Saving money might feel impossible, until you try Radhika Gupta’s one rule everyone can follow

For many young professionals, money slips away faster than it comes in. Between rent, EMIs, food apps and the lure of new gadgets, saving often feels impossible. Radhika Gupta, MD and CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund, argues that saving is the first step, and investing comes only after.

“Just as no player would dream of walking into a match without net practice, no investor can hope to succeed without first mastering the art of saving. Saving trains discipline, while investing becomes the real game where goals are scored and wealth is built,” Gupta explains in Mango Millionaire, co-authored with Niranjan Avasthi and published by Macmillan.

This cricket analogy runs through the book. Saving is the practice session. Investing is the match. Without one, the other falls flat.

What us the 10-30-50 Rule

At the centre of Gupta’s philosophy is the 10-30-50 rule, a simple framework to structure savings across different stages of life. It isn’t a quick-fix formula but a step-by-step plan that mirrors how income usually grows with age.

Save 10% in your twenties

“Between twenty to thirty years of age, you can safely aim to stow away at least 10 per cent of your income,” Gupta writes. She admits the early years are difficult: “Salary packages or earnings are comparatively lower in the early part of one's career, and branded jeans and shoes beckon from dazzling displays in malls. Certain movies must be watched in theatres, where the popcorn costs more than the tickets.”

Her advice is to begin small. “Think of it as paying your future self – and trust me, future you will be thankful. Big time.” Even saving 1% is better than nothing, she suggests, because the habit matters more than the size at this stage.

Save 30% in Your Thirties and Forties

“Between your thirties–forties, your money inflow will increase… start saving at least 30 per cent of your income around this time,” Gupta notes. With promotions, job changes or business growth, income typically rises, creating room to set aside more.

Save 50% After Forty

“By the time you are on the other side of the big F – your forties onwards – you'll be earning at your peak potential. Scary expenses like a higher education for your kids and your looming retirement are sure to cross your mind. Try to save at least 50 per cent of your income at this stage.”

This is the sprint phase, when retirement planning and children’s education take priority, and higher income allows bigger savings.

The SDS Hack: Savings on autopilot

Gupta also borrows an idea from the tax system. “Any system which is automated or mandated becomes difficult to bypass. For example, the process of TDS or Tax Deducted at Source, makes it challenging for taxpayers to evade taxes by making the mandatory deductions before the money hits your bank account,” she says.

She imagines applying the same principle to savings. “Imagine an automated savings system called SDS (Savings Deducted at Source), which would deduct a fixed amount from our earnings and automatically redirect it to a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP), Recurring Deposit (RD) or FD before we get a chance to spend it. It's like having a financial autopilot to steer you towards your goals. Wouldn't that be an easy, powerful hack?”

By removing choice at the point of spending, Gupta believes people are more likely to stay disciplined.

Why habit beats numbers

Beyond percentages and rules, Gupta insists that wealth is built on routine. “Savings is a habit-driven approach. Initially, forming the habit of saving is more important than the percentage of money you save,” she emphasises.

This approach, she argues, is realistic for ordinary Indians, whom she refers to as “mango people” in her book. The aim is not to turn everyone into Warren Buffett but to help people create financial stability without giving up life’s everyday joys.

Mango Millionaire blends anecdotes, practical advice and familiar cultural touchpoints like cricket and cinema to make money management relatable. At a recent investor meet in Pune, a 25-year-old asked Gupta how to save while balancing home loans, food delivery apps and exotic holidays. The 10-30-50 rule, she argues, offers a way out: start small, stay consistent, and build up as life progresses.

The rule does not promise overnight wealth. What it does offer is a realistic path for India’s working generation to create a safety net and, eventually, long-term financial security.