A 30-year-old unemployed woman from Bengaluru has sparked widespread discussion on social media after sharing a detailed breakdown of her monthly expenses, revealing that she borrows nearly ₹30,000 every month from her mother to manage her finances.
The video was shared on Instagram by Nikita, who goes by the handle @social_coded, with the caption “January expense breakdown in unemployment.” In the clip, she candidly explains how she has been coping financially after being out of work for seven months.
‘How I’m managing financially’
Introducing the video, Nikita says her current sources of income include parental support, withdrawals from an emergency fund, and limited earnings from LinkedIn consulting. She then reveals that she borrowed ₹30,000 from her mother during the month to cover expenses.
Breaking down her costs, she states that rent alone amounted to ₹13,000. Regular utilities such as electricity, Wi-Fi, phone recharge, water and gas formed another chunk of spending. Food expenses, including groceries and eating out, totalled ₹8,402, while transport costs came to ₹4,284.
Mixed reactions online
Nikita also disclosed spending on healthcare and around ₹5,000 on self-care services such as facials, waxing and massages. Discretionary expenses included ₹1,398 on shopping and ₹1,331 on movies and outings. Despite her situation, she invested ₹2,000 in Systematic Investment Plans, while admitting regret over spending ₹800 on an astrology app.
The video quickly drew varied reactions. Many users appreciated her transparency and shared similar struggles, while others offered practical advice, including exploring online teaching or freelance opportunities. Some viewers also expressed interest in learning more about her LinkedIn consulting work.
Reflecting a larger reality
The discussion highlights the financial strain faced by many young professionals during periods of unemployment, as well as the role of family support and careful budgeting. For many viewers, Nikita’s post resonated as an honest snapshot of a difficult but increasingly common phase of urban life.