Living on a ₹30,000 salary in India can feel like a tightrope walk—especially in cities where rent and food costs keep creeping up. But with a smart budget, even ₹30K can go a long way. Whether you’ve just landed your first job or you’re trying to save more, this guide breaks down exactly how to budget ₹30,000 per month in India—without cutting out all the fun.
Let’s get real, relatable, and practical.
✅ The 50/30/20 Budget Rule: Your Money Map
A simple and effective way to budget is using the 50/30/20 rule:
- 50% for needs (rent, food, transport)
- 30% for wants (eating out, shopping, subscriptions)
- 20% for savings and debt (emergency fund, investments, loan EMIs)
For a ₹30,000 salary, that breaks down like this:
- ₹15,000 → Needs
- ₹9,000 → Wants
- ₹6,000 → Savings
Let’s dig deeper into each category with realistic Indian expenses.
💡 Monthly Budget Breakdown for ₹30,000 Salary
1. 🏠 Needs – ₹15,000
These are non-negotiables: rent, groceries, bills, transport.
| Expense | Avg. Cost (per month) |
|---|---|
| Rent (shared room, Tier 1 city) | ₹6,000–₹8,000 |
| Groceries (home cooking) | ₹2,000–₹3,000 |
| Utilities (electricity, Wi-Fi) | ₹1,000 |
| Transport (bus, metro, fuel) | ₹1,000–₹1,500 |
| Phone Bill | ₹300–₹500 |
Total Estimate: ₹13,000–₹14,000
💡 Pro tip: Use Zolo, NestAway, or Facebook groups to find shared flats and cut rent by half.
2. 🎉 Wants – ₹9,000
These make life fun—eating out, Netflix, shopping, weekend getaways.
| Expense | Avg. Cost |
|---|---|
| Eating Out (2–3 times a week) | ₹2,000–₹3,000 |
| Subscriptions (Spotify, Netflix) | ₹500 |
| Shopping (clothes, cosmetics) | ₹1,500–₹2,000 |
| Weekend Travel / Fun | ₹2,000–₹3,000 |
Total Estimate: ₹8,000–₹9,000
💡 Pro tip: Use Zomato Gold, CRED deals, and Swiggy One to save on cravings.
3. 💰 Savings – ₹6,000
This is your money safety net and growth fund.
How to Split It:
- ₹3,000 → Emergency Fund (via savings account or liquid mutual fund)
- ₹2,000 → SIP in index mutual funds (use apps like Groww or Zerodha Coin)
- ₹1,000 → Short-term goals (travel, gadgets)
Optional: If you have an education loan, use ₹1,000 from “wants” to pay EMI and shift ₹1,000 from savings.
💡 Pro tip: Start a Recurring Deposit (RD) or SIP auto-debit so you don’t “accidentally spend” your savings.
🙌 Tips to Stretch Your ₹30K Further
- Cook at home 3–4 days a week — 1 home-cooked meal = ₹30 vs ₹150 outside.
- Use public transport — Monthly metro pass = ₹800 vs fuel at ₹2,000+
- Buy second-hand—OLX, Thrift pages for furniture, gadgets, clothes.
- Track every rupee—Use apps like Walnut, Money Manager, or Excel.
- Set micro-goals—Save ₹500/month for your Goa trip instead of borrowing later.
Sample Monthly Budget (for a Bangalore IT Fresher)
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Rent (shared 1RK) | ₹7,000 |
| Groceries + Bills | ₹3,000 |
| Transport | ₹1,500 |
| Food & Eating Out | ₹2,500 |
| Shopping | ₹1,500 |
| Savings (SIP + Emergency) | ₹6,000 |
| Subscriptions & Fun | ₹1,500 |
| Total | ₹30,000 ✅ |
💬 Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need More, You Need a Plan
Budgeting on ₹30,000 doesn’t mean you have to say no to life. It means saying yes with intention. Prioritize your rent, food, and savings—but also leave room for fun, friends, and future plans.
Start tracking your expenses this month and tweak as needed. Remember: It’s not about how much you earn, but how well you manage it.
📌 Quick Checklist: Budgeting on ₹30K
- Follow the 50/30/20 rule
- Set up auto-SIPs or RDs
- Track expenses weekly
- Cut unnecessary subscriptions
- Cook at home at least 3x/week
- Use cashback & coupon apps (like CashKaro, MagicPin)
Got your own budget hacks? Drop them in the comments below! And if you found this post useful, share it with your fellow low-salary warriors 💪
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