Gurgaon man pays Rs 20,000 rent, takes bike trips to mountains, says Rs 30 lakhs a year is enough; blames people for spending too much

A LinkedIn user has questioned claims that earning Rs 30 lakh or even Rs 50 lakh a year is insufficient to live comfortably in Gurgaon, recalling how he managed his expenses in the city with Rs 20,000 monthly rent and another Rs 20,000 for food. He said he cooked his own meals and used whatever money remained to travel back home or take spontaneous motorcycle trips to the mountains.

The man argued that Rs 30 lakh a year is a substantial income, even after tax deductions, and said people often make their financial lives more expensive by trying to match the spending habits of others. His post has triggered a discussion on LinkedIn, with users debating whether high living costs or lifestyle choices are responsible for people feeling financially stretched despite earning well.

'Rs 30 lakhs a year is a lot of money': Man questions salary claims

Recalling his time living in Gurgaon, the LinkedIn user wrote that his monthly rent was Rs 20,000 and his food expenses were another Rs 20,000.


He clarified that he lived alone and cooked his own food. Once these expenses were taken care of, he used the remaining money to travel back home or take motorcycle trips to the mountains.

Comparing that experience with salary discussions he now encounters on LinkedIn, he questioned why people earning Rs 30 lakh or Rs 50 lakh annually increasingly claim that their income is insufficient.

"30 lakhs a year is a lot of money (yes, after deductions too)," he wrote.

He also took aim at what he described as fear-mongering around salaries and living expenses on professional networking platforms.

"Fear mongering has always been a sure shot way to get traction. We all know it," he wrote.

According to him, the problem is not necessarily how much people earn, but how much they feel compelled to spend.

Rs 10,000 shoes, Rs 8,000 shirts and expensive car EMIs

The author argued that inflation affects people more severely when they constantly try to be the biggest spenders in their social circles.

He pointed to examples of discretionary spending, including shoes costing Rs 10,000, shirts worth Rs 8,000 and car EMIs that can become a long-term financial burden.

His argument was that people can end up spending a significant portion of their salaries on maintaining an expensive lifestyle, leaving themselves with less money for savings and other priorities.

He also summed up his criticism of the city's spending culture with a pointed observation:

"Gurgaon gave people the freedom to spend. But it took away the rationale of spending."

He suggested that the freedom to access expensive products, restaurants, vehicles and other lifestyle choices could make it harder for people to distinguish between what they need and what they simply want.

'20K/month for food, so roughly 650/day': LinkedIn user questions budget

The post also attracted questions about whether the author's monthly food expenditure was realistic.

One commenter questioned his Rs 20,000 food budget, writing: "20K/month for food, so roughly 650/day on food; is this for a individual or a family???"

The author responded that he had lived alone.

Another commenter challenged the author's assessment of other people's financial circumstances, writing:

"Are you currently living in Gurgaon? If not then stop passing judgements on people who shoes you dont walk."

The author did not suggest that everyone had identical expenses. His response to the question about food costs clarified that his example was based on his own experience of living alone.

A further comment argued that individual spending requirements depend on lifestyle choices.

"It all depends on the way of life style u choose in any town or city. 20 k may be enough for some one and 20 L may not be enough for someone. Difficult to judge what is idle and sufficient," the commenter wrote.

Another user agreed with the author's broad point while highlighting the influence of social circles on spending habits.

"True, 30 lakhs a year is a lot of money, but it also depends on the kind of people you are surrounded by," the commenter wrote.

Debate over whether Rs 30 lakh is enough to live comfortably

The discussion highlights how differently people approach the question of what constitutes a comfortable salary in a city such as Gurgaon.

For some, housing, transport, family responsibilities and everyday expenses can make even a relatively high salary feel insufficient. For others, controlling discretionary spending and avoiding expensive lifestyle commitments can leave more room for savings and travel.

The LinkedIn author's argument rests on his own experience: he managed his rent and food expenses with Rs 40,000 a month and still had money left for travel.

The comments, meanwhile, highlight that one person's budget cannot automatically be applied to everyone. Lifestyle, household size and the people someone surrounds themselves with can all influence spending expectations.

(Disclaimer: This article is based on a viral social media post and online reactions. The Economic Times cannot independently verify the authenticity of the content and does not claim or endorse it.)​​