Bengaluru: In a country where loans have become the default path to own anything big—especially a home—living debt-free is rare. With skyrocketing real estate prices in cities like Bengaluru and Chennai, owning even a modest apartment seems impossible without a housing loan.
But here’s the twist: a 35-year-old techie has achieved what many consider a dream. He owns two apartments — one in Bengaluru and another in Noida — and has zero debt. His story recently surfaced on Reddit, where he detailed his 12-year journey from a ₹7,000 salary to financial freedom. His story isn’t about luck or a sudden startup success — it’s all about practical money management.
💼 “My First Salary Was ₹7,000…” Debt-Free
“I didn’t graduate from a top-tier college. I didn’t get a foreign job. But I made the most of what I had and followed a strict discipline with my money,” he wrote.
In 2013, he got his first job in Noida with a modest salary of ₹7,000. Later, he moved to Bengaluru, completed a tech course, and applied for jobs at several companies. Most of them rejected him. But he didn’t give up — eventually, he landed a good job in tech.
📌 Two Life-Changing Tips
What changed his life?
“I got two pieces of advice early in my career that I stuck to without fail:
- Save on monthly essentials like rent and avoid overspending.
- Never own a credit card.”
Instead of just blindly following them, he tracked every rupee he spent. He would regularly review his expenses, figure out where money was wasted, and cut it out the following month.
💸 Investing Early – Not Just Saving Debt-Free
Instead of letting his savings sleep in a bank account, he started investing. He began with Fixed Deposits (FDs) which gave him around 8.75% returns, and later shifted to SIP mutual funds. He admits he didn’t get immediate returns — but he learned gradually and kept at it.
🏠 His First Apartment – A Calculated Move
He followed a simple mantra:
“First, I set aside savings and investment amounts from my monthly income. I only spent what was left after that.”
Even his bonuses were immediately invested.
In 2018, he bought his first apartment in Noida by paying a ₹5 lakh down payment and taking a home loan of ₹55 lakhs.
📅 A Smart Loan Repayment Strategy
Here’s the genius part: he planned to pay 14 EMIs every year — that’s 2 extra EMIs annually beyond the standard 12. He also used all his bonuses and additional income for loan prepayment. This dramatically reduced his interest and tenure.
💍 Life After Marriage – Apartment No.2
In 2021, he got married. By then, he was working in Bengaluru and purchased his second apartment there, priced around ₹40 lakhs.
Still, he didn’t opt for big loans — he applied the same smart financial habits.
❌ No to Credit Cards, Yes to Experiences
He’s clear about one thing:
“I’ve never owned a credit card. That decision alone saved me a lot over the years.”
He believes in living life fully, not lavishly. He traveled with family, spent on experiences — but always within a limit. He reviewed his expenses monthly, cut the unnecessary ones, and optimized every rupee.
🎯 What Really Matters?
“Paying 14 EMIs every year helped me finish my loans faster and reduced the interest significantly. It’s not about how much you earn, your degree, or your job title. It’s about how you manage your money,” he says.
At 35, he proudly says,
“I stand debt-free today.”
🔑 Key Takeaways From His Journey:
✅ Budget first, spend what remains — not the other way around
✅ Avoid credit cards if you don’t have control
✅ Track your spending in detail
✅ Invest early — even if the returns are slow
✅ Pay extra EMIs when possible
✅ Use bonuses for prepayment, not luxuries
❤️ Final Words Debt-FreeReveals His Secret
This isn’t the story of a millionaire. This is the story of a disciplined Indian employee who made smart choices with average earnings. And today, he owns two apartments and peace of mind — no EMIs haunting him.
If he can do it, maybe you and I can too.
