26-year-old Bengaluru man sparks Reddit debate by saying he feels 'poor' despite earning ₹2 lakh a month and having no debt

A 26-year-old Bengaluru man has ignited a Reddit discussion after expressing feelings of being 'poor' despite earning ₹2 lakh a month and having no debt. He shared his background, stating, “We grew up pretty poor, like our household income was never more than ₹6-7k until I was 21.”¹²⁷⁹

He detailed his financial habits, investing ₹30,000 in mutual funds, ₹10,000 in fixed deposits, and sending ₹15,000-20,000 home to his parents. His monthly expenses total around ₹25,000, and he has made significant purchases, including a scooter for ₹60,000 and a MacBook for ₹70,000.¹⁰

Despite these financial achievements, he feels anxious about spending, stating, “If I want to buy a shirt that costs more than ₹750, I stress about it.” He also expressed concern over his upcoming wedding, expecting costs to exceed ₹10 lakh, and plans to buy a car and land, which adds to his financial pressure.³⁴¹¹

He reflected on his friends back home, saying, “They seem happy and content... I don’t understand why I feel so left behind when, on paper, I’m miles ahead of them.” Reddit users responded with encouragement, suggesting he practice gratitude and recognize his accomplishments, emphasizing that “there will never be enough money to be calling yourself rich.”⁵⁶