Does Rs 1.5 crore net worth bring financial freedom in 2026? Man planning India return says 'it doesn’t feel as secure'

Synopsis A Reddit user planning to return to India in 2026 shared that even with a projected net worth of ₹1.5 crore, he doesn’t feel financially secure. His investments are mostly in equity and gold funds, with some fixed deposits for stability, and he carefully tracks inflation and future expenses. Redditors weighed in, noting that lifestyle, city of residence, healthcare costs, and family responsibilities all affect how much wealth is needed for real security. For many Indians, the dream of financial freedom often revolves around hitting a big number in savings or investments. With rising living costs, inflation, and expensive real estate in cities, even a milestone like ₹1.5 crore is making people question if it’s truly enough to feel secure. A recent Reddit post by a man planning to return to India in the coming years captured this dilemma. He shared that he expects to cross ₹1.5 crore in net worth by 2026, but admitted, “On paper this may sounds like a big milestone but honestly, it doesn’t feel as secure as I once imagined in the beginning of my investment journey.” The original poster explained that most of his money is invested in equity funds across large, mid and small caps. He also has exposure to gold mutual funds, along with recurring deposits and fixed deposits for stability. He does not invest directly in stocks. He tracks everything in Excel sheets and adjusts for inflation before running scenarios about life after moving back to India. “The more I calculate, the more I realize how inflation quietly reduces the meaning of every milestone I have planned,” he wrote. Over time, personal finance became more than just saving money. It turned into building systems and thinking long term. According to him, the focus shifted from asking how much he could save to designing the kind of future he wants. His monthly expenses in India, he mentioned in the comments, are currently around ₹50,000. But for long-term financial freedom, he has projected around ₹1.6 lakh per month two decades later. Is ₹1.5 crore enough in India today? One Reddit user said it depends on lifestyle. A portfolio of ₹1.5 crore can give a cushion, but in Tier-1 cities where even a 2BHK can cost over ₹1 crore, it may not be sufficient without additional cash flow. You Might Also Like: He requested a day off for sister’s wedding after months of unpaid overwork. Boss instead tells him to feel lucky about his job Another user pointed out that global factors like crude oil prices can quickly trigger another inflation cycle. The advice was simple: stay diversified and continue working as long as possible. The commenter added that as the corpus grows, one naturally feels safer and gains the flexibility to work at their own pace. There were also practical frameworks shared. One user calculated that if inflation is 6% and returns are 9%, the real return is just 3%. For someone spending ₹50,000 a month, that would require around ₹2 crore to feel relatively safe. Some went further. One commenter bluntly said at least ₹4 crore is needed for early retirement. Another said $1 million — roughly ₹8–9 crore — is the benchmark for comfort. At the same time, a few people questioned the comparison culture itself. One Redditor observed that until recently, ₹1 crore was seen as a respectable goal. Today, even ₹3 crore feels average in online discussions. The original poster responded that this could be a social media effect. When people constantly see ₹50 lakh or ₹1 crore annual salaries online, it starts feeling normal even if it is not the reality for most. Beyond numbers: Expenses, family and peace of mind Interestingly, not everyone linked security purely to wealth. One user said health expenses have been the biggest money burner in their experience. Another wrote that security comes more from controlling expenses than building a huge corpus. A 31-year-old married user with two children shared that he has around ₹90 lakh in savings and inherited property. Compared to some relatives, he feels behind. But compared to where he started in life, he feels rich. His family earns ₹2 lakh a month and spends only 20%. For him, peace at home matters more than chasing bigger targets. The original poster agreed. He clarified that his decision to move back is more about family and long-term roots than creating a financial bubble. (Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online. ...moreless (Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) 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