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Bengaluru woman explains why ₹20,000 rent is not ‘money wasted’ but money well spent

A Bengaluru woman says everyday expenses should be seen as money taking care of us, not money lost.

Published on: Jul 3, 2026, 15:09:24 IST
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A Bengaluru woman has struck a chord online after sharing a simple but thoughtful perspective on everyday expenses and how people often view money spent on basic needs as a loss.

A Bengaluru woman’s take on rent and groceries as self-care spending resonates with social media users. (Instagram/upasna_dogra)
A Bengaluru woman’s take on rent and groceries as self-care spending resonates with social media users. (Instagram/upasna_dogra)

Upasna Dogra shared a video on Instagram in which she urged people, especially those from middle-class backgrounds, to stop treating every expense as money lost. Instead, she said, such spending should also be seen as money that supports comfort, safety and well-being.

(Also read: ' 28,000 rent, 15,000 on weekend activities': Bengaluru woman breaks down 71,000 monthly expenses)

“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 said in the video.

(Also read: ‘I show up at Flipkart for her’: Bengaluru woman recalls mother pawning gold bangles to pay admission fee)

The clip was shared with the caption, "it’s just about perspective".

Watch the clip here:

Internet reacts to the video

The video has received a few reactions, with several users agreeing that the thought offered a refreshing way to look at routine spending.

Reacting to the video, one user wrote, “This is such a beautiful way to look at expenses.” Another said, “I needed to hear this today because rent always feels like a burden.” A third commented, “This makes so much sense, money should also be seen as something that supports us.” Another user added, “Middle-class guilt around spending is so real.”

HT.com has reached out to the user for her comments, and the copy will be updated once her response is received.

(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.)

  • Mahipal Singh Chouhan
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Mahipal Singh Chouhan

    Mahipal Singh Chouhan is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, with nearly five years of experience in digital journalism and content production. His work primarily focuses on offbeat and trending stories that reflect everyday experiences and evolving conversations on the internet. He has consistently worked on transforming viral content and human interest stories into structured news pieces that engage readers while maintaining editorial clarity. At Hindustan Times, Mahipal contributes to identifying and developing stories emerging from social media trends, online communities, and real-world incidents that capture public attention. His approach involves adding context and journalistic perspective to fast-moving digital narratives, helping present viral moments in a clear and reader-friendly format suited for digital audiences. Before joining Hindustan Times Digital, he was associated with DNA India, where he gained experience in newsroom workflows and digital storytelling practices. Mahipal holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Delhi. He is particularly interested in tracking emerging trends and understanding how online conversations evolve into broader public discussions. His work reflects a focus on accuracy, readability, and relevance in the rapidly changing digital news environment. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Mahipal takes an interest in history and sports and regularly works on improving his general knowledge, which complements his curiosity as a media professional.Read More

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