Highlights:
- Indian-American woman shares disciplined spending habits despite high income
- Avoids luxury handbags and questions their practicality
- Does not buy dupes, citing higher long-term costs
- Stays away from fast fashion brands due to quality concerns
- Prefers home-cooked meals over frequent dining and daily coffee
An Indian-origin woman based in the United States has shared insights into her financial habits, revealing five things she chooses not to spend money on despite earning a combined household income of $250,000 annually.
Shivee Chauhan, a Senior Examiner at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and a former Wall Street executive, often shares content on Instagram about life as an immigrant, motherhood, and financial responsibility. In a recent video, she described herself as a 'financially responsible adult' and a 'working mother' while outlining her spending choices.
“These are the five things that I do not spend my money on as a financially responsible adult,” Chauhan said before listing them.
First, she explained that she does not invest in multiple luxury handbags. Questioning their utility, she said, “What are you putting in it? Where are you going with it? And what is so important that it requires a $3,000 bag?” She added that many designer bags often end up sitting unused on shelves.
Second, Chauhan said she avoids buying 'dupes,' or cheaper alternatives to luxury items. While acknowledging that they may work for others, she said they do not make financial sense for her. “So now I have spent money twice. Dupes don’t save me money. They are going to cost me more,” she explained.
When it comes to grooming, Chauhan shared that she does not spend money on professional hair removal services. Instead, she has been using an epilator for the past 10 years.
Her fourth decision is to stay away from fast fashion brands. She revealed that she has not purchased anything from brands like Zara, H&M, or Forever 21 in the last three years. According to her, the quality does not justify the cost, as such clothes often do not last.
Finally, Chauhan said she avoids spending money on average dining experiences. While she enjoys going out for special occasions or exceptional meals, she does not believe in spending on everyday coffee or routine lunches. “But buying coffee every single day? And lunch that is just average? That is just no,” she said.
Instead, she prefers eating at home, where she can monitor her nutrition and reduce waste, reinforcing her approach to mindful and intentional spending.
