The summer so far has been about finding a balance between work and play. New York City is notoriously expensive, so it can be a bit straining to socialize in conventional ways. I’ve had a few brunches and dinners and boba-tea dates, but I found myself needing to cut back on these in order to save money.
I’m so grateful to LILAC for my stipend (I wouldn’t be here without it), but sticking to a budget in Brooklyn is a challenge. I’ve been doing freelance writing work, babysitting– anything I can to make ends meet– but that doesn’t mean I have to cut back on seeing my friends. I’ve just had to be a bit… creative!
Basically, eating out after a while is a strict ‘no’. It’s cheaper (and more fun) to cook with friends and hang out at home. I’ve made delicious dinners, built Ikea furniture, watched B movies–there are countless quirky things you can do to make socializing both fun and inexpensive.
