Save Money

Smart money-saving tips, strategies and product comparisons to help you keep more of what you earn

Banking

Savings accounts, FDs, RDs with highest interest rates. Best accounts: SBI, HDFC, Kotak 811, IndusInd

15 tips and comparisons

Investments

Low-cost index funds, ETFs, direct stocks with zero commission. Best: Nippon India ETF, Zerodha, Groww

10 tips and comparisons

Insurance

Term plans, health insurance at lowest premiums. Best: HDFC Click2Protect, Star Health, Care Health

8 tips and comparisons

Tax

Legal ways to reduce tax outgo. Sections: 80C, 80D, 80CCD, 24(b), 80EEA, 80G

12 tips and comparisons

Daily Life

Groceries, utilities, subscriptions, OTT - smart ways to cut costs

18 tips and comparisons

Loans

Lowest interest rates and minimal processing fees. Compare before applying

9 tips and comparisons

Smart Saving Tips

50-30-20 Rule

Spend 50% on needs, 30% on wants, save 20% of your after-tax income. The simplest and most effective budgeting method that builds savings automatically.

Maximize Section 80C

Invest Rs 1.5L annually in PPF, ELSS, EPF, NSC, or tax-saving FDs. Save up to Rs 46,800 in taxes each year with the right mix of instruments.

Smart Shopping with Cashback

Use CRED (up to 100% cashback on bills), CashKaro (up to 30% on shopping), and CouponDunia. Always check for coupon codes before checkout.

Optimize Credit Card Usage

Use cards for all expenses but pay in full before due date. Get 30-50 interest-free days, reward points, lounge access, fuel surcharge waiver, and 1% cashback.

Build a 6-Month Emergency Fund

Keep 6 months of expenses in a high-interest savings account (3.5-4%) or liquid mutual fund (5-7%). For a Rs 30K/month lifestyle, that is Rs 1.8L of safety net.

Track Every Rupee

Use free apps like Walnut, Money View, or CRED to track expenses. Just 5 minutes a day of tracking can reduce discretionary spending by 20-30%.

Cut Utility Bills

Switch to LED bulbs (save 80% on lighting), use energy-efficient 5-star ACs/fridges, install solar panels for long-term savings. Save up to Rs 24,000/year.

Compare Before Every Purchase

Always compare FD rates, loan interest rates, insurance premiums, and even grocery prices. Use Paisabazaar, BankBazaar, and DealA for real-time comparison.

House Rent Allowance (HRA)

If you live on rent, claim HRA exemption. In metro cities, you can claim 50% of basic salary; in non-metro, 40%. Save thousands by submitting rent receipts.

Reduce Food Delivery Expenses

Average Indian spends Rs 3,000-5,000/month on food delivery. Cook at least 5 days a week, use Swiggy/Zomato only weekends. Save Rs 30,000-40,000/year.

Avoid Lifestyle Inflation

When you get a raise, save at least 50% of it. Do not upgrade your lifestyle proportionally with income. The gap between income and expenses is your wealth.

Health Insurance Premium Benefits

Claim up to Rs 25,000 (Rs 50,000 for senior citizens) under Section 80D for health insurance premiums. Additional deduction for preventive health checkups.