Think it’s impossible to save big on a small salary? Think again.
Saving ₹10,000 a month is not just for high-income earners — it’s all about smart money habits, discipline, and making the right choices every day.

Let’s break it down with simple, real-life methods that actually work — especially if you’re earning ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 per month.

Step 1: Track Every Rupee Like a Pro

The first step to saving money is knowing exactly where it’s going. Most people underestimate how much they spend on small things.

Use apps like Money Manager, Walnut, or just a simple Google Sheet to monitor:

• Rent
• Food
• Travel
• Subscriptions
• Personal spends

Tracking creates awareness. Awareness leads to control.

Step 2: Follow the 40-40-20 Formula

Here’s a modified budgeting method that helps you balance both living and saving:

• 40% of income for essentials (rent, groceries, utilities)
• 40% for savings and investments (SIP, RD, emergency fund)
• 20% for lifestyle & leisure (movies, shopping, dining)

If your salary is ₹25,000, this means saving ₹10,000 is already part of the plan.

Step 3: Small Adjustments, Big Savings

You don’t need to give up everything. Just tweak habits.

Instead of:

• Ordering food 10 times a month, cut it to 3–4
• Taking autos daily, consider public transport a few days a week
• Buying on impulse, try a 24-hour pause rule

Even saving ₹200–₹300 per day adds up to ₹6,000–₹9,000 per month — without changing your life completely.

Step 4: Make Credit Cards Work for You (Not Against You)

Yes, credit cards aren’t bad — when used wisely, they can save you money.

Use them to:

• Get cashback on fuel, groceries, or bill payments
• Avail discounts on Swiggy, Flipkart, Amazon
• Build a strong credit score (important for future home/car loans)

Tip: Always pay the full due amount before the due date. Avoid carrying forward balances.

Step 5: Automate Your Savings

Treat your savings like a monthly bill.

On salary day:

• Start a SIP of ₹5,000 in a good mutual fund
• Put ₹3,000 into a Recurring Deposit or digital gold
• Keep ₹2,000 for an emergency fund

Set it up once, and let automation build your future without effort.

Step 6: Think Long-Term, Not Just Month-End

Saving is not about sacrifice — it’s about security.

Ask yourself:

• Do I want to struggle for rent every month?
• Or do I want to buy my own house in 10 years?
• Can I handle an emergency if it comes next week?

Start small. But start today. Your future self will thank you.

Bonus: Free Tools to Simplify Saving

• ET Money – For SIPs and tracking goals
• Groww – To invest even ₹500
• Cred – To manage credit cards and earn rewards
• Zerodha Coin – For direct mutual fund investments

Conclusion

Yes, even on a modest salary, you can comfortably save ₹10,000 a month by:

• Creating a clear budget
• Optimizing your daily spending
• Using credit cards smartly
• Automating your savings

And while managing money wisely is the foundation, don’t forget — your ability to increase your income over time is equally important. The goal is not just to survive on a low income, but to grow your skills, raise your earning power, and save consistently as your income improves.

It’s not just about what you earn — it’s about how wisely you manage it, and how smartly you plan to grow it.

Written by Badri | MoneyScope360.com
Bringing money clarity to everyday life.