A Bengaluru-based tech professional recently shared his financial journey on Reddit, offering hard-earned lessons that could benefit anyone navigating their early career. Starting his professional life with an annual salary of Rs 5 lakh two decades ago, he went on to earn over Rs 2.5 crore annually. But his rise wasn’t without hardship. Along the way, he lost his father, battled family disputes, faced mounting debt, and grappled with serious health issues.
Tragedy Struck Early: Insurance Gaps and Financial Fallout
He grew up in a South Indian Tier-1 city, where his father worked as a government employee. After college, he joined a top product company, and like many young professionals, he enjoyed spending his new paycheck freely—even taking a car loan to match a friend's purchase. However, when his father was hospitalized after a failed heart surgery, the reality of financial fragility hit hard. Despite having corporate medical coverage, the hospital bills exhausted it quickly, forcing him and his sister to take Rs 5 lakh personal loans. The hospital eventually pulled the plug after 50 days in the ICU when money got over.
With no term insurance in place, the family had to sell their ancestral home at a loss to repay loans and cover his sister’s wedding expenses. A legal dispute with relatives over property added to the strain. These experiences made him realize that corporate insurance is often insufficient, and that personal medical and term insurance are crucial safeguards.
Career Growth vs. Financial Wisdom
Although he had plans to work in Singapore, he stayed in India to support his mother. Over the years, his dedication paid off—he rose through the ranks to become a director and later secured some of the highest-paying jobs in the industry. By 2018, he was earning between ₹40–50 lakh annually and had purchased a second home without loans. Still, he emphasized that the early stages of a career are not the time for exponential growth, but for developing skills, living within one’s means, and building a financial cushion.
Despite his financial progress, his health took a hit in his early 30s. Work stress, lack of exercise, and unhealthy eating led to high blood pressure and emergency hospitalization. With a one-year-old child and a demanding job, the incident forced him to rethink his priorities. He recovered after a year of lifestyle changes and made health a top priority.
Smarter Investing and Long-Term Planning
As his income climbed into the crores, he realized that high earnings don’t automatically lead to wealth. Initially trying to manage investments himself, he faced underwhelming returns. Consulting a SEBI-registered fee-only financial planner changed that. With guidance, he adopted a simplified strategy—investing in index funds and direct mutual funds—which started yielding returns that outpaced inflation.
Today, he has no debt, owns real estate worth Rs 4.5 crore, holds liquid assets worth ₹10 crore, and maintains a Rs 2.5 crore annual CTC. Despite this, he lives modestly, still drives a Maruti car, and spends mindfully. He credits financial independence for giving him the freedom to focus on work he enjoys and to spend meaningful time with his family.
Reflecting on his journey, he emphasized that income alone doesn’t equate to wealth. True financial well-being comes from disciplined saving, wise investing, sufficient insurance, and thoughtful spending. Moreover, early life struggles often shape long-term money behavior. His advice is clear: stay humble, plan ahead, prioritize health, and be grateful—because no matter how secure things seem, life can change in an instant.
Tragedy Struck Early: Insurance Gaps and Financial Fallout
He grew up in a South Indian Tier-1 city, where his father worked as a government employee. After college, he joined a top product company, and like many young professionals, he enjoyed spending his new paycheck freely—even taking a car loan to match a friend's purchase. However, when his father was hospitalized after a failed heart surgery, the reality of financial fragility hit hard. Despite having corporate medical coverage, the hospital bills exhausted it quickly, forcing him and his sister to take Rs 5 lakh personal loans. The hospital eventually pulled the plug after 50 days in the ICU when money got over.
With no term insurance in place, the family had to sell their ancestral home at a loss to repay loans and cover his sister’s wedding expenses. A legal dispute with relatives over property added to the strain. These experiences made him realize that corporate insurance is often insufficient, and that personal medical and term insurance are crucial safeguards.
Career Growth vs. Financial Wisdom
Although he had plans to work in Singapore, he stayed in India to support his mother. Over the years, his dedication paid off—he rose through the ranks to become a director and later secured some of the highest-paying jobs in the industry. By 2018, he was earning between ₹40–50 lakh annually and had purchased a second home without loans. Still, he emphasized that the early stages of a career are not the time for exponential growth, but for developing skills, living within one’s means, and building a financial cushion.
Despite his financial progress, his health took a hit in his early 30s. Work stress, lack of exercise, and unhealthy eating led to high blood pressure and emergency hospitalization. With a one-year-old child and a demanding job, the incident forced him to rethink his priorities. He recovered after a year of lifestyle changes and made health a top priority.
Smarter Investing and Long-Term Planning
As his income climbed into the crores, he realized that high earnings don’t automatically lead to wealth. Initially trying to manage investments himself, he faced underwhelming returns. Consulting a SEBI-registered fee-only financial planner changed that. With guidance, he adopted a simplified strategy—investing in index funds and direct mutual funds—which started yielding returns that outpaced inflation.
Today, he has no debt, owns real estate worth Rs 4.5 crore, holds liquid assets worth ₹10 crore, and maintains a Rs 2.5 crore annual CTC. Despite this, he lives modestly, still drives a Maruti car, and spends mindfully. He credits financial independence for giving him the freedom to focus on work he enjoys and to spend meaningful time with his family.
Reflecting on his journey, he emphasized that income alone doesn’t equate to wealth. True financial well-being comes from disciplined saving, wise investing, sufficient insurance, and thoughtful spending. Moreover, early life struggles often shape long-term money behavior. His advice is clear: stay humble, plan ahead, prioritize health, and be grateful—because no matter how secure things seem, life can change in an instant.
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