Frugal Living Tips for Single Indian Women

Ankita Kamat

Frugal living tips for single Indian women will boost your financial growth. As a single Indian woman, you may be enjoying your singledom:) But while enjoying the life you must also focus on other things like frugal living, financial independence and financial freedom.

I’m also an Indian girl and now in my early 20s, I’m learning to be resourceful in my life. I believe in women empowerment. And I feel that in India each woman should accomplish financial independence as well as financial freedom.

I belong to an Indian middle-class family, so I’ve realised the importance of money and frugality very early. Currently, I’m also enjoying my singledom. So I can understand which type of situations do Indian women face when it comes to money matters.

Frugal Living Tips for Single Indian Women

Mind-blowing frugal living tips for single Indian women

Have you ever thought about frugal living as a single Indian woman? If yes, then you have already taken your first step towards financial growth. In this young age, only a few Indian women think about frugal living and saving money. So as an Indian woman feel proud of yourself because you are taking charge of your life by being thrifty.

I’ve analysed and realised the amazing benefits of thrifty living. So I’ve started to be resourceful during my school days. Whenever I was getting pocket money I used to save some coins in my piggy bank. This is how my frugal living journey started.

Now in my current blog, I would like to share my experiences along with effective frugal tips which will empower you.

1. Be a financially independent woman by making passive income
2. Avoid spending money on Pani Puri  (crispy snack)
3. Get monetary benefits from Indian government schemes
4. Don’t decore your cupboard with bangles and hair-clips
5. Avoid making your pocket empty by spending on spa and beauty parlours
6. Recharge your phone through payment apps
7. Try to solve the underemployment problem in India to earn more
8. Have control over your emotions when it comes to money
9. Cancel your gym membership if you are not visiting the gym
10. Stop buying costly pieces of jewellery as a single Indian woman
11. Sometimes it’s better to use free products
12. Learn to be thrifty and make your own financial decisions
13. Celebrate Indian festivals in a simple way by being a thrifty woman
14. Visit career counsellor to choose the right career and grow financially
15. Avoid buying more products in sales and fairs
16. Don’t spend money on new scooty at the age of 18
17. Don’t be lazy to clear your all payments
18. Save money on electricity in India
19. Learn to invest the money as an Indian woman

Can Indian women become frugal?

Frugal living is all about using your resources and money without wasting them unnecessarily. And as per my observation, Indian women seem to be frugal in some situations but on the other hand, sometimes they spend more money on unnecessary things.

So I feel, you should try to adapt frugality in your day-to-day activities. This will help you to handle your money as an Indian woman.

19 Smart frugal living tips for single Indian women

As I’m also single yet, so I feel that right now there are no huge financial responsibilities on my shoulder. I’m assuming you you also agree with this point as a single Indian woman. So this is the right time to learn boost our money-related knowledge and implement frugal tips to accomplish financial freedom in the very near future.

Let me elaborate on a few things here about frugal living tips for single Indian women. This will help you to be thrifty without depriving yourself.

1. Be a financially independent woman by making passive income

In India still, some women do not give importance to financial independence. But as an Indian woman, I feel that one financial independence is very important for women. Frugal living is not only about saving money but also about earning money.

Make passive income as a single Indian women

I’ve figured out some effective ideas to make passive income from home. If as an Indian woman you are not allowed to go out to work then you should try these ideas. There are many homepreneurs who work from home and earn more money.

2. Avoid spending money on Pani Puri  (crispy snack)

I have seen that there is a strong connection and bonding between Indian women and Pani Puri  (crispy snack). Indian women love to eat Golgappa or Pani Puri  (crispy snack). Even I like to eat it. But some girls spend a lot of money just one Pani Puri  (crispy snack). And whenever they see the chat centre they get tempted and end up spending money to eat Pani Puri  (crispy snack).

And it’s very crazy that Indian women eat Pani Puri  (crispy snack) with their girl gang by having eating competition!! Well, it’s good to have fun but remember you have so many other things to do in life rather than just spending money on Pani Puri  (crispy snack).

Don’t waste more money on chocolates!

Also, young women spend more money on chocolates. Well, I also like chocolates too much! But I don’t spend a lot of money on chocolates. So if you are also fond of chocolates then you must have control over your spending habit on chocolates.

Well, once I was reading an article in the newspaper and I was shocked by knowing that young women eat more chocolates (equally as kids). So if you are one among those women who have a special connection with chocolates now it’s time to save money on chocolates.

According to survey teenagers starts to spend more money when they reach 13 or 14. And they also start to spend more money on eating outside. So learn to save money on food by following frugal living.

Frugal Living Tips for Single Indian Women

3. Get monetary benefits from Indian government schemes

As India is a developing country Indian government launches many schemes to help people. So you must be aware of all the government schemes to get some monetary benefits. For students also there are many scholarships from the Indian government.

