'Feel So Burdened With Rs 1.7 Lakh Salary': Woman’s Post On Reddit Strikes A Chord

A 27-year-old woman's post expressing despair over her financial situation despite earning Rs 1.7 lakh per month has gone viral and struck a chord with several Reddit users.

“I feel so burdened despite earning over Rs 1 lakh. I feel that after SIPs, monthly expenses and education loan installment, I have nothing left for myself,” she said.

The young woman described how she felt guilty for even thinking of spending on herself. She shared how she needed to buy a new phone as the current phone had broken. 

“I’m not able to buy it. I feel like I’m cheating on my savings and what if something goes wrong. I feel strapped if I spend some extra money over anything at all.”

She said she even avoided going out with friends or ordering food online. “I try to order something cheap within Rs 200 every time I order,” she said.

A substantial portion of her income, Rs 30,000, is dedicated to her education loan EMIs. She invests between Rs 50,000 and Rs 60,000 into Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs). Her daily commute to work costs Rs 20,000 a month. She pays her domestic help Rs 5,000, while another Rs 5,000 is spent on personal activities and sports. 

Additionally, for four months, she has committed Rs 20,000 monthly to repay financial help she had earlier received from her mother.

“I hate this living, where I can’t even spend on myself after working the whole day. Idk what to do and I’m feeling very hopeless,” she added.

Responding to her post, one user wrote, “What is the point of earning if you cannot spend it on yourself? Only got one life dude. Balance is the key here.”

Another user appreciated her budgeting skills, saying, “Other than the Rs 20k on to-fro from office, seems like you’re doing pretty good (budgeting wise).”

One user suggested, “Keep aside Rs 10k to Rs 20k for guilt-free spending. Think of your salary as Rs 1.5L and plan the rest. If you have a loan, keep 6x to 10x of your EMI as an emergency fund.”