Highlights:
- Pritesh Jagani previously worked in the US on an H-1B visa.
- He started with budgeting and an emergency fund.
- One job switch made a major difference to his salary.
- He used US tax-advantaged accounts to invest.
- He says there was no single investment behind his wealth.
Building a million-dollar net worth did not begin with one huge investment for Pritesh Jagani, an Indian content creator who previously worked in the US on an H-1B visa.
Jagani has shared the financial steps he says helped him build his wealth, starting with managing everyday money rather than immediately looking for major investment opportunities.
His first steps were simple: create a budget, build an emergency fund covering three to six months of expenses and identify where money was being unnecessarily spent.
“I started with survival before thinking about investing. I built a simple budget and a three-to-six-month emergency fund. Once I started earning, I focused on controlling money leaks. I reviewed my spending and paid down high-interest debt."
His salary was only part of the strategy
As he established himself financially in the US, Jagani focused on several other areas, including building his credit history, understanding health insurance and managing money he sent back home.
He also avoided increasing his lifestyle simply because his salary was growing. Instead, he paid off his education loan, took advantage of his employer's 401(k) match and began investing.
“I also built my financial foundation in America. I built credit, understood health insurance and managed money sent home. When my salary increased, I avoided lifestyle inflation. I paid off my education loan, captured my 401(k) match, and started investing."
He later turned to accounts that offered tax advantages.
“Then I started using the tax advantages available to me. I used my HSA, Roth IRA, 401(k), and ESPP strategically."
One job switch changed his income
For Jagani, increasing his income eventually became just as important as controlling his spending.
He said there was a limit to how much he could save simply by cutting expenses. He instead focused on improving his skills and moving to new jobs when the right opportunities appeared.
“Eventually, I stopped focusing only on cutting expenses. I focused on increasing my income through upskilling and strategic job switches. One job switch changed my salary more than six years of raises. That showed me how much earning power affects long-term wealth."
Jagani said his million-dollar net worth was not the result of a single investment.
“I didn’t become a millionaire by making one big investment. I built wealth by increasing my income and investing consistently over time."
His advice for H-1B workers
In a message accompanying his post, Jagani summed up the approach he believes helped him build long-term wealth while working in America.
“If you’re on an H-1B and trying to build wealth in America, focus on both sides: spend intentionally and keep increasing your earning power. That’s how long-term wealth is built."
His post also drew reactions from users, with one writing, “The power of discipline and consistency." Another commented, “Believe in hard work." A third user said, “I have heard the first person talk about becoming a millionaire through income, and of course, investment is the main factor here."
Another simply wrote, “Way to go."
