What does financial freedom really mean — early retirement, passive income, or simply not worrying about bills? For one 29-year-old techie from Gurgaon, now working in the US, it’s something far deeper. In a heartfelt Reddit post, he shared how the last 16 months changed his life completely — from hitting a Rs 2 crore net worth goal to learning that wealth means nothing without health, purpose, and the ability to live freely.
The Reddit user began by describing his journey as “a roller coaster,” saying he finally reached his Rs 2 crore target slightly earlier than planned — thanks, in part, to bullish US markets. But beyond the numbers, he reflected on how moving to the US didn’t magically double his savings. Despite earning more, high rent and living costs meant his monthly savings were only marginally higher than what he managed in India. “Yes, the move helped,” he wrote, “but not as much as people assume.”
He then spoke of a personal crisis that changed his outlook on life — someone very close to him suffered a major health issue and remains hospitalised. The experience made him revisit a memory from a decade ago: standing outside a Gurgaon hospital and walking away because he couldn’t afford the Rs 500 consultation fee. Now, he says, he would “happily spend even a crore” for a loved one’s health — without going into debt. “That’s what real financial security feels like,” he shared.
Even as he built wealth, he made sure to enjoy it. Over the past 16 months, he spent nearly ₹25 lakh on travel — something he says he “absolutely cherishes.” To him, those memories were priceless. “Life is short,” he wrote, “and I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything.”
On the investing front, his portfolio now includes about 30% in US stocks, with the rest diversified across other assets. But more than numbers or allocations, his biggest takeaway was philosophical: “Money brings stability. Earn more. Save more. But live — live while you can.”
Health, he added, has now become his top priority. After losing around 8 kilograms recently, he said he feels “more energetic than ever” — confident that this new energy will help him earn and live better. The experience inspired him to shift his professional focus, too. After years of uncertainty about career paths — whether startups, AI, or a PhD — he now wants to dedicate his future to something in the health sector.
For him, the next phase of life isn’t just about growing his portfolio, but “buying back time” — investing in experiences, health, and purpose. His final message to readers was simple but powerful: “If I can do it, you can do it.”
The techie responded that it took him around three years to save his first crore after clearing student loans, and another 16 months to reach the next crore. He shared that his current monthly savings are roughly ₹5 lakh, though it varies. In his view, Europe isn’t ideal for savings due to relatively lower incomes, while Dubai’s tax-free system makes it a great option. The US, he said, offers the highest earning potential but also comes with heavy taxes and high living costs. As for Singapore, he mentioned he isn’t very familiar with it but has seen people relocate from there to Dubai or the US. Another commenter congratulated him and asked him to share more details about his investment strategy.
The Reddit user began by describing his journey as “a roller coaster,” saying he finally reached his Rs 2 crore target slightly earlier than planned — thanks, in part, to bullish US markets. But beyond the numbers, he reflected on how moving to the US didn’t magically double his savings. Despite earning more, high rent and living costs meant his monthly savings were only marginally higher than what he managed in India. “Yes, the move helped,” he wrote, “but not as much as people assume.”
He then spoke of a personal crisis that changed his outlook on life — someone very close to him suffered a major health issue and remains hospitalised. The experience made him revisit a memory from a decade ago: standing outside a Gurgaon hospital and walking away because he couldn’t afford the Rs 500 consultation fee. Now, he says, he would “happily spend even a crore” for a loved one’s health — without going into debt. “That’s what real financial security feels like,” he shared.
Even as he built wealth, he made sure to enjoy it. Over the past 16 months, he spent nearly ₹25 lakh on travel — something he says he “absolutely cherishes.” To him, those memories were priceless. “Life is short,” he wrote, “and I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything.”
On the investing front, his portfolio now includes about 30% in US stocks, with the rest diversified across other assets. But more than numbers or allocations, his biggest takeaway was philosophical: “Money brings stability. Earn more. Save more. But live — live while you can.”
Health, he added, has now become his top priority. After losing around 8 kilograms recently, he said he feels “more energetic than ever” — confident that this new energy will help him earn and live better. The experience inspired him to shift his professional focus, too. After years of uncertainty about career paths — whether startups, AI, or a PhD — he now wants to dedicate his future to something in the health sector.
For him, the next phase of life isn’t just about growing his portfolio, but “buying back time” — investing in experiences, health, and purpose. His final message to readers was simple but powerful: “If I can do it, you can do it.”
Internet reacts
In the comments section, one user asked about the techie’s monthly savings and how long it took to reach the ₹2 crore milestone, also comparing which countries — the US, Europe, Dubai, or Singapore — are best for saving.The techie responded that it took him around three years to save his first crore after clearing student loans, and another 16 months to reach the next crore. He shared that his current monthly savings are roughly ₹5 lakh, though it varies. In his view, Europe isn’t ideal for savings due to relatively lower incomes, while Dubai’s tax-free system makes it a great option. The US, he said, offers the highest earning potential but also comes with heavy taxes and high living costs. As for Singapore, he mentioned he isn’t very familiar with it but has seen people relocate from there to Dubai or the US. Another commenter congratulated him and asked him to share more details about his investment strategy.
