A Guide to Living Large on a Small Budget

By Abraham Sanieoff

People have different answers when you ask them what makes life worthwhile. Some think life is best lived exploring the world. Others want to live a comfortable life with their loved ones close to home, while still others believe you haven’t lived without experiencing the latest innovations that humanity has to offer.

Regardless of how you think life should be best enjoyed, it’s undeniable that it’s hard to make the most of it without money. While the best things in life are priceless, it’s hard to do things and move around without proper financial management.

Money-Saving Tips to Help You Live Like a Rich Person

Buy quality products and experiences for less

If you’re on a limited budget, it’s easy to think that there are things that you wouldn’t be able to experience in your lifetime. Expensive products and one-of-a-kind experiences might seem out of reach. But did you know that you can actually enjoy such things without spending a fortune?

If you love expensive clothes and high-tech devices, you can get hands on them by buying used. Thrift stores and sites like eBay have countless designer-label items and barely used tech gear. You can get great deals if you’re willing to put in the work.

You can also save a lot on vacations if you know where to look. There are coupons for wonderful cruises and luxurious hotels that allow you to vacation like royalty without breaking the bank.

Find affordable housing in a luxurious neighborhood

This pointer seems counterintuitive when you first hear it. After all, you might expect property in affluent neighborhoods to be beyond your means. An average home can easily cost millions if the area is desirable enough.

If you want to live like the rich without actually spending like one, what you have to do is be creative in house-hunting. Many neighborhoods have more affordable housing that you can buy for more reasonable prices. Another option is to rent or purchase a home in an affordable borough close to a more affluent area. For instance, you can get an apartment in Queens for less than one in Manhattan and have access to the same amenities, shopping destinations, and leisure activities.

Properly budget your money

What’s the best way to feel like a millionaire? Actually, having money in the bank.

You can approach this in two distinct ways. The first is probably the most obvious one: carefully and thoroughly budget your paycheck so you always have money left over. The 50/30/20 framework is one of the most famous budgeting techniques, but you can adjust the ratio for your specific situation.

The other way is to invest your money. Stocks, bonds, and insurance policies have a high likelihood of delivering returns, but you can also dip your toes in higher-risk/greater-reward ventures if your budget can stand it. NFTs and cryptocurrency are two of the most popular investment vehicles nowadays, so it might be a good idea to put some of your money there.

Make the Most Out of Your Money (And Life)

You don’t have to spend a lot to enjoy life like a millionaire. While the tips mentioned above can help you make the most out of your money, the most important thing is to live a life centered on what brings you happiness and a sense of fulfillment. This could be anything from spending time with your loved ones to going on travel adventures.

If you’d like to read more stories about life in one of the busiest and richest cities in the world, check out my other posts. I write about anything and everything New York.