Have you heard about the concept of eternal retirement? You work at a place that you like, in a role that you like, without bothering about advancements and salary (and further what you can do with it). And ideally, that's more than enough for anyone.

Thank you for the comment. TBH I sometimes really think about this. Genuinely. But then I think, Do I have to work all my life ? I mean When should one enjoy his life, maybe I am thinking too much.

Operations Manager

And how long will your company keep you if you do that?  
 Someone who’s not motivated by salary or growth will do the bare minimum. If you are doing anything more than the bare minimum, you are taking work seriously, improving performance, chasing the targets, affected by office politics, getting stressed out. Then it’s not retirement.

Technical Writer

Product Manager

Welcome to Mental Well-being's Private Community

Can a normal middle class guy really escape from this trap of 9 to 5 ?

Can a normal middle class guy really escape from this trap of 9 to 5 ?- Grapevine

Welcome to Personal Finance's Private Community

I am a fresher earning roughly 1 cr post tax.
I started investing a little late but I am now consistent with my SIPs which I started at the age of 8 by saving 500 a month of my school bus fare and pooling a ride in my father's car with a step up of 10% every year. There was no driver so that we could save some money and put it in a fixed deposit every year. 

I stay at my home so that I can save some rent. I don't get the privacy that a fresher looks for because my family is mostly out of the country and I had to get 24 hrs house help. But I am okay with it. Nobody gets everything.

Now I am paying around 48 lacs as income tax. What am I doing wrong and how to spend money wisely. And how can I make sure that I get paid according to the market standards and not get exploited by the system.


PS: is buying a new iphone 15 worth it as gold plated iphone 15 pro max is very costly.

How to get out of the middle class lifestyle

The only way this post gets better; your house help is Mia Khalifa.

Sales Manager

Data engineer

Welcome to IT Company Discussion's Private Community

Someone please suggest something to get out of this shit (it) trap how can i earn passive income without worrying going to job daily?

Founder

Im scared.
I dont wanna put myself into this trap of 9-5 job, cause its scary and once you get into this theres no going back. I wanna do something of my own, I dunno what. Please drop any suggestions or guidance😭.

I dont wanna put myself into this trap of 9-5 job, cause its scary.

Welcome to Office Gossip's Private Community

Imagine this : You are in your 30s

You have your own home fully furnished, nothing too fancy but big enough to give a separate room for each family member

You have a family car.. Not a luxury one, just a normal mid sized SUV

U have no loans, no emi, no obligations

You don't make a crazy amount but have some job security making early 6 figures a month.. 

Question : Are you happy? 
What else would you buy, what else would you aim for?
What are the other necessities.. We all know there's no limit to wanting more.. If u don't want to upgrade to luxury version of stuff u have what else do u need in life?

POV: You unlocked middle class 🔒

Team Lead

Welcome to Indian Startups's Private Community

Looks like we need to watch the watchmen now

Generalist

Started working in 2017 (Graduation: Tier 2 College)  in hand salary: 28K per Month. Worked for 2.5yrs, had big dreams, didn’t knew what to do, how do I 10x my salary, saw my manager 40yrs old earning 25LPA in the same company. Realised I don’t want to do this for the next 20yrs and the reach at 25LPA. Started preparing for UPSC (wanted to make it big) realised within 6 months, this is not my cup of tea, appeared for MBA entrance, cleared the exam joined Tier 1 MBA, post MBA: 25LPA + XX Esops in next two years at 1.2Cr CTC inc ESOPs. 

Before 2030 plan to achieve FIRE with 8Cr networth. By 2040 make it 100Cr and retire. Chill at beach with beer in hand and two other friends. 

What’s your story, do share those goldmine inspirational stories!!

Story of Middle Class guy from 3.5LPA CTC to 1.2Cr CTC (46Base + 72Esops) in 4 yrs

Are you considering 72L esops of razorpay as your own networth? 🤔🤔

Software Engineer

Senior Product Manager

Welcome to Software Engineers's Private Community

I work at a small startup that was acquired by a large corporate, primarily via high level contacts of the founders rather than technical due diligence. Founders and employees cash out big FAANG-level payslips without bothering about any actual work or revenue.

Being in my late 20s, I believe that our energetic youth should be spent on doing something that we are proud of, when we look back on our younger days. Imagine yourself in your 60s, and your grandchildren look up to and ask you about your life. I would definitely get depressed if I had to tell them that I did nothing of significance, just collected my salary.

In this context, I have been telling a few of my close colleagues how we can learn specific tech stacks which are in demand, in interesting domains that we can shift to, if applying to other companies. However, recently I came to know that some of these colleagues have shared screenshots of my conversations with management and claimed that I am violating company policy by apparently encouraging people to apply elsewhere.

