Skip to main content

The Diwali Personal Finance Rituals: Lakshmi and Logic – From Deep Cleaning to Muhurtham Trading

 The Festival of Light and New Beginnings

Every Diwali, homes across India come alive with a familiar rhythm — the scent of fresh paint, the clinking of diyas, and the gentle chaos of decluttering drawers filled with forgotten things. It’s a time when families pause, clean, and renew their spaces — not just to welcome guests, but to invite prosperity itself. In many ways, this ritual is more than tradition; it’s a lesson in clarity, discipline, and preparation.

As we sweep away the dust from corners of our homes, it’s worth asking — when was the last time we dusted off our investment portfolio? Just like our living spaces, our finances too gather clutter over time: unused accounts, impulsive buys, forgotten SIPs, or emotional investment decisions that no longer serve us. Diwali’s message of renewal is the perfect cue to deep-clean not only our homes, but also our money habits.

This festival has always celebrated the dance between Lakshmi and Logic — devotion and discipline. Lakshmi represents abundance, grace, and flow; Logic reminds us to plan, save, and invest with clarity. Together, they form the foundation of true prosperity — one that lasts beyond the festive lights.

And then comes the Muhurtham — that sacred window of new beginnings. Traders mark it with optimism, families with new purchases, and dreamers with quiet resolutions. Whether it’s placing a symbolic trade, starting a fresh SIP, or simply reviewing your goals, this Diwali offers an auspicious chance to align your wealth with your wisdom.

💫 Lakshmi and Logic: The Twin Pillars of Prosperity

Every Diwali, we pray to Goddess Lakshmi to bless us with wealth and happiness. But somewhere along the way, we’ve started seeing wealth only in rupees and returns. In truth, Lakshmi is much more — she represents order, clarity, and balance. She smiles on those who respect money, use it wisely, and create stability for their families.

But prayers alone are never enough. That’s where Logic walks in — the quiet partner of Lakshmi. Logic is what helps us plan our spending, stay away from debt traps, and invest patiently even when markets test our faith. If Lakshmi brings grace, Logic brings grounding. One without the other is incomplete.

Think of it this way — Lakshmi enters a clean, prepared home. The same goes for our finances. When our money life is organised, our goals are clear, and our savings have a purpose, we create the right space for prosperity to stay.

So this Diwali, let’s invite both — Lakshmi with faith, and Logic with action. Light a diya for gratitude, and take one small financial step that reflects it — whether it’s reviewing your budget, clearing a small debt, or starting an SIP. Prosperity, after all, shines brightest when devotion meets discipline.

Form Clutter to Clarity - Organise your Finance this Diwali - Money Vichara


🧹 Deep Cleaning Your Portfolio: The Financial Declutter

Before Diwali, every corner of our homes gets attention — cupboards, drawers, even those boxes we haven’t opened in years. It’s tiring, yes, but also freeing. Once the dust is gone, the house somehow feels lighter, brighter, and more peaceful.

Our investments deserve the same treatment. Over time, our portfolios also gather clutter — old insurance plans, inactive SIPs, random stock tips, or funds we no longer track. Some of these may have once made sense, but not anymore. This is the perfect season to open every “financial drawer” and ask: Is this still adding value to my life or just taking up space?

Start small. Review your mutual funds — are they aligned with your goals? Check your insurance — is it for protection or just tax saving? Look at your loans — can you close or reduce any? Even deleting unnecessary apps and credit cards is a kind of financial cleaning.

Just like we don’t hold on to broken diyas or faded décor, we shouldn’t hold on to poor-performing or meaningless financial products. Decluttering is not about loss — it’s about clarity. When we remove what’s unnecessary, we make space for new opportunities to enter.

So as you clean your home this Diwali, take a quiet moment to clean your portfolio too. You’ll be surprised how much lighter your financial life can feel once the clutter is gone.

