Managing money in your 20s can feel like juggling flaming torches—especially when family, EMIs, and life goals all demand a piece of your paycheck. For many young Indians, the dream of financial freedom often clashes with the reality of high expenses, loans, and responsibilities. One 25-year-old techie from Gurugram recently shared his struggle on Reddit, and his story is painfully relatable for anyone feeling stuck in the early years of their career.
The techie started working in 2021 with just ₹24K in hand after graduating from a tier-3 college. Four years later, he earns Rs 70K in hand, but his month-end savings are still zero. Living in Gurugram with high costs, he supports a family that’s entirely dependent on him, including a father with a Rs 2L loan. He sends Rs 20K home every month, pays Rs 10K for rent, and spends on EMIs, SIPs, and credit card bills, leaving little room to breathe financially.
Adding to the stress are societal expectations—his parents want him married by 28–29—and the anxiety of knowing everyone around seems to be achieving financial milestones while he’s barely keeping afloat. He’s working at a startup in product and operations, actively trying to switch jobs for better pay, but the constant pressure and guilt make him feel trapped.
His goals are simple yet crucial: keep his family away from loans, build an emergency fund of at least ₹10 lakh, get health insurance, and eventually start saving and investing properly. But every month, the cycle repeats, leaving him drained and anxious. He reached out online, asking for real advice from those who’ve balanced family responsibilities, EMIs, and savings—and hopes to find a path toward financial stability and peace of mind.
Internet reacts
Many users flooded the Reddit post with advice and empathy. One suggested going into “monk mode” for six months — cutting out eating out, avoiding credit cards, tracking every rupee spent, and deleting social media apps like Instagram to escape FOMO. Others urged the techie to pause SIPs, get health insurance immediately, and focus on upskilling to increase income.
Some users shared practical financial tips such as building an emergency fund worth at least six months of expenses, creating a strict monthly budget, and surrendering credit cards to curb impulse spending. A few advised selling mutual fund holdings if profitable to clear existing loans before restarting investments.
Many could relate to his struggles. Another 26-year-old said they had spent years paying off family debts and felt exhausted and stuck, unable to save or move forward. The post struck a chord with hundreds of young professionals trying to balance financial pressure, family expectations, and mental health.
The techie started working in 2021 with just ₹24K in hand after graduating from a tier-3 college. Four years later, he earns Rs 70K in hand, but his month-end savings are still zero. Living in Gurugram with high costs, he supports a family that’s entirely dependent on him, including a father with a Rs 2L loan. He sends Rs 20K home every month, pays Rs 10K for rent, and spends on EMIs, SIPs, and credit card bills, leaving little room to breathe financially.
Adding to the stress are societal expectations—his parents want him married by 28–29—and the anxiety of knowing everyone around seems to be achieving financial milestones while he’s barely keeping afloat. He’s working at a startup in product and operations, actively trying to switch jobs for better pay, but the constant pressure and guilt make him feel trapped.
His goals are simple yet crucial: keep his family away from loans, build an emergency fund of at least ₹10 lakh, get health insurance, and eventually start saving and investing properly. But every month, the cycle repeats, leaving him drained and anxious. He reached out online, asking for real advice from those who’ve balanced family responsibilities, EMIs, and savings—and hopes to find a path toward financial stability and peace of mind.
Internet reacts
Many users flooded the Reddit post with advice and empathy. One suggested going into “monk mode” for six months — cutting out eating out, avoiding credit cards, tracking every rupee spent, and deleting social media apps like Instagram to escape FOMO. Others urged the techie to pause SIPs, get health insurance immediately, and focus on upskilling to increase income.
Some users shared practical financial tips such as building an emergency fund worth at least six months of expenses, creating a strict monthly budget, and surrendering credit cards to curb impulse spending. A few advised selling mutual fund holdings if profitable to clear existing loans before restarting investments.
Many could relate to his struggles. Another 26-year-old said they had spent years paying off family debts and felt exhausted and stuck, unable to save or move forward. The post struck a chord with hundreds of young professionals trying to balance financial pressure, family expectations, and mental health.
You may also like
Himachal CM flags off 18 e-taxis under Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgaar Start-up Yojna
Durgapur gangrape: Bengal Guv sends report to President Murmu, MHA (Lead)
India's wearables firms venture abroad as local market wears a weary look
US air force plane 'carrying Pete Hegseth' declares emergency and lands in UK
Nagaland's ruling alliance PDA hails Modi govt for continued support to state's all-round growth
