Latest news with #ShyamAchuthan
India Today
10 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
Look rich or be rich: Startup founder on middle class dilemma
Once upon a time, the middle class was regarded as the backbone of society, with families enjoying steady jobs, evolving from two-wheelers to cars, taking annual vacations, and nurturing dreams of things are changing fast. Founder and CEO, Shyam Achuthan says the middle class is being pulled in two opposite directions, towards wealth or towards worry. There seems to be no middle ground wrote on LinkedIn, "Once upon a time, the middle class was the backbone of society — hardworking families with steady jobs, two-wheelers turning into cars, annual vacations, and dreams of owning a home. But those days are vanishing fast." "Today, the middle class is on a dangerous path — one that leads either to wealth or worry. There's no middle ground anymore. Here's why," he added. advertisement Today, many people in the middle class are busy trying to look rich, rather than actually becoming rich. Costly gadgets, fancy brunches and trendy holidays are often paid for with loans and EMIs. "From EMI-loaded iPhones to overpriced brunches, today's middle class is desperate to look rich, not be rich," writes behaviour, described by Shyam as "financial suicide dressed up as 'living your best life,'" often results in individuals borrowing against their future to maintain a facade in the present. "They're borrowing their future to flex in the present. Instagram aesthetics over actual assets," he a select few within this demographic are taking a different approach. "Some people in the middle class are doing something strange — and powerful," Shyam observes. These individuals are forgoing lavish expenses, opting for used cars or public transport, and investing early and consistently. "They may look poor now, but their money is quietly working overtime — in mutual funds, stocks, real estate, and startups," notes Shyam. This strategy is expected to secure them ownership where others continue to rent, with Shyam asserting, "In 10 years, they'll own what others are still renting."In the face of rising inflation, job insecurity, and technological disruptions, Shyam warns, "Trying to keep up with the rich using a middle-class salary is like bringing a scooter to an F1 race. You'll burn out." He succinctly summarises the situation: "In a world of rising inflation, job insecurity, and AI disruption, the middle class has two choices: Act rich and become poor, or Act poor and become rich."The CEO concluded his post with this advice, "The middle class isn't just shrinking — it's splitting. One half is going up. The other is falling down. Your decisions today decide which side you'll be on tomorrow. Play it smart. Act broke. Get rich."- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Bengaluru founder explains how some middle-class people are silently building big wealth, without you even noticing
Once considered the steady backbone of Indian society, the middle class is now standing at a financial crossroads. In a viral LinkedIn post, Bengaluru-based founder Shyam Achuthan paints a sobering picture of a group that was once defined by upward mobility — steady jobs, small luxuries, and the dream of a home — but is now teetering between two stark outcomes: growing wealthy or going broke. There's no middle ground anymore, he argues — and many are unknowingly choosing the wrong path. However, he points out that some are silently building wealth by making the correct choices. Achuthan highlights a growing trend of financial self-sabotage among the modern middle class. With Instagram-worthy lifestyles and EMIs eating up salaries, many are living to impress, not to improve. A Rs 50,000 salary vanishes fast when Rs 20,000 goes to rent, Rs 10,000 to EMIs, and weekend spending tops Rs 5,000, leaving little to nothing for real savings. It's a cycle of looking rich while staying broke, or worse, heading into debt. But not everyone is playing this dangerous game. A smaller, quieter segment of the middle class is making radically different choices — avoiding flashy purchases, skipping big weddings, choosing used cars, and investing aggressively. They might not look successful today, but they're building wealth that will outlast trends and timelines. While one half of the middle class flexes for likes, the other is compounding gains for long-term freedom. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like I Babysat My Grandkids Daily for Free. Then My Son Said I Was Owed Nothing, So I Snapped Back Beach Raider Undo Trying to keep up with the rich on a middle-class paycheck, Achuthan warns, is like entering an F1 race with a scooter. Sooner or later, you'll burn out. In today's world of inflation, layoffs, and AI disruptions, the divide is widening fast, and only those who act intentionally will move up. His advice is simple but urgent: cut lifestyle inflation , track every rupee, invest 20–30% of your income, and focus on building assets, not liabilities. Above all, learn about money — don't just earn it. The middle class isn't just shrinking — it's splitting. And the choices you make today will decide which direction you take tomorrow.
