Ballin’ on a Budget: NYC Edition

New York City is the most amazing city in the world, but living there does come with some costs. And I literally mean costs. The city is filled with so many exciting opportunities but unfortunately, a lot of those experiences have a price tag. 

Here are some tips for budgeting in New York City: 

Cook At Home:

I know that it can be hard to want to cook at home, especially when some of the most famous restaurants are right outside your door, but trust me! Preparing food at home can save you a lot of money. It is much more economical to buy groceries that you can use multiple times than eat out and then end up throwing the rest away. Besides, who doesn’t love a home-cooked meal?

Limit Your Spending:

If you have a bank account, I suggest only leaving a certain amount of money in your spending per week. The rest of your money can be stored in your savings. This budgeting tool has helped me save tremendously. I also find that I don’t want to spend all the money that I allow myself for a week. It became a challenge for me, and I don’t like to lose. 

Create a Spreadsheet:

Making spreadsheets is one of my favorite hobbies! I know it’s probably not anyone else’s, but it’s a great way to stay on top of your spending. After each day or each week, I suggest logging what you’ve bought on a spreadsheet. This way you are able to decipher what you need to spend less on and what you can afford to spend more on. 

Take Advantage of Free Activities:

Although I previously stated that living in New York City comes with expenses, there are still a lot of things you can do that cost nothing! NYC is home to so many different parks such as Washington Square, Central Park, Tompkins, and countless others! A walk in the park comes with no fees, but you’ll get a lot out of it. I have met some incredible people and seen some amazing art and music just by taking a stroll. 

Treat Yourself, Sometimes:

Budgeting doesn’t mean you can’t have any spending freedom. Like I previously stated, NYC is the most amazing place on earth. It’s okay to indulge in some costly adventures, I just don’t suggest doing it every day. 

I hope that you found these few budgeting tips helpful. If these don’t work for you there are tons of other strategies out there. There is no shame in ballin’ on a budget!