Mumbai domestic cook goes on foreign holiday while many office-goers struggle to save. Ex-banker shares a financial lesson for salaried Indians

For salaried people with stable jobs and good CTCs, planning an international trip means months or years of savings, and a majority of the expenses are then managed by credit cards. But, ISB MBA graduate shares an insight into how his cook in Mumbai earning Rs 1.05 lakh every month, is all set to jet off to his first international holiday. The MBA graduate pointed out how salaried professionals struggle with saving money, especially after paying taxes, EMIs and other miscellaneous expenses. But, the cook, whose household income is Rs 1.5 lakh is managing his financial situation fine. His post offers an interesting financial lesson in income, savings, greed that come with corporate life.

How does the Mumbai cook earn Rs 1.05 lakh a month?

Manuraaj Garg, on LinkedIn, revealed that his cook earns Rs 18,000 from working at his home and another Rs 16,500 from a flat in the same building. Another family pays him Rs 38,000 of cooking twice a day and managing kitchen work. He also works on film sets on Fridays and earns extra Rs 7,500 per night. This is just his income. Now, his wife, earns Rs 45,000, which makes their household income Rs 1.5 lakh.

Comparing this with his MBA friends, Garg pointed out that even those earning more are left with little after tax deductions, EMIs and childcare expenses.

How is his financial situation different from salaried people?

Garg explained that his cook does not have to worry about Form 16, TDS, CTC breakups or variable pay. "What he earns is what he keeps," he observed. Next is commute time, which many salaried people spend hours in. His cook's work is within a "2-kilometre radius", which further saves his commute time. Also, the cook has four employers. So, even if he loses one, he would not lose his entire income. Unlike a salaried professional, a job loss means losing the primary source of income completely.

But it does not end here. The cook makes sure to avoid splurges and lifestyle expenses. He does not feel the need to upgrade any vehicle or pressure to send his child to an international school. He has a simple funda about spending, "Arre, pagal hai kya, bahut mehenga hai." However, he has allowed himself just one indulgence, which is an iPhone Pro, bought on EMI.

Mumbai cook plans his first international holiday

Now, with such financial discipline, the cook, 34, is preparing for his first international trip, with friends. It will be his first flight and first passport as well. The destination? Thailand. Garg recalled recommending Maya Bay, scooter rides and street food. Soon their conversation was more about travel-planning with Garg also chiming in with stories of his own trip.

For Manuraaj, it felt like just "two boys talking Thailand". Then his wife walked in and sent them back to work, him to the rotis and Garg to his 37 spreadsheets. Garg described his cook as "not poor" and "not rich", but "a man whose maths still works".