How I afford to live alone in NYC at 26 For context: • I pay $2,700/month for my studio apartment in New York City • When I first moved to NYC, I was making ~$80k and living with a roommate • I made strategic baby steps to get to where I am today (which isn’t even close to my “end goal”, but we’re doing great!!) Most “how I afford NYC” videos focus on cutting everything back. What actually changed my life was focusing on growth instead of restriction. I stopped asking: “Can I technically afford this?” And started asking: “Does this move me closer to the next level of my life and income?” That meant real trade-offs: • Cooking at home more • Being intentional with shopping • Saying no unless it was a full yes (if it’s not an F Yes it’s and F No!) • Spending on things that felt like investments, not impulse buys This apartment was scary when I signed the lease. It was slightly over budget by $300/month. But I knew in my gut that it was the right move for future me. And shortly...