Outlook Money
Panchami to Dashami, six festival days, six money habits to make you enjoy without regret. Swipe for instant, easy-to-do tips to celebrate loud and keep your wallet calm.
Before outfit anxiety sets in, decide on a festival budget. Set aside Rs for clothes, eatables, travel and a fun fund. Monitor spends on a note app so surprises remain in the pandal, not your wallet.
Shashti is preparation time. Set aside essentials like bhog, travel, and safety first. Set aside at least 20 per cent of your budget here. After must-haves are fixed, go to town on the fun bits.
Allow one planned splurge to enjoy guilt-free. Choose one standout purchase, an outfit, gadget or adda plan, set a strict limit and stick to it. A controlled splurge makes the festival sweet, not stressful.
Ashtami energy is intense. Before checkout, pause and try the 24-hour rule. If the item feels important tomorrow, buy it. If not, you’ve saved without losing joy.
Navami is for group adda and food splurges. Employ bill-splitting apps or a kitty pool so expenses remain equitable. It preserves friendships now and protects your wallet when EMIs come calling later.
During Dashami, balance budget vs. expenses. Replenish your emergency fund and initiate a tiny SIP to restore savings. Thus, happiness endures while bills and obligations remain free of anxiety.