A Bengaluru-based software engineer has triggered a fresh discussion on the city’s rising cost of living after sharing a detailed breakdown of his ₹74,000 monthly expenses on social media, despite claiming he rarely goes out or spends on entertainment.
The Instagram post, titled “Here’s how much money I spend in a month,” was shared by Anand, a 27-year-old software engineer at Walmart, offering a glimpse into the financial realities of young professionals living in India’s technology hub.
Rent and investments take the biggest share
According to Anand, his monthly expenses include ₹18,000 for rent and ₹3,000 for house help. He also spends around ₹12,000 on groceries, food and protein supplements.
A major portion of his monthly outgo—₹30,000—goes towards investments and Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs).
“I can’t be trusted with idle money in my account,” he joked while explaining why he invests a significant part of his income.
He also allocates around ₹10,000 every month towards miscellaneous expenses, including shopping and late-night online purchases.
Company benefits reduce daily costs
One aspect of Anand’s budget that caught the attention of viewers was that he spends nothing on commuting or office meals, thanks to company-provided cabs and free food.
“This is the reason I romanticise my 9-to-5,” he said, referring to the employee benefits offered by his workplace.
Despite these savings, he admitted that spending ₹74,000 every month was “a little scary”, especially since he neither parties frequently nor spends much on leisure activities.
Internet divided over expense breakdown
The post quickly went viral, prompting mixed reactions from social media users.
While some said the expenses were reasonable considering Bengaluru’s high cost of living, others argued that SIPs and investments should not be counted as monthly expenses, as the money remains part of one’s personal assets.
Several users also compared Anand’s monthly spending with their own salaries, with some expressing surprise that his expenditure exceeded their monthly income.
The discussion has once again highlighted the financial pressures faced by professionals in Bengaluru, where rising rents and living costs continue to be a major concern.