A viral Reddit post on grabbed attention with the headline: “You don’t need a huge salary to be happy.” This sparked an important money discussion.
What started as a simple tale of a friend making ₹65,000 a month and saving hard quickly turned into a bigger question: Is the chase for higher pay taking away our peace of mind?
This isn’t a preachy frugality thread. It’s a mirror to modern middle-class ambition, one that prompts reflection, not rebellion.
₹65k salary, ₹35 lakh portfolio: The quiet power of restraint
The thread goes like this. The person is from Raipur, but works in Gurgaon. He has built a solid mutual fund portfolio of ₹35 lakh inspite of his relatively modest salary. He works remotely and avoids costly gadgets. No debt. No EMI. No iPhone.
The takeaway wasn’t just discipline. It was freedom. He didn’t deny himself comfort; he simply refused to play the game of lifestyle inflation.
In an economy that rewards visible success, this was radical. And relatable.
Happiness at ₹20k? Many say yes, and they mean it
The thread was flooded with similar stories.
“I know many people who are very happy even with 20 25k.”
“If you have a home and live not to show off on Instagram, you can live happily in this country with 40,000 per month.”
These weren’t minimalists preaching from the hills. They were typical Indians from Tier 2 cities, working professionals, and students who opted for enough rather than excess.
And their point hit home: You don’t need more to be more.
When “metro” means misery: The Delhi dilemma
“Delhi is the most amazing city in this sense. Here, one can live with an income of 15k to even 2 lakh being insufficient.”
“Living in Delhi and being happy don’t go hand in hand.”
The conversation turned sharply toward metro vs non-metro trade-offs. While Delhi offers a range, one can scrape by or splurge, but users questioned the real cost. Rent. Commute. Noise. Stress.
One reply put it bluntly: “Don’t worry, you will make enough diseases working in metros.”
That was a joke. But also not.
The hustle culture, once aspirational, is now under quiet rebellion. Not because ambition is bad, but because the price tag keeps getting heavier.
It’s not what you earn. It’s what you keep.
“Honestly, this is the silent struggle of every disciplined investor… Very true! It’s not about how much you earn; it’s about how much you save and how wisely you use it.”
This gem from one of the Reddit users cuts to the core. Across comments, the most powerful lesson wasn’t about cutting costs; it was about designing a life where money serves you, not the other way around.
That means:
- Delaying gratification
- Avoiding peer pressure purchases
- Saying no to urban lifestyle creep
Not dull. But extremely effective.
This thread matters because it’s real
In a world full of personal finance influencers touting ₹1 crore in 5 years and FIRE by 30, this thread reads like a breath of sanity.
No gimmicks. No products. Just personal proof that small salaries can still build big lives if one is intentional.
It also reframes wealth from being net worth-driven to peace-of-mind driven:
- Living in your own home (even if inherited)
- Choosing ₹5000 expenses instead of ₹50,000 EMIs
- Finding joy in time, not transactions
This is money wisdom without the noise, and it is powerful because it comes from the people, not from the top.
“You don’t need a huge salary to be happy.”
It’s the quote. The title. And the quiet thunderclap behind this post. One Reddit thread won’t fix our hustle-addicted economy. But it can help individuals take a deep breath and ask:
What if I already have enough?
What if the goal isn’t to get rich, but to stop worrying about money altogether?
Maybe contentment isn’t about earning more. Maybe it’s about needing less.