Bengaluru: How much money is enough to feel financially secure? There may be no universal answer, but Bengaluru-based founder Simridhi Makhija has shared her perspective on the amount of savings that can provide a sense of stability during uncertain times.
In a recent Instagram video, Makhija spoke about the relationship between money, regular income and stress. Rather than linking financial comfort with shopping, dining out or other lifestyle expenses, she argued that savings can serve as a safety net when unexpected situations arise.
She said having a consistent flow of money can provide confidence and reduce anxiety about the future.
‘Nothing calms your nervous system more’
Makhija highlighted the importance of financial stability while discussing the connection between money and stress.
“Nothing calms down your nervous system more than having consistent flow of money,” she said in the video shared on Instagram.
According to her, regular earnings can make people feel more confident about dealing with uncertainties. She emphasised that financial security is not necessarily about having the ability to spend more, but about knowing that money is available when it is genuinely needed.
Why she mentioned Rs 20 to 30 lakh
Makhija went on to identify a savings range that she considers reassuring — Rs 20 lakh to Rs 30 lakh in a bank account.
She clarified that her point was not about being able to afford frequent visits to expensive restaurants, shopping trips or nights out at pubs.
Instead, she said having Rs 20 lakh to Rs 30 lakh saved can provide a financial cushion in case of unforeseen circumstances.
“Not because of shallow reasons such as, ‘Oh, you can go to your favourite restaurant every weekend, you can shop wherever you want, go to your favourite pubs’,” she said.
She argued that the real value of such savings lies in reducing concerns about what might happen next.
Savings as a safety net
Makhija cited several situations in which having substantial savings could make a difference.
She said a person with Rs 20 lakh to Rs 30 lakh in savings may be better positioned to deal with a sudden loss of employment, financial requirements involving parents or an unexpected healthcare crisis.
“Even if you lose your job, even if your parents need money, there is a healthcare crisis, whatever it is, you are good because you have 20 to 30 lakhs saved in your bank account,” she said.
Her comments have renewed discussion around the role of emergency savings in managing financial uncertainty. While the amount required for financial security differs from person to person depending on income, expenses and responsibilities, Makhija presented the figure as her personal benchmark rather than a universal financial rule.
Makhija questions whether therapy alone can help
Makhija also spoke about commonly suggested approaches to managing stress, including therapy, reading books and pursuing hobbies.
While she acknowledged that these activities can be useful, she argued that they may not resolve stress caused by an underlying financial problem.
“So therapy is fine, reading books is fine, trying to calm down your nervous system is fine, but unless you actually go to the root of why your nervous system is actually acting up all the time, you are not going to be better,” she said.
Her comments link financial concerns with a person’s broader sense of emotional stability. She suggested that addressing the financial source of stress could be an important part of achieving greater confidence.
‘Earned that money yourself’
Makhija further connected financial independence with confidence.
She said earning one’s own money can provide a sense of control and make it easier to face unexpected circumstances.
She described savings as a “cushion” that can provide support when situations do not go as planned.
According to her, having money that one has earned independently can contribute to feeling more confident while navigating different situations in life.
Her observations on Bengaluru founders
Makhija also referred to her experiences among founders in Bengaluru, saying she had observed differences between entrepreneurs with consistent cash flow and those facing financial uncertainty.
She claimed that founders who do not have a steady flow of money can experience difficulties across different aspects of their lives, while those who have achieved financial stability may have greater peace of mind.
“I have seen here in Bangalore as to how those founders who do not have consistent cash flow struggle with everything in their life in every sphere, versus those founders who have made it, and now they are happy in every other sphere of their life,” she said.
Makhija added that she had seen the difference firsthand and said she would continue to speak about the connection between financial stability and wellbeing despite criticism.
Financial security means different things to different people
Makhija’s comments have sparked attention because they frame savings primarily as protection against uncertainty rather than as a means of increasing consumption.
The Rs 20 lakh to Rs 30 lakh figure she mentioned is her personal view and should not be treated as a fixed threshold for financial security. The amount needed for an emergency fund or long-term financial stability can vary considerably depending on a person’s income, monthly expenses, debt, dependants and other financial commitments.
Her broader message, however, centres on the importance of having sufficient savings and predictable income to provide a cushion when unexpected challenges arise.