‘Portfolio matters more than the car’: Bengaluru millennial couple shares 5 money rules they live by
A Bengaluru couple shared five practical money rules that helped them balance expenses, health and family goals.
A Bengaluru couple has shared the five financial principles they follow while managing a household with a toddler, a dog and two full-time jobs. From prioritising experiences over status symbols to dividing expenses, the couple explained how their shared approach to money has worked for their family.

Taking to Instagram, Megha and Shubham posted a video on their joint account, @the12absproject, offering a glimpse into their financial philosophy.
“We live in Bangalore. We have a toddler, a dog, two full-time jobs, and one shared bank account philosophy. Here are 5 money rules of a millennial family in Bangalore,” Megha said at the beginning of the clip.
(Also read: ' ₹68,000 rent, ₹31,000 on fitness': Bengaluru 'millennial' couple breaks down ₹1.66 lakh monthly expense)
Spending on life rather than appearances
Explaining their first rule, Shubham said, “Spend on our life, not our image. We never spend money to show off, but we spend freely on what genuinely makes us happy. No fancy cars, no branded clothes, no jewelry that just goes into a locker.”
Megha added that the couple does not compromise on their home or the residential society where they live, as it is where they spend most of their time and raise their daughter.
(Also read: ‘Millennial’ couple in Bengaluru reveals their ₹1.7 lakh monthly investment strategy)
Their second rule is to choose memories over material possessions. “Memories over things. Every single time,” Shubham said.
Megha revealed that the family takes an international trip every summer, plans several staycations during the year and makes an effort to visit their parents whenever needed, particularly during festivals.
Health and investments remain priorities
The couple’s third rule is to invest in fitness and health. “Fitness is non-negotiable. If we stay fit now, we don't have to spend lakhs on clearing hospital bills later,” Shubham said.
Megha added, “Clean eating, better products, gym memberships, no compromises. No, we'll start again next month. Our body is the longest investment we'll ever make.”
Their fourth principle is to invest more money than they did the previous year. According to Megha, both short-term and long-term goals are carefully planned. “The number on our investment portfolio matters more than the car standing outside our house,” she said.
How the couple divides expenses
Their final rule is to “divide the bill” and “share the load”. Megha handles fixed monthly expenses, including rent, utilities and salaries of domestic workers. Shubham, meanwhile, takes care of miscellaneous costs such as credit card bills, groceries and travel.
“These aren't perfect rules, but these are ours,” Shubham said, while Megha added, “And this is what has worked for our family so far.”
The video was shared with the caption, “Here are the 5 money rules keeping us sane as a millennial family in Bengaluru.”
Watch the clip here:
Internet reacts
Reacting to the video, one user wrote, “Spending on life, not image - such a refreshing mindset.” Another commented, “Not perfect rules, but definitely practical for modern couples.” A third said, “This is inspiring,” while another added, “Loved how they divide expenses.”
(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.)
ABOUT THE AUTHORMahipal Singh ChouhanMahipal 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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