Gagan Saini, a brand manager at MuscleBlaze, has shared a detailed breakdown of his and his wife’s monthly expenses to illustrate how modern salaries compete with lifestyle inflation. In an Instagram video shared recently, Saini explained that the newly married couple living in Gurgaon spent a total of ₹1.59 lakh during the month of March.
Breakdown of Monthly Expenditures
The largest single expense for the couple was housing. Living in a 2.5BHK in a gated society in Gurgaon, their rent and electricity bills combined for around ₹50,800.
Grocery costs for the month were ₹27,702, a figure that included expenses for a third person as Saini’s brother-in-law was staying with them. Saini’s individual share of the grocery bill was ₹13,851.
The couple also allocated ₹8,905 for a cook, house help and car cleaning. Saini noted that these convenience expenses are used to “buy back time and mental bandwidth” for work, health, and hobbies.
Other monthly costs included ₹6,200 for petrol and cabs, ₹2,900 for various subscriptions, and ₹5,000 for household maintenance such as AC repair and furniture rental.
Side Hustles and Spontaneous Spending
Saini’s side hustle in content creation has introduced additional business expenses to the household. The couple spent over ₹38,000 on his laptop’s EMI and fees for a video editor and manager.
Saini’s individual share of these business-related costs was around ₹21,000. A spontaneous two-day trip to Rishikesh cost the couple ₹22,000 in March.
Wedding-related costs, including a photographer, gifts, and miscellaneous expenses, accounted for ₹28,500. A single day of eating out added another ₹3,500 to their total monthly budget.
Financial Management and Future Outlook
Despite the high monthly spend, the couple prioritized long-term wealth. Saini stated that they invested a total of ₹2.20 lakh in March, with his personal share amounting to ₹1,60,000.
Saini emphasized that tracking expenses from a “data perspective” helps in making better financial decisions. He noted that budgeting is essential to control cash flow, as small recurring expenses can become massive collectively.
If the couple continues to monitor their spending patterns, they may be able to mitigate the effects of lifestyle inflation. Maintaining this level of data-driven budgeting could be a key factor in their ability to sustain high investment rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did the couple spend in total during March?
The couple spent a total of ₹1.59 lakh in the month of March.
What was the primary reason for the grocery expense in March?
The grocery bill of ₹27,702 reflected expenses for three people because Saini’s brother-in-law was staying with them.
Why does Saini utilize house help and cooks?
He views these as convenience expenses that buy back time and mental bandwidth, which can be redirected toward work, health, and hobbies.
How do you balance convenience expenses with your long-term savings goals?
