Bengaluru man debt-free, ₹2,000 a month feels so poor that buying a ₹750 shirt stresses him out | Today’s news

You can earn ₹2 lakh per month, carry zero debt and still feel broke? For this man from Bengaluru, the answer is a resounding yes.

Despite “ticking every box for a stress-free life” and lifting his family out of poverty, the 26-year-old shared a viral post on Reddit that he shops for a small ₹750 shirt will leave him stressed.

“I’m 26 and working ₹2 million per month. I have no debts and neither does my family. It’s just my parents and me,” he wrote.

‘He grew up pretty poor’

A man from Bengaluru said he “grew up quite poor” – “As our household income, it was never more than ₹6-7k till I was 21 when I got my first job. We lived in a small room 10×10.”

However, after he started earning, he said he made sure his parents stopped working. “Now they are retired with us. I moved them to a 2BHK in my hometown and live in my own 2BHK in Bangalore.”

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Where does his salary go?

A Bengaluru man said this every month from his ₹2 million salary, invests almost ₹50,000, he will send home ₹20,000 and uses approx ₹25,000 for its rent.

“What I do with my money every month: I deposit ₹30 thousand to mutual funds, others ₹10k to FD or RD, a ₹10k to gold chips. I send too ₹15-20k home to my parents. Then there is all my rent and other expenses that are around ₹25k,” he wrote in a viral Reddit post.

The man said that since 2021, when he started earning, “I have saved ₹4 million in stock, ₹2 lakh in FD and approx ₹2-2.5 million in gold. In addition, I have ₹6 lakh is just sitting in my salary account.”

Using his salary, he said the “bigger things” he bought included a ₹60k commuter scooter in Bangalore and furnished his parent’s house with everything – TV, sofa, fridge, kitchen utensils, rugs and more.

“I bought health insurance for my parents this year ₹30k/year and life insurance for yourself that costs ₹24k/year,” he said. “I got myself a MacBook M2 ₹70k and a OnePlus phone for ₹25 thousand.”

‘I never feel rich’

Despite what appears to be more than enough, Bengaluru said he never feels rich. “Honestly, I feel satisfied with what I have achieved, maybe I have achieved a little at times, but I never feel rich,” he wrote in the viral post.

The 26-year-old said he was looking forward to getting married this year, which “will probably cost me the least ₹10 lakhs.’ However, before the wedding, he said he wanted to buy a car for less ₹3-4 lakh and put some property like a piece of land in his name “which will cost a minimum ₹10-15 thousand in our city.”

“I have money, but not for everything. Choosing one thing means I have to let others go,” he said. “At 26, it’s so strange to feel poor despite earning so much.”

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‘I feel so behind’

The Redditor said the gloom is worse in his hometown. “The worst thing is when I go back to my hometown and see my friends doing manual labor or driving cars. They look happy and content and besides ₹1000 makes them feel rich. Years ago, everyone had an R15, MT or Pulsar bike, often on loan.”

“With my financial literacy, I never wanted to do that. But even though they were constantly in debt, they bought things, spent money and lived life to the fullest. I don’t understand why I feel so behind when I’m miles ahead of them on paper,” he pointed out.

‘Purchase a ₹The 750 shirt stresses me out

“I have checked all the boxes to live a stress-free life, but I am still stressed,” said the man from Bengaluru. “Like I want to buy a shirt that costs more than. ₹750, I emphasize.’

He noted that he doesn’t live frugally — “I’m in Bangalore, I eat out, I go out with friends, I throw parties and go on trips with friends sometimes” — but still, “I don’t feel satisfied, I don’t feel rich.”

He shared with the Internet that he constantly worries, “Will I feel rich when I get a car or an asset in my name? Should I invest more to make a quick buck?” and asked for advice.

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How netizens reacted:

His viral confession sparked a massive online conversation about “austerity fatigue,” the psychological toll of being a first-generation earner, and why a high salary doesn’t always bring peace of mind.

“Think it’s not about feeling rich, it’s more about breaking out of the old mentality but without going into overspending mode. You’re already doing better than a lot of people out there, please don’t let overthinking steal your joy,” the social media user said.

Another commented: “Spend time and money on yourself without feeling guilty. There will never be enough money to call yourself rich, try practicing gratitude and once in a while look in the mirror and see how much you’ve accomplished!”

“I think your sentiments are valid as you have gone from having very little to what most would consider a lot,” the user said. “But you have to remember that your salary has just started, and instead of settling down a bit, you’re already looking at how to spend your money. Which is also true. You feel like you’ve made it (which you have), and now you’re looking forward to getting everything you’ve ever wanted. But a previous life of financial insecurity has affected you in the form of worrying about your spending habits.”