Financial mistakes can have far-reaching consequences, particularly when they involve family savings and the trust placed in young adults. Many households face challenges balancing aspirations, education, and financial security, and impulsive decisions in pursuit of quick profits can leave lasting repercussions. A recent post shared on Reddit highlights how one risky choice can destabilize a family’s finances and relationships.The Cost of Chasing Quick GainsA 20-year-old engineering student revealed in the Reddit post that he lost his mother’s entire savings of Rs 3.5 lakh while attempting to earn quick returns in the stock market through futures and options (F&O) trades. The money had been saved carefully to fund his college education, and the father has not been earning for six years, leaving the family with limited resources. The student admitted that he made the decision hoping to multiply the money rapidly, but the gamble failed, leaving him overwhelmed with guilt.
He described how the experience affected his mental and physical health, noting that he spent much of the last year depressed and focused solely on maintaining his GPA rather than building employable skills or earning an income. The student’s misstep mirrored past financial mistakes in the family, as previous wealth had already been eroded due to loans and debts.
Mother’s Reaction and Ongoing StrainMonths after the loss, the student finally confessed to his mother. She listened without blaming him, but the family had to sell additional jewelry to fund his education. The student revealed that he is now considering asking his mother to sell the remaining gold he owns—not just to repay him, but to invest it in mutual funds or ETFs for long-term returns.
In the post, he stated that his mother had noticed his withdrawn behavior, recognizing that he was considering asking her to liquidate gold for investment purposes. This realization left him emotionally shattered and unsure how to make amends.
Reddit Advice and Lessons LearnedReddit users offered strong warnings and practical advice. Many emphasized that the son should not ask his mother to sell her jewelry for investments, stressing that he should first focus on building skills, securing a steady income, and repaying her gradually. One user urged him to avoid gambling with money that is not his and to prioritize safe savings like fixed deposits before considering any mutual fund or equity investments. Another noted that short-term profit chasing only compounds losses and advised patience and disciplined effort to restore the lost amount over time.The consensus among most of the commenters highlighted that trust and financial discipline cannot be replaced by risky strategies and that the son’s immediate focus should be on studying and earning responsibly.