About

Hello, and welcome to Big City, Small Budget. Thanks for stopping by!

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved plays and musicals, and I’ve always known that, one day, I wanted to live in New York City, working to make them happen. I would spend countless hours throughout my teenage years daydreaming of life in the city, thinking of how amazing it would feel to pass the lights of Broadway every day on my way to work.

I finally moved here in 2015, and landed my dream job shortly after arriving. This “job,” however, was actually an internship—one that offered a $100 weekly stipend for 40+ hours of work. Fortunately, I was able to secure an additional part-time job to supplement my income, but this also meant working an additional 20+ hours per week. These beginning months were a huge wake-up call; I was finally passing Broadway’s marquees on my daily commute, but was often too dazed and exhausted to pay them any mind. Maybe life in the theatre industry wouldn’t be as glamorous as I had once imagined. If I wanted to follow my dreams in the Big Apple without needing to spend every waking moment at work, I was going to have to get smart with my money.

And so, I began educating myself on personal finance and frugal living, eager to find ways to support myself financially without sacrificing all of my time and happiness—and without relying on debt. Over the next few months and years, I began developing habits that not only provided me with a solid financial safety net, but also with valuable insights into my values and priorities. I learned how to create a budget that would allow me to enjoy the day-to-day while still planning for the future, I became an expert at seeking out free and low-cost events throughout the city to enjoy with my friends, and I’ve discovered the joys of saving for a rainy day—and even for some sunny ones, too.

With this blog, I plan to share everything I’ve learned about making the most of big city life while still sticking to a budget. New York City has a reputation for being a ridiculously expensive and difficult place to live, and I won’t lie: sometimes it can be. But it’s also one of the most exhilarating and accessible places in the world. Sometimes, it just takes a bit of effort to make it affordable, too.

Learning about money management and frugal living is, by far, one of the best things I’ve ever done, and it’s my hope that Big City, Small Budget will inspire others to do the same. If nothing else, I hope this blog makes it clear that, with a little effort (and a budget!), the life of your dreams is possible—whether it be in a big city, a small town, or somewhere in between.

^{DISCLOSURE: I am not a financial advisor. The ideas presented on this blog – while hopefully helpful and informative – are personal opinions and for entertainment purposes only. Some of the links on this blog are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase and/or subscribe. This money helps me keep this blog operating.}