Introduction
Save money on a low income—it sounds tough, but it’s totally possible! If you’re in your 20s, managing a household, or running a home as a housewife in India, every rupee counts. With rising prices in 2025, these 9 proven ways to save money on a low income will help you stretch your budget, whether you earn ₹15,000 or ₹30,000 a month. Written for young adults, householders, and housewives, these simple tips in Indian Rupees (INR) will make your money go further without stress.
Table of Contents
Why You Can Save Money on a Low Income
Saving is not only for high earners, individuals with financial wealth. Even if you have limited income, but make small, smart changes, you could still save thousands of rupees a year. These examples of save money on a low income are designed for different lifestyles in India, including affordable groceries, festival sales, and local apps. Let’s jump right in—with some practical ways to save money on a low income.
1. Make a No-Fuss Budget
A budget is a glimpse of your outgoing rupees. If you bring home ₹20,000 each month, and have to budget rent (₹7,000), groceries (₹4,000), train or Uber costs (₹2,000), and other expenses (use the rest), you will want to save everything left over no matter how small even if it’s just ₹1,000. There are options for budget tracking – make it easy – there are apps like Wallet By BudgetBakers. For more budgeting ideas, have a look at our budgeting basics post.
Example: Saving ₹1,000 per month will mean that over the period of a year you will have saved ₹12,000. This amount may be helpful in unforeseen emergencies, or specific goals.
2. Cook at Home More Often
Let’s be honest, eating out or ordering food (₹200-₹300 per meal) can add up pretty quickly. Cooking home-cooked meals such as basic meals like dal-rice or veg curry can be made for under ₹50 or so per meal. Cooking 5 dinners by yourself during the week instead of ordering will save you approximately ₹1,250 each month by the end of the year that is ₹15,000! Find simple recipes on Food blog sites or on Swiggy instamart for easy grocery shopping.
3. Shop Smart During Sales
Housewives and householders know sales are gold! Buy essentials like rice, oil, or clothes during Diwali or Amazon’s Great Indian Sale. For example, a ₹2,000 pressure cooker might drop to ₹1,200, saving ₹800. Use CashKaro for extra cashback, saving ₹500-₹1,000 yearly.
4. Use Public Transport or Carpool
Fuel costs (₹100/litre) or cabs (₹200/trip) eat into low incomes. Take buses or trains (₹20-₹50/trip) or carpool with friends to split costs. Switching from two ₹200 cab rides weekly to ₹50 bus rides saves ₹7,800 yearly. Check RedBus for affordable travel options.
5. Cut Out Small Luxuries
Love your ₹100 chai or ₹150 movie snacks? Skip one chai weekly to save ₹5,200 yearly, or bring homemade popcorn to movies to save ₹1,800 yearly. This save money on a low income trick is easy and doesn’t feel like sacrifice.
6. Save ₹500 Monthly for Emergencies
Unexpected costs—like a ₹2,000 phone repair—can stress you out. Save ₹500 monthly in a separate account, like one from Axis Bank. In a year, you’ll have ₹6,000 for emergencies. It’s a small step that builds big security and save money on a low income.
7. Bargain and Buy Secondhand
Do some bargaining at the local markets can save you ₹50-₹100 on each item. For larger items, you should also check out OLX India. A used sofa that is ₹10,000 on OLX India could potentially cost you ₹5,000, thus saving you ₹5,000. This discount type of savings tip works for householders who are furnishing their homes on a smaller income.
8. Start a Small Side Hustle
Additional income contributes towards your savings. For instance, housewives can sell homemade pickles (₹500/week) or teach children (₹1,000/month). Young adults could explore some online tasks through the Fiverr platform for ₹2,000-₹5,000 a month. An additional ₹1,000 a month is ₹12,000 more at the end of the year. To find ways to use your extra income including to pay off debt.
Check out the Best Side hustles to start :
11 Best Side Hustles in India to Make Extra Income in 2025
9. Pay Bills on Time
Late fees on electricity (₹1,000 bill) or credit cards (₹500 fee) cost money. Set reminders or auto-pay to avoid unwanted late fees. When paying a ₹1,000 bill on time every month, you save about ₹500-₹1,000 of late fees a year. By avoiding late fees on almost on all the bills you can significantly save money on a low income.
Mistakes to Avoid When Saving on a Low Income
Even the best saving money on a low income tips need to be carefully considered. Watch for:
Buying Cheap, Low Quality Things: A ₹500 pan that breaks in a month costs more than a durable ₹1,000 one.
Taking Small Loans: Don’t get a quick ₹5,000 loan at high interest (20%+).
Not Saving: Even saving ₹100 a month is better than not saving.
Your Path to Smarter Savings in 2025
When you’re on a low income, saving money is all about little smart choices. These save money on a low income tips will get you started whether you’re a twenty-something coming out of post-school, a householder balancing bills and keeping household costs down, or a housewife trying to stretch out your family’s budget. Start now and watch the rupees build up! For even more simple ideas, check out our lifestyle and finance blog!
What can you do? Try one tip this week – like cooking at home for the rest of the week or even saving ₹100. Every little bit helps!