Bengaluru employee gets suggestions on how to cut living costs. But his expenses on lemons amuse netizens

A young professional who recently relocated to Bengaluru found himself overwhelmed by the city's high cost of living. Six months into his new life, he turned to the personal finance subreddit, hoping to gain insights into how to manage his spiraling monthly expenses. After sharing a detailed breakdown of his Rs 70,500 monthly budget, he unwittingly opened a floodgate of financial advice from fellow Redditors.

His largest monthly expense was rent, clocking in at Rs 26,000, despite the fact that he lived far from his workplace. This long-distance arrangement added to his daily commuting costs, with ₹6,000 spent on auto fares to and from the metro station and another Rs 3,000 for the metro fare itself. Combined, his travel expenses alone amounted to Rs 9,000 a month—significant, considering the time and effort involved.

Food was another major financial drain. He spent Rs 12,480 each month on food delivery services, avoiding home-cooked meals entirely. Despite the convenience, the cost was substantial and raised concerns about sustainability and health. On top of that, he spent Rs 2,000 on fruits, Rs 1,100 on milk, Rs 400 on lemons, and Rs 220 on honey—perhaps part of a personal wellness regimen.

One particularly eye-catching figure was Rs 6,000 a month for laundry. Without access to a washing machine, he relied on laundry services for all his clothing needs, resulting in a steep bill that could easily be reduced with a one-time investment in a washing machine.

Adding to his financial burden were monthly flights to his hometown, each costing Rs 2,500. With airport cab fares costing Rs 3,000 per trip in both cities, his total monthly expense for visiting home rose to Rs 11,000. While his intention to stay connected to family was admirable, the cost-effectiveness of such frequent trips was heavily questioned by commenters.

Other minor, yet notable, expenses included Rs 2,000 for a gym membership, Rs 300 for supplements and medicines, and Rs 5,720 for other miscellaneous items. Despite these not being the largest budget items, they contributed to an overall monthly outflow that many felt was unsustainable for a single individual.

Reddit users offered a slew of suggestions. Many pointed out the inefficiency of his housing-commute arrangement, suggesting he either move closer to work and pay higher rent or live farther away with reduced rent and accept a longer commute—but not both. Several urged him to stop flying home monthly and instead opt for overnight trains or buses. Others advised switching to home-cooked meals and exploring shared accommodations.

His post became a reflection of the wider struggles many face in balancing comfort and cost in rapidly growing urban centers like Bengaluru.