The Income Lab | Smart Money Tips for Middle-Class Indians

  Most people don’t go broke because of one big mistake — they go broke slowly, quietly, and unknowingly through small habits that feel harmless in the moment. The ₹30 tea that happens three times a day. The online subscriptions you forgot. The weekend food delivery that feels “just this once.” The EMI that was manageable… until you took another one. These tiny decisions, repeated daily, trap millions of middle-class Indians in the same loop every month: Salary in → Bills → Random spends → Zero savings → Regret → Repeat. If this feels painfully familiar, you’re not alone — but you also don’t have to stay stuck. The truth is simple: You don’t need a higher salary to grow wealthy. You need better habits. Here are five small but life-changing habits that can turn your entire financial life around — starting this month. 1. Track Every Rupee You Spend — For 30 Days Yes, every single rupee. Not in a fancy app. Not in a complicated Excel sheet. Just a simple notebook or ...

  Do you ever feel like you’re working hard, earning a steady salary — yet somehow the money disappears and you’re still waiting for “that big break”? If you’re part of India’s middle-class workforce, you’re not alone. At The Income Lab, we believe that financial freedom doesn’t always mean earning more tomorrow — sometimes it means making smarter moves today . Here’s a simple yet powerful 90-day plan that helps you regain control of your income, build momentum and start building real wealth — without quitting your job or living like a monk. Week 1-4: CLARIFY & CONTROL Check your real numbers – Track every rupee coming in and going out. No more guessing. Set one concrete goal – e.g., “I’ll save ₹15,000 in 3 months” or “I’ll launch one extra income stream”. Cut the invisible leaks – Small recurring spends (subscriptions, premium services, eating out) add up fast. Rewire your mindset – Decide that the next rupee you earn works smarter than the last one did. ...

Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck, despite earning a decent salary? You’re not alone. In today’s fast-paced economy, most Indian middle-class earners feel financially stuck — not because they lack income, but because they lack a plan . In this blog, I’ll walk you through a 4-step money transformation framework that helped me go from being chronically broke to saving over ₹1,00,000 in just 6 months — without budgeting apps, side hustles, or complex investment strategies. 🧠 Step 1: Fix Your Financial Mindset Before you touch your salary, touch your thoughts. If your first reaction to money is “I don’t earn enough” , then no amount will ever feel enough. I used to believe saving money meant sacrificing happiness — until I discovered The ₹10,000 Mindset , a concept I covered in a previous blog that explains why your relationship with money determines how much you keep. Related: The ₹10,000 Mindset: Why What You Think About Money Is Keeping You Broke ✅ Action: For the next...

🧠 “Where did all my money go?” If you've ever asked that question by the 15th of the month, this blog is for you. It doesn’t matter whether you earn ₹25,000 or ₹2,50,000 a month—most Indians are stuck in a financial hamster wheel : Salary in. Swipe, spend, splurge. Regret, wait, repeat. Sound familiar? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. And you're not bad with money . You're just trapped in a cycle no one taught you how to break. That’s why we created the 30-Day Salary Detox —a practical system that helps you reset, reflect, and rebuild your money habits in just one month. 🚨 Why the Salary Detox Is Needed Now More Than Ever Inflation is rising. Salaries feel stagnant. Even with a ₹60,000/month job, people are financially exhausted by the third week. And no, it’s not just because of spending. It’s because we: Get paid monthly Spend emotionally Budget reactively (if at all) Rely on credit to survive the last week 👉 Related: Why You’re Broke by the 2...

Netflix: ₹649/month Spotify: ₹119/month YouTube Premium: ₹129/month Zomato Gold, Disney+, Hotstar, Amazon Prime, cloud storage, fitness apps… None of these feel expensive. But together? They’re draining your bank account faster than you realize. Welcome to the ₹99 Trap — a silent financial killer most Indians ignore. 💸 What Is the ₹99 Trap? It’s the false comfort of low-cost monthly subscriptions that add up quietly in the background. It feels affordable. It feels harmless. But when you subscribe to 7–8 services, you’re easily paying: ₹2,000–₹3,000/month ₹24,000–₹36,000/year And that’s without using half of them consistently. 🧠 Why It's So Dangerous Set and Forget : Auto-debits mean you don’t feel the spending Low Entry Cost : ₹99 feels like nothing — so you don’t question it FOMO : Everyone around you is subscribed, so you feel left out “Free Trial” Trap : You forget to cancel, but they keep charging You’re bleeding cash monthly — withou...

Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck? Do you wonder where all your money goes each month? You're not alone. Many people struggle to save from their salary, but the good news is that with the right strategies, anyone can build a healthy savings habit – regardless of their income level. Why Saving Your Salary Matters More Than Ever In today's uncertain economic climate, having a financial cushion isn't just smart – it's essential. Whether it's an unexpected medical bill, job loss, or simply wanting to pursue your dreams, savings give you the freedom and security to handle whatever life throws your way. The 50/30/20 Rule: Your Starting Point Before diving into specific strategies, let's establish a foundation. The 50/30/20 rule is a simple budgeting framework that works for most people: 50% of your salary goes to needs (rent, groceries, utilities) 30% goes to wants (entertainment, dining out, hobbies) 20% goes directly to savings If 20% feels i...