‘I’m obviously wearing very expensive things, but…’: When Kajol explained why she skips designer bags; what her money mindset can teach us

When Johar asked about the cost of each parcel, Devgn replied, “500, 700, 1200 — She’ll say, ‘See this is so nice, and it is only for 600!’, and then she will buy it.”

At this point in the conversation, Kajol chipped in and said, “For events and public appearances, I’m obviously wearing very expensive things, but for me I feel I should be comfortable in what I wear. I would rather put my money in a fixed deposit (FD), than spending it on something that is really expensive, that’s going to have no return. Turning to Devgn, she said, “And you should be bloody grateful for it as well,” to which he replied, “I am.”

 

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How can you adopt Kajol’s money mindset?

“Automating your investments is a step forward for achieving financial freedom. Allocate a portion of your paycheck, as soon as it comes, to your investment portfolio. Investing money is always preferable to not doing so—it’s the simplest way to reclaim your time,” Aparna Mundani, CFA, associate vice-president at PeakAlpha Investments told indianexpress.com.

Mundani stressed on the importance of mindset over mere spending reduction: “Conscious and intentional spending habits are key to curbing unnecessary expenses. For impulse buys, consider letting items sit in your cart for a week before revisiting them, ensuring you truly need them,” she added.

Mukesh Pandey, Director of Rupyaa Paisa added that shifting to a “save-and-invest-first” mindset helps you build assets, reduce financial stress, and ultimately afford a lifestyle backed by security, not just appearance.

In the world that celebrates influencer culture and posts about luxury lifestyles, it is easy to get trapped in the spend-first-and-save-later mentality. “Designer goods, fancy gadgets, and high-end experiences can provide instant gratification, but they hardly offer a guarantee of long-term security. To build a healthy money mindset means doing the opposite: saving and investing first, then spending with intention,” he said.

Why? Because freedom isn’t bought with gaudy purchases, but discipline. “When you prioritise saving and investing, you’re not depriving yourself—you’re empowering your future,” added Pandey. According to him, a strong money mindset helps you resist impulse buying, forces you to choose intentional spending, and puts you on the road toward opportunity or emergency preparation.