The art of looking for hidden wealth

The art of looking for hidden wealth

“From time to time, it’s good to sit and listen to our seniors and elders. They will give you some ideas and tips that can solve your present problems.” – Radhakrishnan Pillai

Recently, an investor friend of mine revealed to me that his grandfather suddenly discovered in old files some share certificates he had completely forgotten about. The current value of these shares, my friend claimed, is now 100 times of original value.

Most of us have heard such stories of unexpected wealth. Even Chanakya—the world’s first economist—referred to the same in the Arthashastra.

He said, “What is lost, forgotten and so on is income from other sources.” (2.15.9).

In any company, there are revenues streams that are factored in. It can be through sales of the product or services, or passive income from interest earned, lease or rentals. Chanakya suggested that every company or person should put one more column in his balance sheet—‘wealth  from other sources.’

That’s because, at times, some unexpected money comes in and this has to be reflected in the income column too. In fact, not a single rupee in Kautilya’s Arthashastra is unaccounted for.

But can we find income from unexpected sources too? Follow these steps to find an answer:

Open old files

The modern world has us running so fast that we do not have time to look back. Life is all about time management now. However, it’s important to take stock of our past as well.

Take some time out and check your old files. You may be surprised by some proof of unexpected wealth waiting for you: An insurance policy, or an investment bond which has already matured.

It may also be worth your while to check with the accountant at your old workplace to see if you have transferred or withdrawn every paise of your PF contribution, including the pension part. After all, the provident fund organisation is sitting on hundreds of crores of unclaimed money.

Follow up old payments

When we are busy, we generally forget to collect some small, old payments. Do a little follow-up and you may end up collecting such outstanding amounts. It never hurts to give it a try, even if you had written off something.

Your final efforts could work, getting you an extra income. If you do not have the time to do that, delegate it to someone who is working under you. But do it.

Talk to elders

From time to time, it’s good to sit and listen to our seniors and elders. They will give you some ideas and tips that can solve your present problems. We grow in their wisdom.

Also, purely from a financial standpoint, they will tell you where they must have invested earlier and pass on the financial benefits to you.

But after all this, remember to develop your inner wealth as well. Chanakya said, “Wealth is not only what is with you but it is also ‘inside’ you.”

Dr Radhakrishnan Pillai is an Indian management thinker, author, and Founder of Atma Darshan and Chanakya Aanvikshiki. Dr Pillai has extensively researched Kautilya’s Arthashastra, the 3rd century BC treatise and incorporated it into modern management.

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