Dear Aida,

There is a simple principle that separates people who build stable financial lives from those who live in quiet, constant anxiety:

Save before you invest.
Always.

The world loves to glamorize investing —
the thrill of markets,
the chase for higher returns,
the dream of compounding wealth.

But here is the truth most people overlook:

Investing without savings is not strategy —
it is exposure.

Savings protect you.
Investments grow you.
And protection must come before growth.