From zero to Dh2.1m on salary: How this middle-class man became a millionaire in 11 years
Financial freedom was a distant dream for many, but Ahluwalia achieved it
Dreaming of financial freedom? Meet Gurjot Ahluwalia, a middle-class resident from Gurgaon, India, who built a net worth of Rs50 million (Dh2.1 million) in just 11 years. His inspiring journey from zero to financial success offers valuable lessons for those striving to achieve their financial goals early in life.
With a goal of retiring financially independent by 2025, Ahluwalia considers this milestone his greatest achievement of 2024.
From salaried middle-class to millionaire
For many, achieving financial freedom seems like a distant dream, but for Ahluwalia, it became a reality. Starting from zero, he grew his wealth to Rs 50 million in just over a decade by focusing on career growth, aggressive saving, and strategic investments.
In a social media post, he shared a screenshot of his financial tracking app, showing a net worth of Rs 50 million against liabilities of just Rs 2,70,000.
“A salaried middle-class person like me went from 0 to Rs 50 million in 11 years,” wrote Ahluwalia.
Key strategies for financial success
Ahluwalia attributes his success to three main strategies:
Career growth: He focused on advancing his professional journey to secure a high income.
Aggressive savings: Practicing delayed gratification and saving relentlessly helped him accumulate wealth.
Strategic investments: He wisely invested in stocks, mutual funds, bonds, and other equity opportunities.
Factors accelerating his financial journey
Ahluwalia credits two key factors for accelerating his wealth accumulation:
No Debt: His education was fully funded by his parents, freeing up resources for savings and investment.
No Rent: Living with his parents allowed him to save significantly on rent, an expense that can consume a large portion of one's income, especially in cities like Gurgaon.
He also acknowledged that recent market corrections had led to an 8-10 per cent decline in his net worth.
Replying to comments on his social media post, he clarified that his net worth, excluding property and jewelry, primarily comes from investments in stocks, mutual funds, the National Pension System (NPS), the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF), and savings.
When asked about his liabilities by a netizen, Ahluwalia mentioned that he was traveling to Dubai at the time. He added that he generally tries to keep his liabilities below Rs 1,00,000.
Career background
According to his LinkedIn profile, Ahluwalia's professional journey includes roles at Accenture Strategy and as a Relationship Manager in a private bank's wealth management unit. He holds an MBA from FORE School of Management, New Delhi, and a BTech from Chandigarh Engineering College.
Netizens’ reactions
Ahluwalia's financial journey sparked widespread admiration online. Many commended his disciplined approach to saving and investing. Comments highlighted the importance of patience, consistency, and long-term investment strategies.
One user noted, “Rent is the biggest expense in cities like Mumbai, and achieving such wealth while paying rent for years is difficult. Discipline and a high salary can make it possible.”
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