A Bengaluru-based woman’s breakdown of her monthly “Gen Z expenses” has led to a broader debate on spending habits, self-care, and differences between generations.

Shradha Saini, a 22-year-old woman living alone in Bengaluru, posted a video on Instagram explaining how she spends approximately ₹25,000 every month on personal well-being and lifestyle choices.

Also Read | Do you know which city is the world’s most polluted? It’s in India, but not Delhi

Self-care, therapy, and ‘aesthetic living’

Saini lists out her monthly expenses, beginning with small pleasures. “I buy myself flowers 2-3 times every month. That comes to around ₹2,000,” she says.

A major part of Saini’s expenses is dedicated to therapy. “I take therapy for my mental well-being. That’s a non-negotiable for me and costs about ₹10,000 a month,” she says.

Another part of her routine involves weekly solo dates. “I plan a brunch date for myself every Sunday. This comes to around ₹2,000 spent every month,” she reveals. Grooming and relaxing also find a place in her budget. As revealed by Saini, massages and pedicures set her back by ₹5,000 every month.

Another ₹3,000 is spent on nail appointments. Additionally, she sets aside ₹1,000 for what she calls "aesthetic things" and ₹2,000 for journals and planners to aid self-reflection. In her explanation of her spending habits, she reveals that these are "Gen Z expenses" and older generations did not spend on themselves.

Mixed reactions on social media

The video received different opinions from different people on social media platforms. Some people were in support of the actions she took, with some stating that therapy and self-care are important investments for a person. One comment on the video read, “People should spend more on themselves.”

Also Read | Why is ‘lockdown’ trending again? What’s behind the sudden search spike in India

Some people also felt that she should not compare herself with other generations, with another comment on the video reading, “Millennials worked hard and did many of these things too—just differently.”

Some people also felt that therapy was costly, with others stating that they should not disregard the importance of therapy for a person's mental well-being. The issue has since grown beyond the video, with some people discussing how young professionals view money, self-care, and independence.