Bengaluru techie scales from Rs 2.4 LPA to Rs 1 crore net worth before 30. Here's how

India Today

16-05-2025

A Reddit user from Bengaluru shared his story of rising from humble beginnings to achieving a Rs 1 crore net worth - without shortcuts, inheritance, or overnight success – before turning 30.'Milestone Check: Started at 2.4 LPA at 23, Achieved 1 crore Before Turning 30,' read the caption of the Reddit post that has gone viral on social media.'This isn't a boast. It's my story - a reminder that no matter where you start, with patience and persistence, things can change,' the user said.advertisement
To begin with, the user wrote about his early life, explaining that he grew up in a low-income household where his father earned around Rs 8,000 a month and money was always scarce. Despite the odds, he managed to get into a decent private school and later joined an engineering college.'College fees were hard to afford, loans were rejected, but relatives stepped in and helped. We made it through,' he said.By third year, he realised that he enjoyed programming more than anything else: 'Electronics slowly took a backseat, and I dove into writing code.'A placement at a service-based company marked the start of his professional journey in 2018 with a salary of Rs 2.4 LPA, roughly Rs 15,000 a month.'I was terrified. How do you survive in a city like Bangalore with that kind of salary? Turns out, a 3-sharing PG with friends and a talent for stretching Rs 500 like it's Rs 5,000 can go a long way. We even had fun. Tons of it,' he added.advertisementHis first big break came in early 2020, when he cleared interviews at a Big 4 company for a Rs 6-8 LPA role. But the pandemic had other plans. The offer disappeared as lockdowns began, and the company never responded again. But, he refused to give up.In April 2021, he received a Rs 12 LPA job offer from a healthcare startup. It came with a tight condition: he had to reduce his notice period to 60 days. As luck would have it, since he was between projects at his current job, his manager let him go in 15 days.'Joined the healthcare startup in April 2021. The work was great. Team was solid. For a while, everything was smooth,' he said.After working at the startup for over a year, he noticed colleagues quitting in waves during the 'Great Resignation.' Inspired, he started applying again and ended up receiving 13 job offers. He chose a Rs 32 LPA offer from a product-based company, where his compensation, owing to stock grants, has now reached Rs 45 - 50 LPA.The Reddit user admitted that he started out clueless on the financial front. Until 2020, he stored his savings in his salary account or fixed deposits. His first major investment was a monthly payout FD of Rs 3.5 lakh, which he initially thought was a smart retirement plan.advertisement'Then I found YouTube finance. Watched a lot of Pranjal Kamra. Got introduced to SIPs, mutual funds, compounding - basically the whole adulting starter pack,' he said.Now, he invests Rs 71,000 per month, manages a take-home salary of Rs 1.6 lakh, and still finds time (and money) for Zomato orders and travel. He's also taken health insurance for himself and his parents, and holds term insurance to secure his future.Despite his financial growth, he lives simply. His phone is from 2019, his wardrobe mostly consists of free company t-shirts, and his footwear? Rs 250 shoes with Rs 1,000 soles. For him, comfort beats status.'For now, this works. I've never felt the urge to chase luxury. Hopefully, by 35-40, I'll hit a level of Financial Independence (FI) that allows me to choose peace over paychecks,' he said.
advertisementFurthermore, he said that in the next one or two years, he planned to make one final career move, expressing his hope to stop working by the age of 45 - or even earlier, if possible: 'By then, I believe my investments and savings should be enough to cover my expenses. After that, I'd like to focus on other things - health, travel, hobbies, maybe even helping others who are where I once was.'The Reddit user, in conclusion, said: 'If you're starting out and feel lost, trust me - you don't need to have it all figured out. Just keep moving. Be frugal where it matters, splurge where it counts, and never underestimate the power of compounding - financial and career-wise.'Must Watch