Ultimate guide to saving money: Simple habits that work

Saving money in 2025 is no longer just about tightening your budget. It’s about understanding your daily spending patterns and making smarter choices that fit effortlessly into your lifestyle. Today, many Indian households spend anywhere between Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 5,000 every month on subscriptions alone, including OTT platforms, music apps, cloud storage, and more.

The good news is that meaningful savings don’t require drastic sacrifices. By implementing simple and strategic habits across OTT usage, food delivery routines, travel planning, subscription management, and general expenses, you can potentially save Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 3,00,000 annually, all while maintaining the lifestyle you enjoy.

In this blog, we will discuss practical tips and strategies to help you manage these expenses and build habits that make a real difference to your finances in 2025.

1.  Track all your expenses

The foundation of any financial plan is awareness. Without knowing where your money goes each month, it’s impossible to identify which expenses are necessary and which are wasteful.

Tracking all your spending, whether it’s digital subscriptions, daily meals, transportation, or shopping, helps you make informed decisions, cut unnecessary costs, and redirect money into savings or investments.

Key Points to Remember:

• Maintain a monthly expense log or use a budgeting app.
• Categorise expenses as needs, wants, and savings to understand spending patterns.
• Track recurring costs and identify areas to trim or optimise.

2. Save on OTT subscription

OTT platforms are now a staple of entertainment, offering movies, series, sports, and educational content at your fingertips. However, subscribing to multiple platforms without analysing usage often leads to unnecessary monthly expenses. Smart OTT management involves choosing the services you actually use, sharing family plans, and rotating subscriptions. You can also find exciting offers on SonyLIV and other OTT platforms by searching popular coupon aggregator platforms. This way, you can save on your subscription costs.

Here are some effective strategies for saving on your OTT subscription

3. Cut food delivery costs

Food delivery is convenient, but it can silently drain your budget due to hidden fees and impulse orders. Over time, frequent delivery orders add up to thousands of rupees per month.

Here are some tips on how to save money when ordering food online

4. Reduce travel expenses

Travel, whether daily commuting or long-distance trips, is a recurring cost that can quietly inflate your monthly budget. Choosing public transport over private cabs, buying monthly passes, and booking flights in advance can save thousands of rupees annually.

Here are insights into monthly travel expenses and tips for saving

4. Grocery & household savings

Groceries and household items are unavoidable monthly expenses. However, small strategies like planning purchases, buying in bulk, and choosing store brands can significantly reduce costs while maintaining quality.

Grocery Savings Tips

• Prepare a weekly shopping list to avoid impulsive buying.
• Choose store-brand products that offer similar quality.
• Buy staples in bulk to save per unit cost.
• Compare online vs offline prices before purchase.
• Avoid shopping while hungry to prevent unnecessary purchases.

5. Emergency fund

An emergency fund provides financial security and peace of mind. It ensures you don’t rely on loans or credit cards during unexpected situations like medical emergencies, job loss, or urgent repairs.

Emergency Fund Guidelines

• Save 3 to 6 months of essential expenses.
• Keep funds in liquid savings accounts for easy access.
• Automate monthly contributions.
• Review annually and adjust for inflation and lifestyle changes.

Lifestyle habits that save money

Small lifestyle adjustments can make a significant difference in long-term savings. Conscious spending and strategic planning allow you to save without giving up comfort.

Here are some smart habits

• Cook at home 3 to 4 times per week.
• Limit impulsive app-driven purchases.
• Use cashback and reward apps for digital transactions.
• Cancel unused subscriptions regularly.

Smart shopping techniques

Here are some effective ways to shop smarter in 2025

• Check out coupon platforms: Platforms like GrabOn, CouponDunia, and a few others provide verified discount codes, where you can save up to 50% to 60% off on major retailers. So, always check for coupons before making online purchases.​
• Price comparison: Compare prices across Amazon, Flipkart, and other platforms before buying. Prices can vary by 15% to 30% for identical products.​
• Bulk buying for non-perishables: Buy non-perishable items in bulk during sales. This strategy works best for household staples, toiletries, and pantry items.
• Timing major purchases: Shop during major sale events (Republic Day, Diwali, Black Friday) for big-ticket items. Discounts during these periods can reach 40% to 70%.​
• Generic brands: Instead of always picking premium brands, explore store-brand or lesser-known alternatives. These products often match the quality of popular brands but come at a significantly lower price, helping you cut costs on everyday essentials without compromising on quality.

Final thoughts

Saving money in 2025 is less about extreme cutbacks and more about informed, consistent choices. By becoming aware of your spending habits and making small, consistent changes, you can take control of your finances without compromising your lifestyle. Whether it’s optimising OTT subscriptions, reducing food delivery costs, or planning travel efficiently.  Start with one habit today, gradually implement more, and you’ll notice a positive impact on both your bank balance and financial confidence.