Bengaluru founder says EMIs and home loans aren’t mistakes—but emotional wealth, if you follow these 3 money rules

In a world where personal finance advice often sounds like cold, hard math—don’t buy cars, avoid EMIs, skip that home loan—Shyam Achuthan, founder based in Bengaluru, is here to remind us that money decisions aren’t always about logic. Sometimes, they’re about life. In a thought-provoking post on LinkedIn, he argues that we’re not spreadsheets—we’re humans, driven by emotions, aspirations, and the desire for meaning in what we own.

Take homeownership, for example. For someone who’s spent their life shifting from one rental to another, buying a house isn’t just a financial move. It’s an emotional milestone. It’s the comfort of waking up in your own space, the pride of seeing your name on the nameplate, and the peace of finally feeling rooted. This, Achuthan says, is emotional wealth—and it’s as real as any number in your bank account.

The same goes for buying a car, not as a luxury flex, but as a gateway to freedom. The ability to visit your parents without scrambling for a bus, to drop your child off at school when it rains, or to take a long drive just to clear your head. Sure, it comes with a price tag—but the return is joy, convenience, and peace of mind. And those can’t be measured in rupees.

But what's his financial hack for this?

Still, Achuthan is no stranger to smart financial planning. He suggests practical hacks, too—like opting for a used car that’s just 2–3 years old. Since cars lose the most value in their first few years, this allows you to dodge heavy depreciation while still enjoying a modern ride. Smart moves don’t need to cancel out meaningful ones.



The key, according to him, is balance. If you choose happiness, you must also choose responsibility. Want that new iPhone on a ₹10K EMI? Then promise yourself to generate ₹10K more income next month. Start a side hustle, use your skills, take freelance gigs—build your hustle to match your spending.

He even recommends a test run before taking on any big financial commitment. For a few months, set aside the equivalent of the EMI you’ll owe. If your lifestyle isn’t strained, you’re ready. If it hurts too much, you’ve saved yourself from regret. That’s financial foresight, not recklessness.

Ultimately, Achuthan believes money isn’t just about saving—it’s about designing a meaningful life. If a decision pushes you to level up and adds purpose, it’s not a mistake. It’s a mission. He urges people to align their spending with their values—and then align their hustle with that spending.

Buy the house. Get the car. Gift yourself the phone. But let each choice fuel a smarter, stronger version of you. Because, in the end, the wealthiest person isn’t the one who spent the least. It’s the one who lived fully, loved deeply, and figured out how to fund the journey.