Mumbai, India – In a world often fixated on the quantitative aspects of wealth – the zeroes in a bank account, the interest rates, and the market fluctuations – digital creator and finance educator Ankur Warikoo has illuminated a deeper, more qualitative understanding of money. A recent LinkedIn post by Warikoo, recalling advice received nearly a decade ago during a pivotal fundraising period for a previous startup, has sparked a significant conversation about the emotional and psychological dimensions of our financial lives. His core message: money, much like life itself, gains its "color" not just from its quantity, but from the context, purpose, and emotional resonance it carries.
Warikoo’s profound observation, shared with his extensive online following, posits a shift in our perception of money as we mature. "Early in life, money is colorless," he stated. "100 rupees is 100 rupees. We’re just happy to receive it, whether we earned it or found it in an old jeans pocket. But as you grow, you start to see the color." This "color," he elaborates, isn’t about monetary denomination but about the narrative and feeling attached to its acquisition, expenditure, and investment.
The Spectrum of Financial Experience: More Than Just Numbers
The core of Warikoo’s argument lies in the nuanced experiences surrounding identical monetary sums. He illustrated this by asserting that "the same 10,000 earned at two different jobs isn’t the same." One might be a source of immense pride and satisfaction, a testament to hard work and achievement, while the other could be a draining, soul-crushing experience that leaves one feeling depleted and miserable. This distinction highlights that the "color" of earned income is intrinsically linked to the nature of the work, the company culture, the leadership, and the overall sense of fulfillment derived from it.
Similarly, Warikoo points out the disparity in spending. "The same 10,000 spent isn’t the same," he wrote. One expenditure might translate into a cherished, lifelong memory – a significant trip, an investment in a skill, or a meaningful gift. The other, however, could be purely "performative," a fleeting indulgence or a purchase made for superficial validation, leaving little lasting impact or genuine joy.
The "color" of money also extends to its investment. "The same 10,000 invested isn’t the same," Warikoo emphasized. A well-researched, value-aligned investment can feel like a "warm hug," providing a sense of security and future potential. Conversely, a speculative or emotionally driven investment, especially one that fosters an unhealthy obsession with constant monitoring, can lead to anxiety and an addictive cycle of checking screens.
Unpacking the "Color": Where Our Values Meet Our Wallets
Warikoo’s insights directly address the psychological underpinnings of our financial relationships. To further explore this complex dynamic, we consulted with Dr. Rimpa Sarkar, a clinical psychologist and founder of Sentier Wellness in Mumbai. Dr. Sarkar corroborates Warikoo’s sentiment, explaining that our relationship with money is rarely a purely transactional one. "It is often tied to what money represents to us: safety, freedom, success, status, love, control or even self-worth," she stated.
This deep-seated psychological association is why identical monetary amounts can elicit vastly different emotional responses. "That is why the same amount of money can make one person feel secure, and another feel anxious, or make the same person feel happy in one situation and guilty or angry in another," Dr. Sarkar elaborated. She points to a confluence of factors shaping these emotional connections, including "our early experiences with money, what we observed at home, financial uncertainty and the messages we received about wealth." These formative influences can create ingrained beliefs and automatic emotional reactions to financial stimuli.
Warikoo’s clarification that the "color" of money "shows up in the job you take" and the "clients you work with" directly aligns with Dr. Sarkar’s perspective. The intrinsic value and ethical alignment of one’s work can profoundly impact the perceived worth and satisfaction derived from its compensation. A high salary from a company whose values are antithetical to one’s own can be deeply unsettling, while a modest income from a fulfilling and impactful role can feel immensely rewarding. Similarly, the way clients treat you and the stress levels associated with those interactions significantly color the experience of earning income.
The Journey Towards Financial Well-being: Cultivating Intentionality
The crucial question arising from Warikoo’s discourse is: can we cultivate a healthier, more positive relationship with money, thereby enhancing its "color"? Dr. Sarkar suggests that the journey begins with introspection and a departure from a purely numerical focus. "Improving our relationship with money starts with understanding what it means to us emotionally, rather than looking only at numbers," she advised.
This process of self-discovery might reveal underlying patterns of financial behavior. "Someone may discover that they overspend when they feel deprived, become excessively frugal because spending feels unsafe, or measure their success through their bank balance," Dr. Sarkar explained. By recognizing these unconscious patterns, individuals can begin to disentangle their financial decisions from automatic emotional responses, fostering a more deliberate and conscious approach to their finances.
A healthier relationship with money, according to Dr. Sarkar, doesn’t necessarily equate to either excessive spending or extreme frugality. Instead, it signifies the ability to "use money in a way aligned with our values, without letting it constantly determine our emotional state." This involves a conscious alignment of financial actions with personal principles and long-term aspirations.
Reframing Financial Questions: From Affordability to Experience
To achieve this alignment, Dr. Sarkar proposes a fundamental shift in the questions we ask ourselves about money. Instead of solely focusing on affordability – "Can I afford this?" – she encourages a more expansive inquiry: "What do I want this money to help me experience or build?" This reframing positions money as a tool, a facilitator of life goals and meaningful experiences, rather than an end in itself or a sole determinant of self-worth.
"Money can then become a tool for security, experiences, relationships and meaningful goals rather than becoming the measure of our worth," she stated. This perspective empowers individuals to leverage their financial resources strategically to enhance their overall quality of life, foster stronger connections, and pursue endeavors that bring genuine fulfillment.
The Spectrum of Satisfaction: Finding Your Personal "Color"
Ultimately, Dr. Sarkar emphasizes that there isn’t a singular "right" color of money that applies to everyone. The pursuit is not about achieving a universally prescribed financial state, but about discovering what works for the individual. "The goal is to understand which emotional relationship with it leaves you feeling secure, intentional and in control, rather than fearful, guilty or constantly dissatisfied," she concluded.
This personal quest for financial well-being involves a continuous process of self-awareness, value alignment, and intentional decision-making. By moving beyond the mere accumulation of wealth and focusing on the meaning, purpose, and emotional resonance of our financial lives, we can begin to paint our own unique and vibrant spectrum of money.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Individual financial situations are unique, and readers are strongly encouraged to consult with a qualified financial planner, advisor, or mental health professional before making any financial decisions.
