In a time when many young professionals feel stuck despite doing everything “right”, entrepreneur and content creator Ankur Warikoo has shared a perspective that is striking a chord online. In a recent LinkedIn post, he spoke about why the traditional path to financial stability is no longer enough and what people can do differently today to avoid long-term money struggles.
He explains how the previous generation followed a clear path: study hard, get a degree, secure a job, work for decades, buy a home, and retire. It worked for many, and naturally, the next generation saw no reason to question it.
But things have changed over time. As Warikoo points out, “The world became more global. Technology reduced team sizes. Things became expensive. At a rate faster than your salary growth.”
This shift has quietly altered how money and careers work. According to him, many people today are working harder than their parents, earning more on paper, and still finding it difficult to feel financially secure.
He adds that if people feel confused or stuck despite doing everything expected of them, “it is not entirely your fault.”
Focus on scarcity, not stability: The first shift is in how people think about careers. Warikoo suggests, “Look for scarcity, not stability.”
He explains that jobs will pay more where there is a shortage of skilled people. Fields like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, medical technology, semiconductors, and green energy are examples where demand is growing faster than supply. Moving towards such areas can increase earning potential over time.
Build a side income: The second idea is about not depending on a single source of income. Warikoo advises people to “Have a side gig.”
This, he says, should ideally be something a person enjoys, is good at, and can eventually turn into a source of income. It does not have to replace a full-time job immediately, but it adds a layer of financial safety and growth.
Invest in stock market: The third point focuses on investing. Warikoo stresses the importance of growing money over time instead of just saving it. He writes, “You need your money’s growth (after taxes) to beat inflation.”
He adds that “Long term investing in the stock market is the surest way of doing so.” The idea is simple: if money is not growing faster than rising costs, it loses value over time.
Warikoo sums it up by saying, “These are not things your parents did. But these are things that you need to do, to win at this new game.”
Why the old formula no longer works
Warikoo begins with a thought that challenges a common belief about success. He writes, “You did not fail. The system failed you.”He explains how the previous generation followed a clear path: study hard, get a degree, secure a job, work for decades, buy a home, and retire. It worked for many, and naturally, the next generation saw no reason to question it.
But things have changed over time. As Warikoo points out, “The world became more global. Technology reduced team sizes. Things became expensive. At a rate faster than your salary growth.”
This shift has quietly altered how money and careers work. According to him, many people today are working harder than their parents, earning more on paper, and still finding it difficult to feel financially secure.
He adds that if people feel confused or stuck despite doing everything expected of them, “it is not entirely your fault.”
What needs to change now
Warikoo says that the rules of the game have changed, and continuing to follow the old path may not lead to the same results anymore. He outlines three areas that people should focus on if they want to improve their financial situation.Focus on scarcity, not stability: The first shift is in how people think about careers. Warikoo suggests, “Look for scarcity, not stability.”
He explains that jobs will pay more where there is a shortage of skilled people. Fields like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, medical technology, semiconductors, and green energy are examples where demand is growing faster than supply. Moving towards such areas can increase earning potential over time.
Build a side income: The second idea is about not depending on a single source of income. Warikoo advises people to “Have a side gig.”
This, he says, should ideally be something a person enjoys, is good at, and can eventually turn into a source of income. It does not have to replace a full-time job immediately, but it adds a layer of financial safety and growth.
Invest in stock market: The third point focuses on investing. Warikoo stresses the importance of growing money over time instead of just saving it. He writes, “You need your money’s growth (after taxes) to beat inflation.”
He adds that “Long term investing in the stock market is the surest way of doing so.” The idea is simple: if money is not growing faster than rising costs, it loses value over time.
Warikoo sums it up by saying, “These are not things your parents did. But these are things that you need to do, to win at this new game.”
