Stop chasing high salary after Rs 2 lakh a month, says Mumbai man. 3 reasons why it can be a income 'trap'

A Mumbai man's take on high-paying jobs has sparked a discussion online after he argued that chasing a bigger salary does not always lead to a better life. Mohit Talreja shared his views in a video posted on Instagram, saying that after a certain income level, people should think beyond promotions and salary hikes and instead invest time in their health, family and skills that can create income outside a regular job.

His comments have drawn mixed reactions, with many agreeing while others questioned whether such advice works in today's economy.

Salary beyond Rs 2 lakh can become a 'trap'?

In the video, Talreja said that earning a high salary is not always as rewarding as many people believe.


"A very high salary can become a trap. In India, once your monthly income reaches around ₹2 lakh, you can usually maintain a reasonably comfortable lifestyle. Beyond that point, constantly chasing career growth can pull you into an endless rat race, where competition becomes extremely intense."

According to him, once basic financial comfort is achieved, the race for even higher pay often comes with increasing pressure and expectations that may not improve overall quality of life.

Why he believes the race becomes difficult

Talreja said people aiming for top-paying positions are often competing against individuals who are prepared to give up almost everything to get ahead.

"At the top, you are often competing with people who are willing to go all in, even if it means sacrificing their health, family life and personal well-being to move ahead. Competing with them may not always be realistic or worthwhile," he said.

His point was that everyone has different priorities, and constantly comparing career growth with others can sometimes come at a personal cost.

Focus on health, family and independent skills

Instead of making every career decision around salary, Talreja suggested slowing down once income comfortably supports day-to-day life.

"That is why, once you reach a level where your income comfortably supports your lifestyle, it may be better to slow down and focus on your health, spend more time with your family and develop skills that do not depend on traditional employment," he added.

He also encouraged people to prepare for the future by building abilities that can generate income without depending on an employer.

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A post shared by Mohit Talreja (@mohit26091989)

"These are skills that can help you generate income independently 10 or 15 years from now without relying on a company or a full-time job. Content creation, for example, is one such skill, and there are many others that people may not yet be aware of," he said.

Summing up his advice, Talreja added: "The idea is to identify an independent income-generating skill, build it gradually and focus on your long-term well-being instead of getting trapped in the endless pursuit of a higher salary and a bigger job title."

Internet divided over the advice

The video quickly attracted reactions from social media users, with opinions split.

Some supported the message. One user wrote, "Great 'Growth' mindset", while another commented, "Agreed." Others thanked him for sharing the perspective.

Not everyone agreed, however. One user said, "Everyone is different; what sounds sane to you sounds insane to me and vice versa. Best of luck." Another joked, "2 L/ month ke bad business karo," while one person argued, "Ghar nahi kharid saktey." Another comment read, "Bhai isi ke oopar ek video dekhi, where she mentions that 2.5 Lakh is the new 1 Lakh."