One cloudy Thursday afternoon in Chennai, I was sipping filter coffee at my desk when a message popped up on my phone.
Arif sir, are you free to talk? Need some clarity on investing.
It was from Ravi, a client I had met a few months ago during a corporate financial wellness session. Smart guy, 30 years old, IT professional, married, one daughter, decent salary but like most middle-class folks, he felt stuck. EMI, school fees, rent, groceries… month after month, the money would come and go.
We met at a quiet coffee shop near Teynampet. He looked serious.
Sir, I’ve been reading your blog. That ₹5 crore goal in 20 years does it actually work? I mean, I don’t have any big money lying around. But I want to create real wealth. Is it even possible?
I smiled. I’ve heard this question so many times. And every time, my answer is the same it’s possible if you start now, stay consistent, and increase your SIP each year. That’s it.
So I asked him, Be honest with me, Ravi. How much can you comfortably invest every month right now, without messing up your lifestyle?
He said, “Maybe ₹10,000. I can manage that.”
I said, Perfect. We’ll begin with ₹10,000 per month. But you’ll promise me one thing you’ll increase it by at least 10% every year. Just like your salary increases.
That was the deal. No fancy tricks. Just a commitment to stick with it.
We chose two good equity mutual funds with long-term performance history. SIP set. ₹10,000 per month. Then every March, like clockwork, he stepped it up. Year after year.
Here’s how it played out:
- Year 1: ₹10,000 per month
- Year 2: ₹11,000 per month
- Year 3: ₹12,100 per month
- …and so on
By the time Ravi reached Year 10, his monthly SIP had crossed ₹23,500. By Year 15, it had grown to ₹38,000. And by Year 20, he was investing around ₹67,000 per month.
Sounds like a lot, right? But here’s the key he never felt the pinch. Because his income was growing too. The SIP didn’t jump overnight. It climbed gradually. Just like his rent, his bills, his responsibilities.
At the end of 20 years, Ravi had invested a total of around ₹55.6 lakhs. His mutual fund portfolio, thanks to the power of compounding and an average 12% annual return, had grown to a little over ₹5 crores.
Ravi didn’t get lucky. He didn’t pick the best performing fund every year. He didn’t time the market.
When we met again recently, Ravi was a different man. Confident. Relaxed. He told me he no longer worries about his daughter’s future, or his retirement. His financial stress was gone.
You were right, he said. It actually worked. I never thought I’d see that number in my portfolio.
And I told him the truth: It wasn’t me. It was you. You stuck with the plan. You gave time a chance to do its job.
So if you’re sitting there wondering if you can also reach ₹5 crores in 20 years, here’s your answer yes, you can. Start with whatever amount you can. Just don’t stay at the same level forever. Increase it every year, even by a small percentage.
Time and consistency will take care of the rest.
Want to build your own ₹5 crore plan? Message me. I’ll help you create it one step at a time.
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Let’s take the stress out of money, one smart step at a time.
But also remember this: time is your biggest ally. Start now. Stay steady. And one day, your money will grow enough to tell stories of its own.
Disclaimer: Mutual Funds are subject to market risks. Past performance is not a guarantee of future returns. Please read all scheme-related documents carefully before investing.
