What makes a successful parent? Today, the internet has an answer for almost everything. There are videos explaining how much you should save by 30, where you should invest, when you should buy a house, how much debt is acceptable, and what financial mistakes you should never make. Scroll through social media long enough, and it can seem as though good parenting begins with perfect financial planning.But entrepreneur and author Ankur Warikoo recently shared a deeply personal story that quietly dismantles that idea. It begins with a sentence that almost sounds harsh. “ My father is a failure for every finfluencer,” he says.
28 Jul 2026 | 16:22
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For a few moments, listeners might assume the story is about regret. Instead, what follows is an emotional tribute to a father who struggled financially, made mistakes, carried enormous debt- and still gave his children everything that truly mattered.
“Every finfluencer would call my father a failure”
Warikoo recalls that when his father turned 50, he put his entire life’s savings into buying a house. On top of that, he borrowed another Rs 8 lakh. His monthly salary was Rs 25,000, while the EMI itself was Rs 7,000. Looking back, many personal finance experts would probably criticise those decisions.But Warikoo adds an important perspective. “There was no YouTube at that time where a finfluencer would tell him he was doing it wrong because he wasn’t following the 30-20-40 rule.” His father, like millions of parents, was trying to build stability for his family with the knowledge and resources available to him.
Photo source: Instagram/@ankurwarikoo
Then life became even harder
Just when things seemed difficult enough, they became worse. After spending over two decades working, his father lost his job. Exhausted from working for others, he decided to start a business of his own.It didn’t work. The debts continued to grow. Meanwhile, Warikoo was studying in the United States on a 100% scholarship. Every month, he sent Rs 15,000 home, believing everything was under control. He had no idea what his parents were silently dealing with.
A phone call he never forgot
Then came the phone call that changed everything. “Papa called me and said, ‘Nandu, I need some money.’ I said, ‘Of course, Papa. How much?’ He said, ‘Rs 7,000.'”Warikoo assumed it was for an ordinary expense. Then his father explained why. “The home loan EMI hadn’t been paid for two months.” Warikoo immediately reassured him. “Of course, Papa. You should have told me earlier. I’ll transfer it right away.”But then something happened that he says life never prepares you for. “At that point of time, Papa broke down. There are very few things in life that prepare you for seeing your father cry.” It wasn’t just about Rs 7,000. It was years of pressure, disappointment and helplessness finally finding an outlet. His father had spent years trying to create a better life for his family while carrying the invisible weight of debt.
Yes, he made financial mistakes
Warikoo doesn’t pretend his father always made wise financial decisions. In fact, he openly lists them. “He made every mistake that a finfluencer would tell you not to make.” He bought policies believing they would secure the future. He ignored modern budgeting formulas. He invested in penny stocks hoping to earn more. He put money into chit funds. He misused credit cards. Many financial experts today would advise against several of these decisions.But Warikoo asks us to pause before judging a parent only by a balance sheet. Because the story doesn’t end with financial mistakes. It ends with something much bigger.
“But in the end… he delivered”
After describing everything his father did wrong with money, Warikoo says something that completely changes the conversation. “But you know what? In the end, he delivered.” He explains what his father actually built. “He raised a family. He educated two children. He gave us a roof over our heads. He gave us food. He gave us values. He gave us respect.”Then comes the lesson that stayed with him forever. “He taught me that there is no replacement for hard work. Luck may already be written, but hard work is always a choice.” Those aren’t lessons that appear in investment portfolios. They’re lessons children carry into adulthood.
What children remember isn’t always what parents worry about
Warikoo’s story is a reminder that children often remember something else long after they have forgotten the size of the house they grew up in. They remember the parents who quietly sacrificed so their children could dream bigger.Warikoo ends his story by returning to the line with which he began. “He may be a failure in every finfluencer’s eyes, but he is the father of a finfluencer.” Then he explains why. “He taught me how to survive. He taught me how to persist. He taught me that even if it’s late, keep playing the game. Because playing the game is important.” Perhaps that’s what parenting has always been about. Not raising children who believe life will always go according to plan, but raising children who know how to stand back up when it doesn’t.
