Why this Bengaluru woman’s ₹20,000 rent story is striking a chord with middle-class Indians |
A short video has turned a common monthly expense into a much bigger conversation.There are some expenses that almost everyone pays without much discussion. Rent is one of them. Yet, it is also one of those bills that often leaves people wondering whether they are spending too much. A Bengaluru woman’s recent Instagram video has brought that feeling into the spotlight, but with a perspective that many people say they had never thought about before. Instead of looking at monthly expenses as money that simply disappears, she spoke about the purpose those payments serve in everyday life. Her words have now found a place in conversations across social media, with many users saying they could relate to what she shared.
Her message was simple. Change the way you look at spending
In her Instagram video, Upasna Dogra spoke about how many people, especially those from middle-class families, grow up with the habit of treating every expense as money lost.She explained that changing this way of thinking could also change the way people feel about spending on essential needs.She said, “I don’t know who needs to hear this, but maybe it is time we stopped looking at our expenses as money lost and started seeing them as money that is taking care of us. For many of us from middle-class families, our relationship with money has always been complicated. We grew up hearing, ‘Save money, don’t spend too much.’ Because of that, we rarely looked at money as something we invest in our own lives. Instead, every expense started feeling like a loss. But what if we changed the way we looked at it? Every month, when I pay my rent, my first thought is, ‘ ₹20,000 is a lot of money.’ But when I break it down, it is around ₹650 a day. That is ₹650 for a safe home I can return to after a long, exhausting day. Similarly, spending ₹6,000 a month on groceries may feel expensive. But that is just ₹200 a day to ensure my body gets the food and nutrition it needs. So maybe financial awareness is not just about asking, ‘Where is my money going?’ Maybe it is also about asking, ‘What is my money doing for me?’”She posted the video with the caption, “It’s just about perspective.”
Her words found an instant connection online
The video received several reactions from people who said the message reflected their own experiences.One user wrote, “This is such a beautiful way to look at expenses.”Another commented, “I needed to hear this today because rent always feels like a burden.”A third user said, “This makes so much sense; money should also be seen as something that supports us.”Another added, “Middle-class guilt around spending is so real.”Disclaimer: The views expressed in the viral Instagram video are those of the content creator and the social media users quoted in the comments. They do not represent financial advice or the views of The Times of India. Individual financial situations and spending priorities may vary. Thumb image: Instagram