🕯️ Setting the Muhurtham: The Auspicious Beginning

On Diwali day, there’s a special kind of energy in the air. Everyone wakes up early, wears something new, and begins the day with prayers and smiles. For many in the markets, this day is also marked by something special — Muhurtham Trading.

For those who don’t follow the markets closely, Muhurtham Trading is a short, symbolic session that happens every Diwali evening. Traders, big and small, buy at least one share — not for profit, but for tradition and faith. It’s believed that this act invites Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings for the financial year ahead. More than money, it’s about positivity and a fresh start.

And that’s a lesson we can all take home. You don’t need to be a trader to have your own “Muhurtham moment.” Maybe it’s starting a new SIP, increasing your savings by ₹500 a month, finally buying that term insurance, or learning about mutual funds. The act itself doesn’t have to be big — it just has to be intentional.

Because every new financial journey begins with one small, hopeful step. Muhurtham reminds us that wealth creation is not about timing the market, but about setting the right intentions. So, light a diya, say your prayer, and take that one thoughtful money decision this Diwali — one that your future self will thank you for.

🪔 From Diyas to Dividends: Lighting the Path of Financial Awareness

Every diya we light on Diwali carries a simple message — even a small flame can remove a lot of darkness. It’s not about how big the lamp is, but how steadily it burns. The same is true for our financial lives. You don’t need to make grand investments or take risky bets to build wealth. What matters is consistency — the small, regular steps that keep your financial flame alive.

Your SIPs, your monthly savings, your disciplined spending — these are your diyas. Each one adds light to your long-term goals. Over time, they grow, they compound, and they shine brighter than you expect. Dividends, interest, and growth are simply the rewards for your patience and discipline.

And just like diyas need oil to keep burning, your investments need regular care — review, balance, and the courage to stay invested when markets flicker. If you rush to blow out the flame every time the wind changes, you’ll never see the light spread.

So, this Diwali, as you light your diyas and watch them glow, take a moment to think of the quiet compounding happening in your own life — through good habits, steady investments, and a little bit of faith. Light, after all, grows when you nurture it.



📋 The Diwali Checklist: Your Personal Finance To-Do

We all love making Diwali checklists — sweets to prepare, gifts to buy, people to visit, lamps to light. So why not add one more — a short, practical checklist for your financial wellbeing? A few small actions can set the tone for a brighter, more secure year ahead.

Here’s your Diwali personal finance checklist:

  • 🧹 Clean and review your portfolio: Look at all your investments. Remove what doesn’t serve your goals, and keep what truly adds value.

  • 💳 Declutter your debts: Try to clear at least one small loan or credit card balance. Even a small step brings mental peace.

  • 💡 Check your protection cover: Make sure your health and life insurance are updated and sufficient for your family’s needs.

  • 💰 Automate your savings and SIPs: Set them on auto mode so that discipline continues, even on lazy months.

  • 📑 Revisit your goals: Are your investments aligned with your current life stage and priorities? Adjust if needed.

  • 🙏 Express gratitude: Note down what went well financially this year — maybe you saved better, earned more, or avoided unnecessary spending. Gratitude keeps you grounded.

Think of this as your financial version of “Diwali ki safai” — a simple, joyful way to start fresh. These small steps may not look dramatic today, but together they create a strong foundation for the years to come.

A Festival of Light, Logic, and Long-Term Prosperity

Diwali is more than lights, sweets, and celebrations. It’s a gentle reminder that renewal — in our homes, minds, and finances — is always possible. Just as we sweep away dust and light diyas to brighten every corner, we can tidy our investments, set new intentions, and create space for abundance to flow.

By inviting both Lakshmi and Logic into our financial lives, we balance faith with discipline. One gives us hope, vision, and positivity; the other gives us structure, clarity, and purpose. Together, they guide us toward prosperity that lasts far beyond the festive days.

This Diwali, take a quiet moment to reflect, clean, and plan. Review your portfolio, start a small savings habit, or simply realign your financial goals with your life priorities. These small steps — your personal “Muhurtham moments” — can illuminate your path toward long-term wealth and peace of mind.

