Come 25th and you are pinching pennies. Suddenly every single rupee counts. The cutting chais and the cigarette breaks are postponed until next month. And entertainment? Well being a couch potato was never so fun!

Track your expenditure

Easier said than done? Yes. Maintain a daily excel sheet or a notebook and write every expense down religiously, even the minor ones. That includes buying the cute looking earring at the spur of the moment. This log book will help you identify the recurring areas where you tend to spend the money most.

Budget

Figure out how much you absolutely need per day and carry only that much. Calculate a reasonable amount that you need a month (include loans and EMIs and credit card bills) and don't deviate from that amount as far as possible.

Transport woes

An average car fuel bill would come to 12k a month. Suddenly, walking or taking the public transport doesn't seem so bad, does it? Avoid the car for small distances; if it's not exactly walkable, take a rick or an AC bus. And if it's absolutely essential, then go the carpool way.

Trivials don't count

Unused gym membership? Cancel it! Newspapers that you NEVER read? Stop them. There are a zillion more hidden costs that just suck up your moolah. Find and chuck them from your list.

Small sums add up to big numbers

Invest every month. Even if it is as small an amount as 1000 bucks. The interest or the profit that your invested money makes will be more than enough for you to enjoy your luxuries in the long run. Make sure to keep at least 20% of your monthly salary for investments and emergencies.

Entertainment Ltd.

Clubbing is cool. It is mighty expensive as well. An average clubber shells out a neat 2500 each night out. Not exactly the best spending pattern for three times a week. Daily lattes, cafeteria lunches, popcorn-samosa-pepsi-nachos-french fries at movie halls - all of them add up to an obscene amount. Cut down the snacking by half and watch the savings pile.

A month of these pointers and your month-ends will never be cash strapped. That's our word for your money!