Roshan’s Struggles
It was a sticky June evening in Pune when Roshan sat hunched over his kitchen table, staring at a pile of bills. His phone buzzed with yet another message: “EMI due tomorrow.”
At 34, Roshan earned a decent salary working in IT, but every rupee seemed to vanish. Between car loan EMIs, credit card debt, and a lifestyle built on weekend outings, he felt trapped. Each month began with hope and ended with guilt.
The irony? He was working harder than ever but had nothing to show for it. No savings. No investments. No peace of mind. Just a growing sense that he was running on a hamster wheel, chasing promotions but going nowhere.
“Is this all life is supposed to be?” he whispered to himself that night.
The Turning Point – Discovering The Simple Path to Wealth
Roshan’s turning point came in the most unexpected way. One Saturday, while browsing at a local bookstore in Koregaon Park, his eyes landed on a white-and-gold cover with bold letters:
“The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins.”
The subtitle caught him instantly: “Your road map to financial independence and a rich, free life.”
He flipped through the pages, and a simple line struck him:
👉 “Spend less than you earn—invest the surplus—avoid debt.”
Roshan laughed bitterly. “Avoid debt? That’s the one thing I’ve never done.”
But something inside nudged him. That evening, instead of Netflix, he read the first three chapters. By midnight, he was convinced: If he wanted to break free, he needed to change. Not tomorrow. Not someday. Now.
Implementation Phase – Applying the Principles Step by Step
1. Spending Less Than You Earn
JL Collins’ first rule was brutally clear: live below your means.
Roshan began by tracking every expense. He realized nearly 40% of his salary went into eating out, cab rides, and EMI payments for a car he barely needed.
He made tough choices:
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Sold his car and switched to a second-hand scooter.
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Canceled unused subscriptions.
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Set a strict monthly budget.
It wasn’t glamorous, but for the first time in years, Roshan had a surplus at the end of the month.
2. The Debt Avalanche
Collins warned that debt is the enemy of wealth. Roshan listed his debts:
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₹3.5 lakh in credit card balances.
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₹6 lakh left on his car loan.
He used the “debt avalanche method” — clearing the highest-interest debt first. Each surplus rupee went toward the credit card. Within 18 months, he was debt-free.
Roshan described the day he cut his last credit card as “lighter than air.”
3. Investing in Index Funds
JL Collins advised: “The stock market is a powerful wealth-building machine. But don’t try to beat it—own it.”
Instead of dabbling in risky stock tips, Roshan opened an account and started a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) into Nifty 50 and Sensex index funds.
At first, it was ₹10,000 a month. Then ₹20,000. Slowly, as his salary grew and expenses stayed low, he pushed it to ₹40,000.
4. Understanding the 4% Rule
For the first time, Roshan began thinking about financial independence rather than just survival.
He calculated:
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His monthly expenses = ₹60,000 (post-frugality).
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Yearly = ₹7.2 lakh.
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FI number = ₹7.2 lakh × 25 = ₹1.8 crore.
It felt impossible at first. But JL Collins reminded him: “Patience and discipline will get you there. Everyone can become financially independent.”
5. Building a Balanced Portfolio
As his portfolio crossed ₹50 lakh, Roshan applied Collins’ strategy:
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Accumulation Stage: 100% in stocks (index funds).
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Preservation Stage: Plan to shift gradually into 75% stocks, 20% bonds, and 5% cash.
This gave him both growth and protection.
The Breakthrough – Crossing Over
The real breakthrough came three years later.
Roshan’s company announced layoffs. In the past, this would have sent him spiraling with fear. But this time, he wasn’t scared.
Why? Because his portfolio had crossed ₹80 lakh. His emergency fund could cover a full year of expenses. For the first time in his adult life, Roshan had something stronger than a job title: freedom.
He survived the layoffs — his role was safe — but he realized he no longer worked from fear. He worked by choice.
Life After Change – A New Roshan
Fast forward to today:
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At 42, Roshan has crossed the ₹2 crore mark in investments.
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He works part-time as a consultant, not because he has to, but because he enjoys the challenge.
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He takes one big international trip each year, paid fully from his investment returns.
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His weekends are spent hiking in the Sahyadris, volunteering at a local NGO, and teaching his nieces about money.
The anxious man hunched over EMIs has been replaced by someone calm, confident, and truly wealthy — in both money and time.
Reflection – Roshan’s Advice
Sitting at his balcony overlooking Pune’s city lights, Roshan often reflects on his journey.
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned,” he says, “it’s that wealth is not about how much you earn. It’s about how much you keep and how wisely you grow it. The Simple Path to Wealth gave me clarity, courage, and a system that actually works.”
His advice to others?
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Start now, no matter your age.
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Live below your means.
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Invest in index funds.
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Be patient. Time and compounding will do the magic.
Call to Action
Inspired by Roshan’s journey? This is just one story in our Book to Life series. Pick up The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins today and take the first step toward your own transformation.
🌐 Visit us at MYCASHFLOW – www.mycashflowhub.com
📱 Call/WhatsApp: 885051169
Disclaimer
This story is hypothetical and created only for the purpose of showing how book concepts can be applied in real life in story form.
