Akshat Shrivastava shares 5 hard-hitting lessons to escape the middle-class trap, busts popular investing myths

Time of India

09-07-2025

Investor and entrepreneur
Akshat Shrivastava
, known for his candid insights on personal finance and macroeconomics, has once again stirred a timely conversation—this time through a sharp, no-nonsense X (formerly Twitter) post about the
middle-class struggle in India
. Drawing from his own journey of 'escaping' the middle class, Shrivastava offers five hard-earned lessons that challenge conventional beliefs about money, investment, and success in modern India.
'Making money in India is tough': Shrivastava's financial reality check
Akshat begins his thread with an unsparing truth: building wealth in India isn't just difficult—it's like trying to sprint with an anchor tied to your legs. Taxes, inflation, and a deeply layered
broker economy
create obstacles that go unnoticed by many. 'Earn, save, hustle—make money. Investing alone won't make you rich. So stop with the trading BS,' he writes, calling out those who rely too heavily on market shortcuts rather than building income through strategic action.
His insight hits home for many in the middle class who are caught between aspiration and affordability. The dream of financial security, he suggests, won't be realized by passive investing or trading gimmicks. Instead, it demands consistent income growth, discipline, and smarter money choices.
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Investing isn't optional; bad investing is
While he calls out the illusion of quick wealth through trading, Shrivastava firmly advocates for investing—but only the kind that outpaces inflation. 'Growing your wealth at 5% post taxes, when inflation is at 10%, is stupidity at scale,' he warns. The message is clear: fixed deposits and low-yield savings aren't just outdated—they're dangerous. Without sound investment strategies, the middle class risks silently slipping toward poverty, despite earning and saving regularly.
Be contrarian and break away from the herd
Perhaps his most provocative advice is to think differently. Shrivastava urges people to be contrarian in their financial strategies, particularly when it comes to mainstream products like
SIPs and mutual funds
. While these tools are often pushed as safe long-term investments, he suggests they may not be enough to generate transformative wealth. 'It might very well become the new ULIPs,' he writes, alluding to the once-popular insurance-linked investment plans that fell out of favor due to hidden costs and underperformance.
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The parasite of the Indian economy
Shrivastava takes aim at what he calls India's 'broker economy,' where intermediaries at every level—from real estate to finance—shave off value from individual earnings. 'They eat into everything like parasites,' he notes. His advice? Cut the middlemen wherever possible—be it in buying property, investing in stocks, or starting a business. The digital age offers tools for direct access—it's time the middle class starts using them.
See the problem, solve the problem, and stay realistic
His final lesson leans into mindset but with a hard edge. 'Being positive does not mean living in la-la land,' Shrivastava says. Instead, it means acknowledging the systemic flaws, finding practical solutions, and moving forward with resilience. In a world saturated with motivational fluff, his brand of realism strikes a rare balance between hope and hard truth.
A voice of experience
Akshat Shrivastava's credentials lend weight to his words. An INSEAD alumnus and founder of
Wisdom Hatch
, he has built multiple businesses and mentored hundreds of students into top global universities. His background in strategy, consulting, and investment positions him as more than just an influencer—he's a seasoned financial thinker who understands both the global economy and the Indian middle-class psyche.
His X thread may be hard to digest for some, but perhaps that's precisely what makes it necessary. In an economy where the rules are constantly shifting and the margins of error are slim, Akshat's brutally honest advice offers not just financial guidance—but a mirror.
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