Pratiksha Rai opens up about mindful spending, financial discipline, and the dangers of trend-driven consumerism.
From buying only what she needs to choosing travel over luxury gadgets, the actor urges long-term thinking.
In an age driven by instant gratification and trend-led consumption, actor Pratiksha Rai believes financial awareness is no longer optional, it’s essential. Known for her grounded outlook, Pratiksha speaks candidly about the importance of distinguishing needs from wants, the dangers of impulsive spending, and why mindful living is as much about the future as it is about the present. Through personal experiences and sharp observations, she advocates financial discipline, minimalism, and long-term thinking in a culture obsessed with the now.
Explaining how she differentiates between necessity and indulgence, Pratiksha shares that even her most expensive purchase was driven purely by professional need. “The only reason I bought an iPhone was because during COVID, auditions were happening from home and my earlier phone could not capture the required quality. It was a necessity for work. I don’t plan on buying another one anytime soon,” she says, underlining her practical approach to spending.
She goes on to address the risks of impulsive consumer choices, pointing out how appearances often mask financial instability. “I know people who cannot pay rent or school fees but own high-end phones and cars. People do not think about the future. What if tomorrow there is another COVID situation or a sudden emergency? In India, we do not talk enough about saving money or financial discipline,” Pratiksha observes.
For her, unchecked consumerism extends beyond personal finances and has serious environmental consequences as well. “People buy things they don’t need, phones, cars, clothes. All of this contributes to waste. Consumerism does not just affect our pockets. It affects the planet,” she says, calling attention to the larger impact of overconsumption.
When asked whether minimalism is a realistic lifestyle choice today, Pratiksha admits it isn’t easy. “The trend culture is so strong that even people in their 40s feel pressured to keep up,” she explains, highlighting how deeply consumer pressure is embedded across age groups.
According to Pratiksha, the real solution lies in early financial education. She strongly believes schools should equip children with practical life skills. “Schools should teach budgeting, emergency funds, smart spending. This knowledge can save lives. Children should learn the difference between assets and liabilities. A house is an asset. A car is a liability. A phone is a liability,” she says.
Sharing a personal example, Pratiksha reveals that her first international trip came only after years of disciplined saving. “I had a separate fund only for holidays. Travel boosts my mood and teaches me more than any trending item could. Instead of buying a 1.5 lakh phone, I saw another country,” she shares.
She ends on a reflective and cautionary note, urging people to rethink their priorities. “Consumerism is damaging our priorities. People are living entirely in the present and forgetting the future. Trends are temporary. Debt is not. We need to start thinking long term, not just about the next trending purchase,” Pratiksha concludes.
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