As techies complain Rs 50 LPA not enough in Bengaluru, CA decodes what is wrong

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ET OnlineLast Updated: Jun 20, 2025, 04:58:00 PM IST

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Synopsis

Despite high salaries in India's tech sector, many professionals struggle to save due to lifestyle inflation. CA Nitin Kaushik argues that financial discipline, not just income, is key. He advises budgeting, automating savings, and tracking expenses. Delhi-based businessman Abhijit Chakraborty echoes this, questioning excessive EMIs for cars and homes, emphasizing that financial stress is often self-inflicted, regardless of income.

Rupees — Is Rs 50 lakh per annum really too less? (Pic courtesy- istock. Image used for representative purpose only)

You earn Rs 75 LPA and still cry it is not enough in Bengaluru or Gurgaon? Entrepreneur gives a reality check, says I too could have bought a Mercedes

Once considered a golden milestone, a Rs 50 lakh per annum salary in India’s tech sector is no longer met with the same awe. As the cost of living in Bengaluru and other metros continues to climb, high-earning professionals are beginning to echo a new concern: “We’re earning more, but saving less.” From ballooning EMIs to luxury lifestyle expectations, a CA joined the online debate to decode the truth behind this growing sense of financial discomfort.

Chartered Accountant Nitin Kaushik has weighed in with a no-nonsense take that’s striking a chord online. According to him, it’s not that people earning Rs 50 LPA are broke—they just have a “budget with holes.” Kaushik believes the real issue lies in financial discipline, not earnings.

He points out that most people have enough to save, but poor habits like impulsive purchases, weekend splurges, and ignoring daily micro-expenses leave them cash-strapped. The solution, he says, isn’t chasing higher pay but fixing foundational habits: create a monthly budget, automate savings, and track where your money actually goes.

His blunt takeaway? Discipline > High Income.
Self-control, not a salary hike, is what leads to real financial freedom.

— Finance_Bareek (@Finance_Bareek)

Delhi-based businessman also joins the conversation

Adding fuel to the conversation, Abhijit Chakraborty, a Delhi-based entrepreneur, shared his own experience of living well within his means. He questioned why so many professionals stretch themselves thin with home EMIs of Rs 2 lakh and car EMIs of Rs 50,000, all in the name of lifestyle. Despite earning Rs 30 lakh annually at one point, Chakraborty chose to drive a modest Rs 5 lakh car. Even when his income doubled, he only upgraded to a Rs 10 lakh vehicle, without taking a loan.

While he acknowledged the value in investing in property, Chakraborty had little patience for unnecessary car loans and luxury spending. His message was clear: financial stress is often self-inflicted. A fat paycheck won’t save you if your priorities are skewed toward keeping up appearances.