How to Politely Decline Something You Can’t Afford
I spent my 20s trying to keep up with the Joneses. The problem was, I lived in New York City, where the Joneses were basically…
budget
When You and Your Friends Are in Different Money Places
One of my favorite episodes of the TV show “Friends,” which has a pretty awesome name, is called “The One With Five Steaks and an…
5 Birthday Gifts to Give When You’re Broke
I’m one of those people who loves the hunt for the perfect birthday gift. I also absolutely love my own birthday — going so far…
Hidden College Expenses: 4 Ways to Save
When I was in college, the start of a new school year always would fill me with excitement and anticipation. I wondered what I would…
Plan Your Fall Budget in 4 Easy Steps
Fall is absolutely my favorite season. The weather gets a little crisp, the autumn baking (and pumpkin spice latte season) begins, holidays start rolling up,…
How to Stop Relying on the Bank of Mom and Dad
When I started working after college, I was broke. When I found out I needed a root canal and a crown — to the tune…
How to Practice Self-Care Without Going Broke
One of my favorite writers, Laurie Penny, wrote this scathing screed against “neoliberal self-care” and the elitist and often exclusionary forms it takes: “Lifestyle bloggers…
Decorating Your New Apartment? Here’s How to Be Kind to Your Wallet (and the Planet)
Livable, aesthetically pleasing spaces are important to me. Yes, I used to be able to function in a 10’x10’ college dorm room where decorations consisted…
How to Recover From a Big Financial Hit
Technically speaking, I live below the poverty line, but this has never been an enormous problem for me, as I live in Southeast Asia, where…
The Dangers of Food Delivery: Why I’m Now Ordering out Less
As a self-confessed workaholic with an extremely packed schedule, I am an avid user of food delivery services. Managing five classes, an honors concentration, two…
