How can I have fun if I have no money?
<div class="user-question">Hi Frich! I'm starting my first year in college and I'm so excited! But here's my question - I don't come from a wealthy family and I've received a scholarship to attend NYU. I know it's a school that a lot of rich kids go to & it's a really expensive city to live in... What do I do? I want to go out and have fun during my school years but I also don't have the funds to keep up with everyone else. I just need general life advice. Please help!!</div>
First of all, congratulations on getting that scholarship to NYU! That’s a huge achievement, and you should be incredibly proud of yourself. But I totally get where you’re coming from—NYU is an amazing school, but it’s also smack dab in the middle of one of the most expensive cities in the world. And yes, the whole vibe can feel like a scene straight out of Gossip Girl. Fancy brunches, designer clothes, and weekends in the Hamptons? It’s easy to feel like you have to keep up with all of that, but here’s the truth: you don’t.
Let me share a little story. When I was in college, I went through something similar. I remember one of my sorority sisters calling me "cheap" because I suggested we hit up a happy hour for half-priced drinks instead of some overpriced cocktail bar. First off, she wasn’t a true friend for labeling me as that (I was 21 and barely had money from my internships), but I recognized she came from a place of confusion not of accusation, so I had to explain to her that not everyone comes from a trust fund. And honestly, it’s okay to have those conversations— because it’s okay to set boundaries.
Also, the sorority I was in cost me $5k a semester (welcome to the South, am I right?)! Since I couldn’t pay dues on time, but still wanted to participate in the lifestyle, I talked with the treasury team and made them a deal: the first paycheck I get from my Goldman Sachs Wall Street job will go directly to paying off my sorority “loans”. And guess what - not only did they agree, they also were so compassionate!
Through these experiences, here’s what I’ve learned: You can be a baller on a budget and still have an incredible college experience without going broke or feeling left out. So, without further ado, let me share my best tips with you!
🙂↕️Sneaky Ways to Elevate Your Lifestyle
1️⃣ Credit Card Perks and Memberships: Look into getting memberships like the Select Card (we partnered with them to offer you a free one-month trial!). They often come with perks like free drinks, discounts on meals, or even access to exclusive events. It’s a sneaky way to elevate your lifestyle without blowing your budget. I use this and it has been a super easy way to go out to the hottest clubs and restaurants without breaking my bank!
Psst... they have an especially big presence in NYC.
2️⃣ Play to Earn: Websites like Scrambly allow you to play games or complete simple tasks—such as taking surveys, watching videos, or signing up for offers—and get paid for it. It’s a flexible, easy way to make money from your phone or computer, perfect for when you want to get paid to NOT pay attention during those 8am classes! I’ve never really used these but I know my retired parents and their friends love these!
3️⃣ Content for Goods: In today’s world, your social media is more powerful than you think. I get tons of free luxury products just by creating content and tagging brands. Brands are always looking for influencers, even micro-influencers, to promote their products. This way, you can get your hands on designer goodies or high-end skincare without spending a dime. If you don't know how to pitch yourself follow my template ⬇️
You can also sign up for platforms like Skeeper, Gifted, and Insense to help you find brands already looking for content creators. There are also companies like PINCHme that will send you free products for you to review.
4️⃣ Embrace the Happy Hour: Don’t sleep on happy hours and student discounts. They’re your best friend when living in a pricey city. There’s no shame in choosing the budget-friendly option, and trust me, the food and drinks taste better when they're discounted 😜Here's a list of happy hours all around NYC. It's actually a really robust spreadsheet so props to whoever made this because I've been using it for over 6 years!!
5️⃣ NYU Student Card: Did you know that your NYU student card has exclusive perks and discounts? You can get free Broadway tickets, shopping discounts, and discounted MTA tickets. You can also get free access to NYT, Financial Times, and the WSJ! Check out this article and this reddit thread to see what you can qualify for!
<div class="frich-tip">If you feel ready for your first credit card, here are our fav student credit cards right now.</div>
6️⃣ Explore Free NYC: New York is packed with free activities - museums with student discounts, outdoor movies in the park, free concerts, and more. You can have a blast without dropping major cash.
7️⃣ Rent your designer clothes: I'm not suggesting this to make you feel like you HAVE to sport all the designer clothes and bags to fit in. But this can be a good option for a night out or a special occasion without the splurge. Brands like Nuuly, Rent the Runway and Switch allow you to rent out some of the most expensive designer bangs or even rent to own. I used to compete in pageants and I rented out my gowns and dresses when needed!
8️⃣ Ask for help: I would have never been able to afford my sorority or my extracurriculars in college if I didn’t ask for financial-aid based treatment. I showed my job offer, showed my starting salary, and provided a date after graduation when I would be able to pay off the “loan” and was given this treatment because I asked. You never know who will be understanding of your situation so it's always worth asking!
🙂↕️Surround Yourself with the Right People
Finally, remember this: Your real friends won’t care if you are or are NOT living off a trust fund. The people who truly matter won’t money-shame you or make you feel less-than for what you do or do not have. Surround yourself with people who get you and understand where you’re coming from. At the end of the day, your college experience is about more than just keeping up with everyone else—it’s about growing, learning, and making lifelong memories and friends.
Btw - here's how others are doing👀
How many of your friends or acquaintances do you think have trust funds or come from rich families?
💰16% Most of them
💰10% Half of them
💰57% A few of them
💰18% None
So go out there, enjoy your time at NYU, and remember, you don’t need a fat bank account to live your best life. You’ve got this!
xx, Kristina
