He is not even 30, yet he now has an enviable seven-figure net worth. A techie from Bengaluru recently shared how he managed to achieve financial independence and even prosperity in his 20s. Taking to the popular subreddit Personal Finance India, the engineer said it was a combination of a stroke of luck and good investment decisions.
The techie’s early life was a story of financial struggle, quiet endurance, and occasional miracles. His father brought home a monthly income of just Rs7,000–Rs8,000, and while his mother also worked, he never dared to ask how much she earned—perhaps Rs5,000–Rs7,000. Money was always tight, yet against all odds, he managed to study in a decent private school, paying fees of Rs1,200 a month when he graduated.
Despite his intelligence, he said he was never academically driven. He preferred cricket over textbooks and managed to score 89% in both 10th and 12th grades with minimal effort. When it came time for college, he bombed the JEE exam—unsurprising, given his lack of coaching and direction—and enrolled in a nearby private engineering college mainly because the campus bus conveniently stopped near his home.
The tuition fees were a heavy burden, and with loan applications rejected, relatives stepped in to help. That gesture laid the foundation for what would become a story of quiet persistence and rising resilience.
Engineering Years: Finding Passion Through Curiosity
He pursued Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) and immediately began dabbling in electronics projects—not for grades, but for sheer enjoyment. His natural curiosity led him to experiment with robots and circuitry while maintaining a comfortable 8 CGPA.
By the third year, his interest pivoted toward programming. The allure of coding eclipsed his fascination with electronics, and he began investing more time into software development. When placement season arrived, a well-known service-based company visited the campus. Out of more than 400 students, only 35 were selected—and he was one of them. That selection changed everything.
Struggling in the Silicon Valley of India
In 2018, he graduated and began his career in Bengaluru with a meager salary of Rs2.4 LPA—about Rs15,000 a month. Living in one of India’s most expensive cities, he opted for a three-sharing PG and developed the uncanny ability to stretch Rs500 like Rs5,000. Despite the limitations, life was enjoyable. He worked six days a week, saved Rs2,000 monthly, and absorbed knowledge from both competent mentors and colleagues who mistook copy-pasting for programming.
After 18 months, he was ready for something better.
Opportunity Denied—Then Delivered
In early 2020, he cleared interviews with a Big 4 firm for a Rs6–8 LPA role. But just as he was about to make the leap, the COVID-19 pandemic struck. The company ghosted him, and the offer evaporated.
Undeterred, he kept applying.
A year later, in April 2021, he received a life-changing call—from an HR rep—while using the toilet. The offer? Rs12 LPA. He had been earning Rs4 LPA and expected perhaps Rs6 LPA. Shocked and elated, he accepted. The only hurdle was a required 60-day notice period, while his company mandated 90. Fortunately, since he was on the bench, his manager agreed to release him in just 15 days. He joined a healthcare startup shortly thereafter.
A Career Takeoff: From One Offer to Thirteen
By late 2021, amid the Great Resignation, mass attrition hit his team. Five of seven teammates left. That was his cue to explore again. What began as casual applications snowballed into a full-blown job hunt. By March 2022, he had received 13 job offers—a testament to both his skill and perseverance.
Eventually, he accepted a Rs32 LPA offer from a reputed product-based company. Though his base salary didn’t rise much afterward, stock grants boosted his total compensation to nearly Rs45–50 LPA.
A Simple Life, A Clear Goal
Despite the massive income jump, his lifestyle remained grounded. He still used a phone bought in 2019 and wore office freebies and budget clothes. His only luxuries were frequent travel and indulgent Zomato orders. He wore Rs 250 shoes but upgraded them with Rs 1,000 soles because health matters more than brand names.
His goal? Financial independence by age 40. Not to retire in luxury, but to choose peace over paychecks.
Building Wealth the Slow and Steady Way
He admits to making financial mistakes early on. His savings idled in a salary account for too long. Eventually, he began fixed deposits, then moved on to SIPs with just Rs10,000 a month. Despite some early losses, he stayed consistent. Now, he invests Rs 71,000 monthly into mutual funds. With a Rs 1.6 lakh take-home, he manages rent, supports his family, and still saves.
His current net worth? Rs 1 crore. His portfolio includes Rs 39 lakh in mutual funds, Rs43 lakh in ESOPs, Rs 9 lakh in PF, Rs 5 lakh in PPF, Rs 3 lakh in FDs, and Rs 1 lakh in cash. He tracks his net worth regularly and holds insurance for both himself and his parents.
Looking Ahead: Peace Over Pay
In the next one to two years, he hopes to make his final job switch. He doesn't want to work beyond 45—possibly not even a day beyond. His dream is to reach financial independence and shift his focus to health, travel, hobbies, and maybe helping others walk the path he once did.
Final Reflections: From Window Seats to Wealth
From choosing a college for its bus route to building a portfolio worth Rs1 crore, his journey is proof that persistence trumps perfection. There were failures, financial blunders, and moments of doubt. But there were also leaps of faith, silent grit, and a few lucky breaks.
To those just starting out, he told them not to worry about not figuring it out. "Save where it matters, invest consistently, and stay humble—even if your Rs250 shoes are falling apart while your portfolio quietly climbs," he said.
