A 27-year-old working woman has ignited a wave of discussion on Reddit after opening up about her ongoing struggle to manage personal expenses despite drawing a monthly take-home salary of ₹1.7 lakh. Her detailed and emotional post, uploaded on July 31 to the Personal Finance India subreddit, resonated with many and quickly gained traction, gathering over 400 upvotes and sparking dozens of comments from individuals facing similar predicaments.
Earnings That Don’t Feel Like Freedom
In her candid account, the woman described feeling weighed down by financial pressures even though her income exceeds Rs 1 lakh per month. She explained that after setting aside money for systematic investment plans (SIPs), covering her monthly living expenses, and paying her education loan installments, she is left with little to no funds for personal use.
Despite her desire to replace her worn-out phone, she has been unable to make the purchase for months, fearing it would disrupt her savings or leave her unprepared for unforeseen emergencies. Even minor indulgences—such as dining out, ordering food online, or socialising with friends—are heavily restricted. She revealed that she deliberately keeps food orders under Rs 200 and often skips outings entirely to avoid overspending.
The emotional weight of working hard all day but still being unable to spend freely on herself has left her feeling disheartened. For over half a year, she has debated replacing her broken phone but feels guilty prioritising her needs when family obligations loom large.
Family Demands Add to the Strain
Beyond her own expenses, the woman feels pressured to fulfill her parents’ expectations, which include funding vacations and making purchases for them before addressing her own requirements. She detailed that her monthly financial commitments currently include:
₹30,000 in loan EMIs
₹50,000–₹60,000 towards investments
₹20,000 for daily commute to work
₹5,000 for household help
₹5,000 for sports or leisure activities
₹20,000 for the next four months to repay her mother for covering part of her education costs
She noted that after meeting these obligations, any leftover amount tends to disappear into unplanned household needs, groceries, or family expenses—such as recently buying a phone for her mother.
Community Weighs In
Several Reddit users responded with empathy, sharing that they too have experienced similar frustrations despite seemingly healthy incomes. One commenter remarked that the essence of earning lies in being able to enjoy life, stressing that balance between saving and spending is essential.
Another pointed out that aside from her unusually high commute costs, her budgeting appeared sound. They advised her to prioritize repaying the education loan—likely carrying a high annual interest rate—and to focus on building an emergency fund of ₹8–10 lakh. They explained that having such a cushion could reduce the constant need to be frugal and bring peace of mind.
Another asked, "Provide a breakdown of 1.7 lakhs. How are you using it? Then we can get some insight and provide some input."
A third user, who identified as older and earning more but facing similar challenges, expressed solidarity with her feelings of hopelessness. They shared that while financial freedom might take time to achieve, progress is possible, and they hoped she would soon reach a point where life felt less restrictive.
Critical Takes on Spending Choices
Not all responses were purely sympathetic. Some commenters questioned her spending patterns—especially the ₹20,000 monthly commute, jokingly asking if she was travelling by helicopter. Others suggested that if she truly needed a new phone, she could skip investments for a single month to make the purchase.
A few also pointed out that based on her breakdown, she still appears to have ₹30,000–₹40,000 left each month and advised that tracking this “vanishing” amount more carefully could help her identify unnecessary outflows.
The Larger Conversation
While her post drew a mix of empathy, advice, and criticism, it underscored a broader reality many high-earning young professionals face: the tension between meeting long-term financial goals, fulfilling family responsibilities, and enjoying the present. For many, even a generous salary can feel insufficient when obligations and expectations stretch far beyond personal needs.
Earnings That Don’t Feel Like Freedom
In her candid account, the woman described feeling weighed down by financial pressures even though her income exceeds Rs 1 lakh per month. She explained that after setting aside money for systematic investment plans (SIPs), covering her monthly living expenses, and paying her education loan installments, she is left with little to no funds for personal use.
Despite her desire to replace her worn-out phone, she has been unable to make the purchase for months, fearing it would disrupt her savings or leave her unprepared for unforeseen emergencies. Even minor indulgences—such as dining out, ordering food online, or socialising with friends—are heavily restricted. She revealed that she deliberately keeps food orders under Rs 200 and often skips outings entirely to avoid overspending.
The emotional weight of working hard all day but still being unable to spend freely on herself has left her feeling disheartened. For over half a year, she has debated replacing her broken phone but feels guilty prioritising her needs when family obligations loom large.
Family Demands Add to the Strain
Beyond her own expenses, the woman feels pressured to fulfill her parents’ expectations, which include funding vacations and making purchases for them before addressing her own requirements. She detailed that her monthly financial commitments currently include:
₹30,000 in loan EMIs
₹50,000–₹60,000 towards investments
₹20,000 for daily commute to work
₹5,000 for household help
₹5,000 for sports or leisure activities
₹20,000 for the next four months to repay her mother for covering part of her education costs
She noted that after meeting these obligations, any leftover amount tends to disappear into unplanned household needs, groceries, or family expenses—such as recently buying a phone for her mother.
Community Weighs In
Several Reddit users responded with empathy, sharing that they too have experienced similar frustrations despite seemingly healthy incomes. One commenter remarked that the essence of earning lies in being able to enjoy life, stressing that balance between saving and spending is essential.
Another pointed out that aside from her unusually high commute costs, her budgeting appeared sound. They advised her to prioritize repaying the education loan—likely carrying a high annual interest rate—and to focus on building an emergency fund of ₹8–10 lakh. They explained that having such a cushion could reduce the constant need to be frugal and bring peace of mind.
Another asked, "Provide a breakdown of 1.7 lakhs. How are you using it? Then we can get some insight and provide some input."
A third user, who identified as older and earning more but facing similar challenges, expressed solidarity with her feelings of hopelessness. They shared that while financial freedom might take time to achieve, progress is possible, and they hoped she would soon reach a point where life felt less restrictive.
Critical Takes on Spending Choices
Not all responses were purely sympathetic. Some commenters questioned her spending patterns—especially the ₹20,000 monthly commute, jokingly asking if she was travelling by helicopter. Others suggested that if she truly needed a new phone, she could skip investments for a single month to make the purchase.
A few also pointed out that based on her breakdown, she still appears to have ₹30,000–₹40,000 left each month and advised that tracking this “vanishing” amount more carefully could help her identify unnecessary outflows.
The Larger Conversation
While her post drew a mix of empathy, advice, and criticism, it underscored a broader reality many high-earning young professionals face: the tension between meeting long-term financial goals, fulfilling family responsibilities, and enjoying the present. For many, even a generous salary can feel insufficient when obligations and expectations stretch far beyond personal needs.
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