May your diyas shine as brightly as your investments, and may this festival bring clarity, joy, and abundance to every corner of your life. Happy Diwali!

Comments

Popular Posts

Retirement Readiness Calculator

Retirement Investment Growth Calculator Retirement Readiness Calculator Your Financial Profile Personal Information Current Age: Planned Retirement Age: Life Expectancy: Retirement Fund Projections Retirement Goal: Expected Annual Inflation (%): Expected Avg. Portfolio Return (%): Current Financial Status Current Monthly Expenditure: Current Emergency Fund: Current Term Plan Assurance: Investment Details Number of Asset Classes: ...

The Hidden Math of Investing: Why Protecting Your Downside Matters More Than Chasing Big Gains

In India, we often hear stories of investors making huge gains in stocks . But what we don’t hear enough about are the stories of those who lost big and never recovered . The truth is, making money in the stock market is not just about finding high-return opportunities —it’s about protecting your capital from steep losses . One bad year can erase years of hard-earned gains. This is why downside protection is far more important than upside potential . Many investors, in the excitement of making quick money, ignore risk and go all-in on equities. But when the market crashes, recovering from deep losses is much harder than it seems . So, what’s the smarter way to invest? A balanced portfolio —a mix of equities, fixed income, gold, and other asset classes —can help reduce risk and ensure stable long-term growth . Let’s break this down with some real numbers. The Deeper You Fall, the Harder It Is to Climb Back In investing, the deeper your portfolio falls, the harder it becomes to recover....

From Sacrifice to Success: Master Your Money Like a Sage with a Blueprint for Personal Finance and Resilience

Your Journey to Financial Mastery Money is more than just numbers—it’s a tool that shapes our dreams, decisions, and destiny. But mastering personal finance is no easy feat. Many of us feel overwhelmed by questions like, “Am I saving enough?” or “Is investing really for me?” Here’s the best part: mastering your finances doesn’t mean drowning in jargon or needing a fancy MBA. It’s about grasping simple, practical principles, staying consistent, and drawing inspiration from timeless stories. And who better to guide us than one of India’s most inspiring sages—Vishwamitra Rishi? His journey holds lessons that are not just powerful but surprisingly relatable to our financial lives. Vishwamitra’s life is a story of incredible transformation, unshakable resilience, and the determination to achieve the extraordinary. He started as a king, comfortable in the luxuries of life, but chose to embark on a challenging journey of self-discovery, sacrifice, and mastery. His unwavering focus and a...

Investing Blindfolded: Dangerous Mutual Fund Beliefs That Still Misguide Indian Investors

The Comfortable Lies We Tell Ourselves About Mutual Funds There is something deeply reassuring about the idea that you are “ doing the right thing ” with your money. For millions of Indian investors, mutual funds have become that comforting choice. Easy to access, well-marketed, and recommended by everyone from your office colleague to your mobile app, mutual funds are now a default setting in the Indian investment mindset. But familiarity often breeds complacency. Somewhere along the way, many of us have stopped questioning how we are investing — and started blindly trusting what we are investing in. The stories we repeat to ourselves — “ SIP is always safe,” “long term guarantees return,” “more funds mean more safety ” — may sound wise, but are often half-truths. And half-truths in investing can be more dangerous than not knowing at all. Let me be clear — I am not against mutual funds. In fact, I am a mutual fund investor myself. But over the years, I have realised that the w...

Cost of Delay & Wealth Impact Calculator

Cost of Delay & Wealth Impact Calculator Cost of Delay & Wealth Impact Calculator Current Age: Retirement Age: Current Investment: Regular Annual Investment: Expected Annual Return (%): Yearly Increase in Investment (%): Inflation Rate (%): Life Expectancy: Total Annual Expenses: Calculate Total Expenses in First Year of Retirement Corpus Required at Retirement Corpus Available at Retirement Annual Investment Required Scenario Same Lifestyle Improved Lifestyle (+20%) Sacrificed Lifestyle (-20%) ...

