Middle-Class Struggles: A 24-Year-Old’s Quest for Financial Security
A 24-year-old software professional in Mumbai earning Rs 25 LPA shares his frustration with the elusive nature of financial security and success, sparking a broader discussion about the challenges faced by India’s middle class.
MiddleclassFinancial SecurityMumbaiSoftware ProfessionalGenerational StrugglesReal Estate MumbaiJul 24, 2025
The anonymous user, who earns approximately ₹25 lakh per annum, wanted to celebrate his parents’ 40th wedding anniversary with a family trip to Dubai. His father, however, expressed concerns over spending ₹4 lakh on a vacation, citing ongoing financial uncertainty, generational struggles, and a larger issue — whether middle-class families can ever really feel ‘secure’.
Despite having around ₹25 lakh in personal savings and estimating his family’s total savings at ₹1 crore, the young professional was met with hesitation from his father, who warned against over-optimism. He highlighted looming future expenses like marriage (estimated at ₹40 lakh), potential relocation, and the high cost of urban living — with Mumbai rents for a 2BHK often touching ₹50,000 per month.
The father also raised a larger existential concern: their family, across three generations, had worked hard but still felt they hadn’t achieved what society calls ‘success’. He feared that even with AI disrupting job markets, especially for lower-income groups, a stable job may no longer be a safeguard for the future.
“Life is tough when you’re building it with your own hands,” he wrote, pointing to the sobering reality that success, in the traditional sense, is far more difficult to achieve when starting from scratch.
His story has sparked widespread discussion online, with many sharing similar stories and questioning how middle-class Indians can create real wealth without inherited assets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main concern of the 24-year-old software professional in Mumbai?
The main concern of the 24-year-old software professional is that despite his high income and savings, he feels that true financial security and success are still out of reach.
Why did the user’s father object to the family trip to Dubai?
The user’s father objected to the family trip to Dubai due to concerns over financial uncertainty, ongoing expenses, and the broader issue of whether middle-class families can ever feel truly secure.
What are some of the future expenses mentioned by the user’s father?
The user’s father mentioned future expenses such as marriage (estimated at ₹40 lakh), potential relocation, and the high cost of urban living in Mumbai, where rents for a 2BHK can often touch ₹50,000 per month.
How does the father view the concept of success for their family?
The father views success as something that has been difficult to achieve across three generations, despite hard work, and he fears that even with a stable job, the future is uncertain due to factors like AI disrupting job markets.
What broader discussion has the user’s story sparked?
The user’s story has sparked a broader discussion about the challenges faced by middle-class Indians in creating real wealth and achieving financial security without inherited assets.
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