Need a hike, desperately!

I've decided to post something here at least once a week. Let’s see if I can stick to this.

A while ago, I was discussing with a friend about an offer that she has got from another company. She is also taking up a housing loan like I already have. Our current salaries are almost similar and we kind of like a similar lifestyle. We like eating out at good places often. We like watching movies once in a while. We like travelling in comfort, i.e. by ricks or by car. The only difference is that she is married and I am not. While talking to her, I realized how difficult it is going to be for me to live the same lifestyle after a year or so.

I intend to get married in about 18-20 months from now. Currently, after deducting my EMI amount, I am left with a couple of thousand rupees to spare. I spend this amount for my luxurious commute to work, my lavish meals, and some outings with friends. Even at the age of 25, I haven't yet started footing my household bills. My dad takes care of it all. I only pay up the recurring loan installments.

My dad is due to retire in the next couple of years. I need to start taking on the household responsibilities soon. I am assuming my dad shells out about 25K a month on the household bills. I shell out 20K on the monthly installments. So, in a couple of years when I take on the household expenses too, my monthly outgoings would go up to at least about a cool 45K. 45K is way too much. I do not even have a CTC that amounts of 45K a month. How am I going to manage? To top it, I need to save. I need to save for my sister's wedding. I need to save for my wedding. This is way too much. I am scared.

With 45K to cough up every month, I will need to have a compensation of at least 50K from my company. Life’s difficult. I need to raise my expectations now. I’ve been telling consultants that I expect about 8lakhs if I jump to another company. But, now I am gonna raise this to about 8.5lakhs at least. With a CTC of 8.5 lakhs, I think I should have about 50K in hand at the end of each month. Wow! 8.5 lakhs. This is going to be a tough ask. It's going to be tough for me to find a good enough company that needs me to take up challenging work for them and are also ready to pay me what I expect.

When I say all of this, I am not scared. I am eager. Yes, there is a bit of anxiety inside of me but I know it is not fear. I am ready to face all the challenges that life has to throw at me. :) I am sure there's something good at the end of it all. Like they say, "If it's not a good end, it’s not the end." :) I have been reading a book off and on. One line in the book caught my attention: If you see it in your mind, you'll have it in your hands. All you need to do is know what you want, have a clear picture of it in your mind, and work towards it. You will end up doing it.