New Delhi, March 25 -- During the last ten days of every month is when the 'you-only-live-once' philosophy comes alive for many. Denting financial discipline built earlier, emotional and impulsive decisions take over.

While the assurance of an incoming salary fuels reckless choices, Nandini Dubey and her husband step into what they call their "no-buy period."

This means cutting out non-essential spends-impulsive dinners, movies, even late-night online shopping.

"We noticed most of our non-essential spending happened toward the end of the month," she said. "So instead of forcing a no-buy month, which never worked, we just cut off those last 10 days."

This habit didn't come from a financial planner or a complex Excel sheet. It's a simpl...