India TV News- Delhi woman Sadaf has been UPI-free for over two months, opting to use cash for most of her daily expenses.
- Sadaf stated that using cash made her more aware of her spending habits and helped curb impulse purchases.
- She plans to continue using cash for most transactions, stating, "Overall I am not going back to using UPI full time".
- Sadaf explained that digital payments often made small purchases feel insignificant, leading to unrecognized total spending.
- She noted that small purchases could quickly add up to around ₹1,000 without feeling like a major expense.
- Sadaf keeps approximately 80 per cent of her money in cash and 20 per cent available through UPI for convenience.
- She acknowledged that using cash can be inconvenient at times, especially when exact change is not available.
A Delhi woman, Sadaf, has gained attention for her decision to stop using UPI payments for over two months, opting instead for cash to manage her spending.
In a viral Instagram post, she detailed how this shift has transformed her budgeting habits. “The biggest difference is that I’m way more conscious of my spending now,” Sadaf explained. “UPI makes it so easy to make five small payments, and it doesn’t feel like much. For example, I get three coffees, one snack, and suddenly I have spent a thousand rupees without even realising it.”
By using cash, Sadaf feels a stronger connection to her spending. “Every time I hand over a Rs 500 note, I feel the money leaving my wallet. I know how much I spent, how much is left with me,” she said. This awareness has significantly reduced her impulse purchases and simplified her budgeting process, as she no longer needs to check banking apps constantly.
Despite the benefits, Sadaf acknowledges the challenges of relying solely on cash. “My bill is Rs 470, and I only have a Rs 500 note. The shopkeeper does not have Rs 80 in cash, nor do I,” she noted, indicating that she still uses UPI for convenience in certain situations. Currently, she maintains an 80:20 approach, keeping 80% of her money in cash and 20% available for digital payments.4
The video has sparked mixed reactions online, with some users agreeing that cash payments promote mindfulness about spending, while others highlight the growing preference for digital transactions among businesses.
“Overall I am not going back to using UPI full time. This experiment has genuinely changed the way I spend money,” Sadaf concluded, expressing her commitment to this new approach.
“Sadaf now keeps roughly 80% of her money in cash and 20% in UPI, reserving digital payments for situations like a ₹470 bill when shopkeepers lack change. Her viral video drew mixed reactions, with supporters saying cash makes spending tangible and others noting many businesses and even cash-accepting shops push UPI.”
