How Much Is Enough? CA Nitin Kaushik’s Reality Check On The ‘Obsession’ With Money | Savings and Investments News

Last Updated:November 04, 2025, 15:16 IST

Personal finance experts say well-being improves when money is aligned with health, family, and leisure, helping reduce stress and boost overall life satisfaction

Chartered Accountant Nitin Kaushik’s recent post on X has gone viral, sparking significant discussion about the relentless pursuit of money. Kaushik candidly elaborates on why our craving for wealth never seems to cease. In today’s fast-paced world, we often believe that earning just a bit more will bring us peace, but this desire for ‘a little more’ is perpetual.

In his post, Kaushik highlights that even those earning between Rs 40-50 lakh annually experience stress. Many people assume that reaching an income of Rs 1 crore a year will simplify life, but once that milestone is achieved, the target swiftly shifts to Rs 2 crore.

What Is ‘Lifestyle Creep’?

Kaushik describes this phenomenon as a trap of our own thinking, suggesting that true contentment is found not in a specific number, but in a harmonious balance where lifestyle, peace of mind, and financial flow coexist.

Kaushik explains the concept of ‘lifestyle creep’, where increased earnings lead to proportionally higher spending on luxuries such as new cars, bigger houses, and expensive clothing, resulting in an ever-elusive financial goal. He argues that genuine freedom is achieved when money no longer controls you but instead works for you, meaning your income grows without a corresponding spike in expenses.

Support Matters More Than Money

In today’s context of economic uncertainty and rising living costs, people often compare themselves to others, especially through the lens of social media, and feel inadequate. Kaushik emphasises that true financial success is personal, urging individuals to consider their household expenses, children’s education, and retirement plans before setting financial goals.

Personal finance experts advocate for integrating money with health, family, and leisure time to reduce stress and enhance life satisfaction.

Kaushik’s post has encouraged many to rethink their approach to wealth. Rather than fixating on a specific income number, he advised reflecting on whether one’s earnings meet their needs. If they do, he suggested it is time to stop and enjoy life, prioritising living over constant chasing.

In another post, he advised against seeking shortcuts to wealth, recommending three fundamental actions: earning more, cutting unnecessary expenses, and investing the surplus. By improving skills and monitoring spending, small consistent steps can lead to substantial financial success over time. Real wealth, Kaushik concludes, stems from consistency rather than complex formulas.

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