How much is enough!

Hailing from a middle class family I always wondered how much of earning would connote satisfaction. As a teen studying in a college I always felt that my cousin who is earning 25K was my idol and I needed to reach that figure soon.

Once in Hyderabad, with my first full time job in hand, I was high spirited though not content, to start with a salary of Rs 7000/-. This 7000/- in comparison to my new room mate who was earning Rs 4500 was high. But when compared a classmate of mine who started off with Rs 20000, my salary sounded meager.

Appraisals followed, we’ve jumped across companies moved up and down the corporate ladder. The salary slip brightened and remunerations increased. It’s just been 3 ½ years in this jungle of hungry mammals - hungry for more. Well, today I was wondering – how much is enough? My income is on the higher side when compared to many, and quite low, may be even ‘peanuts’ when compared to many.

But how much more? I had put this question as a debate to few of my friends. Not all had answers though. Unfortunately, I could not put forward the question to the biggies, from whom I would actually like to hear. Wonder what would Ambanis, Premji, Mittal, Ramlinaraju, Dilip Shangavi, Birlas, or even the great landlord on the street end would have to say – How much money is enough in life?

Anant, a friend of mine, commented, “enough and greed are 2 different things ... my total earnings in life have increased with life ... and finally I have found that this limit tends to infinity”. Infinity! Is the richest person on earth happy with his assets or is he busy, widening the gap between him and the second richest person. No wonder -the second richest person may be toiling hard to be the richest person on earth.

A fact should be noticed here - one is second only when compared to the first and the third. Ritesh quotes “It’s ‘what the other person earns’ that drives people”.

Another friend, Sridhar, currently in Ireland, points out, “Here in Ireland, there is no tomorrow. People just need a job for the day. They maximize their life – today - they live and enjoy for the day. We, in India, constantly worry about the future”. He further questioned, “But are we not losing our present as a result of that”. In the whole drive we are forgetting the other aspects of life. How many can really answer the question – What are your hobbies? And what time do you allot to full fill your personal interests or hobbies. What amount of time did you spend with your family? Have you enjoyed nature (the wonderful world out there)? Can you recollect your last social activity? (I don’t mean partying) Do you have time for devotional thoughts and much more? Balance is what matters in life.

What’s more important is to enjoy life while you still can. Do spare time for all these aspects too.

Apart from this serious concern, I want to share one of the most practical answers I have received. He is KoolRaga, software professional:

“I made a rough calculation a couple of months back. It turns out to about a saving of 33 Lacs in India is minimum. How? House rent/maintenance per month... 15000 Car and gas.... 5000 per month, Kids education, food , gas and electricity, installments if you some these all up.. I need 30000 per month to maintain my standard of living without working which is why I need an interest of 30 K per month at the rate of 1 percent per month I need 30 lacs in deposit. U will need to use compounding and invest money to keep making money”

But my question is - would we be satisfied upon earning this? How much is enough?