Latest news with #PranjalKamra
Hindustan Times
17-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
From ₹2.4 LPA to ₹1 crore before 30: Bengaluru techie shares his journey to financial freedom
A Bengaluru software engineer's financial journey, from earning ₹15,000 per month in a shared PG to building a ₹1 crore net worth before turning 30, is striking a chord online after he shared his life story on Reddit. In a post titled 'Milestone Check: Started at 2.4 LPA at 23, Achieved ₹1 crore before turning 30', the Redditor reflected on how he rose from a low-income household and an underdog engineering college to secure a high-paying job in a product-based company, while steadily building wealth through investing and discipline. 'This isn't a boast. It's my story, a reminder that no matter where you start, with patience and persistence, things can change,' he wrote. (Also Read: Bengaluru woman's ₹22.5 lakh valuables stolen from parked car, all recovered in 48 hours) After starting with ₹2.4 LPA in 2018, the user shared how he survived in Bengaluru by sharing a room in a PG, saving just ₹2,000 a month, and relying on financial help from relatives to get through college. But in three years, he had moved up to ₹12 LPA and then to ₹32 LPA, before stocks and bonuses helped him cross ₹45–50 LPA annually. One breakthrough moment? A ₹12 LPA job offer received while answering an HR call from the toilet, he joked. The now-savvy investor also confessed to early missteps, like locking ₹3.5 lakh in a monthly payout FD instead of investing. But YouTube channels like Pranjal Kamra's introduced him to mutual funds and SIPs. He now invests ₹71,000 per month and tracks his net worth religiously. 'That original FD? Now it's my emergency fund,' he wrote. His goal? Achieve Financial Independence (FI) by age 40, retire by 45. 'I don't want to work beyond 45, maybe not even a day beyond if I can help it,' he wrote, imagining a future where he's 'laughing at all this from a hilltop café in Himachal.' His advice to others starting out is t stay consistent, be frugal where it matters, and don't underestimate compounding, both in career and finances. (Also Read: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw bats for HAL airport reopening, Bengalureans say 'not a good idea')
India Today
16-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Bengaluru techie scales from Rs 2.4 LPA to Rs 1 crore net worth before 30. Here's how
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 I found YouTube finance. Watched a lot of Pranjal Kamra. Got introduced to SIPs, mutual funds, compounding - basically the whole adulting starter pack,' he 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 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
Mint
15-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Top 5 quality stocks near their 52-week lows: A good buy?
The stock market often goes up and down, which can be confusing for investors. Sometimes, a good company's stock price drops, not because the company is doing poorly, but because of temporary market conditions. As finance expert Pranjal Kamra, founder of Finology, often says, the price of a stock doesn't always show the company's real strength or future promise. When a stock hits its lowest price in a year (the 52-week low), some people might worry. But sometimes, this is just the market not seeing the company's potential clearly. It could actually be a good time to look closer. Today, we're looking at five well-known Indian companies whose stock prices are near their 52-week lows: ITC, Astral, Tata Technologies, GE Shipping and AIA Engineering. These companies have strong foundations such as good financial health, smart plans for growth, and leading positions in their markets. Finology highlights that these fundamental strengths don't just vanish when the stock price dips. Let's see why these companies might be good considerations, even though their prices are down right now. (Current Price around ₹ 430 | 52-Week Low: ₹ 390) ITC's price has declined partly due to concerns about a potential economic slowdown, which could impact consumer spending. Nevertheless, ITC is a very strong company. (Image Source: Finology Ticker) It's the leader in cigarettes, has many popular food and personal care products (FMCG), manages its money very well, and doesn't have much debt. Finology points out that temporary market issues don't change ITC's quality. For long-term investors, this dip might be a chance to invest in a solid company. (Current Price around ₹ 1,354 | 52-Week Low: ₹ 1,232) Astral, known for its pipes (CPVC and PVC) and now also in adhesives and paints, is trading near its low. This is partly due to a slowdown in construction activity and some uncertainty in the market. (Image Source: Finology Ticker) But Astral is still a leader in its field, has very little debt, and earns good cash from its operations. Many big investors trust the company. Finology sees Astral as a fundamentally strong company whose current lower price might be an opportunity for those who believe in its long-term growth. (Current Price around ₹ 719 | 52-Week Low: ₹ 597) Part of the trusted Tata group, Tata Technologies helps design products for big industries like cars and aerospace. Its stock price cooled off after a solid entry into the stock market, partly because its latest results weren't as high as some expected. (Image Source: Finology Ticker) However, the company is a leader in its specialised field (Engineering R&D), works with top global clients, and is investing in future-focused areas like electric vehicles. Finology suggests that the recent price dip doesn't take away from its potential, fitting their strategy of looking at long-term value based on solid company strengths. (Current Price around ₹ 910 | 52-Week Low: ₹ 797) India's largest private shipping company, GE Shipping, is trading not far from its 52-week low primarily because global shipping rates have decreased from recent highs, higher operating costs have squeezed profits, and investors have shifted some focus away from shipping stocks due to wider economic concerns. (Image Source: Finology Ticker) Despite these current headwinds, GE Shipping is a highly experienced player (75+ years) with a diverse business in both shipping and offshore services, operates a modern, efficient fleet, holds a key role in India's crucial energy transport, and boasts strong past financial performance and significant backing from its owners and major investors. This situation might mean its current stock price doesn't fully reflect the long-term potential of this industry veteran, especially given its strategic importance. (Current Price around ₹ 3,310 | 52-Week Low: ₹ 3,027) AIA Engineering is also trading near its yearly low, partly because recent sales and profits were a bit down, the engineering sector faces some general challenges, and a share buyback didn't excite investors as hoped. (Image Source: Finology Ticker) Despite this, the company is a global leader making essential, long-lasting parts for big industries like mining and cement, has shown solid growth in the past, is expanding smartly into the profitable mining area, and enjoys very strong backing from its owners and major investors. This situation might mean its underlying strengths are currently overlooked due to the temporary price dip, potentially offering value for those looking long-term. It's easy to get nervous when stock prices fall. However, these five companies show that a lower price today doesn't always mean the company is weak. They all have strong businesses, good financials, and plans for the future. Instead of just looking at the price chart, it's important to ask: Is the company still strong underneath? Finology believes that by looking carefully at companies with solid foundations, investors might find good opportunities for long-term growth, especially when the market seems worried in the short term. It's about having a calm approach and focusing on value. Finology is a SEBI-registered investment advisor firm with registration number: INA000012218. Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
