For the longest time, I felt like my salary disappeared faster than I earned it.
Every month, I would start with confidence—and end with confusion.
Rent, groceries, some fun, a little shopping… and still, by the 25th, my account balance was ₹300.
I used to think, “Maybe I just don’t earn enough.”
But the truth was, I didn’t know where my money was going.
That changed when I discovered the 50/30/20 Rule. A simple rule, but it gave my messy money life a clean start.
🧩 The Moment of Realization
It happened on a boring Tuesday night. I was checking my bank balance with a heavy heart.
My salary was â‚ą35,000 per month, and I had nothing left by the end of it. Again.
I typed into Google: “How to manage monthly salary India.”
That’s when I read about a budgeting rule used by people around the world—50/30/20.
It said:
- 50% for Needs (must-pay things)
- 30% for Wants (fun, entertainment, shopping)
- 20% for Savings/Debt repayment
It felt too simple. But I decided to try it anyway.
I had nothing to lose… except my financial stress.
đź“Š Applying the 50/30/20 Rule to My Life
My salary was ₹35,000. Here’s how I broke it down:
✅ 50% – Needs = ₹17,500
- Rent: â‚ą8,000
- Groceries: â‚ą3,500
- Electricity, WiFi, Phone Bills: â‚ą2,500
- Travel & UPI Recharges: â‚ą3,500
✅ 30% – Wants = ₹10,500
- Eating Out & Snacks: â‚ą3,000
- Online Shopping: â‚ą2,000
- Netflix + Hotstar: â‚ą500
- Weekend Fun, Coffee, Apps: â‚ą5,000
✅ 20% – Savings & Debt = ₹7,000
- Emergency Fund: â‚ą2,000/month
- Recurring Deposit (RD): â‚ą2,000
- Credit Card Bill: â‚ą3,000
For the first time, I could see exactly where each rupee would go.
🔄 My First 3 Months: What Happened?
Month 1 felt tough. I was used to spending freely.
But Month 2 felt better. And by Month 3, something amazing happened:
🎉 I saved ₹6,000!
For the first time in years, I had money left at the end of the month.
No borrowing. No guilt. No tension.
🧠What I Learned from This Rule
- Discipline is freedom. Budgeting gave me peace of mind.
- I didn’t need more income—just better planning.
- Savings first, not last. I automated â‚ą2,000/month into an RD.
- Tracking is powerful. I used UPI history + a simple notebook.
đź’ˇ Bonus Tip: Customize It!
Can’t save 20%? No problem—start with 10%.
Spending more on rent? Adjust your “Wants” percentage.
The rule is flexible. What matters is consistency.
🙌 Final Words
Money is emotional. I used to feel anxious every time I opened my bank app.
But now? I feel in control.
The 50/30/20 rule didn’t make me rich overnight.
But it helped me break free from the monthly money stress—and start building my future, one paycheck at a time.
