Celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar may be widely recognized for her expertise in food and wellness, but her perspective on marriage is equally refreshing and empowering. In a society where girls often face pressure to 'settle down' by a certain age, she turns the narrative around and emphasizes money, independence, and choice. Her message is unmistakable: get your life in order before you decide to get married. These three straightforward rules are not anti-marriage; they are pro-you—your career, your savings, your dignity, and your long-term happiness.
Rule 1: Marry only after you have found firm footing in your career
This rule is about power, not pride. When a woman has a stable career, her voice automatically carries more weight in family decisions. She is not forced to 'adjust' simply because she has nowhere else to go. Firm footing does not mean you have to be a CEO; it means you know your skills, you can earn, and you are not marrying to escape pressure or insecurity but from a place of confidence and choice.
Rule 2: If you are planning to take a break from work post-wedding, have at least 3 years' savings in the bank
Many women pause their careers after marriage for reasons like relocation, family responsibilities, or children—often without a safety net. Rujuta's rule provides both emotional and practical protection. Three years of savings ensure that your basic needs and emergencies do not depend on anyone's mood or approval. It gives you the breathing space to restart your career, upskill, or even walk away from a toxic situation if needed. Savings equal freedom, and freedom changes how you show up in a relationship.
Rule 3: Your wedding budget should be no more than your 3 months' salary
This is a direct challenge to the 'show-off' culture surrounding Indian weddings. When your wedding budget is capped at three months of your salary, you automatically prioritize what truly matters—people, memories, comfort—over gold, debt, and social drama. It prevents your family from draining their life savings for a single day. A sensible wedding budget also sets the tone for your married life: practical, respectful of money, and focused on the relationship, not the spectacle.
Remember
'Most importantly, remember that marriage is optional. And that the largest cohort of happy people on earth is single women, followed closely by married men,' she wrote. 'My shaadi advice is very sound but what we do, spending way beyond our means just for appeasement of the boy's side is not,' she added.
