Latest news with #ShyamAchuthan
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Not bank balance or luxury flats. Bengaluru startup founder says young professionals are missing the only real asset that matters
Health- A compounding asset In a world obsessed with assets, savings, and investments, it's easy for young professionals to lose sight of what really matters. Many in their mid-20s to mid-30s are caught up worrying about houses, cars, and long-term financial plans, rarely pausing to consider whether they will be healthy enough to enjoy them. Shyam Achuthan, a Bengaluru-based startup founder, recently took to LinkedIn to challenge this mindset and highlight the overlooked 'asset' that drives everything else—your pointed out the irony in chasing things that outlast us while ignoring the very body and mind that need to carry us through life. Houses are designed to last 75 years, cars may survive 15, and investments can potentially grow across generations. Yet, none of these assets truly matter if your health doesn't last even half of that. According to him, a house can outlive you, a car can outlast you, and your money can outgrow you—but if your physical and mental well-being falters, you won't have the energy or ability to enjoy any of Achuthan, health is not just a side priority—it's the ultimate compounding asset. He stresses simple, actionable choices: prioritising sleep over endless screen time, moving your body rather than staying glued to meetings, and focusing on proper nutrition rather than obsessing over net worth. These choices, he explains, compound over time, just like investments, but with one major difference: they determine whether you have the vitality to actually live the life you're message resonates especially with young professionals who are constantly hustling, often sacrificing personal well-being for career goals or material gains. Achuthan urges a shift in mindset—don't just live for things that last, live for the life that lasts within you. By valuing health as the primary asset, every other pursuit becomes more meaningful and sustainable. After all, money, property, and luxury items are tools, but your health is the foundation that lets you truly enjoy them.
India Today
24-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
Why some purchases are priceless: Startup founder on spending and living well
In the world of money talk, we often hear the same advice on repeat, save more, spend less, think rationally. But Founder and CEO, Shyam Achuthan, reminds us that people are not spreadsheets. We are humans with emotions, dreams and a deep need to find meaning in what we wrote on LinkedIn, 'In the world of personal finance, we are constantly reminded to think rationally.' He points out the usual warnings,'Don't buy a car, it's a depreciating asset,' or 'A home loan will tie you down for decades.' But, as he rightly puts it, 'Sometimes, we forget that we are not spreadsheets. We are human beings, emotional, aspirational, and deeply tied to the meaning behind what we buy.' advertisementOWNING A HOME: MORE THAN JUST BRICKS AND WALLSFor many, buying a house is more than an investment. It's about feeling safe, settled and proud. 'For someone who has spent their life moving from one rented house to another, never truly feeling rooted, buying a home isn't just a transaction, it's a triumph,' Shyam explains. That first whiff of tea in your own kitchen or seeing your name on the gate is priceless. 'That's not a financial mistake. That's emotional wealth. And emotional wealth is real.'WHY BUYING A CAR IS ABOUT FREEDOM, NOT LUXURYThe same goes for a car. Not everyone buys a car to show buy it for the freedom to travel when they want, visit parents without long bus rides or drop kids to school when it rains. 'Yes, it costs money, but the return is joy, peace, convenience, and those can't always be quantified,' he SMART: SMALL HACKS FOR BIG PURCHASESStill, Shyam is clear that big purchases don't mean throwing caution to the shares a smart tip: consider a well-kept used car instead of a brand new one. 'Vehicles depreciate the most in their first couple of years. By letting someone else absorb that hit, you get a quality car at a much lower price,' he IS THE KEY: EARN FOR WHAT YOU SPENDYet, his message is simple, balance your happiness with responsibility. He shares an idea that hits home: 'You can buy that iPhone on a Rs 10K EMI, but make it a promise to yourself that you will find a way to earn an extra 10K from next month.'He suggests using your skills, starting a side hustle or taking up weekend gigs to make this extra money BEFORE YOU BUY: TEST YOUR EMISBefore taking a big loan, Shyam suggests a simple trick,'Practice it. For the next 3-4 months, set aside the same EMI amount as a mock expense. If you can handle it without strain, you're ready. If not, you've just saved yourself from regret.'His bigger point is that money is not just about saving. It's about designing a life you love. 'If a decision adds meaning to your life and pushes you to level up, it's not a mistake. It's a mission,' he says. He believes the real secret is not avoiding spending but aligning it with what you truly value — and then working harder to afford FULLY, SPEND WISELYadvertisementSo, next time you feel guilty about wanting a car, a new phone or your dream home, remember Shyam's words: 'The richest person isn't the one who spent the least. It's the one who lived fully, loved deeply, and figured out how to pay for it along the way.'- Ends
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Bengaluru founder says EMIs and home loans aren't mistakes—but emotional wealth, if you follow these 3 money rules