If you are a student then be aware of all the scholarships and apply for scholarships. During my college days, I applied for scholarships to get monetary benefits in my education. So you must also learn to be a frugal student.

How to get monetary benefits as an Indian woman from Indian government schemes?

As I was working as a clerk at the college office, my students were coming to me to apply for various government scholarships such as Vidyasiri Scholarship (Karnataka State), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scholarship etc.

Apart from student scholarships the Indian government also encourages to start your own small scale business. So be aware of such schemes where you get a loan (with low-interest rate) to start your own small business.

If you are willing to start your own business as a young Indian woman then be aware of such government schemes. This is a practical way to be frugal as a single Indian woman.

4. Don’t decore your cupboard with bangles and hair-clips 

Everyone has some kind of habits and ‘collecting things’ is also comes under a habit. We all have some particular likes and dislikes. But it does not mean that we should you should spend more money on collecting things which you like the most.

I have seen in my friend circle that one of my friends is fond of bangles and hair clips. She spends more money to buy different types of bangles and hair clips. Even she does not use them more but still, she spends money on these things just to collect different verities.

I feel this is an easy way to waste your money! So never waste your money like this. Think twice about your collecting habit and start to be frugal today. Decide your saving goals and work on it.

5. Avoid making your pocket empty by spending on spa and beauty parlours

Whether it’s India or any other country, grooming is a part you women’s life. Most of the women are beauty conscious. It’s good to focus on grooming and personality to look great, it creates positivity. But instead of spending money frequently on spa and beauty parlours women can focus on grooming by being frugal.

As a young woman, you can take care of your hair, nails, skin at home without spending more money. Try colouring your hair at home instead of visiting parlour and spending money. Take care of your nails at home.

You can have your own manicure kit at home. By this, you will be not spending money on beauty parlour. All these simple steps will be considered frugal tips. So take simple steps to living frugally in India as a woman.

Frugal Living Tips for Single Indian Women

6. Recharge your phone through payment apps

I’ve seen that in India still, some women do not use net-banking or any online transactions. It seems that Indian women are not that much comfortable to opt for digital payments. My own friend is afraid to use online payment apps and she uses to visit shops to recharge her phone.

I’m not saying that this is bad. But nowadays cash-back offers are trending. When we prefer digital transactions we get cashback offers and even coupon codes. I’m personally using Google Pay app to make translations. Whenever I want to recharge my phone, I pay through the app.

So start using such apps to pay your bills and to recharge your phone. You will get cashback offers, coupons and discounts. All these simple techniques will help you to manage your money wisely and help you to be a thrifty woman.

Use these payment apps to earn cashback

1.    Google Pay

2.    PhonePe

3.    Amazon Pay

7. Try to solve the underemployment problem in India to earn more

In India, most of the youth always complain about underemployment. Underemployment means underuse of a worker and getting less salary. As India is having more population, we are facing such an employment problem in our country. But instead of complaining about your job and less salary you must figure out a solution for this.

Even I myself faced this situation of underemployment and less salary. But I saved some part of my salary by being frugal. Then I started to chase my dream career. So even if you are earning less, start to be resourceful and save some part of your income.

Then with that saving, you can learn any new skill or even start your own small business. By this, you will be boosting your earning capacity. So in India, it’s very necessary to be frugal in your 20s to reach a better financial place in a very near future.

8. Have control over your emotions when it comes to money

As per my observation emotion is also the important factor which influences the spending habit of Indian women. I have seen my friend who loves her younger brother a lot. She spends a lot of money to give costly gifts to him. And this is actually not good for women.

As a woman, I personally feel that Indian women must learn to have control over emotions which influences spending habit. Women even spend more money on sweets, chocolates, icecreams during mood swings. And prefer shopping as a relaxing therapy.

All these behaviours of Indian women are not considered as frugal habits. If you are thinking about how can Indian women live frugally, then I advise to observe your spending habits.

9. Cancel your gym membership if you are not visiting the gym

Have you paid fees and took the gym membership? Well, many people never visit the gym even after taking membership by paying huge fees. This is a total waste of money. First of all, I say- don’t spend money on a gym or to buy any gym equipment. Do you know that you can stay fit without all this.

As a young Indian woman, you can try skipping, cycling, and simple exercise. Even I don’t visit any gym! I use tools like acupuncture ball, skipping rope and I read some good health books. So you can also try all these simple things to stay fit and healthy.

You can stay fit even by adapting frugal living. It’s not at all necessary to plunk down your money on the gym.

10. Stop buying costly pieces of jewellery as a single Indian woman 

In India what women give more importance to gold. In Indian culture gold has its own importance. Here we treat gold as a sign of positivity, this is the reason that you can find gold on the top of the temples in India.

But Indian women are fond of gold. Nowadays women don’t use gold as a sign of positivity but to show off the wealth and status. But I don’t appreciate such things.

