Techie takes 9 years to save Rs 1 crore. But his next Rs 1 crore came in just 18 months. Shares lessons
Building wealth often feels like a slow, uncertain process—especially in the early years of one's career. But for some, the results begin to speed up dramatically with time, discipline, and the right financial choices. A software engineer working in a core cybersecurity product firm recently shared his journey to achieving a Rs 2 crore net worth—an achievement that highlights how financial discipline and investing can accelerate wealth creation, even for salaried professionals without windfalls or inheritance.Shared on Reddit, what stands out in his story is the contrast in timelines: while it took him nearly nine years to save his first Rs 1 crore, he managed to accumulate the next Rs 1 crore in just a year and a half. His journey offers a practical roadmap for others in the tech industry aiming for financial independence.
He began his career 11 years ago and admits that the early years were not financially productive. There was a slight reset in 2018 around the time of his marriage, which slowed things down further. However, by September 2023, he finally reached the Rs 1 crore mark. Just 18 months later, his net worth doubled—an acceleration that even he hadn't expected.
The sharp turnaround, he explains, is mainly due to a significant shift in his investment strategy. With a growing portion of his portfolio now in equities, he's seeing the real benefits of compounding. Of course, his salary also saw a big jump during this period, meaning he could save more. He also became more intentional about asset allocation, tax efficiency, and goal planning. This acceleration wouldn't have been possible without consistent investing and a high savings rate. Despite having a family of four—including twin boys—the engineer has managed to keep his monthly expenses around Rs 1.2 lakh. This includes rent, school fees, groceries, domestic help, utilities, fuel, insurance, and subscriptions. A disciplined approach to budgeting allows him to invest nearly 60% of his income—close to Rs 2 lakh every month. He uses SIPs and avoids speculative investing.His investments are heavily skewed towards equity, which he credits for the rapid growth in his net worth. He believes that sticking to a strategy and being consistent is more effective than constantly trying to time the market or chase trends.Initially aiming for a Rs 10 crore corpus by age 45, he has revised his Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) goal to Rs 20 crore by age 42. The change was prompted by rising expenses related to children, lifestyle upgrades, and a growing income. He now factors in inflation more realistically and includes buffers for future healthcare and education costs. However, his focus has shifted from early retirement to achieving financial freedom, with the intent to transition into a less stressful, passion-driven job in his 40s.He already has comprehensive term and health insurance coverage and has ticked off personal milestones like buying a car. His outlook reflects a balanced approach to financial planning—being prepared for the future without sacrificing quality of life today.One of the most critical contributors to his success has been career growth. He points out that while smart investments are essential, the real boost came when his income started to rise in the latter part of his career. The first few years were slow, but skill development and job switches eventually led to better compensation and, in turn, faster wealth accumulation.He said that in 2014 at the start of his career, his salary was Rs 3.25 LPA which jumped to Rs 16.50 LPA in 2020. By 2024, it saw a massive jump to Rs 95 LPA, driven by new skill development, certifications, and moving into a niche within cybersecurity.He emphasises that focusing on career advancement and skill-building in the initial years pays off in the long run. High income, when paired with disciplined investing, creates a solid foundation for long-term financial success.
( Originally published on Jun 18, 2025 )
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