Essay
My First Gamble, and the Slap That Taught Me About Money
A childhood lottery win in India, and the one sharp lesson that shaped how I've thought about easy money ever since.
Everyone talks about their first win. I still remember my first loss, even though I actually won.
At work recently, we were talking about vacations. Someone mentioned Vegas, slot machines, free drinks, the whole setup designed to keep you playing. That reminded me of my first "gamble," back in 3rd grade in India.
Those colorful one-rupee lottery boards were everywhere. Out of curiosity, I bought one. To my surprise, I won fifteen rupees. Overjoyed, I ran home to show my dad my big win. His reaction? One sharp slap.
That was the first and last time I ever gambled for money. And though it stung, the lesson stayed with me: never chase easy money, respect what you earn.
Years later, when I moved to Singapore, I learned that citizens and permanent residents must pay an entry levy just to enter a casino, a quiet nudge reminding people that luck has a cost.
Funny how a small slap can teach a lifelong lesson about money and mindset. What's the earliest money lesson you still remember?
