From 5 LPA to 50+ LPA - does it ever feel enough?

[Sandeep]

I was watching a recent Ankur Warikoo video where he chats with folks earning anywhere from 3 LPA to 1 Cr PA+. It hit close to home. When I was pulling around 15 LPA, I used to think hitting 25 LPA would set my life and meet all my expectations.

When I finally crossed the 25 LPA mark about a year and a half later, it felt amazing for a few months. But then my goalpost moved. I stopped worrying about rent and started thinking about a home down‑payment. I wasn't dreaming of Uber rides; I wanted my own car. I began eyeing 50 LPA as the point where everything would be sorted.

Reaching 50 LPA about two and a half years after that gave me another short burst of joy, lasting three to four months. Yet the goalpost shifted again. Now I wasn't after a flat; I wanted a villa. I didn't settle for a cheap car; I craved a luxury one. One vacation a year turned into two international trips.

A year later I'm chasing the 1 Cr mark. I'm sure once I get there I'll start dreaming about moving abroad or building a startup.

Bottom line: life does improve as you climb the ladder, but money works like a drug. You need a lot more of it to get the same high each time. Today money is just a tool for me. To build better infrastructure you need better tools, and I doubt there'll ever be a point where what you've built feels enough.

Anyone else had similar experiences with money?

[Nikhil]

Just saw the same video, and I agree with him. I'm already thinking like a 1 Cr earner even though I'm currently earning half of that. That mindset shift gave me peace, patience and, most importantly, resilience about what I'm doing and how I'll achieve it. Long story short, I now see life as a marathon, not a sprint, and it's okay to pace yourself.

[Suresh]

That's the hedonistic treadmill for you. You'll never be fully satisfied, but it keeps you driven to do more – if that's what you want.

My needs were met by the time I hit 20 LPA. I'm a fairly content person by nature; I never felt my 5 LPA salary was insufficient when I started.

Now in the 80 LPA range, it's just about keeping score and ensuring I'm paid fairly for what I bring to the table. It's completely out of touch with what I spend.

[Falguni]

Nope, more stress and expectations, still no financial freedom.

[Vaishali]

Sorry, can't relate to you.

I feel people forget how life was when they were earning 5 LPA and then don't appreciate 50 LPA enough. I remember taking the Garib Rath as a student because I couldn't afford anything else. I also used a weak laptop that would freeze with three or four Chrome tabs open.

It's important to realise there's no end to luxury homes, cars or vacations. Once you experience them once, you quickly see the marginal utility drop dramatically.

A 40‑50k phone does about 90% of what the latest iPhone Pro Max does.

A 5k earphone does about 95% of what the newest AirPods Pro deliver.

People end up buying fancy iPads just for their kids to watch endless Cocomelon.

I go to a "gourmet" restaurant and feel sad seeing the tiny portions on huge fancy crockery.

A 20‑L car does everything you need, including safety. Buying a European luxury car just means higher taxes. If you want that thrill, rent a fancy car in Dubai instead.

I once stayed in a 20k room and that ended my craving for luxury stays. I simply didn't see the point.

[Sunita]

Went from 8 to 80 LPA.

The salary feels enough, I just need my net worth to hit 1M USD.

[Ansh]

I started at 2.56 LPA back in 2004 and was close to 1 Cr when I left my job last year. Up to 50 LPA I felt very motivated because it helped me fulfil my aspirations, but after that extra money stopped motivating me. I stopped enjoying promotions, office parties and superficial talks. That's when I started introspecting and realised I was craving something else – nature, outdoor life, clean food and, most importantly, free time for hobbies and family. It took a lot of courage to quit, as there were no role models and my social circle kept discouraging me. It's been almost a year and I'm happy I made that decision. Now I'm looking for happiness within myself rather than outside, because that's the only way to lasting bliss.

[Jagdish]

If you focus only on salary, it will never be enough. Focus should be on net worth.

[Samar]

If you're earning 50+ LPA, consider leaving the country. After that threshold, nothing makes sense.

[Ganesh]

I've got two words for you: rat race.

[Ronit]

Went from 1.2 LPA to 1.5 Cr PA.

Health is everything. Anxiety drops once basic needs are met.