Akshat Shrivastava once earned Rs 10,000 per month. Now saves 95% of his income, thanks to one rule

Economic Times

5 hours ago

Akshat Shrivastava, a financial advisor, saves 95% of his income by avoiding lifestyle inflation. Starting with modest savings from a small salary, he scaled up his investments after landing a corporate job. His key principle is to only buy something if he can afford it twice, emphasizing financial discipline and smart investment choices.
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His golden rule?
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Who is Akshat Shrivastava?
( Originally published on Jun 18, 2025 )
In a world obsessed with lavish lifestyles and social media-fueled spending, Akshat Shrivastava 's financial journey stands out as a refreshing example of restraint, strategy, and smart decision-making. The financial advisor and popular content creator recently shared a breakdown of his money journey on LinkedIn—and the takeaway is powerful: he now saves a whopping 95% of his annual income, thanks to one simple mindset shift.Akshat began his career earning just Rs 10,000 a month. Living with his parents, using a second-hand phone, and eating home-cooked meals, he still managed to save Rs 1,000–2,000 monthly. No debt, no unnecessary expenses—just small, consistent savings that reflected strong discipline from the start.A few years later, after landing a corporate job with an annual package of Rs 50 lakh, his saving habits scaled up too. He continued living debt-free, saving at least Rs 20 lakh per year, and channelled most of it into high-growth investments. Over time, those investments started generating income of their own, leading him towards financial independence far earlier than most.Today, even with family responsibilities, global travel, and living in an expensive city, Akshat claims his savings rate still sits at 95%. The secret? Never letting lifestyle inflation outpace income. He emphasised one golden rule that's guided him for years: 'Don't buy something once unless you can afford to buy it twice.' Unless it's an investment in upskilling, he says, this mindset is non-negotiable.Netizens were quick to praise his discipline and perspective. While many agreed that saving 20–30% of one's income is a good benchmark, they also pointed out the harsh reality of India's average salary and stagnant growth rates. Others admired the power of early financial discipline and echoed their own struggles to avoid debt traps and impulse spending.His post didn't just go viral—it struck a nerve with a generation trying to balance aspirations with affordability. Many were curious to know more, especially about his very first investment.Akshat Shrivastava, an INSEAD alumnus, is an investor and entrepreneur. He has built multiple businesses and has over 15 years of experience in asset management. As an educator, he has taught GMAT, GRE, business strategy, and consulting. Now, he is a full-time investor managing his own fund.