Archive · 2 Dec 2025
Financial Planning Across Family Life Stages
Chetan and Shalini started their careers as a dual-income couple with no kids, living comfortably in Africa.
When they moved to Gurgaon and had their first child, their financial priorities changed.
They focused on paying off their home loan, getting better health insurance, and tracking their expenses carefully.
Later, when they moved to Mumbai and Shalini stopped working, they had to plan even more carefully with just one income.
They diversified their investments and worked with a financial planner to manage their money.
They also started a side business to help with finances.
Their story shows how important it is to start investing early and adjust your financial plans as your family grows.
Chetan and Shalini transitioned from a dual-income, no-kids (DINK) setup to a single-income with kids (SIWK) phase as their family grew.
They prioritized clearing their home loan, strengthening health insurance, and tracking expenses closely when they had their first child.
Shalini stepping back from her career in Mumbai required deeper financial planning and discipline.
They diversified investments, engaged a financial planner, and built a robust financial system to support their transitions.
Starting early with investments and adjusting financial plans as family dynamics change is crucial for long-term stability.
- Who
- Chetan Verma and Shalini Balim, a couple with two children
- What
- Financial planning and adjustments across different family life stages
- When
- From their early careers to present day
- Where
- Africa, Gurgaon, and Mumbai
- Why
- To manage financial priorities and ensure stability through life transitions
- Chetan Verma
- 47 years old
- Shalini Balim
- 47 years old
- Children
- Vardaan and Shaurya
- Initial Setup
- Dual-income, no kids (DINK) in Africa
- Current Setup
- Single-income with kids (SIWK) in Mumbai
- Financial Planner
- Engaged a financial planner
- Investment Strategy
- Diversified investments
- Side Income
- Shalini's digital marketing firm, Koyahs