Why and How to Avoid Useless Expenses this Diwali

Why and How to Avoid Useless Expenses This Diwali – A Nature Lover’s Perspective  October 2025

Diwali, the festival of lights, is a time for joy, togetherness, and celebration. But for many, it also becomes a season of overspending driven by social pressure, impulse buying, and the desire to make everything “perfect.” Diwali is just around the corner, and like many, you might feel that familiar pull to indulge in the festive shopping spree ; new clothes, extravagant gifts, elaborate decorations, and indulgent sweets. After all, it’s the season of celebration and abundance. But before you get swept up in the glitter and glow of the festivities, take a pause. Ask yourself: What happens after the lights go out?

• As someone who has spent years in the corporate world as a CFO, I’ve seen firsthand how easy it is to overspend and then face the regret of unwise financial decisions. The good news? It doesn’t have to be this way. You don’t need to buy happiness ; and you certainly don’t need to burden yourself (and the planet) with needless waste.
• Let this Diwali be a celebration of light in your home, your heart, and your choices. Spend wisely, celebrate sustainably, and embrace the true spirit of the festival.
• This reflection is for anyone who ends up with buyer’s remorse after the festival ; closets overflowing with barely-worn clothes, cheap plastic décor filling landfills, and unused gifts collecting dust. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too. Here’s what I’ve learned.

The Festive Guilt: It’s Real :

The problem isn’t just the money spent ; it’s the aftertaste of guilt. When the diyas fade and the celebrations end, we’re left staring at piles of unused decorations and clothes that serve little purpose beyond the festival. The environmental cost is even heavier: plastic waste, excessive packaging, and single-use items that pollute our planet. So why does this happen every year? Simple ; social pressure. The urge to spend and “outshine” others during Diwali is powerful. But what if we could break this cycle?

Why Avoid Useless Expenses?

• Financial Stress: Post-Diwali regret often stems from unplanned purchases — clothes never worn, gifts never used, and decorations tossed after one use.
• Environmental Impact: Plastic décor, synthetic packaging, and disposable items contribute to pollution and landfill waste.
• Emotional Guilt: The joy of celebration fades when it’s followed by clutter, waste, and financial anxiety.

Simple Steps to Avoid Useless Expenses This Diwali

Create a Firm Budget (and Stick to It) 

Start by setting a clear, realistic budget ; for clothes, gifts, food, and decorations. Write it down and make it non-negotiable. People who plan their spending are far less likely to overshoot it. No impulse buys, no guilt later ; just mindful celebration.

Question Every Purchase

Before buying anything, pause and ask: “Do I really need this, or am I just caught in the festive rush?” This one question can save both money and waste. Opt for sustainable or reusable decorations. Choose quality over quantity ; one well-made, meaningful item is better than ten disposable ones.

Prioritize Experiences Over Things

Diwali memories aren’t made from shopping bags ; they’re built from laughter, love, and shared experiences. Cook together. Light diyas with family. Play games. Share sweets with neighbors. These priceless moments create warmth that no purchase can replicate

Avoid the Comparison Trap

Your neighbor’s grand Diwali party doesn’t define your happiness. Everyone celebrates differently, and that’s okay. Don’t measure your joy by someone else’s scale. A simple, heartfelt celebration is often far richer in meaning than a lavish one.

Gift Yourself Peace of Mind

Perhaps the most valuable gift this Diwali is peace of mind ; knowing you’ve celebrated responsibly without draining your finances or harming the planet. Say no to plastic. Say yes to mindfulness. Your future self (and Mother Earth) will thank you.

Key Takeaway  

As a nature lover and someone with financial expertise, I invite you to rethink how we celebrate not just for your wallet, but for the planet. This Diwali, let’s rewrite the story. Celebrate grandly ; but wisely. Spend meaningfully, not mindlessly. When we align our choices with both our wallet and the environment, we make the festival truly radiant ; not just for ourselves, but for the world around us. Let’s light up our lives ; without dimming our planet’s future. & Let this be the year we celebrate Diwali with purpose, gratitude, and peace. After all, isn’t that what Diwali is really about ; bringing light into our lives and our choices alike?