Last Updated on June 30, 2026 at 11:38 am
“Don’t burn your house to smoke out a rat.” It is an old proverb, but its relevance has never faded. Literally, it means destroying something valuable in an attempt to solve a relatively small problem. In practice, it describes situations in which the solution causes far more damage than the original issue. Recently, I was reminded of this proverb in a surprisingly modern context.
About the author: Vishnu M is a SEBI-registered investment adviser and a member of Fee-only India, a group of fixed-fee-only SEBI-registered advisors. He can be contacted via his website vishnum.in
The Technology We Can’t Live Without. If I had to identify the most transformative innovation of our time, my answer would be simple: the internet and the technology built around it. Today, almost everything is accessible with a few taps on a smartphone. We can communicate instantly, learn new skills, transfer money, buy insurance, invest in mutual funds, book travel tickets, order groceries, and manage our finances without leaving our homes.
Among these innovations, online shopping and quick-commerce platforms have fundamentally changed how we live. Tasks that once required planning, travel, and time can now be completed within minutes. For many people, these platforms are no longer luxuries. They are conveniences that help them navigate increasingly busy lives. Yet convenience often gets blamed for problems it did not create.
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A Conversation That Made Me Think. Last week, I was discussing online shopping platforms with a friend. He is well educated, works in the technology industry, and earns a healthy income. To my surprise, he strongly argued that online shopping and quick-commerce apps were “financial traps.” According to him, these platforms were the reason his salary seemed to disappear so quickly every month.
Initially, I assumed he had experienced some form of fraud or misleading marketing. However, as our conversation continued, the real issue became clear. The problem was not the platforms. The problem was how he was using them.
He frequently made impulse purchases of items he did not genuinely need and relied on these services for almost every minor requirement. As a result, a significant portion of his income was being spent without much thought. His solution was simple: he uninstalled all the apps.
At that moment, the old proverb came back to mind. He was not solving the actual problem. He was simply removing the tool.
Was the App Really the Problem? It is easy to blame external factors for financial challenges. People blame credit cards for debt, stock markets for investment losses, and social media for unnecessary purchases. Increasingly, many people are blaming online shopping platforms for overspending.
However, tools are rarely the root cause. A credit card can be a source of debt or a useful payment instrument. The stock market can be a gambling arena or a wealth-building vehicle. Online shopping platforms can either create financial stress or save valuable time. The difference lies in behaviour.
Technology has dramatically reduced the time between desire and execution. What once required effort can now happen instantly. That speed makes self-discipline more important than ever.
The Missing Line. The real question is not whether online shopping platforms are good or bad. The real question is where we draw the line.
The answer is surprisingly simple: Budgeting.
A budget creates boundaries before temptation arrives. When people know how much they can spend on essentials, lifestyle choices, and future goals, convenience no longer becomes a threat. Without boundaries, even a high income can disappear quickly. With boundaries, even powerful temptations become manageable.
The Power of a Simple Budget. Consider a simple framework many people are familiar with: allocating 50% of income to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to investing and wealth creation.
The “needs” category includes expenses such as rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, insurance, and other essentials. The “wants” category covers dining out, entertainment, hobbies, vacations, online shopping, and discretionary spending. The remaining portion can be directed towards emergency funds, retirement planning, mutual funds, and other long-term financial goals.
The exact percentages may vary depending on an individual’s circumstances, income levels, and financial objectives. However, the underlying principle remains the same: every rupee should have a purpose before it reaches your bank account.
Had my friend established a clear spending limit for discretionary purchases, the apps would never have become a problem in the first place.
The Real Lesson. Financial success is rarely about eliminating every temptation from your life. It is about creating systems that allow you to enjoy convenience without compromising your future.
Technology is not the enemy. Convenience is not the enemy. The absence of financial boundaries is.
Before removing a tool, ask yourself an important question: Are you solving the actual problem, or are you simply burning down the house to smoke out a rat?