In our Gujarati household in Ahmedabad, gold isn't just jewelry – it's our family's financial backbone. Every Dhanteras, without fail, Ma and Papa would buy gold, treating it as the ultimate investment. "Sonu kadhe judu nahi kare" (Gold will never disappoint), Ma would say.

When I started my job at an MNC in Mumbai, my first Diwali bonus came with clear instructions from home – buy gold. I followed blindly, just like I followed their advice about keeping money in fixed deposits and avoiding "risky" stocks. After all, this strategy had worked for generations in our family.

The wake-up call came during a team lunch when my colleagues discussed their mutual fund returns and stock portfolios. I sat quietly, embarrassed that my entire investment strategy was based on what worked in my parents' time. That evening, I calculated the returns on my gold investments compared to my friend's SIP in index funds. The difference was eye-opening.

I spent months learning about modern investment options. I read books, and even enrolled in an online financial literacy course. When I suggested diversifying our family's investments beyond gold and FDs, it led to heated discussions. "Share market is gambling," Papa declared, remembering stories of losses from the 1992 Harshad Mehta scam.

Slowly, I started showing them the power of compound interest through mutual funds. I explained how systematic investment plans (SIPs) work, and how they could complement our traditional investments. To my surprise, my mother, who had never worked outside home, became curious about stock markets.

Today, my portfolio is a blend of traditional and modern investments. Yes, I still buy gold – some traditions are worth keeping – but now it's a conscious choice, not a default one. The best part? My parents have started their own SIPs, though Ma still insists that her gold bangles are her "real wealth."