Chupke Chupke to Excuses — and Everything In Between

Every family road trip begins with a silent question — who will control the playlist today?

In my car, that question has layers. I love Ghazals — the kind that carry you somewhere else entirely. When Ghulam Ali’s voice fills the air with

“Chupke chupke raat din aansoon bahana yaad hai…”

I could drive for hours without needing a destination.

My wife is the bridge between the classics and the contemporary. She loves old movie melodies, a few soft Ghazals, but her heart beats faster with new-age Punjabi hits. Before I know it, I’m tapping my fingers to something like:

“Mere dil naal laare ni tu laun waliye…”

She sings along, with that confident smile that says she knows every beat.

And then, there’s my mother. She doesn’t have many demands on a road trip — but when she joins us, the playlist changes completely.

“Teri mehfil mein kismat aazma kar hum bhi dekhenge…”

Suddenly, the car turns into a royal court — voices of Lata and Shamshad filling the air, each line a graceful challenge.

Finally, the kids take over. One tap on the screen and Alan Walker’s Faded begins:

“Where are you now…”

And just like that, we’re in their world — remixes, reels, and rhythm.

So there we are — three generations, one car, and a playlist that swings from Ghulam Ali to AP Dhillon to Alan Walker to Lata Mangeshkar and Shamshad Begum.
A road trip in every sense — across miles, memories, and preferences.

Somewhere along one of these drives, it struck me that this tiny debate over music is actually a perfect reflection of how life — and especially our financial lives — work.

When we start our journey, we rarely have control over the playlist. Our parents decide what we should listen to — and more importantly, what we should do with money.

“Save first, enjoy later.”
“Buy a house before you buy a car.”
“Gold and property never fail.”

Sound familiar?

Then, as we grow older, we start to change the channel. We read blogs, follow influencers, hear peers talk about SIPs, crypto, or FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early). We add a few of our own tracks to the list — but often, the old songs keep playing in the background.

Think about it — sometimes you’re driving on a peaceful hill road, and someone puts on loud party music. It just doesn’t fit. Similarly, your investments might not match your life’s pace.

If you’re in your 20s or 30s, this is the time to play high-energy tracks — read: take equity exposure, build momentum, and let compounding be your rhythm.

But if you’re nearing retirement, you may want something slower and steadier — maybe some fixed income or hybrid funds, the equivalent of a calming Kishore Kumar melody at sunset.

The point is: your financial playlist must fit the road you’re on — not someone else’s.

Financial freedom, in its truest form, isn’t about a particular number in your account. It’s about the freedom to choose your own playlist — every single day.

That’s what financial independence does — it hands you the AUX cable of life.

And yes, others will still make requests. Your spouse might suggest a few songs, your kids will ask for their favorites, and friends will send you new playlists to try. But you’ll have the comfort of knowing that you’re the one who decides when to play, pause, or skip.

In the end, no car ride feels right if only one person gets to choose the music. The trick lies in balance — giving everyone a turn, and enjoying the mix.

That’s how family finances work too. Your spouse’s comfort with risk, your children’s future needs, your own dreams — they all deserve a place on the playlist.

So next time you take a long drive, pay attention to what’s playing. Smile when your favorite Ghazal fades into a Punjabi dance beat and then into some mysterious electronic tune your kids adore. That’s life — blended, imperfect, and beautiful.

And as for your financial journey — make sure you’re not just a passenger. Take the wheel, take the AUX, and curate a playlist that matches your dreams.

If you’ve been living on someone else’s playlist — parents, peers, or social expectations — maybe it’s time to make your own.
Start small.
Build your plan.
Own your rhythm.

Because whether it’s music or money — the joy comes when you’re truly tuned in.

If you’d like help in finding your financial rhythm — let’s create your personalized playlist for financial freedom.

👉 Book your free 1:1 financial planning session here → https://wealthwisher.in/book-a-call/