Bengaluru CA, an ex-KPMG employee, bought her first iPhone for 'show off'. Now, she has a rule for her every luxury purchase

First impressions often feel louder than reality; many young professionals quietly struggle with the pressure to fit in. From branded clothes to premium gadgets, the urge to belong can sometimes override financial caution. A similar moment of self-reflection has now been shared by Bengaluru-based chartered accountant and former KPMG employee Meenal Goel, who opened up about how her first luxury purchase was driven more by insecurity than need, and how that experience later shaped her entire approach to spending.

Bengaluru CA Meenal Goel took to social media and revealed that her first iPhone purchase was not just about utility but about confidence and belonging in a new environment. She shared that when she joined KPMG as a CA, she often felt out of place among colleagues who frequently spoke about international travel and lifestyles she had never experienced. Coming from a background where she had never travelled outside Delhi, she found herself struggling to relate to those conversations.

In that phase of adjustment, she admitted that she bought an older model iPhone primarily to fit in. Meenal Goel explained that it was, in her own words, an attempt to "show off" and feel included. Even though she acknowledged that it might sound unusual coming from someone working in finance, she said the decision gave her a surprising sense of confidence at work.

3 months stipend

She recalled that her father questioned the decision, asking whether she really wanted to spend three months of her stipend on a phone. Despite the hesitation, she eventually purchased an iPhone 12. According to her reflection, the impact was less about the device itself and more about the internal shift it created. She said that the phone made her feel as if she was "on the same level as anyone else" in her team, even if that confidence was largely psychological.

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A post shared by Meenal Goel | Finance (@ca.meenalgoel)

Looking back, Meenal Goel admitted that the purchase was driven by a desire to fit in socially, even if it was for "show off" at the time. However, she also emphasised that she does not regret the decision, as it helped her navigate an unfamiliar environment with more confidence.

Her rules for luxury purchase

Over time, her perspective on spending evolved significantly. She explained that while she once justified such purchases for emotional reasons, she now follows a more structured approach before making any luxury purchase.


Invest twice the amount
Her current rule is to first invest twice the amount of any discretionary spending into assets that help grow wealth, such as stocks or mutual funds. She gave an example of this mindset shift, saying that if someone wants to buy Rs 5,000 sneakers, they should first invest Rs 10,000 before making the purchase.

Only after that step, she believes, should one proceed to buy the item without guilt, if it still feels meaningful.


Self-awareness
Meenal Goel also highlighted the importance of self-awareness in spending decisions. She advised questioning whether a purchase genuinely helps personal growth or whether it is simply being justified emotionally in the moment.

In her words, individuals should ask themselves whether a purchase will "help me" or if they are merely rationalising a non-essential expense.