Investigatory Project: Changing Trends in Savings and

Consumption Habits Among Families

[Your School Logo - Optional]

Project Title: Changing Trends in Savings and Consumption Habits

Among Families
Student’s Name: [HARSH RAJ]
Roll Number: [11019]
Class: [11th-A ]
School: [Your School Name]
Academic Year: [2025-26]

Certificate

This is to certify that this investigatory project titled "Changing

Trends in Savings and Consumption Habits Among Families" has
been successfully completed by [Your Name] of Class [Your Class],
Roll Number [Your Roll Number], during the academic year
[Current Academic Year]. This project is a record of the original
work done by the student under my supervision and guidance.

[Signature of Teacher] [Name of Teacher] [Designation] [School

Name]

[Signature of External Examiner - Optional] [Name of External

Examiner] [Designation]

Acknowledgement

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my project guide,

[Teacher's Name], for their invaluable guidance, constant
encouragement, and unwavering support throughout the duration
of this project. Their insightful suggestions and constructive
feedback were instrumental in shaping this study.

I also extend my heartfelt thanks to my family and friends who

participated in the survey, providing honest responses that were
crucial for the data collection. Their cooperation made this
research possible.

Finally, I am thankful to my school for providing the necessary

resources and environment to undertake this investigatory
project.
 [Your Name] [Your Class] [Your Roll Number]

Index

1. Cover Page

2. Certificate

3. Acknowledgement

4. Index

5. Introduction

6. Objectives of the Study

7. Research Methodology

8. Survey Questionnaire

9. Data Collection & Analysis

o 9.1 Data Presentation

o 9.2 Data Analysis

10. Findings and Interpretation

11. Conclusion and Suggestions

12. Bibliography

13. Appendices

o 13.1 Raw Survey Data

o 13.2 Additional Graphs/Charts

5. Introduction

The economic landscape is in constant flux, influenced by

technological advancements, globalization, inflation, and shifting
societal values. These dynamic forces inevitably impact the
financial decisions made by families, particularly concerning their
savings and consumption habits. Traditionally, savings were often
seen as a cornerstone of financial security, primarily for long-term
goals like retirement, education, or housing. Consumption
patterns were often driven by necessity and a more conservative
approach to spending.
 However, in recent decades, significant changes have been
observed. The rise of e-commerce, digital payments, easy access
to credit, aggressive marketing strategies, and the influence of
social media have reshaped how families earn, save, and spend.
The "buy now, pay later" culture, the emphasis on immediate
gratification, and the increasing cost of living are all factors that
can influence household financial management.

This investigatory project aims to delve into these evolving

trends, examining how families in [Your Locality/Community, e.g.,
Noida] are adapting their financial behaviors in response to the
modern economic environment. By understanding these shifts,
we can gain insights into the financial well-being of households
and identify potential implications for individual and societal
economic stability.

6. Objectives of the Study

The primary objectives of this investigatory project are:

1. To identify and understand the key factors influencing the

saving habits of families today.

2. To analyze the changing patterns of consumption among

families, including the adoption of new purchasing methods
and priorities.

3. To assess the impact of technological advancements (e.g.,

online shopping, digital payments) on family spending and
saving.

4. To determine if there is a noticeable shift from traditional

savings instruments to more modern investment avenues or
vice-versa.

5. To understand how economic conditions (e.g., inflation,

income levels) are perceived to affect household budgets
and financial planning.

6. To provide insights and suggestions based on the findings to

promote healthier financial habits among families.

7. Research Methodology

This project employs a descriptive research approach, primarily

relying on primary data collected through a structured survey.
  Research Design: The study is designed to explore and
describe the current trends in savings and consumption
habits.

 Data Source: Primary data will be collected directly from

individuals.

 Target Population: The target population for this survey

includes a diverse group of individuals, such as students,
parents, and local residents, representing various family
structures and income groups.

 Sampling Method: Convenience sampling will be used due to

the practical limitations of time and resources. Responses
will be collected from at least 10-15 individuals who are
easily accessible and willing to participate.

 Data Collection Instrument: A self-designed questionnaire

consisting of 8-10 relevant questions (both open-ended and
close-ended) will be used to gather information.

 Survey Administration: The questionnaire will be

administered personally to the respondents. This allows for
clarification of any questions and ensures a higher response
rate.

 Data Analysis: The collected data will be analyzed using

descriptive statistics. Results will be presented visually
through various charts and graphs (bar graphs, pie charts)
to illustrate trends and preferences, followed by a detailed
interpretation.