And I can understand that even parents force Indian single women to start to collect gold jewellery because women can use that in marriage. But you must be sensible to adapt frugal living at this young age.

And you don’t need to buy heavy gold jewellery to represent your status or to just stand out in your friend circle. So Be thrifty and think twice before buying gold.

11. Sometimes it’s better to use free products

Yes if you want to buy anything then first look for free products. For example, if you want a camera just for one day then you need not buy it. Instead, ask your friend or relative. Borrow from them just for one or two days and return them.

But if you are particularly learning photography and you need a camera then you can buy your own camera. But if you just want it for one or two days then I don’t recommend you to waste your money.

You must know which things you must invest money. Even if you need furniture or any other things just for one or a few days then look for rental services. Nowadays there are many rental services and you can save a lot of money here. So adapt frugality in your all money-related decisions.

12. Learn to be thrifty and make your own financial decisions

Trust me, Indian women are capable to handle money matters very well. And when I started to live frugally, I’ve experimented many things practically in my life to save money. So start to take simple financial decisions and save money.

In my teenage, I was not earning money but still, I used to handle my pocket money very well. So if you are not earning yet or you are a housewife then also you can adapt frugal living and save more money to create financial security for yourself.

13. Celebrate Indian festivals in a simple way by being a thrifty woman

Are you thinking about how to live frugally in India? Well, in India, people celebrate more than 100 festivals in a year. And Indian women are very fond of celebrations. Even Indian males took an active part in the festivities.

But in my friend circle, I have seen that some of my friends celebrate each small festival very grandly. They buy new clothes, new accessories to celebrate the festival. I’m not against the celebration of festivals. But I feel Indians spend a lot of money on festival celebrations.

You don’t need to invite more people and celebrate small festivals. Keep your guest list very small. This is how you should be very practical while thining about frugality. And don’t invest huge amount on clothes, jewellery, decoration and all. Keep it simple.

14. Visit career counsellor to choose the right career and grow financially

Indian students are not much aware of career counselling. Even I was not aware of it. But now I’ve seen some people who went for career counselling and now they are really doing great in their career. So according to me, frugal living is not only about saving money but also spending on the right things.

If as a student you spend some money to opt career counselling then your future will be really bright. You will really grow well financially and in all the terms.

In India, career counselling is not much popular. So students end up spending money wrong academic course and wrong career path. And ultimately they can’t get a good job according to their wish. All of this will affect financial growth. So you must know how to live frugally in India as a student.

15. Avoid buying more products in sales and fairs

In India, we can find sales and exhibitions often. And all Indians are aware of the mela (fair). But most of the times such sales are not good for your pocket. In such sales, you will not get good quality, durable products. So avoid purchasing low-quality products in fair or in sales.

As per my observation, Indian women visit fair or sales more often. Here you may get various things like bags, clothes, sandals, toys and much more at very less price. But you must also focus on the quality of the products. So avoid wasting your money on such low-quality products which are not durable.

16. Don’t spend money on new scooty at the age of 18

In India at the of 18 youngsters can get a licence. But this does not mean that you should have your own scooty at this young age. If you buy your own vehicle as a young woman then you should also bear all other expenses like fuel expenses, vehicle servicing etc.

So at this young age, you can use public transportation. This is a very practical and frugal tip for an Indian woman.

Frugal Living Tips for Single Indian Women

17. Don’t be lazy to clear your all payments

Never ever delay your payments. If you are a student then pay your admission fees, hostel fees or exam fees on time. Otherwise, you will have to pay extra money as a fine. So never create such a situation where you end up paying extra money. Be a sensible student.

And also one should look after all other payments also. If you have taken any loan then clear your loan first. I say never take any loans but if you have already taken then clear it first.

18. Save money on electricity in India

No matter whether you are single or in a relationship but you must learn to save money on electricity. Use CFL(compact fluorescent lamp) to save electricity. By this, you can save a lot of money on your electricity bill. Even I have CFL bulbs at my home.

So take such simple and practical steps to be frugal in your daily life. If you use normal bulbs then you will get more electricity bill, so use CFL at your home.

And always turn off TV, mobile charger, fan, AC or any electronic device if you are not using them. All this may look very silly and simple to you. But by doing this you are practising to be more resourceful. All these simple steps will help you to learn how to use your resources carefully. And you save more money by inculcating such habits.

19. Learn to invest the money as an Indian woman

When your money starts to work for you then you will reach a better place financially. At the age of 23, I started to invest my money in mutual funds. So you can also increase your financial literacy and start investing money according to your risk-taking capacity.

All these frugal living tips for single Indian women which are discussed today are very practical and easy to implement. So I say- start to live frugally from today. Soon you will accomplish your all financial goals in life.

Ankita Kamat

I'm Ankita Kamat, the creator of Frugal Beat, a blog dedicated to frugal living. Join me in exploring practical ways to save money, reduce waste and live a purposeful life. Let's embrace frugality as a lifestyle together.