhan's work, visit by family members and lot other things happened. On top of that, I am in a new experiment/learning of my life - how to become rich, how to come out of middle class thinking, how to take advice from rich dad and not from poor dad etc. This post will primarily focus on that.

I must cite two learning in recent days.

The first one is a TEDx talk by Mr Dhaval Bhatia, something that I came across accidentally. He explained about the difference between Active income  vs Passive income and the 7 'R' formula which is described as below:

1. Rate- For example, any shirt , pant has a rate
2. Remuneration - for service,  example - salary
3. Replication- mainly in production line, example- Xerox machine, theater vs movies
4. Rent- Property, Vehicle, equipment
5. Royalty- Any mobile app, Any author gets royalty for book, any video in Youtube, blog etc
6. Rights- Franchise right, harry potter author gets rights for film/merchandise
7. Returns- Stock investments, Bank interest etc

The second one is the teaching of Mr. Robert Kiyosaki, the writer of 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad' and founder of Rich Dad network. He makes a diagram as follows:

Income
Expenditure
Asset	Liability

As per Mr. Kiyosaki, poor people (read as middle class in India) cares about Income & Expenditure. Hence, they try saving, cut expenses, but those people can never become rich. The focus area should be creating asset and how liabilities can be reduced or converted into assets (eg- home is a liability, rented house is an asset).

The above two lessons are accompanied by many other similar readings and videos. It is not that those two are extra ordinary learning (none of the great learning are extra ordinary, they are very basic). But those has entered into my brain nicely and I have been thinking about that day and night these days.

Now, let's come to what I have done with the two lessons:

1. Thinking from the rent/asset angle, I concentrated on the land that Deuta bought long back. The issues with the land near Agia college, near Kalitapara and the one in Guwahati. While gathering more information, I contacted mondol, discovered Assam land management system (Dharitri) etc. Each piece of land is having issues. I am trying to find a solution to convert these land into assets. After that, the rent component will come. One thing is sure, it is not possible to buy asset (eg land by side of road) now with my limited income. But we can always streamline what Deuta has done years ago. I must appreciate his wisdom at that time. If he were alive, we might have some other 'asset'. The piece of land that Maa bought with Deuta's pension money might prove to be a good resource later. At this point of time, it needs investment.Final thought- one of the reasons for me getting attracted to land thing is the astrology thing by Dibakar and his friend that I would be successful as a land dealer. lol!

The Kalitapara land that needs an approach road

2. I question myself - is this a good passion I am possessing now. I have already missed the bus for earning money. In Microsoft, when Akash told me his aim in life is to double his income in every ten years, I thought that was weird. I never had the money making mentality. After Oxford, I wasted 1.3 years earning zero, at the peak of my career. Can you imagine the cost? In addition, I spent more than 12 lacs in home construction. Should I have been focused in this direction, I could have planned my career in a different way. I am not repenting because I think whatever I have done that is for the best. I am just worried about this new found thought process of creating wealth. I need to find balance between the two. Also, from a different angle (as Mr. Kiyosaki said), my brain has been conditioned with that middle class thinking. At least with this exercise, I would plant different thought process into my head. And any new thought process is always welcome. Moreover, my current lifestyle is providing me enough opportunity to save some real money. Not owning a car, not living in an expensive locality is costing me nothing, but giving some more perks. Although, this (saving a few bucks) is a typical middle class, I could not help mentioning it.

3. How about the other R's? I am glad that we are getting 7500/- per month from the house where we invested a huge amount, although nobody is exactly living there. Rest, as mentioned earlier, needs streamlining. For royalty, I need to write a book. Even not from the royalty point of view, I have completed lot of activities in the last 3 months about the proposed book. I can also do some YouTube videos. OLQ did not give any return- there might be ways to monetize that as well. Should I start a channel and start doing some periodic?

4. Doing Business or entrepreneurship, I have no intention (read as courage) as of now. However, I keep getting good ideas. This is one reason why I am pushing Xomidhan registration renewal thing, MNM trust registration confirmation thing etc. Maybe I can register one pvt ltd/ think tank company and if possible (later) get some contracts. I look at Ashish Bhave(RSS) or Aparajita(BSG) - they have a registered entity and get projects by networking. One day, I am sure, my network will also get stronger. I had hopes when Dada used to talk about doing business before retiring from Navy. However, his luck didn't accompany and looking at his spending pattern, I think that was good decision. Next, I am looking forward to catch up with Moina's future husband. If he has real entrepreneur skills and that can be leveraged, there might be opening for my brain to do activities in this area.

5. I believe this thought process to be inculcated into the children as well. Dada and Moina must know, as well as our children. Whether we take action is a different thing, but knowledge is most powerful. The last 'R' i.e. investment is something everyone should do from very early age as possible. Also, I bought 'Rich Dad, poor Dad' and asked Moina to read first.

Lastly, I am getting kicks by this new thought process every day. When I make 3 min to go through Sharekhan everyday, I feel good. When I spend 4 min thinking about the land, I get going. When I spend 5 min looking at the MF/NPS/PPF things, my brain starts giving vibes. It has something 'kicking' definitely.

Turning 34 - Birthday post from Agia

I am sitting in the library room at Agia. This is a place full of positive energy. In last ten years, I have drawn positive energy from this library at different phases of my life. It's 6-14 AM now and I am sitting here to gain some positivity. To be honest, there is not much optimism in life at present.

34th birthday is reminding me that I am getting old. I have become aimless. Loneliness in personal life has started creeping in. I feel zero enthusiasm to go back to Delhi tomorrow. There is no one waiting for me there, except a creepy (should I use this word?) job. Situations have become such that I keep expecting meeting a person or reading one book will change my outlook, as shown in movies.

The forced closure of Trishna chapter (with the hanging sword now) has brought much despair in my life since April this year. I am yet to recover and find a solution. I didn't expect Maa to react in such a weird way and oppose that vehemently. My hands are tied with a stupid word called 'emotion'. I see no way how and when this problem would be solved.

At job, there is nothing to dislike, but I am not finding any good factor either. I feel very less energetic to go to office. I ask myself- do I like to come back and work in Assam? I don't find positive a answer. Should I go outside India and try finding a job? Again, I don't find a positive reply. It seems I am stuck at nowhere. What's my career goal? I am completely clueless at this point of time.

The above two factors are my prominent concerns in this birthday. All good-bad days do come to an end and I am hopeful God will surely show a way. Astrology says my happy days are coming starting from 2019. Although, I see no sign ahead, there is reason for me to remain positive.

Apart from all the 'bad' I wrote above, let me write a few good sentences as well. Moina is finally talking about marriage and there might be some start in this year. Dada's promotion exam is in August and God willing there might be changes in his designation. Maa's one year extension thing might come and she would be busy for a year. The road renovation at Agia bazaar is very attractive. Badungduppa without Sukra Da is standing still. The final draft of NRC came out and the names of all my family members are included. There is apprx 4 million omitted names from this draft.

Let me end the post by writing what things excite me sometimes these days- writing a book (not able to decide a topic unfortunately, but increasingly thinking this has to be a fiction), making a movie, again (the experience of OLQ was great; but think Prathamesh is having a troubled life as well to partner with me at this time), coming back to Assam to play an active political role, invest in share market, getting married to a super enthusiastic working woman, going for 1-year training/fellowship programme, spending days at Agia doing nothing, but knowing there is something at the end  of 4 months(say).