A 26-year-old professional has shared his financial struggles online after experiencing what many would call a dream salary jump—from ₹40,000 to ₹1.3 lakh per month. Despite the threefold increase, he says he still feels trapped under debt and family responsibilities. The details were shared on Reddit.
He wrote, “Went from 40k to 1.3LPM salary… but it feels like I am still broke.”
High Salary, But Heavy Commitments
Relocating for the new job has added to his expenses. Currently, he pays ₹20,000 for PG rent, ₹20,000 for his personal loan EMI, ₹15,000 for his parents’ EMI, and another ₹10,000 sent home every month. Along with food and transport, around ₹70,000–75,000 is gone in fixed costs.
“What’s frustrating is that I am not even splurging. No luxuries, no lifestyle upgrades. I walk a lot to cut transport costs, live frugally, and save where I can. The only big expense is the rent, which I plan to bring down soon. But despite earning 3x more than before, I still feel stuck in the same middle-class trap,” he wrote.
Dreams of Freedom, But Burden of Debt
The young professional says most of his earnings go toward family commitments. His father’s health condition prevented the family from securing private medical insurance earlier, forcing them to rely on corporate coverage and loans.
“Even with my dream monthly salary, debt and commitments make me feel suffocated. I dreamt of traveling, enjoying life, and financial freedom but the next 2–3 years look like just loan repayments,” he added.
Plans for the Future
Despite the financial pressure, he has chalked out a roadmap. “Earlier SIP was 2000; I want to increase it to 15000/month. Planning to buy medical insurance for parents separately. Want to start doing part-prepayments on EMI to become debt-free faster. Plan to get married in ~2 years, so I need to start saving for that too.”
He admits that the weight of responsibilities often leaves him feeling left behind when compared to peers. “Sometimes I wish I had no debt, no responsibilities, just the chance to enjoy life as it comes.”
Questions That Many Young Earners Face
He is now seeking practical financial advice:
How to balance debt repayment vs. investing?
Should SIP be increased now or postponed until loans are cleared?
How to secure medical insurance for parents with pre-existing conditions?
How to start saving for a wedding in two years?
What money mistakes should be avoided in such situations?
His post has resonated with many young Indians, reflecting the struggles of balancing financial growth, family responsibilities, and personal aspirations.
Disclaimer: This story is based on a post shared by a Reddit User. The details, opinions, and statements quoted herein belong solely to the original poster and do not reflect the views of Financialexpress.com. We have not independently verified the claims.