8. Survey Questionnaire

Dear Respondent,

I am a student of [Your Class] at [Your School Name], conducting

an investigatory project on "Changing Trends in Savings and
Consumption Habits Among Families." Your honest responses are
crucial for the success of this study. All information provided will
be kept strictly confidential and used solely for academic
purposes. Thank you for your time and cooperation.

[Optional: Add a line about anonymity if you're collecting

responses without names]
 Questionnaire:

1. What is your age group?

o a) 18-25 years

o b) 26-35 years

o c) 36-45 years

o d) 46-55 years

o e) 56 years and above

2. How many earning members are there in your family?

o a) 1

o b) 2

o c) 3 or more

3. Do you actively save a portion of your household income?

o a) Yes, regularly

o b) Yes, sometimes

o c) No, rarely

o d) Not at all

4. What is the primary purpose of your family's savings?

(Select all that apply)

o a) Retirement planning

o b) Children's education

o c) House purchase/Renovation

o d) Emergency fund

o e) Investments (e.g., stocks, mutual funds)

o f) Travel/Leisure

o g) Other (Please specify): _______________________

5. How has your family's spending on online shopping changed

in the last 5 years?

o a) Significantly increased

o b) Slightly increased
 o c) Remained the same

o d) Decreased

6. Which of the following payment methods does your family

use most frequently for everyday purchases?

o a) Cash

o b) Debit Card

o c) Credit Card

o d) UPI/Mobile Wallets

o e) Other (Please specify): _______________________

7. In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge families face

today in saving money?

o a) Rising cost of living/Inflation

o b) Unforeseen expenses

o c) Desire for immediate gratification/Lifestyle choices

o d) Lack of financial planning knowledge

o e) Low income

o f) Other (Please specify): _______________________

8. How important is it for your family to purchase "eco-

friendly" or "sustainable" products, even if they are more
expensive?

o a) Very Important

o b) Moderately Important

o c) Slightly Important

o d) Not Important

9. Do you feel your family's financial habits are more focused

on long-term goals or immediate needs/desires?

o a) Primarily long-term goals

o b) A balance of both

o c) Primarily immediate needs/desires

10. What is one piece of advice you would give to other

families regarding managing their finances effectively?
 o

9. Data Collection & Analysis

This section will present the raw data collected from your survey
and then analyze it using various graphical representations.

9.1 Data Presentation

(This is where you will insert your actual survey data. For
demonstration purposes, I will provide illustrative examples. You
need to replace these with your real collected responses from at
least 10-15 individuals.)

Sample Raw Data Table (Illustrative - You will fill this with your
actual data)

Q4
Q7 Q9
(Pri Q5 Q6
(Bigg Q8 (Focus
Q1 Q2 Q3 mar (Onli (Mos
est (Eco- :
(Ag (Earn (Acti y ne t Q10
Respo Chall Friendl Long-
e ing vely Purp Shop Freq (Advic
ndent enge y term
Gro Mem Save ose ping uent e)
to Import vs.
up) bers) ) of Chan Paym
Savin ance) Imme
Savi ge) ent)
g) diate)
ngs)

Save
1 c 2 a b, d a d a a a regula
rly

Budge
2 b 1 b d, e b d c b b
t

a, b, Invest
3 d 2 a a b a c a
c wisely

Track
4 c 2 a a, d a d b b b expens
es

Avoid
5 e 1 a a, d b a a d a
debt

6 b 2 b c, d a c c b b Spend
 less

Financ
ial
7 c 3 a a, e a d e a a
literac
y

Learn
about
8 a 1 c d b d c b c
invest
ments

Plan
b, d,
9 d 2 a a b a c a for
e
future

Create
10 c 2 a a, b b d b b b
budget

Prioriti
ze
11 b 1 b d a c c a b
saving
s

Live
12 d 2 a c, d a b a b a within
means

Set
a, d, financi
13 c 2 a b d d a b
e al
goals

Be
14 e 1 a a, c b a a c a
frugal

Contro
l
15 b 2 b d a d c b c impuls
ive
buying

Export to Sheets

9.2 Data Analysis (Illustrative Examples - You will generate these

based on your actual data)
 Here, you will present your survey results using various charts
and graphs. For each question, explain the insights derived from
the visual representation.

Example 1: Bar Graph for Question 3: "Do you actively save a

portion of your household income?"

(Insert Bar Graph Here)

 Title: Household Income Saving Habits

 X-axis: Response Categories (Yes, regularly; Yes, sometimes;

No, rarely; Not at all)

 Y-axis: Number of Respondents / Percentage of Respondents

Analysis: This bar graph shows that a significant majority of

respondents, say, 70%, reported actively saving a portion of their
household income regularly. Another 20% save sometimes, while
a small percentage rarely save or not at all. This indicates a
general awareness and practice of saving among the surveyed
families, though consistency varies.

