A Bengaluru-based software professional has ignited a lively online debate after revealing that despite taking home ₹3.5 lakh a month, he finds it difficult to build substantial savings.

The 34-year-old, who shared his concerns on Reddit, said he is increasingly anxious about his financial future as household expenses, childcare costs and loan repayments consume a significant portion of his income.

High income, higher responsibilities

The techie, who is raising four-year-old twin daughters in Bengaluru, said his annual compensation package stands at ₹96 lakh. However, he clarified that around ₹35 lakh is tied to employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) in a startup and cannot be treated as guaranteed income.

According to his post, he is typically left with monthly savings of only ₹45,000 to ₹50,000 after meeting all expenses.

Expenses add up quickly

The professional shared a detailed breakdown of his monthly spending, including an ₹80,000 home loan EMI and a ₹30,000 car loan repayment.

Childcare forms a major part of his budget, with ₹40,000 spent on a nanny and another ₹50,000 on preschool and daycare expenses. Additional costs include groceries, household help, utilities, fitness expenses and family travel.

Despite having a reported net worth of around ₹3 crore, he said his wealth has grown only modestly in recent years, leaving him worried about job security and long-term financial stability.

Internet divided over his concerns

The post drew mixed reactions online.

While some users sympathised with the challenges of raising children and managing large financial commitments in a metro city, others argued that loan repayments contribute to asset creation and should also be viewed as a form of wealth building.

Several commenters pointed out that owning a home, maintaining investments and saving ₹50,000 a month already places him in a stronger financial position than many households.

Reflecting Bengaluru’s cost-of-living debate

The discussion has once again highlighted the rising cost of urban living in Bengaluru, where housing, childcare, education and lifestyle expenses continue to climb.

For many readers, the post was less about salary figures and more about the reality that financial stress can persist regardless of income when responsibilities and expectations grow alongside earnings