<p>For context, I live in Bangalore (working, living alone). On average, I spend around ₹700–₹1,000 per day on food, transport, and small random expenses.</p>
<p>Most of it is through UPI—I barely use cash anymore.</p>
<p>From what I’ve seen, a lot of people spend around ₹20k–₹30k per month (excluding rent in some cases), so this felt like a reasonable baseline to test.</p>
<p>I kept hearing that using cash makes you spend less, so I decided to try it for 3 days.</p>
<p>I withdrew ₹3,000 and committed to using only cash.</p>
<p><strong>Day 1 (~₹920)</strong></p>
Groceries (milk, fruits, basics): ~₹450
Chai/sutta + snacks: ~₹150
Auto (short ride): ~₹200
Random ₹50–₹100 spends I usually don’t notice
<p>Nothing unusual, but it felt like I spent more than usual.</p>
<p><strong>Day 2 (~₹780)</strong></p>
Lunch outside: ~₹250
Grocery top-up: ~₹200
Snacks/tea: ~₹100–₹150
Auto: ~₹150
<p>I skipped ordering dinner because I didn’t want to break another ₹500 note. Normally, I would’ve ordered without thinking.</p>
<p><strong>Day 3 (~₹640)</strong></p>
Groceries (eggs, bread, basics): ~₹300
Transport: ~₹150–₹200
Misc small spends: ~₹100
<p>By this point, I was actively avoiding small, unnecessary expenses.</p>
<p><strong>Total:</strong> ~₹2,300–₹2,400 for 3 days<br>Which is honestly close to what I’d normally spend.</p>
<p><strong>What actually changed:</strong></p>
The difference wasn’t the total—it was the awareness
Every ₹100 felt more “real”
Breaking ₹500 notes made me pause
I naturally skipped 2–3 small expenses without forcing it
<p>With UPI, especially for ₹50–₹200 spends, I don’t register the impact as clearly.</p>
<p><strong>What I realized:</strong></p>
<p>A lot of my spending comes from small, repeated expenses—chai, snacks, quick groceries, autos.</p>
<p>Individually, they feel insignificant. But they add up quickly because they happen multiple times a day.</p>
<p><strong>Downsides:</strong></p>
Slightly inconvenient
Had to think before every purchase
Not very practical long term
<p>Not sure if this actually reduces spending long term or if it’s just psychological—but it definitely made me more aware.</p>
<p>Do you guys feel the same, or is it just in my head?</p>