Didn't see it playing out like this, so it's a shocker for me. Going forward, what would you suggest? Keep my mouth shut and be company policy-wise correct with people to avoid such backstabbers? Or should I continue to be honest and just change company myself?

Honest advice or political correctness?

Guys, is there any way we can make some extra money other than 9 to 5 Job.

I can not give much time to it, but if there is any simple way to earn few extra bucks, please mention here.

Make some extra money

Software Developer

A lot of times I have seen people who want to make the big bucks make no effort be it interviewing, up skulking finding the right team, and most importantly finding the right manager. People just want to land any job and assume that they will magically by hook or crook be progressing in their career with significant high fixed salary. But you gotta remember one toxic co worker one bad manager one bad designer one bad stakeholder one bad peer review can decide whether you are getting a refresh grant a bump in base and eventually a promotion. 

First you need to figure this shit out, then comes the next step. Obviously, we can’t function with the same amount of energy all the time like in our 20s in our 30s and in our 40s like 30s, so you must prioritise learning how financial independence works and how to make wealth, I am not saying an unrealistic goal. But realistically how much do you want to grow your net worth considering inflation in order to say this is it and I can stop working for someone else. 

And I have heard many many times about people saying I will wait for this raise, I will wait for this project to finish, I will wait for this 6 months in order to take a break or a vacation. But remember the reality is that time will never come you have to make the time which means planning early not busting your wallet. 

And considering the layoffs and the correction in salaries, it’s high time you must learn and plan these things better in order to provide a better life for you and your family both parents and dependents. 

Stop chasing 100 different things focus on 5, do a few things really good, eventually get to what you’re looking for. 

Wanted to share this as I have heard some random discussions about making 25-50 crore in 10 years easily without any of this. Unfortunately it is not possible unless you luck out.

Learn to escape the matrix asap.

What's you take on working ... Is it something that we don't get about the work or money? What's hidden here from us who are earning for their survival and hoping to become Crorepati/Millionaire with the job... Please share your take here for us all 🙏

To folks who are already Crorepatis/Millionaires, Why are you still working?

My Dad moved to hometown after retirement. Got depression after not doing much for year and relatives were staying close buy 😑. He has more than enough money not to work.  
 Now he does farming, bee keeping and is helping local religious committee in construction with an orphanage. I have never seen him healthier, this busy and happy.

Analyst

Do all late 20s (28-29 years) men face the same issues mentioned below? 


1. Parents getting old- you don't want to see your loved ones getting old 
2. Single earning member 
3. Staying away from parents sucks as they need us more now.
4. Paying rent 30-40% of total in-hand salary in metro cities. 
5. Less friends, even if you have more friends you don't want to express what you are going through. 
6. No emergency fund- Agar koi emergency ayi to dosto ko paise mangne padenge.
7. Job switch - As the market is unstable, so you're afraid to switch and get laid off.
8. You want everyone around you to be happy, as your happiness depends on their happiness. 
9. Unable to express what you are going through to people around you (wife, parents, friends, relatives etc)
10. Happy Wife Happy Life - You try to do things out of the box (which is beyond your reach) because it makes her happy. 
11. What about our happiness?
12. Many more....

I'm going through this now. Sometimes I feel like I should talk to a person (who is anonymous to me and I'm anonymous to him/her) and express everything that is depressing me.

Late 20s Issues

System Engineer

Welcome to Moving Abroad's Private Community

So I am confused about whether I should prepare for gre and go for MS abroad or I should stay in India prepare for a job switch and maybe try for mba . Can’t decide what to do ? Tried making pros and cons list but it seems still confusing

How do I decide what I wanna do?

I just need a little break. Want to introspect on what I want in life. Have not travelled a lot, want to do that. 

I have a good enough run way to sustain for 4-5 months. 

Do you think it's a good idea? 
Has anyone taken a break for a quarter or more?

Is it a good idea to resign without an offer?

If there is one thing you can learn from Ambani’s wedding, it’s the fact that money is the only objective measure of power and influence in this world.

-

The biggest rivals politically, share the stage and greet each other 
The biggest rivals in cricket, dance with each other
The biggest rivals in cinema, greet each other 
The biggest rivals within family, help each other 
The biggest rivals in business, hug each other 

-

You should strive to make as much money as you possible can because money is power. You don't do it for pleasure; you do it because that's how you win. You do it because in this ruthless world, being on top is the only safe place to be. Money is your shield and your weapon, and without it, you're nothing.

