New Delhi, Aug. 19 -- Chartered accountant Anil Sagayanathan has sparked a significant conversation on LinkedIn. His post challenges a widely-held assumption about high salaries and financial security.

Sagayanathan points to a striking shift over the past decade. A Rs.25 lakh salary once provided genuine comfort and stability. Today, even a Rs.1 crore salary often leaves people feeling financially stretched.

The reason is lifestyle inflation, according to him. It quietly expands to consume every additional rupee of income.

As income rises, expectations tend to rise at the same rate. A bigger home replaces a smaller one. A luxury car replaces a modest vehicle. International holidays replace domestic ones.

Premium schools, higher EMIs, ...