Gurgaon intern earns Rs 1 lakh stipend, asks how to spend it: ‘I want to explore myself’

Gurgaon intern asks Reddit how to spend Rs 1 lakh stipend. (Representative image)

A software engineering intern based in Gurgaon has sparked an interesting discussion online after turning to Reddit for advice on how to spend his first major stipend of nearly Rs 1 lakh.

The intern revealed that his mentors and friends had suggested he should “blow it all away” since it was his first salary. However, after already spending a large part of it on family, loved ones, and charity, he admitted that he still feels emotionally empty and unsure about what to do next.

In his Reddit post shared on r/gurgaon, the young professional wrote candidly about his confusion. “So like the title says, I have some money to spare about 90-102k INR. I want to do something that will help me explore myself and make me feel happy,” the Reddit user wrote.

Adding more context to his situation, he explained that he is still early in his career and currently working as a software engineer intern, splitting his time between Gurgaon and other locations. While his initial instinct was to save the money for emergencies, outside advice pushed him in the opposite direction.

“I'm a software engineer(still an intern), I live in Gurgaon sometimes and currently here for some time. I thought to save up the money for emergencies but was suggested to blow it all away by my mentors and friends as it's my first salary/stipend. I have done almost everything I could do with money from what I could think of eg:- took my parents out, took my girl out, gifted people stuff, donated some money. But I still feel empty every day.”

The intern ended his post with a direct appeal for guidance, “What should I do with the money or without it if there is something?”

Money to waste, time to k*ll byu/Born-Requirement-303 ingurgaon

Reddit users responded with a wide range of opinions. One user suggested, “Buy gold /diamond jewellery for yourself. You feel good when you wear it, and yet your wealth is not lost. Or if you really want to spend it, take a trip. Have fun.” One person wrote, “Go to an orphanage? Buy each child whatever they want?”

One netizen explained, “Split the amount at least 5 ways. One goes for emergencies, one goes for savings, one goes for a short trip, one goes for dating, and one goes for donations (if you're into service; if not, then invest in a flexi-cap MF). Believe me when I tell you, do not blow it up.”

Apart from giving advice many netizens also criticised the intern’s mentor. A user said, “The one who are suggesting it to blow away, stay 999 light years away from them.”

Another comment was, “Your mentor told you to waste the money, and you are doing it?? Bro, consider changing your mentor and starting a SIP with this money. Or donate to underprivileged kids to support their education if you are that rich and don't need money at all in future.”

One user encouraged him to try hands-on hobbies and skill-based experiences, “Try woodworking and other workshops... Learn to make clothes Buy hand made stuff Get into Leather craftsmanship Perfumes, learn to make things!! Learn Dance, learn to play instruments!!”

(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content shared on social media. Moneycontrol has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.)