"Earn ₹30,000/month by simple typing work." Have you seen ads like this on Instagram or Telegram? As students, we are desperate for pocket money, and scammers know this. They target us with "Easy Money" offers to steal what little cash we have. In 2025, scams are getting smarter. Before you apply for any online job, read this list. If you see these red flags, RUN. 1. The "Registration Fee" Scam (Data Entry) This is the most common trap. The Pitch: "We will give you 100 pages of PDF to type. You will earn ₹20,000. Just pay ₹499 as a 'Security Deposit' or 'ID Card Fee'." The Reality: No genuine company asks you to pay them for a job. Once you pay the ₹499, they will block you. Rule: Never pay money to get a job. 2. The OLX "QR Code" Scam Trying to sell your old books or furniture online? Be careful. The Trick: The buyer says, "I am sending you money via Google Pay. Scan this QR code to receive it." The Rea...
"Where did my pocket money go?" If you check your UPI history, the answer is usually: Zomato, Swiggy, Canteen, and Chai.
Food is necessary, but it shouldn't eat up 70% of your budget. Many students think the only way to save money is to skip meals or eat Maggi every day. That is wrong (and unhealthy).
Here are 5 smart hacks to slash your food bill in half while still eating delicious meals.
1. The "Electric Kettle" Hack
If your hostel allows it, an electric kettle is your best friend.
Not just for water: You can boil eggs, make oatmeal, cook instant soup, and even make tea/coffee for a fraction of the canteen price.
Savings: Making coffee in your room costs ₹5. Buying it at the canteen costs ₹20. That’s a savings of ₹450 a month just on coffee.
2. Buy "Ready-to-Eat" Packs (But Smartly)
Don't order a ₹200 curry from a restaurant.
The Trick: Buy "MTR" or "Haldiram" ready-to-eat packets (Dal Makhani, Paneer) from D-Mart. They cost ₹80-₹100 and serve two people.
Split it: Share a packet with your roommate and buy 4 rotis from outside. Your dinner cost drops to ₹60 per person.
3. The "Tiffin Service" vs. Canteen
Canteen food is tasty but expensive (a-la-carte).
The Fix: Find a local "Tiffin Service" (Dabba). They usually charge ₹2,500 - ₹3,000 per month for lunch and dinner.
The Math: That comes down to ₹50 per meal. You cannot beat that price anywhere else. Plus, it is healthier "Ghar ka Khana."
4. Stop Buying Bottled Water
This is the silent budget killer.
The Cost: A ₹20 bottle every day = ₹600 per month.
The Fix: Buy a sturdy, reusable 1-liter bottle (Milton/Cello). Fill it up at the hostel water cooler or RO filter before you leave for class. It is free and eco-friendly.
5. Delete Food Apps (Or Disable Notifications)
Zomato and Swiggy are designed to make you hungry with notifications like "Biryani is calling you."
The Strategy: Delete the apps on weekdays (Mon-Fri). Re-install them only on weekends for a "Cheat Meal."
Result: You stop impulse ordering when you are bored.
Conclusion
Saving on food doesn't mean starving. It means being intentional. If you cook your own breakfast (Oats/Eggs) and use a Tiffin service for lunch, you will save enough money to actually enjoy a fancy dinner on the weekend without guilt.
Want more money for weekend parties?
Check out how to earn extra cash here: 👉
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