Bengaluru: A city-based couple has gone viral after sharing a video breaking down their household expenses for August, which totalled an eye-catching ₹5,90,000. The post, shared by travel influencers Prakriti and Ashish Arora on Instagram, has triggered curiosity, admiration, and humour among netizens.

The budget breakdown

In their video, the couple explained how they allocate their monthly income, stressing the importance of open conversations about money between partners. Their August budget included:

  • ₹42,000 for rent
  • ₹40,000 for fitness (including personal trainers and Pilates)
  • ₹20,000 for groceries
  • ₹10,000 for utilities
  • ₹13,000 for ordering in and eating out
  • ₹1,00,000 for investments
  • ₹15,000 for miscellaneous expenses
  • ₹3,50,000 for domestic and international travel bookings

According to them, the largest share of their spending was tied to two domestic trips and two international trips booked during the month.

Financial planning as a couple

Prakriti and Ashish emphasised that beyond lifestyle choices, financial planning plays a central role in their marriage. “Because you’re not just living with your life partner, you’re also building a life with them. That takes addressing tough topics so that they don’t become an issue later,” they wrote.

The couple added that they hold a “monthly meeting” at the start of each month to calculate expenses, allocate funds towards investments, and set aside money for what they call a “mystery fund.”

Social media reactions

The extravagant budget caught the attention of many social media users, some of whom expressed disbelief while others joked about the expenses.

One user wrote, “That’s my yearly package.” Another quipped, “Their one month expense equals our one year income.”

A few also pointed out contradictions, with one user asking, “Why spend ₹13k on outside eating when you’re already on a strict fitness journey?” The couple clarified, saying most of that spending was on salads ordered in, with only ₹5,000 spent on dining out twice a month for date nights or social occasions.

Others were more curious about their travel spending. When asked about annual travel expenses, the couple replied that they spent around ₹20 lakh last year. “We don’t usually stay at home for this long. This was the longest stretch in two years without a trip. For us, travel isn’t just leisure — it’s also reinvesting in our business,” they said, highlighting their content creation and travel-based work.

The bigger picture

The viral post has sparked a wider debate about urban lifestyles, high living costs, and income disparities in Bengaluru. For some, it served as an aspirational glimpse into the life of full-time travel influencers, while for others, it highlighted the contrast with average household budgets.

Regardless of reactions, the video has achieved its purpose: sparking conversations about financial transparency in relationships and the choices couples make while balancing careers, lifestyle, and investments.