'He has four employers': Mumbai cook earns Rs 1.05 lakh monthly, plans first international trip to Thailand at 34

A Mumbai-based man recently shared a story on LinkedIn that offers a fresh perspective on money, income and financial success. Manuraaj Garg, an investment professional and ISB alumnus, wrote about his cook, who earns Rs 1.05 lakh every month through multiple cooking assignments. His wife earns another Rs 45,000, taking their combined household income to Rs 1.5 lakh. As Garg explained, his cook works for four different employers. He cooks for neighbourhood families and also works on film sets during night shoots. Multiple Sources of Income, Greater Flexibility One of the most interesting aspects of the story is how the cook has built his income.

His work spans different households, mostly within a two-kilometre radius. Garg highlighted the advantage of this arrangement, writing, "And he has four employers. If he loses one, he loses a quarter of his income - that too for a day or two, max." Unlike many salaried professionals, the cook does not depend on a single employer for his entire monthly income. When Higher Salary Does Not Mean More Savings Garg also compared his cook's financial situation with that of his MBA and IIT friends, who may earn more on paper but have to manage taxes, EMIs, childcare expenses and long daily commutes. He pointed out, "What he earns is what he keeps.