Existential Crisis: Can You Afford Both Avocado Toast and Retirement?

Can you really afford both avocado toast and retirement or is your brunch habit setting you up for a lifetime of instant noodles? In this light-hearted piece, we explore the age-old question: Are millennials sabotaging their future with slices of avocado toast? Spoiler: it’s not the avocado’s fault.

Let’s face it, nothing says “millennial” quite like the paradox of craving financial independence while simultaneously shelling out ₹300 for a slice of avocado toast. Yes, that beautiful, Instagrammable, green-tinted snack has become the symbol of millennial indulgence, apparently standing in the way of our ability to save for retirement. But is this creamy, crunchy breakfast really the root of our financial woes, or is it just an innocent side dish in a much larger existential crisis?

Picture this: You’re sitting at your favourite brunch spot, your third cup of ethically-sourced cold brew in hand, when the waiter arrives with that glorious plate of avocado toast. The sun catches the sprinkling of red pepper flakes just right and the avocado is mashed to perfection. You take a bite and for a brief moment, all is right with the world.
Then it hits you.
“Am I eating my retirement?!”
The avocado toast may be delicious, but let’s not fool ourselves—it’s become a cultural scapegoat for the financial struggles of an entire generation. Somewhere along the way, society decided that if we just quit avocado toast cold turkey, we’d all magically have enough money to buy houses, pay off student loans and retire on a beach by 40.
Let’s break it down with some math.

Say you spend ₹300 on avocado toast once a week. That’s ₹1,200 a month, or ₹14,400 a year. Over a 30-year career, that’s ₹4,32,000. Is ₹4,32,000 enough to retire on? Spoiler alert: unless you’re planning to retire on a desert island with nothing but a volleyball for company, the answer is a hard “no.”
Let’s put this into perspective. According to financial experts (and by “experts” we mean people who haven’t ordered avocado toast in years), you should aim to save around 30X of your current annual expenditure for retirement. That ₹4,32,000 might seem like a big number at first, but in the grand scheme of your golden years, it’s about as effective as bringing a spoon to a knife fight. Cutting out avocado toast isn’t going to turn you into a millionaire.
But the real question is: Do we even want to give it up? Is depriving ourselves of these small indulgences the key to financial success, or is there a way to have our toast and eat it too?

Could avocado toast be the reason you can’t retire? Maybe. Or it could be student loans, the gig economy, or the fact that you once bought an artisanal candle that smelled like “forest rain” for ₹1,500.
Here’s the truth: millennials aren’t broke because we like avocado toast. We’re broke because of skyrocketing student loans, wage stagnation and a housing market that’s about as affordable as flying to the moon on a private jet. Yet somehow, every article on personal finance acts like the moment we choose avocado toast over a bowl of oatmeal, we’re signing away our future financial security.
It’s as if the ghost of every financial advisor is whispering over our shoulders, “Well, you *could* buy that house if it weren’t for those smashed avocados…”
But let’s be real—millennials aren’t just blowing money on brunch. We’re a generation of side hustlers, gig workers and budget-conscious folks who know how to find discount codes faster than you can say “free shipping.” We’re also more financially literate than previous generations, despite what the headlines might say. We know how to budget, take advantage of lifetime-free Credit Cards offers and keep an eye on our Credit Score. We understand that skipping avocado toast isn’t going to magically make compound interest explode in our favour.

Now, let’s talk retirement savings, the giant elephant in the room that keeps us awake at night (besides the caffeine from that cold brew). Retirement seems so far away when you’re in your late twenties or thirties, but we all know it sneaks up faster than a missed deadline. The problem is, when the cost of living feels like it’s on a never-ending uphill hike, saving for retirement can seem downright impossible.
Between rent that costs more than our parents’ first homes and the crushing weight of other financial dependencies, the idea of stashing away even 15% of our income for a future that feels light years away is as appealing as…well, giving up avocado toast.
But here’s the kicker: no one is saying you have to choose between enjoying life now and saving for the future. It’s all about balance. Because while you can’t have retirement without saving, you also can’t live entirely in the future. What’s the point of hoarding every penny for retirement if you’re going to look back and regret not treating yourself to the occasional avocado toast (or, dare we say, guacamole)?
Additional Reading: 5 Sure-Shot Ways to End Up with More Cash After Retirement

Here’s the good news: financial health is less about saying “no” and more about saying “yes” to a sustainable plan. It’s about finding that sweet spot between indulging in life’s little pleasures and setting yourself up for future success. So, how do you strike that balance?

Start Small, Think Big: Saving even a small amount each month can add up over time, thanks to the magic of compound interest. Think of it this way: just like your avocado ripens over time (sometimes, frustratingly so), your savings will grow too—if you’re patient.

The 50/30/20 Rule: Budgeting doesn’t have to mean deprivation. Divide your income. Allocate 50% to needs, 30% to wants and 20% to savings. This way, you’re still enjoying life while being responsible with your finances.

Automate Your Savings: If you struggle to save, automate it! Set up automatic transfers to a savings account, so you don’t even have to think about it. This way, you’ll be saving in the background while you’re busy contemplating your next brunch order.

Invest Like A Boss: If you want to be able to afford retirement, investing is your friend, yes, even good old, fixed deposits if you’re risk averse. Stocks, bonds, index funds —they all sound intimidating, but a little research goes a long way. You don’t have to be Warren Buffett to get started, just make sure you’re putting your money to work.

Treat Yourself (Within Reason): Personal finance is about balance, not extreme frugality. There’s room in your budget for fun—it just has to be intentional. So, yes, go ahead and enjoy that avocado toast. Just don’t let it be an everyday affair if it’s busting your budget.

Additional Reading: The Psychology Of Spending: How Fibonacci Can Help Keep Your Budget On Track

So, can you afford both? Absolutely—if you play your cards right. Personal finance is not about guilt-tripping yourself into a boring, joyless existence in the name of a future that’s decades away. It’s about making smart, intentional decisions that allow you to enjoy life now while still preparing for the future.
The next time someone tries to tell you that your avocado toast habit is ruining your financial future, just take a deep breath, have a bite of that creamy, delicious toast and remind yourself: you can *literally* afford to enjoy life and save for the future. It’s all about balance.
And if all else fails, at least you’ll have had some great toast along the way.

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