Retirement Planning Beyond the 4% Rule — Introducing the Retirometer - V!

Retirement planning is one of those things we all think about but rarely act on until it's too late. The biggest concern? Running out of money. No one wants to outlive their savings, yet estimating how much is "enough" is tricky. A widely accepted rule of thumb suggests that if you withdraw 4% of your retirement corpus annually (adjusted for inflation), your money should last at least 30 years. This is known as the 4% rule , a concept that originated in the U.S. and has been extensively studied. But can it work in India, where inflation is higher, markets behave differently, and fixed-income investments follow a unique pattern? The short answer: Not always. While the 4% rule is a good starting point, it needs modifications to suit Indian retirees. Let’s explore its origins, limitations, and better alternatives for Indian investors. Where Did the 4% Rule Come From? The 4% rule was introduced by William Bengen in 1994 , based on historical market data from the U...

Index Investing in India: Smart Long-Term Strategy - Lessons from Markets & Masters

The Case for Index Investing: Why Simplicity Beats Complexity in the Long Run Imagine planting a tree. You don’t water it every hour, prune it every day, or stress over its growth. You just plant it, nurture it occasionally, and let time do its magic. Index investing is just like that. It’s simple, requires minimal effort, and yet, over time, it can grow into something massive. In India, where the stock market is often seen as a thrilling yet risky playground, many investors jump in hoping to make quick money—only to get burned by bad stock picks, market crashes, or impulsive decisions. The truth is, most retail investors, and even professional fund managers, struggle to consistently beat the market. They chase the next big stock, overreact to short-term news, and let emotions dictate their decisions. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The hard truth? Most retail investors (and even professional fund managers) struggle to consistently beat the market. So, what’s the smarte...

Personal Finance Dashboard: 50 Benchmarks Across 5 Key Areas to Compare, Reflect, and Improve

When Numbers Start Telling a Story In our last post, we explored the five key areas to track in personal finance: Income , Expenditure , Investment , Return , and Net Worth . Tracking these gives us a clear snapshot of where we stand financially. But tracking alone is not the destination — it is the starting point. The real magic happens when we interpret those numbers using meaningful reference points. (Please click here for last article:  Track It to Grow It: Why Money Tracking is Key to Financial Success ) That is what this post is about. I am sharing a set of simple benchmarks and thumb rules that can help you reflect on your financial progress. These are not rigid formulas, but practical benchmarks I’ve compiled for this post—adopted from financial wisdom, real-life experiences, and conversations with people striving to manage their money better. There may be some overlap or even minor contradictions between different benchmarks, but they are meant to serve as referenc...

FIRE to FLAME: Time to Rethink Retirement — From Financial Freedom to Meaningful Engagement

The FIRE That Started It All For many years, the idea of FIRE — Financial Independence, Retire Early — has inspired people across the globe. The thought of leaving behind the routine of daily work and achieving complete freedom sounded like a dream come true. People imagined retiring in their thirties or forties, traveling the world, relaxing at home, and living a life without pressure or deadlines. It was all about saving smart, investing wisely, and exiting the workforce as early as possible. But for many who reached that goal, there came a surprising realization. After the excitement faded, they began to feel a strange sense of emptiness. With no meetings to attend and no tasks to complete, life felt a little too quiet. Some even described it as directionless. They had all the time they once wished for, but not enough meaning or purpose in their days. This is where the FIRE dream started to flicker. So, what happens after financial freedom? What happens when the journey of escapi...

Retirometer - V (Retirement Risk Assessment Calculator)

Retirometer - V (Retirement Risk Assessment Calculator) 🌙 Retirometer - V (Retirement Risk Assessment Calculator) Current Age: Retirement Age: Current Savings (₹): Regular Annual Savings (₹): Current Annual Expenses (₹): Return % (Annual): Inflation % (Annual): Calculate Reset Ratirometer Comfortable Secure Stable Moderate Risk At Risk Critical Safe Withdraw...