Example 2: Pie Chart for Question 5: "How has your family's

spending on online shopping changed in the last 5 years?"

(Insert Pie Chart Here)

 Title: Change in Online Shopping Spending (Last 5 Years)

 Slices: Significantly increased, Slightly increased, Remained

the same, Decreased

 Labels: Percentage for each slice

Analysis: The pie chart illustrates a clear trend towards increased

online shopping. For instance, if 60% of respondents indicated
"Significantly increased" and 25% said "Slightly increased," it
highlights the growing reliance on e-commerce. Only a small
fraction reported no change or a decrease, confirming the
pervasive impact of online retail on consumption habits.

Example 3: Bar Graph for Question 7: "In your opinion, what is the
biggest challenge families face today in saving money?"

(Insert Bar Graph Here)

 Title: Biggest Challenges to Saving Money

  X-axis: Challenge Categories (Rising cost of living/Inflation,
Unforeseen expenses, Desire for immediate gratification,
Lack of financial planning, Low income, Other)

 Y-axis: Number of Respondents / Percentage of Respondents

Analysis: This bar graph provides valuable insights into the

perceived hurdles to saving. If "Rising cost of living/Inflation" is
the most frequently cited challenge (e.g., 40% of responses), it
suggests that external economic pressures are a major concern.
"Desire for immediate gratification" might also feature
prominently (e.g., 25%), indicating an internal challenge related
to spending discipline.

Example 4: Combined Bar/Column Chart for Question 4: "What is

the primary purpose of your family's savings?" (Allowing multiple
selections)

(Insert Bar/Column Chart Here)

 Title: Primary Purposes of Family Savings

 X-axis: Purpose Categories (Retirement planning, Children's

education, House purchase/Renovation, Emergency fund,
Investments, Travel/Leisure, Other)

 Y-axis: Number of times each purpose was selected

Analysis: This chart, which would show the frequency of each

saving purpose, is crucial. If "Emergency fund" and "Children's
education" are the most common responses, it indicates a strong
focus on immediate security and future family well-being. A high
number for "Investments" would suggest a growing awareness of
wealth creation beyond traditional savings.

Example 5: Pie Chart for Question 6: "Which of the following

payment methods does your family use most frequently for
everyday purchases?"

(Insert Pie Chart Here)

 Title: Most Frequent Payment Methods

 Slices: Cash, Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI/Mobile Wallets,

Other

 Labels: Percentage for each slice

 Analysis: This pie chart will reveal the dominant payment
methods. A large slice for "UPI/Mobile Wallets" would strongly
indicate a shift towards digital transactions, reflecting the
increasing adoption of fintech solutions. If "Cash" remains
significant, it suggests a continued reliance on traditional
methods, perhaps in certain demographics or for specific types of
purchases.

10. Findings and Interpretation

Based on the data collected and analysed (as per your actual
survey results), here are some potential findings and their
interpretations. You will need to tailor these to your specific
survey outcomes.

Potential Findings & Interpretations:

 Saving Discipline: A majority of families (e.g., 70-80%)

indicate that they actively try to save. This suggests a
foundational understanding of financial prudence. However,
the varying consistency ("sometimes" saving) points to
challenges in maintaining this discipline. The primary driver
for saving often leans towards emergency funds and
children's education, reflecting a pragmatic approach to
securing immediate and future family needs.

 Online Shopping Boom: There's a clear and significant

increase in online shopping across almost all age groups.
This indicates a major shift in consumption habits, driven by
convenience, variety, and potentially better deals. This
trend has implications for local retail and also suggests a
greater comfort with digital transactions.

 Digital Payment Dominance: UPI/Mobile Wallets are rapidly

becoming the preferred payment method for everyday
purchases. This highlights the widespread adoption of
digital technologies in financial transactions, reducing
reliance on cash and traditional cards. This shift also makes
tracking expenses easier for digitally-savvy families but
could pose challenges for those less accustomed to
technology.

 Inflation as a Major Hurdle: The "rising cost of

living/inflation" consistently emerges as the most significant
challenge to saving. This indicates that external economic
 pressures are heavily impacting household budgets, making
it difficult for families to set aside money even if they desire
to.

 Balancing Act: While long-term financial goals (retirement,

education) are important, many families are grappling with
balancing these with immediate needs and desires. The
prevalence of "immediate gratification" as a challenge
suggests that consumer culture and easy credit access can
divert funds from long-term savings.

 Growing Eco-Consciousness: While not the top priority, there

is a moderate importance placed on purchasing eco-friendly
products. This suggests a nascent but growing awareness of
sustainability in consumption choices, even if it comes at a
higher cost. This could be a trend that strengthens in the
future.

