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Why Saving Felt Impossible at First
Saving money sounds simple when we say it out loud—but actually doing it month after month is where most people struggle, including me. For years, I would make plans to start saving from next month. Sometimes I even created full spreadsheets, downloaded apps, and set goals—but by the middle of the month, everything would fall apart. What I didn’t realize then was that the problem wasn’t my income or even my spending—it was a lack of clarity and consistency. I didn’t know exactly where my money was going, and because of that, I had no real control over it.
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The Mindset Shift That Made It Possible
Like most people, I used to associate saving with restriction. I thought it meant canceling all my subscriptions, never eating out, and giving up shopping altogether. That mindset is the reason I never stuck with saving for more than a few days. The real change happened when I stopped seeing saving as punishment and started viewing it as freedom. It wasn’t about sacrificing enjoyment—it was about consciously choosing where I wanted my money to go, and making small decisions that built up over time. That shift alone made the whole process feel more natural and less forced.
Step 1: Track Every Rupee or Dollar for One Month
Before you can save, you need to know exactly where your money is going. I started by tracking every single expense for one full month. I didn’t use any paid apps—just a simple Google Sheet and my bank statements. What I discovered was eye-opening. I was spending far more on food delivery and impulse purchases than I thought. In fact, about 30% of my income was going toward things I didn’t even remember buying. That one exercise gave me the clarity I needed to move forward. It wasn’t about judgment—it was just about understanding.
Step 2: Cut Back on Food Delivery (But Don’t Eliminate Joy)
One of the biggest leaks in my budget was food. I was ordering takeout at least 3–4 times a week—sometimes out of laziness, sometimes just because I didn’t plan ahead. I didn’t want to give it up completely, so instead of cutting it out, I cut it down. I allowed myself one or two delivery days per week, and the rest of the time, I either cooked at home or kept easy-to-make meals ready. This one habit alone saved me between ₹3,000 to ₹4,000 ($40–$60) each month, without feeling like I was depriving myself.
Step 3: Audit and Cancel Unused Subscriptions
Another area where I was losing money was digital subscriptions. I had signed up for multiple streaming services, a music app, and even a few “free trials” I forgot to cancel. When I reviewed them, I realized I wasn’t actively using most of them. I canceled the ones I barely touched and kept only what I truly enjoyed. This cleanup saved me around ₹1,500 ($20) per month. It took less than 10 minutes to do, and the impact was immediate.
Step 4: Control Impulse Spending With a 48-Hour Rule
I’m not someone who goes out and buys luxury items often—but small purchases here and there can add up fast. Things like late-night online shopping, trending gadgets, or random “limited-time offers” were slowly eating into my budget. So I gave myself a rule: whenever I wanted to buy something that wasn’t a necessity, I would wait 48 hours. If I still wanted it after two days, I’d reconsider. Most of the time, the excitement wore off, and I didn’t make the purchase. Over time, this one habit helped me save an extra ₹2,000–₹3,000 ($25–$40) every month.
Step 5: Automate Your Savings First, Not Last
Most people try to save whatever is left at the end of the month. That rarely works because by then, the money is already spent. I flipped the approach—I started transferring ₹5,000 ($70–$80) into a separate savings account on the day I received my income. I treated it like a bill I couldn’t miss. This “pay yourself first” strategy made savings automatic, and it also helped me adjust my spending accordingly. Knowing that money was already put aside made me more mindful with the rest of my budget.
Step 6: Add Small, Extra Income Streams
In addition to cutting expenses, I explored a few small ways to earn a little more. I took up one freelance writing gig per month, sold a few unused items online, and signed up for cashback or rewards apps. None of these added thousands overnight, but even earning an extra ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 ($15–$30) each month gave me breathing room. More importantly, it helped create momentum—I felt more in control, and that motivated me to stick with the savings plan.
Final Thoughts: It’s About Progress, Not Perfection
Saving ₹10,000 a month—or $200, if you're elsewhere—isn’t about extreme sacrifice. It’s about being more aware of your habits, choosing what truly matters to you, and building systems that help you stick to your goals. I still spend on things I love—I just spend intentionally now. The best part is, once you get the hang of it, it stops feeling like a struggle and starts feeling like empowerment.
If you’re just getting started, don’t try to change everything at once. Pick one or two habits from this list and focus on them for 30 days. You’ll be surprised how quickly small changes add up—and how good it feels to finally have some savings at the end of the month.
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