Want to look rich? Or be truly rich? CA shares how a middleclass man built Rs 25 crore portfolio silently
Nitin Kaushik's viral X post highlights the difference between perceived and actual wealth. He contrasts those who flaunt luxury items with those who quietly build assets through strategic investments. True wealth, he argues, lies not in outward appearances but in owning assets that appreciate over time, leading to financial freedom and peace of mind.
CA points out the stark difference between looking rich and actually being rich. (Pic credit- istock. Image used for representative purpose only) In a world obsessed with luxury cars, designer labels, and Instagram-perfect lifestyles, it's easy to mistake flash for fortune. But Chartered Accountant Nitin Kaushik recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to deliver a powerful reminder that real wealth often looks nothing like what social media shows us. His post went viral for cutting through the illusion that high-end consumption equals financial success, and it hit home for thousands.Kaushik drew a striking comparison: One person with a Rs 25 crore portfolio drives a modest Rs 10 lakh car. Another, with just Rs 1.7 crore in total assets, flaunts a brand-new luxury vehicle. The difference? One is quietly building wealth through solid investments. The other is burning it to keep up appearances. Rich isn't loud — it's strategic. Kaushik breaks it down simply: True wealth isn't about what you wear, drive, or post. It's about what you own — the kind of assets that grow while you sleep. He labels two financial archetypes-Person A: Low on lifestyle expenses, high on equity, real estate, and the power of compounding.Person B: High EMIs, low savings, always chasing status and approval.
One is financially free. The other is financially fragile. Using the example of a car — a classic symbol of success — Kaushik points out the brutal truth: cars depreciate. The moment you drive them out of the showroom, they start losing value. On the other hand, assets like stocks, mutual funds, rental properties, and land don't just retain their worth — they multiply it over time. — Finance_Bareek (@Finance_Bareek)
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from Kaushik's post is that the truly wealthy don't feel the need to look rich. They blend in, quietly owning freedom, time, and peace of mind. Financial freedom, as he puts it, isn't found in a luxury showroom — it's built with discipline, patience, and smart investments. His final message is clear: If you want to look rich, buy a luxury car. If you want to be rich, buy time, freedom, and compounding.A user reflected on the fleeting nature of life, reminding others that it's important to maintain balance—many people accumulate assets worth ₹25 crore or more, only to eventually pass away owning nothing more than a ₹10 lakh car. Their message was clear: enjoy life while you can, and live in alignment with your age. In response, Nitin simply emphasised the importance of balance. Another user raised a question: what's the point of accumulating wealth if it's never spent? To that, Nitin offered a deeper perspective—explaining that the true value of money lies not in spending it, but in the freedom it brings. Not just financial freedom, but the ability to live without stress. According to him, money enables peaceful sleep, new adventures, travel, and hobbies. Freedom, he argued, isn't a small part of life—it is everything.
( Originally published on Jul 08, 2025 )
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