Mumbai money diaries from 1999.

Back then, I think I earned 6,000 rupees (£70) as salary a month plus sales commissions. 4 rupees bus fare was an entry worth noting. £1 is roughly 92 rupees. I carefully noted four columns: D, E, H & S for bank deposits, expenses, home for money I sent home and savings. The savings column I then invested in mutual funds. My investing endeavours were soon followed by a great stock market crash which taught me painful, but valuable early lessons in investing.

I also lived in a 17-bedroom dormitory, in a lovely part of Mumbai. I did my best to escape daily night rosary prayers…