I am writing down tips to manage an ordinary householder's income in India. I am just attempting to do such a post that is limited to India because obviously, I am not aware of other countries salary-expenses ratio.
As you all are aware, India is a country that is often portrayed as people begging on the streets, children rummaging through dustbins, and snake charmers and such.
What the media does not want to show are people who are well-off, developed cities with good employment stats, growing industries, and the number of increasing foreign investments by NRI or non-resident Indians.
India is a country that produces a lot of things including raw materials such as cotton, rubber, grains, and other stuff. It is the land that gave birth to Ayurved, Yoga, and Spirituality that connects man with nature. So, it is also a land of herbs and holistic medicine.
Why I am mentioning all this because the younger generation of today in India seems to have conveniently forgotten and just rely on being a consumer and not a producer.
Many people take up their mobiles, dial a number, and order food without even bothering to spend a few minutes in the kitchen to cook up a simple meal that is not only budget-friendly but also healthy. This habit not only makes money disappear fast but also takes a toll on the health of an individual and all this is labeled under the name of equality, feminism, and such.
It is not about equality or feminism. Learning to cook a simple meal is a skill that can help you at any time in life. So, please start learning if you do not know and it is not a shame.
Back to the title, I just wanted to write down some tips to manage your income regarding household expenses.
Let us take an average household of four members.
For a month :
Rice - 15 Kg
Dal - 2 Kg
Sugar - 3 Kg
Pulses - 1/2 Kg
Wheat flour - 5 Kg
Semolina/Sooji Rava - 1 Kg
(Tadka)
Red chilly - 1 Packet
Mustard seeds - 1 packet
Jeera - 1 packet
Oils
Coconut oil/Sesame oil/Groundnut oil/Sunflower oil - 1 Liter
Rice bran oil is a healthy option but I have used it so far only for baking.
Tea/Coffee powder - 250 gm or more if you drink more than two cups
Milk is costly but buying a packet of powdered milk or Amul ready-to-use milk is also a good option.
Vegetables and eggs/meat/fish are bought fresh.
Fruits - as per season
Baked goodies
Besides all of the above, it is more budget-friendly if you buy raw materials such as dried red chilly, coriander seeds, and hing and dry fry and powder them to make masalas for Sambar and Achar(pickle).
The approximate expenses for all of the above would be ₹5000/-
₹ - Symbol of the Indian Rupee
5000 is only an approximation and it can be lower or higher.
If you are a person who does not seem to have the time or energy to cook, please consider buying the groceries and employing a person who does the cooking on a shift basis. I remember my sister-in-law in Mumbai employing a lady who used to come in the morning and evening for an hour to cook meals for the family after her child's birth aka delivery. So, there are options such as this and you can still save money in the long run.