YOLO vs Savings: Radhika Gupta Explains Her 10-30-50 Rule to Balance Fun and Future Wealth

For today’s generation, one of the toughest financial dilemmas is clear: should you spend freely and enjoy life now, or save aggressively to secure the future? The debate between YOLO (You Only Live Once) and savings has always existed, but Edelweiss Asset Management Company (AMC) CEO Radhika Gupta has offered a refreshing and practical perspective. Through her “10-30-50 Investing Rule,” she explains how young professionals can enjoy their present without compromising on tomorrow.

The Classic Dilemma: Live Today or Save for Tomorrow?

Gupta recently addressed this issue in a detailed social media post, highlighting how countless young earners often feel stuck between spending and saving. Many confess they don’t know where to start, how much to invest, or which financial product to choose.

She opened her note with a relatable question: “How do you balance living in the moment with preparing for the future?” According to Gupta, this is not a new-age problem—it’s something every generation has faced.

She recalled an example from her family: even before Instagram or lifestyle-driven social media, her father once spent a significant portion of his salary buying music records instead of saving. Similarly, today’s youth find themselves debating between attending a Coldplay concert or adding more to their investment account.

The answer, she says, is not choosing one over the other, but learning the art of balance.

The 10-30-50 Rule: A Framework for Every Stage of Life

Drawing from her book “Mango Millionaire”, Gupta shared a simple but powerful framework—her 10-30-50 Rule. The idea is that saving goals should evolve with age:

• In your 20s: Save at least 10% of your income. Even if that feels difficult, start with 1%. The amount matters less than building the habit of saving early.

• In your 30s: Step it up to 30% savings. This is the decade when life goals—like buying a home, raising a family, or funding big dreams—become more serious.

• In your 40s: Push savings to 50% of your income. By this time, most professionals are at their peak earning potential, making it the best opportunity to build long-term wealth.

Gupta’s message is clear: financial discipline grows with age, and starting early ensures you never feel deprived later.

Savings Deducted at Source: A Smarter Approach

One of the biggest complaints from young earners is that saving feels too difficult. To this, Gupta offers a simple comparison: just like taxes are deducted at source, savings should be automated too.

She calls it SDS (Savings Deducted at Source)—a system where a portion of your salary is directly moved into SIPs, recurring deposits, or fixed deposits before you even see it in your account. This way, savings become a non-negotiable habit, just like paying taxes.

Fun and Finance Can Coexist

Importantly, Gupta emphasizes that saving money does not mean giving up on fun. In her words: “You can enjoy life and still build your financial future. You can buy that designer handbag and still save for your startup idea. That’s the real flex, Gen Z.”

Her philosophy is not about extreme sacrifices but about finding harmony—living well today while still securing tomorrow.

Mango Millionaire: Finance Made Simple

Gupta, along with co-author Niranjan Awasthi, wrote Mango Millionaire to simplify personal finance for beginners. Unlike traditional finance books filled with complex theories, it focuses on practical, relatable money habits that young earners can actually implement. The aim is to make financial planning accessible, not intimidating.

Final Word

The YOLO vs Savings debate doesn’t need to leave you stressed. With simple frameworks like the 10-30-50 rule and tools such as automated savings, young professionals can strike the right balance between enjoying life and planning for the future.

As Gupta reminds us, it’s not about choosing between living today or saving for tomorrow—it’s about doing both, smartly.