Srinagar, May 13 -- It's a silent crisis. Many people earn decently, but their bank accounts tell another story. The culprit isn't always poverty. It's often the choices we make in the name of lifestyle.

The trap starts early. You land your first job, and instead of building a cushion, you buy the car. The phone. The designer labels. You don't just live within your means, you stretch them to the limit. Credit cards and loans fill the gap, and suddenly, half your paycheck disappears into EMIs and interest.

What's left? Barely enough to get by, let alone save or invest. And it becomes a loop. The income comes in, the bills go out, and there's no exit ramp.

Add to that a belief system that blames fate: "I was never lucky with money" or "M...