parallelogramz t1_j8svps5 wrote on February 16, 2023 at 6:44 PM

I have lived off of $24k or less for most of the last 12 years in NYC, sometimes by choice in order to pay down debt, save up for an apartment downpayment, sometimes due to having shitty jobs/being underemployed. It is doable for a single person, and I have what I consider to be a good lifestyle.

QuickAnything t1_j8tdpjs wrote on February 16, 2023 at 8:35 PM

What do you consider a good lifestyle, though? Honestly curious. I scrimped and saved for years too, but as I got older, it was exhausting. Evaluating every dollar spent and living with roommates in your lates 30s is not fun. Neither is saying no to dinner invites or anything that’s gonna cost more than like $20. To each their own, but I was absolutely miserable.

youjustdontgetitdoya t1_j8tukai wrote on February 16, 2023 at 10:20 PM

Yeah I’ve been living under 25k for about 10 years and always had roommates. The money ebbs and flows, sometimes I can go out and drop money and sometimes I have to reel it in. It is terrible for your mental health BUT nyc offers free healthcare to anyone making under that much. Bc it’s not a terrorist state like those that refuse to accept the ADA. Which means I have a PCP, a psych and a therapist.

What I get in return is time.

parallelogramz t1_j8umemn wrote on February 17, 2023 at 1:36 AM

I was able to save up for a studio, so I own my own place. I am a fairly minimal person and not a big consumer, so I’m probably on the frugal side by default. But I generally go to dinner, drinks, cafes, museums, etc. as I please. I budget $3600/yr for going out and fun activities (not including vacations)

I prioritize spending on social outings over convenience items. I like to cook and meal prep breakfast/lunches instead of getting takeout, which makes my food costs low. I like to take day/weekend trips around the area, or longer trips to visit friends. I generally stay with them so there’s no hotel costs. I do volunteer work, go to the gym, read books from the library, hike, go to the beach, museums, ride my bike, garden, all sorts of things.

My biggest source of stress is my job/profession, but aside from that I have a nice life.

QuickAnything t1_j8uvz8q wrote on February 17, 2023 at 2:49 AM

We’ll that sounds great. I’m just blown away how you’ve saved up enough money - and qualified - to buy an apartment here. I can’t fathom how anyone survives on so little money. Kudos to you though.