Introduction

I ordered from Swiggy the other day. It was just a simple meal, but the bill came to 550 rupees. Delivery fees, taxes, and all that added, building 550. 

Many of us do this without thinking twice, right? It’s convenient after a long day at work. In an environment where costs keep rising, these small expenses can add up to big problems.

Our middle-class lives are full of such choices. 

You (say in your 20s) earn a steady salary, say around ~50,000 rupees take-home each month. That’s common for many in cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Bangalore, Delhi NCR, etc. 

Yet, after paying bills, there’s often little left. We feel we deserve these treats. 

But is it really helping us in the long run? This isn’t just about food apps. It’s about how we handle our extra income. With high inflation and job uncertainties, every rupee matters. If we spend without a plan, we miss chances to grow. 

Let’s see how small changes can make a difference.

Breaking Down Your Monthly Budget

Think about your earnings. 

For a typical middle-class person in his/her 20s, take-home pay is often between 25,000 to 50,000 rupees. Data from sources like Salary Explorer shows an average of around 32,000 rupees in 2025. That’s after taxes and deductions.

Now, standard expenses eat into this. 

• Rent in a city can be 15,000 to 25,000 rupees for a small flat. 
• Groceries for a family will be around 5,000 to 8,000 rupees. 
• Utilities like electricity and water add 2,000 to 3,000 more.
• Transport is another big one. Fuel or metro passes cost 2,000 to 4,000 rupees. 
• Health insurance might cost 1,000 to 2,000. 
• Internet and phone bills these days will be about 1,000. 

The total standard, bare minimum expenses will be about 43,000-45,000 rupees. This I/m estimating for a person in 20s (first job). 

For a bigger family of say four, total monthly costs excluding rent (considering EMI) can be around 1,00,000 rupees in some cities. 

After all these standard expenses, you might have 10,000 to 15,000 rupees left as spare (if you are lucky). 

That’s your extra income. What you do with it shapes your life.

The Hidden Cost of Easy Choices

Food delivery apps like Swiggy and Zomato are everywhere. 

They charge 40 to 80 rupees just for delivery, plus platform fees. Order twice a week? That’s 500 to 1,000 rupees gone.

It’s not just food. Coffee from a cafe might cost 200 rupees daily. Movie tickets or subscriptions add up. 

We think we can afford it. But in India, where middle-class families spend 45,000 to 75,000 rupees monthly, these habits eat about 30% of your surplus.

Why does this happen? Life is busy. Traffic in Delhi or rain in Chennai makes cooking tough. 

But each time you choose convenience, you’re trading future security.

Smarter Ways to Use Your Money

Instead of daily deliveries, cook at home sometimes. It saves money and feels good. 

That extra could go to a Public Provident Fund (PPF). PPF offers safe returns, around 7-8% interest, tax-free. Or try Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) in mutual funds. Start with 1,000 rupees monthly. 

Over 15 years, it can grow to lakhs, depending on markets. Equity SIPs might give 12-15% returns, better than PPF’s fixed rate.

Pay off debts first. Credit card interest is high, up to 40%. Clear it to free up cash. 

For kids, schemes like Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana build savings safely.

But saving is not easy. It can be done only it’s part of our habit. How to build this habit? 

Before spending, ask yourself, what next best thing you can do instead of ordering on Swiggy or Zomato?

A monthly SIP of 3000 rupees may bring more long-term value and financial security than splurging on food. 

Aligning Money with What Actually Matters

In India, we value family and security. 

Use your extra income for that. Skip the impulse buys. 

Plan for emergencies. A small fund can cover sudden medical costs.

Track your spending. Apps help, but a simple notebook (or Excel, Google Sheets) works too. See where money goes. Adjust as needed.

Over time, this builds wealth. Not overnight, but steadily. 

Conclusion

Start by tracking your spending for just one month. 

Use a simple tool like an Excel sheet or even a notebook will do. 

Note down every coffee run or cab ride. You’ll start to see patterns. 

For example, how those 500-rupee Zomato-ordered dinners are getting added up to 5,000 rupees a month. 

Once you spot them, cut back (at least the frequency of it). Maybe switch to home-brewed chai instead of cafe visits three times a week. That alone could save you 600 rupees monthly.

Next, set small goals with your extra cash. 

• If you have 5,000 rupees left after bills, put 2,000 into a recurring deposit at your bank. It’s safe, earns about 6-7% interest, and locks it away from impulse buys. 
• Or open a SIP in a mutual fund – start with 1,000 rupees. Online apps make it easy. You do not need big investments. Over time, these small contributions compound. For example, 1,000 rupees monthly at 12% could grow to over 4 lakhs in 15 years. 
• You can also think of family priority. Channel some savings into a Sukanya Samriddhi account if you have a daughter. It’s government-backed and tax-free.
• Don’t forget emergencies. Build a fund covering 3-6 months of expenses. Start small, like 500 rupees a week, into a liquid fund or even a bank RD. This cushions against job loss or medical bills. 

Review your recorded spending once every quarter. Ask, “Is this spending worth it?” 

Skip the weekend mall trip. Stay at home, plan UNO or LUDO with your family. You can also binge-watch a Netflix series for a full weekend. Just don’t go out, not order online. Make it a point you implement this rule at least on one weekend every month. 

You must not treat these steps as sacrifices. Tell yourself that they’re smart moves. Why? Every penny saved here will fund your next SIP, which eventually will build a buffer against worries, letting you enjoy life without regrets. That’s a true, well-rounded wealth creation, right?

It’s in these everyday choices that lead to a secure tomorrow.

Have a happy investing.