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

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...

You see a “limited time offer.” Your fingers itch to click Buy Now . You justify it: "It’s only ₹799… and it’s on 40% off!” But what if I told you a 10-minute walk could save you thousands? Let me introduce you to the Walkaway Rule — the easiest anti-impulse buying tool you’ve never used. 🧠 What Is the Walkaway Rule? It’s simple: When you feel the urge to make an unplanned purchase — walk away for 10 minutes . No buying. No checking out. Just walk (physically or mentally). Why? Because impulse buying is driven by emotion, not logic. 10 minutes gives your brain time to cool off and ask: “Do I really need this?” 📉 Why Impulse Buying Hurts You More Than You Think You lose control of your monthly budget You fill your home with things, not wealth You feel regret but don’t track the damage You normalize spending without intention ₹799 here. ₹1,299 there. Over 12 months, that's ₹30,000+ — gone . 🛠️ How to Use the Walkaway Rule (Effectively) ...