-

You make as much money as possible because, let's face it, money's fun. It's the key to all the cool stuff—power, parties, private jets, you name it. Sure, it's also about proving yourself and not being the screw-up everyone thinks you are, but mainly it's about the thrill. Making money means you're in the game, you're relevant, and you can do whatever the hell you want. 

-

Plus, it gives you the leverage to tell people to screw off and actually get away with it. So, yeah, stack that cash and enjoy the ride.

-

You make as much money as possible because it’s your ticket to security and status. In this family and in this world, wealth is what keeps you safe and respected. It’s about climbing the ladder and proving you belong at the top, even if you weren’t born into it. With money, you gain leverage, influence, and the ability to protect yourself in a cutthroat environment. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to enjoy the finer things and have a buffer against the chaos that comes with being alive in this world. 

-

You make as much money as possible because it’s about breaking boundaries and redefining what’s possible. It’s not just about the money—it’s about the disruption, the innovation, and staying ahead of the curve.

-

Continued in comments

Make money! As much as you possibly can!

Ambani's wedding is a display of the heights of income inequality in India.

Consultant

Hey Everyone! I am currently working from 2BHK home and facing multiple issues to build focus in my work. We have only 1 AC so my Mom and Dad (works from home as well) are always in the same room where I work. I have asked my dad to buy another AC but he has already refused me.  Similarly, I can't move to another room because that is more spoilt than my original one having access to balcony where maid washes utensils and a washing machine is present. What can I do?

Not able to work from home

Now a days work is never ever getting completed, we are working even after the office hours because every project is a p0 project, also managers are autocrative then a tech lead who dont have l0 knowledge but will comment on your timelines and i really doubt that with this culture in it industry i would really want to continue for long run. 
Are there some better career pivots that should be consider in mid 20s to avoid life long suffering ?

Hustle culture and toxicity

When I was in melbourne, I met a waiter in an Indian restaurant. He did his bachelor's in biotech and worked at this resto part time. Post his studies he got some job opportunity but stuck to this resto job. I asked him why? He said I get a free house and 2 meals. In 5 years I can collect enough money to go to hometown and buy 2-3 shops and m done for life. That time I was like how can a person be such? With no ambition?  
 Now I empathize after having high BP, neck pain, and many stress induced illnesses. Work on something, be really good at it and give it time. Its ok to be rich at 45, no need to have millions today. I used to think I missed the bus if I didn't make millions by 30. Now a bit wiser.

I know this will sound like a very biased opinion but just sharing my 2 cents of today’s market.

The way with highest probability of success, money and ensuring a better future for your future generations is to startup.

It has the highest risk, highest reward. But in today’s landscape: where inflation is always higher than your hike, there’s no guarantee of employment even in next 1 years, the effort to remain in top 1% is humongous and many other reasons like that, really make me feel that if you’re able to start a company and even capture 0.1% of market who’s willing to pay something for your service/product, that’s all you need. Of course the struggle doesn’t end there and you have to keep working for as long as possible? But your capacity to earn and provide for generations to come is much higher than working for someone else.

All disagreement is welcome :)
Just tired of running this race for years now and still never feeling financially secure.

The guaranteed way to success (if there’s one)

It depends, founding a startup is a 24/7. For me, I need the time that 9-5 jobs provide after work for my health issues. Also my current company is doing a lot of layoffs so everyday I start with uncertainty and anxiety, but cannot quit cos I need the income. We are definitely moving backwards in growth in this corporate slavery, expensive education and inflation. In India, Our entire identities is based on our jobs as though your life is useless if you don’t have one!!

Senior Designer

I have been a little caught up with numerous things in my life lately and have finally found some free time to open up myself to new experiences. 

I had a wishlist of shows and movies that I wanted to watch but as soon as I start watching them, I get bored and feel like turning it off. 

No, its not the content
No, its not the genre
No, its not the actors
No, its not the taste either

This is pretty ironic as considering the fact that I have spent a fair share of my youth chasing academics and career, my heart had always craved for life experiences. I had to let go of the woman I loved simply because I was too focussed on my JEE. I wont be able to forgive myself for that EVER. It almost felt like I had lost a limb, without which , I would be rendered disfunctional. Thats a separate story tho.

Nothing excites me (yep nothing)
Nothing amuses me 
Nothing feels lively

I have no clue where my life is headed

I understand that as we age, our triggers of happiness change. I have put concious efforts into knowing what those new triggers are. But I cant find any plausible sources of happiness.

I am performing pretty well with my career.
Even got a double digit hike.
But didnt feel that kick of joy.

Have I approached a dead end?

Can a normal middle class guy really escape from this trap of 9 to 5 ?

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