Feeling lost – 25 lakhs gone in options trading

[Naresh]

Hey everyone, I'm based in Bengaluru and I've lost about 25 lakhs trading options. I'm paying a 63 k EMI now. My salary is roughly 1 lakh per month – rent 7 k, groceries 10 k, travel 6 k, so I've barely any savings. Around 20 lakhs is a personal loan and the rest is from apps and credit cards. I know I messed up; the guilt feels like another debt. Please advise how I can manage from here.

[Abhishek]

1. Never trade again.
2. Pay back the loan and clear all debts, then rebuild from scratch. It won't disappear overnight, but if you stick to it for a few years you'll be out of it.

[Ashwin]

When you sit at the piano, don't panic and start making noise; better to step away and calm down.

[Kalpana]

Consider taking up extra work – anything from Ola/Uber to part‑time gigs. Upskilling can help, but first you need to understand the value of money.

[Vikas]

Mistakes happen. Acknowledge them and get back to work; it'll keep your mind occupied.

[Hemant]

Were you hoping to turn that 25 L into 1 cr and then quit trading? I'm curious what goes through people's minds before they take such risks.

[Deepak]

Don't do options trading – I lost a similar amount. It's more like gambling. Invest patiently instead.

[Charu]

Move out of your flat and stay in a PG for about 5 k a month. If loan interest is high, consider taking a lower‑rate personal loan from a bank, clear the expensive ones, and keep only one loan with a lower rate.

Look for ways to earn more or switch to a company that offers a good joining bonus and big hikes.

[Pooja]

Quit F&O forever. Your recovery can start like this:

Clear all bills and high‑interest loans right away.

Build a six‑month emergency fund before you invest again.

Stop DIY trading. Switch to model or multi‑asset portfolios that give you professional strategies.

Use SIPs in managed portfolios instead of just mutual funds to grow wealth.

Focus on your career and let the experts handle the market.

[Suraj]

Don't worry, mate – setbacks happen and we're built to handle them.

[Siddharth]

It's okay, bro! 25 L is a big amount, but mistakes happen. Good that you tried, learned the lesson and won't regret not trying. Focus on clearing the loan quickly, cut expenses, pick up a side gig, and stay positive. Life's too short to keep regretting.