Earning Rs 10 LPA but still feel broke every month? CA decodes the salary trap

You’re earning a decent Rs 85,000 a month, your peers think you’ve made it, and yet, by the 20th, your bank balance is gasping for air. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In today’s rising-cost reality, earning well doesn’t guarantee financial security. According to CA Nitin Kaushik, the problem isn’t how much you earn—it’s what you’re doing (or not doing) with that money.

In a viral post on X, Kaushik outlines a common trap: Rs 6 lakh lying idle in a savings account, no SIPs, no insurance, no emergency fund—and worst of all, the mindset of waiting for the “right time.” His warning is clear: that delay is costing you more than you realise.

He breaks down a simple roadmap:

Emergency fund

Don’t hoard cash in a 3% savings account. Park Rs 2 lakh in a liquid fund—safe, accessible, and better returns.

Insurance first, not last

Rs 1 crore term plan costs just Rs 7,200 per year. Health insurance worth Rs 10 lakh is around Rs 9,500. Without it, one emergency could wipe out your entire savings.

Start investing

Begin with SIPs in index or flexi-cap funds. No need to chase market trends—just stay disciplined and consistent.


Kaushik ends with a sharp reality check: earning isn't the same as growing, and saving alone won’t beat inflation. The biggest loss isn’t a market dip. According to him, it’s doing nothing at all. Previously, hr advocated for small investments like even Rs 500/month invested early into SIPS can turn into lakhs. In personal finance, it’s never about how much you make, but how soon you start.