Trapped between SIPs, loans and guilt: Reddit post reveals hidden struggles of young earners
A Reddit post by a 27-year-old woman expressing her emotional and financial fatigue has gone viral, striking a chord with thousands of young professionals who feel similarly overwhelmed despite relatively high incomes. Earning Rs 1.7 lakh per month, the woman shared how she feels burdened by EMIs, savings goals, and family expectations — leaving her with virtually nothing for herself.
In her post, she details a life of restraint and obligation, where even replacing a broken phone has taken over six months of contemplation. “I feel like I’m cheating on my savings and what if something goes wrong,” she writes, capturing the anxiety that comes with trying to balance present needs and future fears.
High Income, Low Freedom: The Middle-Class Financial Paradox
Despite a steady income, much of it is already spoken for. She shares that Rs 30,000 goes into an education loan EMI, Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 into SIPs (Systematic Investment Plans), Rs 20,000 for office commute, Rs 5,000 for a maid, and another Rs 5,000 on personal sports or activities. On top of that, for the next four months, she’s allocating Rs 20,000 monthly to repay her mother for past educational support.
“I try to curb my Swiggy orders for eating outside or going out with friends or anything at all. I try to order something cheap within Rs 200 every time I order,” she adds, revealing how even minor pleasures are rationed. “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.”
Community Resonance: “Hope You Get There Too”
The post resonated with many, including one commenter who reflected on their own experience. “Other than the 20k on to- from office, seems like you’re doing pretty good (budgeting wise). I would recommend clearing off that education loan ASAP (I’m assuming it costs around 12% annually) and building an emergency fund. Clearing off the loan really feels awesome. And once you have like 8-10 lakhs in the emergency fund, you stop feeling like you have to penny pinch everything. I am in a similar boat as you are (although older and earning more) — but yeah the feeling of hopelessness, I resonate with. And while I’m yet to get to feeling like life is free and rosy, I am getting there. Hope you get there too!”
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