A corporate professional has given social media a realistic look at the cost of living in India's Silicon Valley. In an eye-opening Instagram post, the Bengaluru resident detailed a monthly expenditure breakdown totalling ₹45,000, jokingly admitting she is now terrified to open her banking application.
“I calculated how much I spend every month as a corporate girl living in Bangalore… Now I’m scared to open my banking app,” Vaasavi Pasupulati wrote on Instagram.
She continued, “This was supposed to help me budget. Instead, it gave me a reality check. But honestly, am I overspending!?”
In a series of visuals, Pasupulati gave a detailed breakdown of her ₹45,000 monthly expenses. “How much do I spend in a Month as a Corporate Girl in Bangalore?” she wrote, adding that her fixed living expenses come to ₹19,533. They include rent, maintenance, cook, cleaning woman, and miscellaneous expenses. Pasupulati explained that she shares a 3 BHK with other roommates.
“Groceries: ₹8,000. This includes: Fruits, Vegetables, Spices, Milk, Snacks, Coffee, Eggs, Pasta nights, Avocado toast ingredients,” Pasupulati continued, adding, “Skincare + Makeup + Misc Shopping: ₹6,000. Going out to explore a new cafe or Sunday food orders (considering at least twice a week): ₹3000. Because somehow... there's always something to buy.”
{{/usCountry}}“Groceries: ₹8,000. This includes: Fruits, Vegetables, Spices, Milk, Snacks, Coffee, Eggs, Pasta nights, Avocado toast ingredients,” Pasupulati continued, adding, “Skincare + Makeup + Misc Shopping: ₹6,000. Going out to explore a new cafe or Sunday food orders (considering at least twice a week): ₹3000. Because somehow... there's always something to buy.”
{{/usCountry}}The corporate employee explained that for subscriptions and bills, including phone recharge, cloud storage, and Wifi, she spends ₹1,400. As for her commuting expenses, she spends over ₹7,300.
“Grand Total. Home: ₹19,533. Groceries: ₹8,000. Travel + Outings: ₹7,300. Personal: ₹9,000. Bills & Subscriptions: ₹1,400. Total Monthly Spend is approximately 45,000 per Month.”
(Hindustantimes.com has reached out to Vaasavi Pasupulati . This report will be updated when she responds.)
How did social media react?
An individual joked, “We are spending this much?” Another commented, “Enjoy to the fullest at this phase of your life.”
A third expressed, “Take home to a nearby office... And don't use cabs all the time... Use AC buses… Save Earth, save fuel, use a bike.” A fourth wrote, “Here I am earning less than your room rent and still saving ₹10,000.”
In an earlier post, Pasupulati captured her experience of relocating to Bengaluru. She wrote, “What did I miss. Nobody warns you that moving to Bangalore comes with a starter pack. You’ll learn that getting an auto is a team sport. You’ll develop strong opinions on filter coffee and dosa. You’ll spend weekends chasing brunch spots and weekdays stuck in traffic. You’ll realise your mood depends on your cook didi’s mood.”
She added, “And every time you think you’ve finally made it, a Porsche at the next signal humbles you. Bangalore will test your patience, empty your wallet, make you question your life choices and somehow still convince you to stay. And despite all the traffic, rent, auto cancellations and Sunday evening anxiety, you’ll end up defending Bangalore like a local.”