A Bengaluru-based content creator has sparked an online conversation after sharing a simple yet relatable way of looking at everyday expenses. Instead of treating monthly bills as money disappearing from a bank account, she encouraged people to think of them as payments that support comfort, health, and everyday living.
The idea, shared through an Instagram video by Upasna Dogra, has drawn attention from people who say they often struggle with guilt while spending on essential needs despite earning and budgeting responsibly.
Looking Beyond the Price Tag
In her video, Dogra reflected on how many middle-class households are raised with a strong emphasis on saving money. While developing financial discipline is valuable, she suggested that this mindset can sometimes make people feel uncomfortable even when spending on necessities.
According to Dogra, changing the way she viewed expenses helped her develop a healthier relationship with money.
Rather than asking only where her money was going, she began asking what those expenses were providing in return.
Breaking Down Rent into Daily Value
One example she shared involved her monthly rent.
Dogra explained that paying Rs 20,000 every month initially felt like a significant expense. However, dividing that amount into a daily cost of roughly Rs 650 helped her view it differently.
Instead of focusing on the monthly figure alone, she considered what that amount provided every day—a secure, comfortable home to return to after work, privacy, and peace of mind.
She said this shift made the expense feel less like a financial burden and more like an investment in her daily quality of life.
The Same Approach Applied to Groceries
Dogra also discussed grocery spending.
She explained that a monthly grocery bill of around Rs 6,000 works out to approximately Rs 200 per day. Looking at the expense this way reminded her that the money was paying for regular meals, nutrition, and overall well-being rather than simply leaving her account.
Her message emphasized that everyday essentials often provide lasting value that is easy to overlook when focusing only on monthly totals.
A Different Way to Think About Spending
The broader takeaway from the video was not to spend carelessly but to recognize the purpose behind necessary expenses.
Financial awareness, Dogra suggested, should include understanding both how money is spent and how those purchases contribute to daily life. Essential costs such as housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and education often represent investments in stability, health, and long-term productivity.
Personal finance experts frequently note that separating essential expenses from discretionary spending can help people build realistic budgets while reducing unnecessary financial stress.
Social Media Responds
The video generated a variety of reactions from viewers.
Some users appreciated the positive perspective.
One person commented, “This was wholesome.”
Another wrote, “Mindset is the key.”
A third viewer added, “Changed my perspective.”
Others pointed out that while the mindset can be helpful, financial realities differ from person to person, especially for households dealing with rising living costs.
Why the Conversation Matters
As inflation and urban living expenses continue to shape household budgets, discussions about financial well-being are becoming increasingly common online.
Dogra’s perspective highlights an aspect of personal finance that often receives less attention: the emotional relationship people have with money. For many, reframing essential spending as an investment in safety, health, and everyday comfort may help reduce guilt while still encouraging responsible budgeting.
At the same time, maintaining a balanced financial plan—covering savings, emergency funds, and necessary expenses—remains an important part of long-term financial stability.
