Bengaluru man shares 7 simple tweaks that helped him cut expenses, not lifestyle

A Bengaluru-based digital creator has shared a list of simple tweaks that helped him reduce his monthly expenses without feeling like he was sacrificing his lifestyle.

In a post on Instagram, Akshay CN, who runs the page bangalore_viral, outlined several changes he made to save money while living in the city.

“How I reduced my Bengaluru expenses without ruining my lifestyle,” read the caption of the post.

One of the biggest changes, he said, was choosing a home closer to a metro station rather than opting for a more fashionable neighbourhood. While the rent initially appeared higher, he said the move helped him save significantly on fuel, auto-rickshaw fares and the stress of long daily commutes.

Akshay also identified convenience spending as a major drain on his finances. Quick-commerce deliveries, frequent auto rides, paid subscriptions and small online purchases had become some of his largest monthly expenses.

Another lesson involved being more intentional about weekends. Unplanned cafe visits, pub outings and impulse spending can erode savings much faster than many people realise, he added.

He also spoke about the pressure to constantly upgrade gadgets, something he believes is amplified by Bengaluru's work culture.

“Bengaluru work culture can quietly create unnecessary lifestyle pressure,” he wrote, explaining why he stopped replacing devices simply because others around him were doing so.

Similarly, he said he stopped trying to keep pace with lifestyle trends, arguing that many people spend money to stay socially relevant rather than because they genuinely need certain products or experiences.

Akshay added that cooking at home more often instead of eating out every day had a noticeable impact on both his finances and his health.

His final takeaway was that earning more money is not necessarily the answer to financial challenges.

“Higher salary alone doesn’t solve money problems,” he wrote, adding that better financial habits often matter more than income growth.

Take a look at his post here:

The post resonated with several social media users, particularly young professionals navigating the rising cost of living in Bengaluru, a city often associated with high rents, frequent dining out and a fast-paced lifestyle.