 Advice Focus: The advice shared by respondents often

emphasizes practical financial management, such as
"creating a budget," "tracking expenses," and "prioritizing
savings." This indicates a common understanding of
fundamental financial principles that can lead to better
outcomes.

11. Conclusion and Suggestions

Conclusion

The investigatory project on "Changing Trends in Savings and

Consumption Habits Among Families" reveals a dynamic and
evolving financial landscape. Families are increasingly embracing
digital platforms for both saving and spending, with online
shopping and digital payments becoming integral parts of their
financial routines. While a strong intent to save exists,
particularly for emergencies and future generations, the rising
cost of living and the allure of immediate gratification pose
significant challenges. There's a clear recognition of the need for
financial discipline and planning, but practical implementation
varies. The shift towards convenience and technological
integration is undeniable, impacting how households manage
their money and make purchasing decisions.

Suggestions
Based on the findings, the following suggestions can be made to
promote healthier financial habits among families:

1. Promote Financial Literacy:

o Workshops and Seminars: Schools, community centers,

and financial institutions should regularly organize
workshops on budgeting, saving strategies, investment
options, and debt management.

o Early Education: Integrate basic financial education

into school curricula to instill good habits from a young
age.

2. Harness Technology for Better Management:

o Budgeting Apps: Encourage the use of budgeting apps

and tools that help families track expenses, categorize
spending, and set savings goals.

o Automated Savings: Promote setting up automated

transfers to savings accounts to ensure consistent
saving before other expenses arise.

3. Address Inflationary Pressures:

o Smart Shopping Guides: Provide resources on smart

shopping techniques, bulk buying, and identifying
value-for-money products to combat the rising cost of
living.

o Income Diversification: Encourage exploring avenues

for secondary income streams to build financial
resilience against inflation.

4. Emphasize Long-Term Vision:

o Goal-Based Saving: Help families define clear long-term

financial goals (e.g., retirement, higher education,
dream home) and break them down into achievable
short-term saving targets.

o Visualize Future Benefits: Use tools that demonstrate

the power of compound interest and the long-term
benefits of consistent saving.

5. Prudent Use of Credit:

 o Credit Awareness: Educate families on the responsible
use of credit cards and "buy now, pay later" schemes,
highlighting the potential pitfalls of excessive debt.

o Emergency Funds: Reiterate the importance of building

robust emergency funds to avoid relying on high-
interest credit in times of crisis.

6. Support Sustainable Choices:

o Information on Eco-friendly Products: Provide

accessible information about genuinely sustainable and
affordable products to help families align their values
with their consumption choices without undue financial
burden.

By implementing these suggestions, families can navigate the

complexities of modern economic trends more effectively,
fostering greater financial stability and well-being for themselves
and future generations.

12. Bibliography

(This section will list all the sources you consulted. For an
investigatory project, these might include websites, articles,
books, or reports related to consumer behavior, economics, or
personal finance. Since you are conducting a survey, you might
also refer to general research methodology texts.)

Examples:

 Investopedia. (n.d.). Financial Literacy. Retrieved from

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/financial-literacy.asp
(Illustrative)

 National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER).

(Recent reports on household income and expenditure - if
applicable for India).

 The Economic Times. (Various articles on Indian consumer

spending and saving trends).

 Blogs/Articles on personal finance by reputable financial

advisors.

(You will need to search for actual sources and list them here in a
consistent citation style, e.g., APA, MLA, or Chicago.)
 13. Appendices

13.1 Raw Survey Data

(Here, you would include the complete raw data from all your
survey respondents. This could be a detailed table, a screenshot
of a spreadsheet, or a list of individual responses. This
demonstrates the transparency of your data collection.)

Example:

(Insert full table of all 10-15 respondents' answers as shown in

Section 9.1, or a similar detailed record)

13.2 Additional Graphs/Charts

(If you generated any other graphs or charts during your analysis
that were not included in the main "Data Collection & Analysis"
section but provide additional valuable insights, you can include
them here. For example, you might have cross-referenced two
questions, or explored a specific demographic in more detail.)

Example:

Graph 1: Age Group vs. Online Shopping Increase Perception

(Insert a comparative bar graph showing how different age

groups perceived the change in online shopping spending. This
would require segmenting your Q5 data by Q1.)

Analysis of Graph 1: This graph further explores whether younger

age groups (18-35) reported a more significant increase in online
shopping compared to older groups (56+). (Your analysis would
then discuss the observed patterns from your data).

This comprehensive structure, combined with your actual survey

data and its visual representation, will enable you to create a
strong and insightful investigatory project. Goo