Until now I thought I had to think only about life but now it seems I have to think about after death budget too
Today one US$ is approximately equal to current ₹90 of India. @lavani had envisaged the figures for US resident. But the computation involves almost those elements plus some more for resident from other nations including India and her metros.
@Thyagarajan Sir, the amount mentioned is for monthly expenses. Isn't it? If I convert it as it is then I don't think I would be able to afford it at all Is it possible for you to simplify it in Indian currencies for better understanding of people like me? Please.
In India and in its cities the problem of burial is not as grave as in Japan and some other small nation. However experience of a few in Chennai that speed money required to schedule burial in good time and also to obtain certificates of death from authorities!
Simplification :- I could think of listing all kinds of expenses for each calendar month in excel including income tax cumulative total of The would give you the annual expenses. Assume average annual inflation of around 6%. Multiply cumulative total by 1.06. The figure arrived at divide by 12. That is the money in Rs required per month of expenses. This is assuming your kids are in school or college and they are not contributing for your expenses. Another assumption is total family members fixed. No addition or deletion. Second method is - I could think of savings bank pass book. Entire calendar months income and debits available there. Total annual income and total expenses at your finger tips.
Money matters. It is undeniably important for building a comfortable, dignified, and peaceful life. But money alone has never been enough to make a life truly happy. I learned this through my own journey. When my grandmother passed away, our family was at the lowest point financially. No one came to check on us. No one offered help or even a kind word. We felt abandoned, invisible, and completely alone. A decade later, when my father died, our financial status had improved. That time, the entire community gathered around us. Their presence brought us comfort—even if some came out of obligation. That, too, was the magic of money. Today, we are in a place where we can call ourselves “comfortable”, Maybe even wealthy by some standards. But when my husband fell sick recently, and we were waiting anxiously for his test results, not knowing how serious it was, our bank balance meant nothing. We were at one of the best hospitals, in the most comfortable room, yet I couldn’t sleep, eat, or even sit still. My children and family were shattered. We cried in an air-conditioned room — but pain is pain. In that moment, money was just paper. People say happiness comes from self-love, and it does. But we are social beings. We cannot exist in happiness without connection. For me, true happiness comes from understanding what I want. It took me 40 years to understand that clearly: A family of my own A home that feels like a nest A few people to call mine Cozy corners to rest and breathe A respected place in society — which requires discipline Appreciation that keeps me going And challenges from time to time that keep my fire alive To sustain this life I love, yes — I do need money. Money is the binding factor. It buys comfort, safety, and convenience. A Starlink connection kept me close to my family during Cyclone Ditwah when the whole country lost communication. Our generator and solar panels kept us going when the rest of Sri Lanka endured power cuts and water shortages. These comforts made life easier, but they did not erase the fear of losing everything when we stuck in the flood before moving to our residence. In that moment, both I and the man begging on the roadside along with hundred others felt the same relief, the same gratitude for being alive. That is the truth about money: It can give comfort, but not meaning. It can buy luxury, but not peace. It can build a beautiful life — but never replace the people or moments that make life worth living.
OP has after reading few feedback wished she had titled the thread differently. Instead of happiness she had suggested to read it as freedom. I.e. lots of money means freedom for woman!
May be true for some, but not the case for others. We have seen women in golden cage. Cases like Rithanya in Tamil Nadu is a proof that money has got nothing to do with happiness or freedom, as that girl had endured violence, committed suicide but travelled in a brand new car to her suicide spot.
Despite dowry of 100 sovereigns of gold (Jewellery) and Rs 70 lakhs worth Volvo car, she could find neither happiness nor freedom. Hitler woman & Rithanya both were unhappy. Sorry state of affairs of marriage culture in India.
that was just a template. you cannot translate 1 to 1 . for example. if you stay in newyork city. or jersey city in nj. you do not need a car. but house ownership is tricky . so cost comes to rentals . that is very personal decision. please use the idea and think on it and document.
