The Moving Target of “Enough”
“If I had ₹5 crores, my life would be set.”
How many times have you heard this statement? Or perhaps you’ve said it yourself. With the rising popularity of the FIRE movement (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and an abundance of retirement planning information available online, many of us have become fixated on reaching a specific financial number before feeling free to live our “real” lives.
But is there truly a universal number that equals freedom?
2 People: Same College, Same Company, Different Perspectives
I recently spoke with two individuals who graduated from the same IIT and now work at the same startup. Their contrasting outlooks on money and life goals were enlightening:
The CEO (40 years old):
- Has worked with four major startups
- Currently has ₹10 crore in savings
- Working 16 hours daily (which he acknowledges isn’t sustainable)
- Targeting ₹50 crore before shifting to a lifestyle of travel, advising, and investing in startups
The Young Professional (20s):
- Earns approximately ₹100,000 monthly
- Dreams of saving ₹2o lakhs
- Plans to move to the hills, build a house, and live peacefully
Why the Goalposts Keep Moving
The fascinating thing about money is that our relationship with it evolves as we grow and change. Our understanding shifts, our networks expand, and our aspirations transform accordingly.
The young professional might find that once he reaches his ₹20 lakhs goal and moves to the hills, new desires emerge. Perhaps he’ll want to start a small business, travel more extensively, or help family members financially.
Similarly, will ₹50 crore truly be “enough” for the CEO? Or will new opportunities and lifestyle expectations push that number higher?
The Danger of Postponing Life
The real problem arises when we put our hobbies, passions, and desired lifestyles on hold until we reach arbitrary financial milestones. We tell ourselves:
- “I’ll learn to play the guitar after I get promoted”
- “I’ll travel once I have X amount saved”
- “I’ll spend more time with family when my career stabilizes”
In this single-minded pursuit of wealth, we often overlook other equally important factors:
- Family connections that need nurturing now
- Health considerations that won’t wait for financial freedom
- Life uncertainties that could alter our plans
- Time – our most limited resource
What If You Start Living Now?
Take a closer look at your dream lifestyle. What parts of it can you incorporate into your life today?
If your retirement dream involves reading more books, why not carve out 20 minutes each day to read now?
If you envision spending peaceful mornings in nature, can you begin with weekend hikes?
If learning new skills is part of your future plan, what small steps could you take this month?
When we constantly defer happiness to some future date, we create a cycle of frustration with our current work and life situation. This mindset tricks us into believing we “don’t have enough” to enjoy life now.
A Balanced Approach
Next time you calculate your FIRE number or retirement fund, pause and ask yourself:
“What elements of my dream lifestyle can I implement with my current financial situation?”
You might be surprised by how many aspects of your ideal life are actually accessible right now.
True financial planning isn’t just about accumulating wealth—it’s about creating a holistic approach that balances:
- Wealth: Financial resources
- Health: Physical and mental
- Family: Meaningful relationships
- Time: and its management
By finding ways to live more authentically today while still planning responsibly for tomorrow, you can break free from the “someday” mindset and create a life of greater satisfaction and fulfillment right now. Because being “set for life” isn’t just about hitting a number—it’s about how you live it.
What small step toward your dream lifestyle could you take this week?