A good salary, an expensive lifestyle or the freedom to enjoy everyday life without worrying about money. What should a young professional actually aim for when starting a career? A 22-year-old engineering graduate from Kolkata is trying to find an answer to this question. Having completed his B.Tech in Information Technology in 2026, he is currently looking for his first job. However, conversations about high salaries, luxury purchases and spending habits have left him wondering how much money he really needs to live comfortably.Rather than aspiring to buy expensive clothes, watches or cars, the young graduate has a relatively simple wish list. He wants to pursue his hobbies, travel occasionally, save a portion of his income and enjoy life without constantly worrying about expenses.He shared his dilemma on Reddit’s r/personalfinanceindia community, asking working professionals how much a fresher should realistically aim to earn in India. His question also opened up a wider discussion about lifestyle expectations, salary comparisons and whether earning more necessarily means living better.
A Rs 30,000 fountain pen sparks a bigger question
The graduate’s confusion began partly through conversations with an older acquaintance who earns Rs 21 lakh per annum and lives in Bengaluru. A graduate of Manipal University, the acquaintance recently attended a pen exhibition and purchased a fountain pen worth approximately Rs 30,000. He also told the young man that IT professionals in Bengaluru could earn as much as Rs 3 lakh per month and that people generally spend according to their income.For someone just entering the job market, these figures created a different perspective on what earning well might mean. The graduate began wondering whether such spending habits and salaries were necessary to enjoy a comfortable life. He also questioned whether the income figures he was hearing represented a realistic expectation for someone starting their career. He was particularly unsure about how much he should target as a fresher instead of measuring his future against people who were already established professionally.
‘If it works, it works’: A lifestyle that does not demand luxury
Interestingly, the young man’s personal preferences are quite different from the spending habits he described seeing around him. He explained that he was never particularly interested in buying expensive clothes, shoes, watches or fancy food. His personal computer, which he uses for gaming, is among his most expensive possessions. He also uses a regular motorcycle belonging to his father.Describing his approach to purchases, he wrote, “I just follow one simple rule: if it works, it works.” His experiences with people his age have also influenced how he thinks about money and lifestyle choices. He recalled going out with a group of young people who appeared more interested in expensive alcohol and smoking than enjoying the outing itself. He said he had struggled to find friends with whom he shared similar interests.In his Reddit post, he described feeling as though people were divided into two groups: those interested in drinking and smoking and those focused on displaying their wealth. However, his question was not about criticising how others spend their money. He wanted to understand what income would allow him to enjoy his own interests without feeling pressured to follow someone else’s lifestyle.
Is Rs 1 lakh a month enough to live comfortably?
The post attracted several responses from Reddit users, who offered different perspectives on income, savings and financial independence. One commenter cautioned him against treating Rs 3 lakh per month as a typical IT salary. According to the user, people earning such amounts belong to a relatively small group, and freshers should focus on securing a job, gaining experience and improving their skills before switching to better opportunities.Another commenter pointed out that there is no universal income level that satisfies everyone. Even people earning significantly more continue working towards higher financial goals. One Reddit user suggested that a monthly income of Rs 1 lakh could be enough for a middle-class family to manage regular expenses, pursue hobbies, travel occasionally and save money. The commenter also referred to the tax benefits available under India’s new tax regime.Others stressed that financial requirements depend on individual circumstances, including family responsibilities, location, aspirations and spending habits. The responses highlighted an important distinction: earning a high salary and having enough money to live comfortably are not necessarily the same thing.
Perhaps the real goal is financial freedom, not a bigger salary
For the Kolkata graduate, the discussion ultimately comes down to deciding what kind of life he wants before entering the workforce. He is not looking to accumulate wealth simply to match the lifestyle of someone earning more. Instead, he wants a career that gives him financial security while leaving room for the things he enjoys. His question also reflects a concern many young professionals face when beginning their careers. Social media, conversations with friends and stories about high-paying jobs can make it difficult to understand what a realistic financial target looks like.There is no single salary that guarantees happiness or comfort for everyone. A fresher living independently in Bengaluru may have very different expenses from someone staying with family in Kolkata. For some, financial success means buying a house or supporting their parents. For others, it means travelling, saving regularly or having enough time and money to pursue personal interests. Perhaps the most useful takeaway from the discussion is that a salary should support the life someone wants to build, rather than become a number they keep chasing without knowing why.
