Managing life on a tight paycheck can feel like a juggling act—coffee in one hand, bills in the other, and dreams quietly whispering in the background. But what if you could enjoy your weekends, sip your latte, and still grow your wealth? Meet Riya, an everyday professional earning Rs 30,000 a month, with no side hustle or family safety net. She cracked the code to making her money work without turning her life into a spreadsheet nightmare.
CA Nitin Kaushik shared her story on X, highlighting how Riya uses a flexible 50-25-25 budgeting approach—an adaptation of the classic 50-20-30 rule. It’s all about bending rules to reality, not starving yourself of joy.
50% for essentials (Rs 15,000)
Riya keeps her basics covered: rent Rs 7,000, groceries Rs 3,500, utilities and subscriptions Rs 2,000, commute Rs 1,500, and clothing/other basics Rs 1,000. This category is flexible—life rarely sticks to exact bills.
25% for aspirations (Rs 7,500)
She still has fun. Scooter EMI Rs 3,000, weekend outings Rs 1,000, yearly trip savings Rs 2,500, and personal growth like books or courses Rs 1,000. The mantra? Money should fuel happiness, not just survival.
25% for investments (Rs 7,500)
This is where discipline meets strategy. Riya invests in an emergency fund of Rs 2,000, health insurance of Rs 1,000, term insurance of Rs 1,000, and SIPs in mutual funds of Rs 3,500. With a disciplined SIP and an assumed 12% annual return, she could see her investments grow to around Rs 2.8 lakh in five years. Budgeting isn’t about restriction—it’s about direction. Riya’s story shows that your first salary may feel small, but the financial habits you build now can make your future wealth unstoppable.
CA Nitin Kaushik shared her story on X, highlighting how Riya uses a flexible 50-25-25 budgeting approach—an adaptation of the classic 50-20-30 rule. It’s all about bending rules to reality, not starving yourself of joy.
50% for essentials (Rs 15,000)
Riya keeps her basics covered: rent Rs 7,000, groceries Rs 3,500, utilities and subscriptions Rs 2,000, commute Rs 1,500, and clothing/other basics Rs 1,000. This category is flexible—life rarely sticks to exact bills.
25% for aspirations (Rs 7,500)
She still has fun. Scooter EMI Rs 3,000, weekend outings Rs 1,000, yearly trip savings Rs 2,500, and personal growth like books or courses Rs 1,000. The mantra? Money should fuel happiness, not just survival.
How to survive (and thrive) on a ₹30,000 salary — the real budgeting story no one talks about.
— CA Nitin Kaushik (FCA) | LLB (@Finance_Bareek) October 16, 2025
Meet Riya. She earns ₹30,000 a month.
No side hustle. No family backup. Just her and her paycheque — the way most of us start.
Here’s how she turned her “just-managing” salary… pic.twitter.com/mr5Metqc1W
25% for investments (Rs 7,500)
This is where discipline meets strategy. Riya invests in an emergency fund of Rs 2,000, health insurance of Rs 1,000, term insurance of Rs 1,000, and SIPs in mutual funds of Rs 3,500. With a disciplined SIP and an assumed 12% annual return, she could see her investments grow to around Rs 2.8 lakh in five years. Budgeting isn’t about restriction—it’s about direction. Riya’s story shows that your first salary may feel small, but the financial habits you build now can make your future wealth unstoppable.
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