Fresh graduates often fall into the same trap – they receive their first paycheck and immediately upgrade their lifestyle. But Arjun chose a different path when he landed his first job in September 2023 at ₹45,000 per month.
The Unconventional Goal
While his friends celebrated with expensive gadgets and lifestyle upgrades, Arjun set an ambitious target: accumulate ₹5 lakh in wealth within 24 months. His peers called it “impossible” and “too conservative,” but Arjun approached his finances like a strategic project.
The Winning Strategy
Arjun implemented a disciplined 50-30-20 framework:
- 50% for expenses (₹22.5K): Continued living like a student, resisting lifestyle inflation
- 30% for investments (₹13.5K): Started systematic investment plans (₹10K) and PPF contributions (₹3.5K)
- 20% for emergency fund (₹9K): Built financial security from day one
His secret weapon was skill monetization – freelancing on weekends using his college expertise, earning an additional ₹8-12K monthly. Every rupee was tracked meticulously through expense monitoring apps.
The Remarkable Results
Despite facing criticism for being “cheap” and “extreme,” Arjun’s discipline paid off spectacularly. After 24 months, his portfolio included:
- Emergency Fund: ₹1.5L
- Mutual Fund Portfolio: ₹2.8L
- PPF Account: ₹88K
- Fixed Deposits: ₹1L
- Total Wealth: ₹5.2L
The Bigger Picture
Beyond the impressive numbers, Arjun gained something invaluable – financial confidence at 25. While his peers continue living paycheck-to-paycheck, he sleeps peacefully with a solid financial foundation.
His key insight: “Your first salary habits determine your financial future. Start smart, not flashy.”
For fresh graduates, Arjun’s story proves that with discipline and strategic planning, building substantial wealth is achievable even on modest salaries. The question isn’t about earning more – it’s about managing what you have with clarity and purpose.
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