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Living Alone Taught Me More About Money Than Any Class Ever Did
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Guest Blogger Mansi More

In this special guest blog, Sammy Rabbit is proud to showcase the journey and insights of Mansi More.

Mansi Rupesh More is an IT engineering undergraduate from Savitribai Phule Pune University with a growing interest in technology, research, and personal development. She has contributed as a Global Changemaker at FinMango, a published researcher, and a web development intern, while also building a thoughtful presence through her newsletter and blog. Mansi is driven by a simple idea: that everyday experiences—whether in a hostel room or a hackathon—can shape lifelong skills. She writes and builds with the intent to stay curious, aware, and impact-focused.

Discover more about Mansi and her aspirations on LinkedIn: Mansi More

Freedom Has a Price Tag

When I moved out for college, I thought I was stepping into freedom.

No curfews.
No one asking, “Where are you going?”
No rules—just independence.

But no one warned me that freedom comes with a price tag.

And sometimes, that price looked like a ₹20 chai... or a ₹50 auto ride... or a ₹300 plan I didn’t want—but said yes to anyway.

It wasn’t just about getting used to hostel life.

It was about learning how money really works—and more importantly, how I work with money.

That’s when I realized: I hadn’t just moved out of my house.
I had enrolled in Real-Life Financial Survival 101.

Here are the 5 biggest lessons I learned—not from a professor, but from my own wallet.

Lesson 1: Budgeting Isn’t Just for Adults—It’s for Anyone Without Unlimited Money

In my first month on campus, I wasn’t spending wildly.

But I wasn’t spending wisely either.

A chai here. A snack there.
“Let’s split the cab.” “Let’s order in.”

And suddenly, it was mid-month—and I was flat broke.

That’s when I did something I never thought I’d do at 19:
I made a Google Sheet and started tracking every rupee.

Not because I had a ton of money, but because I couldn’t afford not to.

And guess what? I wasn’t “cutting down.”
I was choosing consciously.

Lesson 2: Saying “I’m on a Budget” Isn’t Awkward—It’s Empowering

At first, I felt weird saying no to plans.

I didn’t want to seem boring. Or broke.

But over time, I realized:
Being honest about your limits is strong—not shameful.

Saying “I can’t afford that this week” didn’t make me less fun.
It made me more self-aware.

And something interesting happened—others started saying it too.

We planned smarter. We respected boundaries.
And we found joy in chai breaks and card games instead of expensive outings.

Turns out, financial honesty isn’t isolating.
It’s actually magnetic.

Lesson 3: It’s the Little Leaks That Sink the Ship

No one talks about the sneaky stuff.

The ₹30 snack. The ₹80 coffee. The ₹50 ride.

One day, they seem harmless.
By the end of the month, they’re the reason you’re stressed at the ATM.

Living alone made me ask:
“Is this helping me—or is it just habit?”
“Is this comfort—or just convenience?”

That one question saved me time, energy, and most importantly—self-respect.

Lesson 4: Emotional Spending Is Still Spending

What I learned about money was really a lesson about me.

Why did I order food when I wasn’t hungry?
Why did I shop when I was stressed?
Why did I say yes to things I couldn’t afford?

Money mirrors your emotional world.

Learning to budget also meant learning to pause.
To reflect.
To ask myself:
“Am I spending out of intention—or emotion?”

Lesson 5: You Don’t Need a Paycheck to Be Smart With Money

Most people think financial literacy starts with your first job.

I think it starts the moment you stop saying,
“It’s just ₹50.”

Managing ₹5,000 responsibly taught me more than any course.

It helped me:

Track my spending

Prioritize what matters

Say “no” with confidence

Value simplicity over showing off

And I did all of that—before ever earning a rupee.

Final Reflection: Real Growth Starts With Small Choices

We expect big life lessons to come with big moments.

But growth starts quietly.

It begins when you say no to a plan you can’t afford.
When you pause before spending.
When you track ₹5,000 not because it’s a lot—but because it matters.

Sometimes, growth looks like a skipped chai, a messy wallet, or a Google Sheet.

That’s how it began for me—in a hostel room, learning to take responsibility for myself.

Not because I had everything figured out.
But because I was finally paying attention.

And honestly, that’s the kind of education no classroom ever gave me.

What’s a money lesson you’ve learned from living alone or on campus?

Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear your story.
Let’s learn from each other, one small choice at a time.

Connect with our Featured Guest Blogger

To learn more about Mansi, connect with her on LinkedIn: Mansi More

Attention Young Leaders

We welcome and invite you to participate in Sammy's 'Be the Change' financial literacy initiative for college and high school students.

(1) Join peers advancing awareness on the importance of early age, youth, and family financial education by having your journey into financial literacy featured as a Sammy Rabbit Guest Blogger.

(2) Then volunteer as a Sammy Rabbit Ambassador or Intern championing financial literacy in your community and around the globe! Learn more in these blogs or by CONTACTING Team Sammy today! We welcome your questions and suggestions on Sammy Rabbit and his mission to get kids, families & communities financially literate.

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