In a viral Instagram post, Arushi Garg, a 23-year-old engineer at JPMorgan Chase, shared her monthly living expenses in Bengaluru, which total between ₹30,000 and ₹35,000. Her largest expense is rent, costing ₹17,000, followed by household help at ₹2,000 and groceries at ₹5,000. Dining out and shopping further contribute to her financial outlay, with dining expenses ranging from ₹3,000 to ₹6,000 and shopping costs between ₹3,000 and ₹7,000. Garg's post has sparked a lively debate online, with many users expressing that her spending reflects the financial pressures faced by young professionals in expensive urban centers like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and New Delhi. Chartered accountant Meenal Goel emphasized that high income does not guarantee wealth accumulation, as many individuals struggle to save due to rising living costs, a phenomenon known as lifestyle inflation. She noted that expenses can quickly consume income, leaving little room for savings, which is a critical issue for many in the city.