A Reddit user in his 40s has shared his financial journey after moving back to India from the United States, sparking discussions on wealth-building and financial independence. The man detailed how he went from taking a student loan of ₹5 lakh in 2007 to building a portfolio worth over ₹12 crore today.
From Student Debt to Business Success
The entrepreneur recalled moving to the US in 2007 for his master’s degree, when his family was already under heavy debt. “At that time, I took a loan of about 5 lakhs for my studies and my dad was already managing around 40 lakhs of debt. Instead of taking up a job after graduation, I started a small software company while still studying and began picking up projects from different countries,” he wrote.
Over the next 13 years, his company thrived. He cleared family loans, bought a home in the US, and steadily invested in real estate. After his father passed away in 2016, he decided to relocate to Pune, citing better opportunities for his children and the ability to take care of his mother.
A Strong Real Estate and Stock Portfolio
The Reddit user detailed his current investments, which include agricultural land worth around ₹2 crore, residential flats worth another ₹2 crore generating ₹34,000 in monthly rent, and two office spaces worth ₹3 crore, together bringing in ₹1 lakh monthly rent.
He also owns a self-occupied flat for his family worth around ₹2 crore, stocks worth ₹2 crore that generate about ₹2 lakh annually in dividends, gold worth approximately ₹1 crore, and ₹50 lakh in cash reserves. His software business continues to be his main source of active income, generating nearly ₹80 lakh profit every year.
High-Risk, High-Reward Investments
In recent years, he has shifted focus more towards mutual funds. “Whatever I’m saving, I’m putting mainly into small-cap mutual funds. They are high risk, but I’m at a stage where I can afford to take risk with a portion of my money. To balance things out, I’m also starting to add international mutual funds to create a hedge in case the Indian market slows down,” he explained.
He added that while he occasionally feels left out since most of his friends and cousins are settled in the US, he doesn’t regret his decision to return. “What I value here is that I can take care of my mother, raise my kids close to family, and hire help for daily tasks… Although I feel sometimes depressed that all my friends and cousins are settled in USA.”
Financial Independence Over Location
Summing up his philosophy, he said: “My conclusion is simple: live where you can save the most and build financial independence. Once you cross 40, you should be working only if you want to — not because you have to. That freedom is worth more than anything else.”
His post has sparked widespread appreciation online, with many readers praising his disciplined approach to wealth-building and his decision to prioritise family and financial freedom over living abroad.
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