Bengaluru: A Bengaluru-based software professional has sparked widespread discussion on social media after revealing that he still feels “poor” despite earning ₹2 lakh a month, having no debt and maintaining a disciplined savings habit.
In a Reddit post that has since gone viral, the 26-year-old techie attributed his financial anxiety to the hardships he experienced while growing up in a low-income family.
Techie says childhood struggles still shape his mindset
The software engineer shared that his family’s monthly income never exceeded ₹6,000-7,000 until he secured his first job in 2021. He recalled growing up in a single-room home and witnessing years of financial hardship, experiences he says continue to influence how he views money.
After beginning his career, he ensured his parents no longer had to work and shifted them into a two-bedroom house in his hometown, while he rented a two-bedroom apartment in Bengaluru.
Strong savings, yet financial insecurity remains
According to the post, the techie invests ₹30,000 every month in mutual funds, sets aside ₹10,000 in fixed or recurring deposits and another ₹10,000 towards gold savings. He also sends ₹15,000-20,000 to his parents every month while spending around ₹25,000 on rent and household expenses.
He said he has accumulated investments worth around ₹4 lakh in stocks, ₹2 lakh in fixed deposits, ₹2-2.5 lakh in gold and nearly ₹6 lakh in cash savings. He has also purchased a scooter, furnished his parents’ home, bought a MacBook and smartphone, and secured health and life insurance for his family.
Despite these achievements, he admitted that spending even ₹750 on a shirt makes him anxious. He also expressed concern over future expenses such as marriage, buying land and upgrading his vehicle.
Viral post sparks wider discussion
The post has resonated with thousands online, with many users saying that financial security is influenced not only by income but also by childhood experiences, family responsibilities and emotional perceptions of wealth. Several commenters noted that overcoming the psychological effects of poverty often takes much longer than achieving financial stability.