Dad teaching teen cousins to invest, left me feeling jealous

[Vandana]

For context, I'm in my mid‑20s, grew up in a typical middle‑class family and my parents were always fighting about money. It got to the point where they'd argue over movie tickets or why one of them bought veggies from a vendor who charged a bit more. Whenever I asked to hang out with friends at McDonald's or get pizza, dad would say, "only rich people eat there". I'd reply, "it's not that much, let me have some fun".

Funny thing is dad was obsessed with investing and had a SIP mentality. He'd literally mark dates on a calendar and invest in certain stocks. He was too cheap to pay a financial advisor, but we subscribed to about eight newspapers and two magazines to read about stocks, shareholder letters and updates. I wanted to impress him badly.

I'd read all the papers, google stuff, check Wikipedia and look at announcements after they went to sleep, just so I could start a conversation in the morning. It took a lot of time because I barely understood anything. I did this three or four times a week for eight or nine months straight.

NOT ONCE did dad acknowledge any of my suggestions. He was so dismissive, always saying "you'll never understand it" or "it's too complicated for me to teach you". That went on for years.

Now he's considered the family's investing expert. Two days ago I saw him using some app and teaching my cousins what a new announcement means, how US news affects BSE and NSE, or how AI will affect India. He never says "it's too complicated" and he's literally reading stuff from the app.

What I begged for years, he's now doing for free. They didn't even ask for it. I'm so mad.

_____

[Neeraj]

What is this, daddy‑issues post? This is giving me PTSD - we all seem to have lived the same lives, lol. I remember my dad scolding my brother for buying a new phone that actually worked when he went out because the old one was dead, and dad got mad. Zerodha family drama here.

[Ramesh]

At least tell me what this app is, bro, please.

[Sonia]

I never thought people from your dad's generation would use an app. In my family, the uncles just get stock tips from other uncles and they're happy losing money together.

[Rupali]

Bro, this middle‑class saving mentality can be too much. My dad is addicted to reading Moneycontrol, FT, Economic Times and ten other channels. Even his brother, who works in wealth management, says I'm doing too much.

[Amit]

Treating family badly, intimidating them and then acting nice outside is typical desi culture. The sooner you accept that you'll never please him and that any attempt to please will be used against you, the quicker you can take charge of your mental health. Good luck!

[Swati]

He's known in the family as the finance guy because he does this to impress them. He loves the validation and attention. He doesn't respect you or your opinion, so he'll never treat you the same. Lots of people, especially dads, are like that. The sooner you accept it, the better. Focus on building your own network and find comfort there. Give up on your father the way he gave up on you, and stay firm when he gets old and needs you.

[Asha]

So did all that pain finally pay off? What's the final corpus?

[Sonal]

That's sad, hope you get to enjoy that stuff with your kids.

[Devansh]

Please go do a varsity course. You'll understand a lot.

[Aarti]

I think the difference is that your dad likes to be in control. You tried to impress him by learning on your own, but he wanted to be the one giving the knowledge and didn't want a kid teaching him, so he was dismissive. With your cousins, he probably feels like the big guy when he shares information.