Bengaluru: A Bengaluru-based corporate professional has sparked a lively discussion on social media after sharing a detailed breakdown of her ₹45,000 monthly expenses, giving many a glimpse into the realities of living in India’s Silicon Valley.
In a viral Instagram post, Vaasavi Pasupulati admitted that calculating her monthly expenses left her “scared to open” her banking app.
“This was supposed to help me budget. Instead, it gave me a reality check,” she wrote, asking followers whether she was overspending.
Monthly expenses total ₹45,000
Vaasavi revealed that her fixed living expenses amount to ₹19,533 a month. This includes her share of the rent for a 3BHK apartment, maintenance charges, payments for a cook and domestic help, along with other household expenses.
She spends around ₹8,000 on groceries, covering fruits, vegetables, milk, snacks, coffee, eggs and other essentials.
Her monthly travel and outings cost approximately ₹7,300, while personal expenses, including skincare, makeup and shopping, total around ₹9,000. She also spends about ₹1,400 on mobile recharge, Wi-Fi and digital subscriptions.
Social media users share mixed views
The post quickly attracted thousands of reactions, with many saying the breakdown reflected the high cost of living in Bengaluru.
While some users felt the spending was reasonable for a working professional in the city, others suggested ways to reduce expenses, including using public transport instead of cabs and cutting back on discretionary spending.
Some also pointed out that such expenses may not be affordable for everyone, while others remarked that enjoying life while maintaining financial discipline is equally important.
The post has once again highlighted the growing conversation around urban living costs, budgeting and lifestyle choices in Bengaluru, where rising rents, transport costs and daily expenses continue to challenge many professionals.