Microsoft employee’s Rs 1.36 lakh monthly budget: Lifestyle costs not so much, but her biggest expense has the internet talking

A Microsoft employee based in Hyderabad, Saniya Ahuja, recently set social media buzzing after she shared a candid breakdown of her monthly expenses, totalling a rather eye-watering Rs 1.36 lakh for March 2026. But instead of the usual highlight reel, she chose to show the numbers behind the lifestyle, overspending and all.

Right off the bat, Saniya made it clear, this wasn’t her most disciplined month. Think of it less as a brag and more as a “right, let’s sort my life out” moment. And that’s exactly what made it relatable.

What really stood out, though, was her commitment to investing. A hefty Rs 70,000, yes, more than half her total spending, went straight into mutual fund SIPs and other investments. In a world where impulse purchases often win, that level of financial foresight deserves a quiet round of applause.


But she didn’t shy away from the fun (and slightly chaotic) side of spending either.

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A post shared by Saniya Ahuja (@saniyaaaaa_)

Shopping turned out to be her biggest indulgence, clocking in at Rs 16,749. Whether it was retail therapy or just a few too many “add to cart” moments, we’ve all been there. Travel wasn’t far behind, with Rs 10,913 spent on getting around, something she blamed, quite fairly, on soaring airfares.

Then comes the classic culprit: food. Dining out and ordering in cost her around Rs 10,000, while groceries and essentials added another Rs 2,755. It’s the sort of slow-drip spending that doesn’t feel like much in the moment but quietly stacks up by the end of the month.

She also shelled out over Rs 3,500 on health-related expenses, arguably money well spent, and Rs 1,200 on subscriptions. Streaming platforms, apps, memberships… they all seem tiny individually, but together they sneakily nibble at your budget.

All in all, the grand total came to Rs 136,857.

But here’s where it gets interesting. Instead of brushing it off, Saniya leaned into the lesson. Her main takeaway? You’ve got to know where your money is going. No guesswork, no denial, just honest tracking.

She mentioned that keeping a record of her expenses helps her spot patterns, cut down where needed, and plan better for the next month. In her own words, she already knows she overspent, and she’s mentally prepared to balance things out going forward.

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being aware.

When someone asked how she keeps track of it all, she casually dropped that she uses an app called “Money Manager.” Simple, effective, no fuss.

Naturally, the internet had opinions. Many praised her for striking a solid balance between spending and investing, while others found her openness oddly comforting. Because let’s be real, most of us are winging it to some degree.

In the end, Saniya’s breakdown isn’t just about numbers. It’s a reminder that financial discipline isn’t about never slipping up, it’s about noticing when you do, and adjusting accordingly.

And honestly? That’s a far more realistic way to manage money.

Disclaimer: This story is based on viral social media posts and publicly shared information. The claims have not been independently verified.