Broke by Month-End? These 5 CA-Approved Moves Will Save Your Salary and Keep You Afloat

If your bank account is always gasping for air before the next paycheck hits, you’re not alone. Chartered Accountant Nitin Kaushik (@Finance_Bareek) recently shared a thread on X (formerly Twitter) that’s quickly gaining traction among young professionals struggling to save money from their monthly salary.

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CA Nitin Kaushik’s practical guidelines were inspired from the experiences of one his clients - a 29-year-old tech professional earning ₹1.2 lakh per month but perpetually broke, with no emergency fund or savings to show for his high income. Instead of recommending another complicated app or endless spreadsheets, Kaushik crafted a direct, no-frills five-step plan that anyone can use.

1. Rename Your Salary Buckets (Before You Spend It)

The first step is to assign every rupee a job, even before it lands in your account. CA Nitin suggests treating your income like a team of employees, where each one needs clear instructions.

Once your salary is credited, divide it into easy-to-follow buckets:

50% for living expenses,

20% for savings

20% for investments or your ‘freedom fund,’

10% for guilt-free fun.

This structure gives instant clarity and takes just a few minutes of thought, but it saves you from a month full of regret over impulsive spending. By thinking about your priorities upfront, you can avoid running out of cash before the month is over.

2. Automate Before Temptation Kicks In

The classic trap is to wait until month-end and “see what’s left to save.” According to CA Nitin, that ideology never works; there's barely anything left by the time you realize it.

The solution is automation: set up auto-debit mandates for SIPs or mutual fund investments, push your designated savings to a separate account, and let these systems impose discipline for you. Automating savings and investments as soon as the salary comes in helps you sidestep the temptation to spend what should have been saved.

3. Create a “Spending Freezer” Account

The third step is to make savings untouchable. Open a dedicated “not for spending” account with no UPI, no debit card, and no easy access. Set up automatic transfers, then forget about it. “When savings are out of sight, they’re also out of swipe” - removing all urges (and freedom) to dip into them for impulse purchases.

4. Define Your WHY Behind Saving

Vague goals don’t inspire lasting action, but emotional, concrete ones do. CA Nitin advises linking each savings goal to something deeply motivating, such as ₹5 lakh for peace of mind in emergencies, ₹20 lakh in three years to escape a toxic job, or ₹10 crore in fifteen years to achieve early retirement and freedom.

By attaching emotion to each financial goal, you’ll find it easier to stay consistent, even when spending temptations pop up.

5. Track Just ONE Number Every Week

Forget tracking every tiny expense. Kaushik recommends focusing on just one question: “How much did I save this week?” This keeps the process simple and sustainable, because building wealth is about making saving a habit, not a one-time event.

What is the take away ? You’re not poor, you just need a smarter, more mindful approach to handling your salary, and these CA-approved moves can help you (and us) to finally keep the finances afloat all month long.

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