It’s Not the Math, It’s the Mind: Why Smart People Do Dumb Things With Money – 5 Stories to Reflect On
We love to think that managing money is about numbers — budgets, percentages, returns. But in real life, money decisions are rarely made on spreadsheets. They are made at tea stalls, dining tables, late-night phone calls, and during quiet moments of fear or pride. They are shaped not by calculators, but by emotion, family expectations, FOMO, ego, and hope. Meet Baabu — 45, quiet thinker, sips chai like it’s a ritual, carries a French beard and an even simpler life. He’s smart. He’s not naive. He reads the news, listens to advice, and watches YouTube videos on finance. But like most of us, Baabu’s relationship with money isn’t logical — it’s emotional. And that's why, despite being “smart,” he has walked into some very familiar financial potholes. Not because he lacked knowledge, but because he’s human. Why Smart People Do Dumb Things With Money Here are five moments from Baabu’s life that show just that — not ignorance, but emotion clouding judgment. And maybe, just maybe, ...