I’ve been managing money for some time now, ever since I got my first real paycheck and a bit before that. At some point, I started tracking where it all went—noticing the takeout, subscriptions, and stuff I’d toss aside. I wasn’t desperate or anything, but I wasn’t paying attention either. I’ve never written about finance before—it feels too personal, too easy to sound preachy. But I’m putting it down on paper, mostly for myself, to make sense of things I think and do.

Here are the things I’ve been doing and believe in:

Keeping It Simple and Tracking Lightly

I don’t chase complicated investments or obsess over every detail. I stick to what I understand—index funds, fixed deposits, and a savings account. I’ve read up on crypto and stock picking, but the more I read, the more I understood how much time I had to pour in to keep up, so I strayed away from it while keeping reading every now and then. Now, I put most of my money into a low-cost fund that tracks the market. It grows slowly, and I check it maybe once a month. I also write down roughly where my money goes—not in some fancy app, just a plain spreadsheet. Food’s about 10%, rent’s 40%, a book here and a subscription there, and so on. It takes just an hour a month. People might think it’s too much, but it works for me. It’s a check-in with myself, showing me how small things add up—dining out, ordering in, things I’d forget I own. I get tempted to keep tinkering to the last penny, but I’ve learned it’s better to keep it simple and let it be.

Living Below the Line

I don’t spend everything I make. I could, but I don’t need to. Whatever comes in, I try not to use more than half. The rest just sits there or goes somewhere useful later. It’s not about deprivation—I still eat out when I feel like it, travel occasionally, and buy what I need. But I don’t stretch to the edge. Even if I get double the money, I won’t feel obligated to spend more—I’d just keep living the same way if it doesn’t feel like a compromise. I save a chunk each month without fussing over every rupee, leaving a buffer. So when unexpected costs hit, I don’t have to scramble. It’s boring, but it works for me.

Picking What Lasts

I spend on things that stick around. A good pair of shoes would beat three cheap pairs that fall apart. I’d rather have a few solid things than a pile of junk. I used to want the newest phone or some shiny tech I’d barely touch, but now I pause and ask: Do I need this? Does it add something real? I wait, and the urge usually fades. Spending on others—a good tip, a gift for someone I care about—often feels better than spending on myself. If that’s how numbers drop, I don’t mind.

Thinking Past Today

After covering the basics, I split what’s left: some to use, some to save, some to grow. I don’t pick stocks—I’m no pro. I buy the market, spread it across countries, and let it sit. Markets move—up a bit, down more—and I try not to react. When they crashed a while ago, I didn’t sell; I just waited. It came back eventually, like it usually does if you give it time. I’ve got about six months of living costs aside for emergencies, so I don’t panic when things get shaky. I check in here and there but hold steady. Sure, I have goals bigger than just being okay ten years from now, but I have to play the cards I’m dealt right now, so I’m doing my best. Can only hope time’s on my side and small steps add up.

Building Room to Move

Savings open doors. Leave a job that drags me down? Take one I’d love to wake up for? Stay close to people who matter to me? Money can make that possible. I don’t want to feel stuck. Too often, it’s a race—chasing things I don’t need to match someone’s pace.

And here’s what I’m realizing as I write this: I started doing this as a safety net, but it’s more than that now. By keeping it simple and tracking where it goes, I don’t waste energy on things I can’t control. By living below the line, I don’t feel owned by my stuff. By picking what lasts and thinking long-term, I’m giving myself a shot to be free of restrictions at some point. It’s not selfless or noble—it’s what I find practical. It makes me think with intention—about what matters and what I want.

Hey there! Ever feel like money’s this big, scary monster? Well, I’m here to tell you it’s not that bad—I’ve been taming it since my first real paycheck, and you can too! I used to let it slip through my fingers—takeout here, subscriptions there, stuff I’d forget I even owned. I wasn’t drowning in debt or anything, but I sure wasn’t paying attention. I’ve never spilled my money thoughts on paper before—it’s personal, and I don’t want to sound like some know-it-all. But I’m doing it now, mostly to figure out my own head, and if it clicks for you, awesome!

Here’s my playbook for keeping money in check—practical stuff I live by and swear by:

Keeping It Simple and Tracking Lightly

I don’t mess with complicated investments or sweat the tiny details—life’s too short! I stick to what I get: index funds, fixed deposits, and a good ol’ savings account. I peeked at crypto and stock picking once, but man, the time it takes to stay on top of that? Nope, not for me—I’d rather keep it chill and just skim the news now and then. Most of my cash goes into a low-cost fund that tracks the market—slow growth, low stress. I check it maybe once a month. Oh, and I track my spending too—not with some flashy app, just a basic spreadsheet. Food’s 10%, rent’s 40%, a book or subscription pops up—it takes me an hour a month, tops. Sounds nerdy, right? But WHOA, it’s eye-opening! Those little expenses—dining out, ordering in—they sneak up on you. I’ve fought the urge to micromanage every penny, but keeping it simple? That’s the secret sauce!

Living Below the Line

Here’s the deal: I don’t spend everything I make. Could I? Sure. Do I need to? Nah! I aim to use less than half of what comes in—the rest just chills or gets stashed for later. It’s not about being stingy—I still hit up restaurants, travel when I want, grab what I need. But I don’t push it to the limit. Even if my income doubled, I wouldn’t go wild—I’d stick to my groove unless it felt like a drag. I save a solid chunk every month, no fuss, and it’s like a safety net. When life throws a curveball—like a surprise bill—I don’t freak out. Boring? Maybe. But it’s a game-changer for peace of mind!

Picking What Lasts

I’m all about spending on stuff that sticks around. A solid pair of shoes over three cheap ones that fall apart? Yes, please! I’d rather own a few quality things than a mountain of junk. I used to drool over the latest phone or shiny tech—half of it just sat there collecting dust. Now, I hit pause and ask: Do I need this? Does it actually add something? Most times, the hype fades if I wait it out. But here’s what I’ve learned: dropping cash on others—like a big tip or a gift for someone I love—feels way better than another impulse buy. If that’s where my money goes, I’m cool with it!

Thinking Past Today

After the bills are paid, I split what’s left: some to spend, some to save, some to grow. I’m no stock-picking genius, so I just buy the market—spread it across countries and let it ride. Markets bounce around—up a little, down a lot—but I don’t sweat it. When they crashed a while back, I didn’t bail; I just waited, and guess what? They climbed back up, like they usually do if you’ve got patience. I’ve got six months of living costs tucked away for emergencies, so I don’t lose sleep when things get rocky. I’m not a pro, but slow and steady works for me. I’ve got big dreams—more than just “okay” in ten years—but for now, I’m playing the long game with the cards I’ve got. Small steps, big wins—fingers crossed!

Building Room to Move

Saving isn’t just about cash—it’s about freedom! Want to ditch a soul-sucking job? Chase one that lights you up? Stick close to the people who matter? Money makes that possible. I don’t want to be trapped, running some endless race to keep up with someone else’s life. It started as a safety net, but now it’s more—it’s about living on my terms. Tracking lightly keeps me from stressing over stuff I can’t control. Living below the line means my stuff doesn’t own me. Picking what lasts and thinking ahead? That’s my ticket to breaking free someday. It’s not fancy or selfless—it’s just what clicks for me. It’s intentional, and that’s what counts!

So, that’s my money vibe! No guru status here—just figuring out what works, keeping it simple, and staying steady. Money’s a tool, not your boss. Trust me, once you get the hang of it, it’s way less intimidating than it looks! ALL THE BEST on your journey—you’ve totally got this! 😉