# CA Nitin Kaushik: Spending salary hikes on lifestyle traps savings

2026-08-10T05:03:51+00:00 | Business & Economy | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

Economic Times reports that CA Nitin Kaushik has warned young professionals against spending salary hikes entirely on lifestyle upgrades. He says a 15% raise often leads to a costlier flat or a luxury car, eating up the extra cash before any of it reaches investments. Kaushik recommends directing at least 50% of every salary hike into existing monthly SIPs to accelerate compounding. His blunt point: if investments do not grow with income, you are merely upgrading expenses, not building wealth.

## Coverage

- economictimes.indiatimes.com <https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/you-arent-building-wealth-ca-nitin-kaushiks-blunt-warning-about-salary-hikes-and-lifestyle-upgrades/articleshow/133061422.cms>

Tags: compounding, lifestyle inflation, personal finance, salary hike, SIPs, wealth building
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