Once upon a time, money was nothing. Today, it is everything. Things are so expensive, even a teddy bear costs Rs 450.

My husband gives me a fixed amount for the house every month. Whether I save or not is my business. But, for instance, when I thought I needed my own car, I paid for it. So also my mobile, etc.

Once, I was mad about jewellery. Not anymore. Now I think it's a waste. And anyway, nowadays in Mumbai you can't do all this. Otherwise, even I will start getting calls.

I love spending on clothes though. Not sarees, only salwar kameez. And phirans from Kashmir. If I had a million dollars I would blow it on clothes and perfumes.

Between the two of us, I am more money savvy, my husband justblows it all. And he spoils our daughter a lot. He doesn't even keep an account of his money. We do discuss matters, but finally, I take my own decisions.

Even so, I am definitely a spendthrift. For Barood I remember, I'd get paid Rs 1,500 a month, and I'd spend it on perfumes and shows. I prefer investing in bank deposits. I think it's safer. These days money really matters. And Mumbai is an expensive city - food, medicines, conveyance. If you don't have money, no one bothers about you. I have seen this first hand, when I had stopped working after marriage. At that same time, it so happened that my husband's business wasn't doing too well. 1992-94 was a period when both of us were without work. And no one was there to help us in our hard times. Earlier, before my marriage, I'd give anyone whatever they asked for. But now, especially after my daughter was born, I have become more careful, started saving for her. People don't like that I have stopped being so free with my `giving'; they pass all sorts ofcomments, but I don't care. I have seen really hard times.

--As told to Punam Mohandas