From Scarred To Smart and To Successful: Rajeev’s Journey from Market Crash to ₹1.3 Crore

Name and location changed for privacy.

The Beginning: 1999 - A Young Techie with Big Dreams

Rajeev Menon was just 26, working at a top IT MNC in Bangalore, and earning a solid ₹60,000/month, a princely sum in 1999.

Eager to ride the tech wave, he invested ₹15 lakhs into international dot-com stocks.
The catch? ₹5 lakhs of that was borrowed money.
He was chasing quick wealth - just like many others during the dot-com boom.

Then came March 2000.
The bubble burst.
His ₹15L turned into near zero. He was in debt, humiliated, and directionless.

2001–2007: Playing Safe, But Standing Still

Rajeev took a step back and changed jobs. His income grew to ₹1.2L/month, but the fear of markets gripped him.

He refused to touch equity again.
Invested only in FDs and RDs.
In 2007, he bought a 2BHK flat with a ₹30L loan (EMI: ₹27K).
His financial progress was safe, but stagnant.

2008: Double Hit - Job Lost, Debt Rising

In early 2008, during the global recession, Rajeev lost his job.
With a home loan EMI and monthly expenses crossing ₹50K, he had no income for months.

He barely survived by freelancing for ₹35K–₹45K/month.
He took another loan to stay afloat.
Emotionally drained, financially broken, Rajeev almost sold his flat at a loss.

2010: The Turning Point - Professional Advice & a New Start

In 2010, Rajeev attended a financial wellness seminar at his tech park.
He connected with a professional mutual fund advisor who changed his outlook - not by promising returns, but by helping him build a foundation.

Helped him build a ₹50,000 emergency fund.
Guided him to start a SIP of ₹3,000/month in balanced mutual funds.
Taught him that discipline and planning beat market predictions.

That year, Rajeev took control of his financial life.

2011–2014: Growing Confidence, Growing Contributions

As Rajeev’s salary grew to ₹1.2L/month, he cleared all loans by mid-2014 and increased his SIPs:

2011: ₹5,000/month
2013: ₹15,000/month
2014: ₹25,000/month

By 2014, his portfolio was worth ₹5–6 lakhs, and more importantly - he had developed the mindset of a true investor.

2015–2019: The Acceleration Phase

With a ₹1.5L salary in 2015 and expenses of ₹60K, Rajeev now had real surplus. He didn’t waste it.

SIP jumped to ₹50,000/month in 2015
Income rose to ₹2.5L/month by 2019
SIP increased to ₹75,000/month
Kept a ₹1L emergency buffer
By end of 2019, portfolio value crossed ₹45–50 lakhs

This wasn’t luck. It was habit, consistency, and planning.

2020: The COVID Crash - A Test of Patience

Markets crashed. Fear spread. But Rajeev didn’t blink.

Increased SIP to ₹1,00,000/month
Invested an extra ₹1L lump sum during April 2020 lows
Didn’t stop, didn’t redeem

By the end of 2020, his portfolio stood at ₹65–70 lakhs.

2021–2024: The Freedom Phase Begins

Shifted to part-time consulting, earning ₹1.5–2L/month
Maintained expenses at ₹85–90K/month
Continued SIP of ₹1L/month till 2023, then tapered to ₹40K/month
Started ₹15K/month SWP from hybrid funds
Paid child’s higher education costs upfront in 2023
Portfolio in 2024: ₹1.1 crore

2025: Financial Freedom Realized

At 52, Rajeev is working by choice, not by need.

Corpus: ₹1.32 crore (mutual funds)
Returns: ~11% CAGR over 15 years
Total Investment: ₹1.01 crore (SIPs + small lump sums)
Passive Income (SWP): ₹15K/month
Still invests ₹40K/month for long-term growth
Shares his knowledge through financial mentoring

Key Lessons from Rajeev’s Journey

Discipline over drama: He didn’t time the market - he stayed in it.
SIPs scaled with income: He didn’t let lifestyle inflation eat his surplus.
He used market crashes to invest more - not to run away.
A good advisor gave him direction - not just funds.
He focused on goals, not just returns.

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