Manav Narang on How Quitting UPI for a Month Helped Him Save 30% of Expenses

In a world where digital payments are the norm, have you ever wondered if your spending habits would change if you switched back to cash? Finance influencer Manav Narang decided to take on this experiment by quitting UPI transactions for a month. The results were astonishing—his expenses dropped by approximately 30%!

But how exactly did avoiding UPI help him save money? Let's break it down.

1. Reduced Online Food Orders: More Home-Cooked Meals

One of the first noticeable changes was in his food expenses. With no UPI, the convenience of ordering from food delivery apps was gone, which meant fewer impulse orders. Instead, Manav found himself eating more home-cooked meals, leading to both financial and health benefits.

2. Cut Down on Grocery & Daily Essentials Costs

Another major spending area was online grocery shopping. Since ordering online often comes with premium pricing, extra delivery charges, and unnecessary bulk purchases, avoiding UPI meant he had to visit physical stores. This not only helped him control impulse buys but also made him go out more, adding to his overall well-being.

3. Stopped Unnecessary Online Shopping

Scrolling through fashion sales and ordering clothes that weren't really needed was a habit that came to a halt. Without the ease of UPI, Manav was forced to rethink his purchases, leading to a more mindful shopping approach. He even rediscovered forgotten clothes in his wardrobe, realizing that he already had many items he thought he needed.

4. The Psychological Impact of Spending Cash

Perhaps the most surprising revelation was the mindset shift when using cash instead of digital payments. Manav noticed that physical cash felt more valuable, making him more cautious about spending.
Unlike UPI or card transactions, where money leaves an account without any tangible loss, cash payments create a real-time awareness of money leaving your hands. This simple switch significantly curbed impulse purchases.

Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DEFXaVfhB6J/

While digital payments are convenient, they also make spending effortless and often mindless. Manav's experience proves that sometimes, going back to cash-based transactions can help in controlling expenses and making smarter financial decisions.

Would you try quitting UPI for a month to see if it helps you save money? Let us know your thoughts!