MORAL TRADE-OFFS IN EVERYDAY FINANCIAL BEHAVIOR AND SUSTAINABILITY: EVALUATING THE BALANCE BETWEEN CONVENIENCE, COST, AND LONG-TERM RESPONSIBILITY AMONG NAVI MUMBAI RESIDENTS

This study explores how individuals make financial decisions in their everyday lives when they are faced with 
a choice between immediate spending and future financial security. It particularly focuses on the trade-offs 
people make between convenience, cost, and responsible consumption. The research attempts to understand 
how short-term benefits, long-term financial considerations, and sustainability awareness influence people’s 
financial behaviour. 
The study also examines the relationship between demographic factors and financial behaviour among 
residents of Navi Mumbai. The findings indicate that most individuals tend to prioritize convenience and 
affordability while making daily financial decisions. Although many respondents express awareness about 
sustainability, this awareness does not always translate into consistent sustainable financial behaviour. 
The results reveal a noticeable gap between what people know about responsible consumption and how they 
actually behave in practice. This gap reflects the moral dilemma individuals face when balancing practical 
needs, immediate benefits, and long-term responsibility toward society and the environment.