I'm a final-year B.Com student from a tier-2 university. I've completed my CFP certification, cleared CFA Level 1, and am heading towards Level 2. My 10th score was 78%, 12th was 84%, and my current SGPA is around 7.5–8.
One of my friends did very little academically, scored around 65–70% in school, completed B.Com from a government college, and spent a year at home enjoying life. Eventually, he moved to Africa for a ticket-booking job earning ₹55k per month, with rent and other expenses covered by his employer.
He recently came home with ₹5–6 lakh in savings, is buying home appliances, and has bought an iPhone 18 Pro Max. The question is not about enjoying materialistic items but in a year he may save some freshers salary and 10 years down the line 🙂↕️🙂↔️.
And here I am, spending years pursuing qualifications like CFA, still uncertain about what I'll earn after Level 2.
Honestly, it makes me question my career choices.
At the end of the day, does anything matter besides money? Does it really matter whether you're a CA, CFA, or an IIM graduate if someone with none of these qualifications is earning, saving, and enjoying life earlier than you?
Money buys comfort, independence, and happiness. Sometimes I feel we're so busy preparing for the future that we forget to live in the present.
Am I thinking about this the wrong way?