Episode 63: The Rent Receipt — When a Young Couple Chooses Location Over Logic and Ends Up in Loopholes
Series: Broken by Burden: Financial Survival Strategies for the Troubled Mind
Date: 28 Aug 2025
🎭 A Flat Full of Dreams, and Silent EMIs
Pranav and Sneha had been married just seven months. Both were in their late twenties and worked in Hyderabad’s booming tech corridor. Sneha, a data analyst. Pranav, a junior project manager. Their combined income hovered around ₹1.3 lakhs per month — decent for a young couple.
When they moved out of their respective PGs, they had a practical plan in place — a 1BHK in Kukatpally for ₹17,000 rent, closer to metro, with a modest balcony.
But then came a dinner invite to a friend’s housewarming in Hitec City — the 14th-floor flat had floor-to-ceiling windows, a co-working lounge in the basement, rooftop pool, and valet parking.
On the ride home, Sneha casually said,
“We work as hard as they do. Why can’t we live like that?”
Pranav chuckled,
“If we cut the savings a bit, maybe it’s manageable.”
That “maybe” cost them ₹42,000 per month in rent. Plus ₹6,000 in maintenance. Plus ₹3,000 for parking. Plus ₹1,800 for shared WiFi.
The new apartment was beautiful. But it didn’t come with peace.
🗣️ Conversations Behind Closed Doors
Scene: 11:30 PM, kitchen lights dim, Pranav and Sneha eating leftover noodles.
Sneha (stirring noodles silently):
“Do you realise we haven’t gone out for dinner in two months?”
Pranav (tired):
“I’m just trying to keep us from overdrawing the account every week.”
Sneha (quietly):
“I miss talking to you. We used to laugh more in that 1BHK.”
Pranav (pausing):
“I thought this place would make us feel successful. But all I feel is… anxious.”
Sneha (murmurs):
“I just wanted our home to look like the life we were trying to build.”
They both sat in silence. The kind of silence that didn’t need furniture or marble tiles to echo.
👥 Character Psychology
- Sneha, the first in her family to move to a metro, was raised in Bhilai. Her aspirations came wrapped in Pinterest boards and Instagram reels — elegant homes symbolized “made it.”
- Pranav, raised in a modest home in Vijayawada, valued frugality. He was okay with sacrificing comfort if it meant stability.
They loved each other deeply. But they were now living in a flat where the view was better than the vibes.
💡 What This Story Teaches Us
Too many young couples mistake aspirational living for affordable living. In cities where perception defines power, many quietly spiral into:
- Lifestyle Inflation: Upgrading living standards before upgrading stability.
- Emotional Drain: High rents don’t just exhaust wallets, they strain conversations.
- Hidden Costs: Fancy societies come with invisible bills — financially and relationally.
🛠️ Financial Strategies to Avoid the Trap
- Follow the 30% Rule:
Housing (including rent + maintenance) should not exceed 30% of your combined monthly income. - Prioritise Comfort Over Clout:
Ask yourself: Is this location solving a problem or feeding an ego? - Be Transparent With Your Partner:
Don’t avoid “money talks” — schedule monthly budget discussions like date nights. - Factor in All Costs Before Shifting:
Moving to a premium locality means:- Higher maid charges
- More social pressure
- Increased utility expectations
Always build a 20% buffer into your estimate.
🌱 Where They Are Now
After six months of stretched wallets and bruised egos, they made a decision over morning chai.
“Let’s find a place that fits us, not just our ambition,” Pranav said.
They moved into a ₹23,000 flat in Miyapur — smaller, older, but warmer. With ₹25,000 now saved monthly, they started their SIPs again and revived the joy of weekend movies and long drives.
“This house doesn’t impress anyone,” Sneha smiled.
“But we laugh here. That’s richer.”
Episode 64: The Widow’s Gold — When a Family Sells a Mother’s Jewellery to Clear a Son’s Credit Card Debt
In the next episode, a mother who once wore her wedding gold as memory now watches her bangles melt — just to rescue her son from the trap of reckless online shopping. Is love always supposed to pay the price?
⚠️ Disclaimer:
This blog series is intended for emotional and financial reflection. It is not a substitute for professional advice. If you or someone you know is facing emotional distress, debt-related trauma, or abuse, please consult a licensed mental health professional, legal advisor, or financial planner.
Names and scenarios are fictionalized to protect identities but are based on real stories and patterns in society.
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