Pune entrepreneur shares IT employee's worry despite Rs 34 LPA salary, no EMIs

A man earning Rs 34 lakh per annum in the IT sector, with no EMIs and a salary that arrives on time every month, is still unhappy. His biggest worry? The possibility of losing his job and being unable to support his two children's education if layoffs strike. This IT employee’s story was shared by Pune-based entrepreneur Vanesh Mali in a post on X, where he recounted a conversation with him and asked users how such fears could be handled better. Read Full Story "Yesterday I met someone who is earning Rs 34 LPA in his IT job. Salary gets credited on time. No EMI. Still he is not happy," Mali wrote. The man, Mali said, was constantly worried about losing his job. With two children to support, he feared he would struggle to pay their education fees if he were laid off. The post went viral as users weighed in with advice ranging from financial planning and emergency funds to changing one's outlook on uncertainty. Several users stressed the importance of being financially prepared for unexpected setbacks. One user argued that a person earning such a salary should ideally have accumulated sufficient savings and investments after years in the workforce. He suggested maintaining an emergency fund capable of covering at least six months of expenses, including children's education costs. Others echoed similar views, saying a strong investment portfolio and a dedicated emergency fund are essential safeguards against job loss. Some also recommended building secondary sources of income to reduce dependence on a single salary. A number of users shared their own experiences with unemployment and financial uncertainty. "No point in being afraid of this situation. I have been through this when my startup shut down, and I didn't have a job, but I got through that phase by focusing on learning, attending interviews and eventually cracking one. Since then, I have never been afraid. Tough times make you tougher," one person wrote. Another user recalled becoming anxious about job security during the Covid-19 pandemic and responding by saving aggressively. "In five years, I feel I have done well. I would advise everyone to start saving a little at the beginning of their career and then increase savings rapidly after four or five years when salaries improve. Don't increase expenses too much too soon, and you'll feel happier," the user said. Some users felt the anxiety reflected a broader reality rather than a problem unique to the individual. "There is no guarantee in any job or in life, and that is the truth. Everyone has to plan their life according to it," one user said. Others sought to reassure the man, arguing that while the technology sector is going through a difficult phase, it remains too large and important to disappear overnight. One user said that if the professional already had savings, investments and emergency funds in place, there was little reason to be overly stressed. Not everyone believed financial planning alone could provide peace of mind. One user observed that there is "no ultimate satisfying answer" because happiness and security are shaped by individual perceptions and expectations. While money does matter, the extent to which it contributes to a person's sense of contentment varies from one individual to another. Ends