In a world where personal finance advice often sounds like cold, hard math—don't buy cars, avoid EMIs, skip that home loan—Shyam Achuthan, founder based in Bengaluru, is here to remind us that money decisions aren't always about logic. Sometimes, they're about life . In a thought-provoking post on LinkedIn, he argues that we're not spreadsheets—we're humans, driven by emotions, aspirations, and the desire for meaning in what we own. Take homeownership, for example. For someone who's spent their life shifting from one rental to another, buying a house isn't just a financial move. It's an emotional milestone. It's the comfort of waking up in your own space, the pride of seeing your name on the nameplate, and the peace of finally feeling rooted. This, Achuthan says, is emotional wealth—and it's as real as any number in your bank account. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Operations Management others Others healthcare Leadership Degree PGDM Project Management Management Product Management MCA MBA Public Policy Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity Healthcare Finance Data Science Design Thinking CXO Data Analytics Data Science Digital Marketing Technology Skills you'll gain: Quality Management & Lean Six Sigma Analytical Tools Supply Chain Management & Strategies Service Operations Management Duration: 10 Months IIM Lucknow IIML Executive Programme in Strategic Operations Management & Supply Chain Analytics Starts on Jan 27, 2024 Get Details The same goes for buying a car , not as a luxury flex, but as a gateway to freedom. The ability to visit your parents without scrambling for a bus, to drop your child off at school when it rains, or to take a long drive just to clear your head. Sure, it comes with a price tag—but the return is joy, convenience, and peace of mind. And those can't be measured in rupees. But what's his financial hack for this? Still, Achuthan is no stranger to smart financial planning . He suggests practical hacks, too—like opting for a used car that's just 2–3 years old. Since cars lose the most value in their first few years, this allows you to dodge heavy depreciation while still enjoying a modern ride. Smart moves don't need to cancel out meaningful ones. You Might Also Like: Bengaluru start-up founder explains how some middle-class people are silently building big wealth, without you even noticing The key, according to him, is balance. If you choose happiness, you must also choose responsibility. Want that new iPhone on a ₹10K EMI ? Then promise yourself to generate ₹10K more income next month. Start a side hustle, use your skills, take freelance gigs—build your hustle to match your spending. He even recommends a test run before taking on any big financial commitment. For a few months, set aside the equivalent of the EMI you'll owe. If your lifestyle isn't strained, you're ready. If it hurts too much, you've saved yourself from regret. That's financial foresight, not recklessness. Ultimately, Achuthan believes money isn't just about saving—it's about designing a meaningful life. If a decision pushes you to level up and adds purpose, it's not a mistake. It's a mission. He urges people to align their spending with their values—and then align their hustle with that spending. Buy the house. Get the car. Gift yourself the phone. But let each choice fuel a smarter, stronger version of you. Because, in the end, the wealthiest person isn't the one who spent the least. It's the one who lived fully, loved deeply, and figured out how to fund the journey.
Economic Times
01-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Bengaluru founder explains how some middle-class people are silently building big wealth, without you even noticing
Bengaluru tech founder raises concerns over the middle-class's spending habits. (Pic credit- istock. Image used for representative purpose only) 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 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. One user reflected on how the modern rat race often leads people astray, emphasizing that while flashy lifestyles may gain attention, it's the smart and strategic choices that truly matter in the long run. Another appreciated Shyam Achuthan's perspective on middle-class struggles, praising his insight into how social media-driven lifestyles are eroding financial security. They highlighted the power of disciplined saving and investing—like putting aside 20–30% of one's salary and tracking every expense—as the real game-changer for the future. ( Originally published on Jun 30, 2025 )
News18
01-07-2025
- Business
- News18
‘You'll Either Be Rich Or Poor In 10 Years': Startup Founder's Stark Message to India's Middle Class
Last Updated: Tech founder Shyam Achuthan says India's middle class is at a tipping point, between quietly building wealth or slipping into financial illusion. India's middle class, once known for its steady jobs, modest homes, cars and yearly vacations, is undergoing a major shift. Tech entrepreneur Shyam Achuthan believes the real divide today isn't between the rich and the poor — it's between those pretending to be wealthy and those quietly building real wealth. In a powerful LinkedIn post, Achuthan cautioned, 'The middle-class today stands at a critical juncture — headed either toward financial freedom or financial stress. There's no middle ground left." The Illusion of Wealth Achuthan believes that a large section of the middle class is chasing a social-media-driven lifestyle, often at the cost of their long-term financial security. 'From EMI-loaded iPhones to overpriced brunches, today's middle class is desperate to look rich, not be rich," he wrote. This drive to project affluence, often fuelled by credit cards, BNPL schemes and lifestyle loans, can mask an unstable financial reality. Instead of focusing on savings and investments, many are prioritising aesthetic appearances and momentary validation. Smart People Playing Differently On the other side, Achuthan points to a quieter, more deliberate approach. 'Some people in the middle class are doing something strange and powerful," he noted. These individuals aren't sacrificing joy—they're making smarter decisions: taking the metro instead of buying a car, avoiding lifestyle inflation and investing consistently. 'They may look poor now, but their money is quietly working overtime — in mutual funds, stocks, real estate and startups. In 10 years, they'll own what others are still renting," he adds. His starkest comparison? 'Trying to keep up with the rich using a middle-class salary is like bringing a scooter to an F1 race." Stop upgrading your lifestyle every time your income increases; save the extra instead. Track Every Rupee You Spend Maintain a budget and monitor expenses closely to avoid unnecessary leaks in your finances. Invest 20–30 per cent of What You Earn Put a fixed portion of your income into growth-oriented assets like mutual funds or stocks. Build Assets, Not Liabilities Buy things that generate value over time, avoid debt traps and non-essential EMIs. Learn Financial Literacy, Not Just Income Skills Understanding how money works is just as crucial as earning it. Educate yourself on saving, investing, and compounding. With rising living costs, increasing debt, and a volatile economy, Achuthan's message serves as a reality check: the middle class must adapt, or risk being left behind. The choice is clear—fake wealth today and struggle tomorrow, or quietly build it and own the future. First Published:
