A recent Reddit post has gone viral after a 34-year-old professional shared his path to financial independence despite starting with a modest salary. The user, who completed his B.Tech 12 years ago, revealed how a simple lifestyle and consistent investing helped him build wealth over time.
From ₹5,000 Salary to Global Firm
The Redditor began his career earning just ₹5,000 per month, later moving to salaries of ₹15,000 and ₹19,000. A major breakthrough came when he landed a role in one of the world’s top companies, which offered a significant hike.
“At that time, I didn’t really understand how RSUs (stock-based compensation) worked. I picked a package with a high CTC that included mostly stocks, without realizing the details,” he wrote.
Discovering FIRE
Coming from a lower-middle-class family, the user said he always maintained a simple lifestyle, supported by friends who never pressured him to spend more. His financial journey took a turn around three years ago when he discovered the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) concept.
“I created an Excel sheet to track everything—my PF, investments, even cash. I update it at the end of every quarter. This habit helped me stay on top of my finances,” he shared.
Small Wins Matter
Four months ago, the user achieved ₹50 lakh in total investments, and after a recent stock vesting, his net worth climbed to ₹60 lakh. His current portfolio includes ₹5 lakh in an emergency fund, ₹20 lakh in debt and hybrid mutual funds, ₹15 lakh in PF and PPF, ₹10 lakh in RSUs, ₹2 lakh in Indian stocks, and ₹8 lakh in equity mutual funds.
“₹60 lakh may not seem like a big number to some, but for me, every step has been meaningful. I still remember how happy I felt when I reached ₹1 lakh. Then came ₹10 lakh, ₹25 lakh, and ₹50 lakh. I believe I can reach ₹1 crore in the next 2 years, especially with more RSUs vesting and a job switch in mind,” the post read.
Why Debt Came First
Explaining his approach, the Redditor said he initially focused on debt investments to manage risk. “Some people might wonder why I put a big portion into debt in the beginning. The simple reason is: fear. I was afraid of market risks and uncertain situations. Coming from my background, I wanted peace of mind first. Once I felt secure, I started taking more risks with equity,” he wrote.