For many people, cutting fuel costs, cooking meals at home, and avoiding unnecessary spending are considered smart ways to keep household expenses under control. But one Pune family's monthly budget is challenging those assumptions. Despite living what many would consider a relatively practical lifestyle, a working couple says they spend around Rs 2.2 lakh every month. Their detailed breakdown has sparked discussions online about rising living costs, lifestyle inflation, and what it really takes to run a family in an urban Indian city.The conversation began when Pune resident Smriti Singh shared a video on Instagram explaining her family's monthly expenses. Singh revealed that both she and her husband are working professionals and are raising a young son.According to Singh, their spending often surprises people because they cook their own food and do not spend money on petrol thanks to owning an electric vehicle. Yet their monthly expenses still add up to approximately Rs 2.2 lakh.Budget breakdownOne of the highest recurring costs in their budget is housing. The family pays Rs 28,000 every month in rent. However, rent is not their biggest financial commitment. Singh explained that because she works from home, she sends her son to daycare for four to five hours each day. The daycare expense is around Rs 30,000 per month.Daily household necessities also account for a significant portion of their budget. Groceries, including milk and other essentials, cost roughly Rs 20,000 every month. The family also allocates money for leisure and dining. According to Singh, eating out at restaurants costs them around Rs 15,000 monthly. In addition, they spend approximately Rs 3,000 on food delivery through online apps. Shopping is another regular expense. Singh said the family spends around Rs 10,000 every month on purchases, including items for their young son.While some utility costs remain relatively modest, others have increased. Their internet bill stands at about Rs 500 per month. Electricity expenses, however, reach approximately Rs 6,000 monthly, which Singh attributed to Pune's hot weather and increased power consumption. The family also employs domestic help, paying their maid a monthly salary of Rs 1,800.The biggest expense by far is their home loan repayment. Singh revealed that she and her husband pay an EMI of Rs 1.1 lakh every month for a flat, making it the single largest component of their monthly outgo. She ended her video by asking if she is overspending or if it's the new normal.Internet reactsInternet users had mixed reactions to the family's monthly expense breakdown. One user pointed out that an EMI of Rs 1.1 lakh likely meant the couple had purchased a property worth around Rs 1.65 crore or more, adding that the Rs 3,000 spent on food delivery and the Rs 6,000 summer electricity bill seemed reasonable. Another commenter was surprised by the maid's salary of just Rs 1,800, saying they pay around Rs 7,000 for cooking, Rs 5,000 for cleaning, and another Rs 1,500 for bathroom cleaning. A third user questioned why the family was paying both rent and a hefty EMI, while also noting that spending Rs 15,000 on dining out, Rs 3,000 on food delivery, and Rs 20,000 on groceries made it appear they "hardly cook at home" despite claiming otherwise.