My first job paid ₹6,000. I lived in Mumbai and had no idea how to manage money—because no one ever told me I needed to. Like many women, I made choices based on loyalty, love, and what felt right in the moment. But life has a way of demanding clarity. This is a story about missed opportunities, painful lessons, and slowly building financial independence from scratch. If you’ve ever felt unprepared or unsure about money, this one’s for you.