He revealed his ultimate goal is to sip piping hot chai at a hilltop café in Himachal, smiling at his journey—from rags to riches and from chaos to calm.
The techie’s early life was a story of financial struggle, quiet endurance, and occasional miracles. His father brought home a monthly income of just Rs7,000–Rs8,000, and while his mother also worked, he never dared to ask how much she earned—perhaps Rs5,000–Rs7,000. Money was always tight, yet against all odds, he managed to study in a decent private school, paying fees of Rs1,200 a month when he graduated.
Despite his intelligence, he said he was never academically driven. He preferred cricket over textbooks and managed to score 89% in both 10th and 12th grades with minimal effort. When it came time for college, he bombed the JEE exam—unsurprising, given his lack of coaching and direction—and enrolled in a nearby private engineering college mainly because the campus bus conveniently stopped near his home.
The tuition fees were a heavy burden, and with loan applications rejected, relatives stepped in to help. That gesture laid the foundation for what would become a story of quiet persistence and rising resilience.
Engineering Years: Finding Passion Through Curiosity
He pursued Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) and immediately began dabbling in electronics projects—not for grades, but for sheer enjoyment. His natural curiosity led him to experiment with robots and circuitry while maintaining a comfortable 8 CGPA.
By the third year, his interest pivoted toward programming. The allure of coding eclipsed his fascination with electronics, and he began investing more time into software development. When placement season arrived, a well-known service-based company visited the campus. Out of more than 400 students, only 35 were selected—and he was one of them. That selection changed everything.
Struggling in the Silicon Valley of India
In 2018, he graduated and began his career in Bengaluru with a meager salary of Rs2.4 LPA—about Rs15,000 a month. Living in one of India’s most expensive cities, he opted for a three-sharing PG and developed the uncanny ability to stretch Rs500 like Rs5,000. Despite the limitations, life was enjoyable. He worked six days a week, saved Rs2,000 monthly, and absorbed knowledge from both competent mentors and colleagues who mistook copy-pasting for programming.
After 18 months, he was ready for something better.
Opportunity Denied—Then Delivered
In early 2020, he cleared interviews with a Big 4 firm for a Rs6–8 LPA role. But just as he was about to make the leap, the COVID-19 pandemic struck. The company ghosted him, and the offer evaporated.
Undeterred, he kept applying.
A year later, in April 2021, he received a life-changing call—from an HR rep—while using the toilet. The offer? Rs12 LPA. He had been earning Rs4 LPA and expected perhaps Rs6 LPA. Shocked and elated, he accepted. The only hurdle was a required 60-day notice period, while his company mandated 90. Fortunately, since he was on the bench, his manager agreed to release him in just 15 days. He joined a healthcare startup shortly thereafter.
A Career Takeoff: From One Offer to Thirteen
By late 2021, amid the Great Resignation, mass attrition hit his team. Five of seven teammates left. That was his cue to explore again. What began as casual applications snowballed into a full-blown job hunt. By March 2022, he had received 13 job offers—a testament to both his skill and perseverance.
Eventually, he accepted a Rs32 LPA offer from a reputed product-based company. Though his base salary didn’t rise much afterward, stock grants boosted his total compensation to nearly Rs45–50 LPA.
A Simple Life, A Clear Goal
Despite the massive income jump, his lifestyle remained grounded. He still used a phone bought in 2019 and wore office freebies and budget clothes. His only luxuries were frequent travel and indulgent Zomato orders. He wore Rs 250 shoes but upgraded them with Rs 1,000 soles because health matters more than brand names.
His goal? Financial independence by age 40. Not to retire in luxury, but to choose peace over paychecks.
Building Wealth the Slow and Steady Way
He admits to making financial mistakes early on. His savings idled in a salary account for too long. Eventually, he began fixed deposits, then moved on to SIPs with just Rs10,000 a month. Despite some early losses, he stayed consistent. Now, he invests Rs 71,000 monthly into mutual funds. With a Rs 1.6 lakh take-home, he manages rent, supports his family, and still saves.
His current net worth? Rs 1 crore. His portfolio includes Rs 39 lakh in mutual funds, Rs43 lakh in ESOPs, Rs 9 lakh in PF, Rs 5 lakh in PPF, Rs 3 lakh in FDs, and Rs 1 lakh in cash. He tracks his net worth regularly and holds insurance for both himself and his parents.
Looking Ahead: Peace Over Pay
In the next one to two years, he hopes to make his final job switch. He doesn't want to work beyond 45—possibly not even a day beyond. His dream is to reach financial independence and shift his focus to health, travel, hobbies, and maybe helping others walk the path he once did.
Final Reflections: From Window Seats to Wealth
From choosing a college for its bus route to building a portfolio worth Rs1 crore, his journey is proof that persistence trumps perfection. There were failures, financial blunders, and moments of doubt. But there were also leaps of faith, silent grit, and a few lucky breaks.
To those just starting out, he told them not to worry about not figuring it out. "Save where it matters, invest consistently, and stay humble—even if your Rs250 shoes are falling apart while your portfolio quietly climbs," he said.
He revealed his ultimate goal is to sip piping hot chai at a hilltop café in Himachal, smiling at his journey—from rags to riches and from chaos to calm.
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