What if the biggest expense in your monthly budget is also the one that makes your life easier? For most working people, rent is something to reduce wherever possible. But one Gurgaon woman’s approach is different. She has decided that saving money is not the only thing she wants from her salary.Her choice has caught attention online because it goes against the usual advice of keeping housing costs low. She knows her decision comes with a high price, but believes the benefits make it worthwhile.
Her rent takes up more than half her salary
Shakti Dharni Pandey, who works at a school in Gurgaon, spoke about her housing choice in an Instagram video.She lives in a spacious 1RK located around four minutes from the school. Because of the short distance, she said she can go home during class breaks, have lunch and complete pending work.“More than 50% of my salary goes into my rent, and I am not going to change it. Hi, my name is Shakti, and I work in a school in Gurgaon. I live in a spacious 1RK that is just a 4-minute walking distance from this school. And though I’m able to come home during class breaks, have a piping hot lunch, and complete my pending work, it costs me way too much. More than half of my school salary goes into rent every single month, which anyone would call a completely bad decision financially,” she said.
She turned down cheaper housing
Pandey said she had the option of finding a cheaper home by moving farther away from her workplace.“I had the option of moving far from the school and getting a place for quite cheap. I also had the option of going just a little bit further away and getting a house in a cheaper locality. But I choose this instead of saving money because, from here, I am saving my peace, my energy, and my time,” she added.She said this choice also means she does not have to spend long hours travelling between home and work.
She wants to use her time differently
Pandey said the time she gets back from avoiding a long commute gives her the chance to focus on other parts of her life.“I don’t have to rush in the morning to get ready. I don’t have to be in an auto or Metro for long hours to reach home. I also don’t have to spend any money on commuting, though it doesn’t compensate for the rent. But the thing is, rather than saving money and putting it in some SIP, I am putting my 20s money on myself. I am making my adulting easier,” she said.According to her, the extra time and energy help her learn new skills, create videos and focus on her mental peace. She also said her side income has helped compensate for the higher rent.
‘That’s what I am paying this rent for’
Pandey said the amount she spends is connected to more than the accommodation itself.“It’s not the rent I am paying more than 50% of my salary for; it is saving my time, feeling safe and calm, and preserving energy to work on things I want to work on. That’s what I am paying this rent for. And I am not going to change it,” she concluded.She shared the video with the caption, “Will you do something like this?”
Internet reacts
The post received mixed responses. Some users agreed with her decision and said that personal time and peace can be worth the additional expense.One user wrote, “Peace of mind is worth the extra rent.”Another said, “Time is money too.”A third commented, “Sometimes quality of life matters more than savings.”However, one user disagreed with the choice, writing, “More than 50% on rent is still too much.”Disclaimer: The views expressed in the social media post are those of the individual and have not been independently verified by The Times of India. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication.Thumb image: Instagram
