How does one afford being on a 60-65K salary living in New York? What’s it like just living in New York in the ad world?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

You take any free meals or drinks you can get.

like

If you're an AAE on that salary you will be making a lot more than most other AAEs in this town

like

Seriously.

Roommates, meal prep and Bushwick.

like

Bushwick is big. I live in Bushwick and my commute into midtown is an hour each way.

I lived in Santa Monica on a $40k 60+hr job. Grow up and learn how to budget life is how.

likehelpful

I made 60k in Bushwick when I first moved here.

My tips: NYCID card gets you free museum and venue and other memberships. Now you have something free to do every weekend.

When you work late and can expense a dinner, save half for lunch the next day.

Cook your own food! Scavenge after a meeting let’s out.

Don’t adopt your coworkers lifestyle. Delivery lunches, equinox memberships, multiple restaurant dinners during the week. Many advertising people come from money so it can be easy to adopt their lifestyle inflation.

Try to resist the pull of NYC nightlife every weekend. Stay in and play board games, watch movies, read, etc.

Save Uber’s for when you REALLY need it. Late nights for safery, downpours for comfort. The subway, the bus and your feet are awesome.

Work your ass off and after a year advocate for yourself (and gravitate towards people who care about your advancement) and maybe you’ll get a bump and get to go out a bit more or eat a bit better.

like

I made 65K as a Sr AE in NYC in 2010, living in Manhattan in a crappy place for $1600. You should be fine as an AAE on that salary. Make a budget and stick to it. There are living conditions for every budget in this town...

like

Maximum rent you can afford is $1500/month. This means you need a roommate in order to live somewhere decent. Limit yourself to one cab ride every two weeks, max. Don’t eat out more than twice a month. Bars, no more once a week. Don’t get takeout for work lunch, bring your own.

Then a year later quit that job for another that pays $120k so you can finally breathe.

like

I’m at a holding company and we offer discounts on phone bills. Along with offering transit reimbursement for MTA, MetroNorth and Path riders. Other tips:

Enjoy free meals and drinks at industry events and client dinners;

Snag free beauty and skincare products (from clients after their activations);

Use RTW discounts and codes so you always look the part and don’t absorb closet space;

Build and sustain year-round, media relationships across outlets. I’ve secured BPC products, an Amazon Alexa, Google Home Mini, MK watch, home appliances and more from top-tier media contacts. Companies pitch them in excess for seasonal guides, and they have a surplus of product leftover in November and December. Leverage these relationships to save where you can.

likesmart

Hahaha 😭, thank you E1! Glad these could help.

i was making $35k living in a 4-bed in bushwick. still wonder how i survived that year, but it’s doable.

like

Surviving on 38k with one roomate. Think you’ll be okay

like

Drink less.

likefunny

Roommates, or a trust fund.

likesmart

Same as sf. I did it on 35k. Had a roommate, ate all three meals if I could at the office. Always went out any time it was offered cause I knew it would be good and booze and sometimes entertainment. No car. Minimal bills. Looking back making more than 100k more now I have no clue how I pulled it off.

like

One doesn’t.

like

I'm here on way less than that. Find a great place with roommates and don't spend frivolously, you'll be fine on 60k.

like

You will be able to pay for rent but not much else, and stick to a firm budget. You could potentially find a place with roommates outer borough for 1000 or a little under a month, but I would say 1400-1700 a month with roommates is typical rent-wise. New York is an incredible city and you get out what you put into it- plenty of fun to be had without shelling out major cash on food drinks trips etc

Making 50 and the living’s fine (...limited savings, but fine for the short term)

Related Posts

Results of my survey are in!!! The professions that pay the most are the following.

Big tech firms:
Big law:
I-banking:
Management consulting: l
Advisory at Big 4:
Doctor:
Quant at hedge fund
Fundamental analyst at hedge fund:

Thoughts?

like

Can we do a quick round robin of salaries for folks in the Seattle area? Currently making $146K at Starbucks. 32 yo woman. Yes, I know the comparison game is unhealthy, but my hypothesis is I don’t make all that much compared to others which might justify why I am not motivated to work beyond 9-5pm. Former consultant here who took a pay cut so am looking to NOT grind.

like

Folks - What would an Audit senior manager in US migrating to Canada can expect as compensation from a big 4?

like

Every employees at TD just got a 3% off cycle raise to combat inflation. Comes into effect July 1st.

Have other companies done similar? Obviously doesn't fully offset inflation but I'm glad to see the bank addressing the issue.

I worry public officials (teachers, nurses etc.) Won't be so lucky

like

Hi,
I have 5 yoe in Java with 5.65 lpa.
How much hike i can expect .
I got a call from a recruiter and I said my expected CTC is 14 lpa, she said according to the current market, they can provide max 30-40% hike
How much I can expect according to the current trend .

like

Hello, I have 8 years project management experience with agencies and nonprofits, but am looking to go corporate.

Few questions if you wouldn’t mind to oblige:
- What kind of salary should I expect as corporate PM?
- How many rounds of interviews should I expect?
- Any notable differences (for those who have done both) on processes between corporate and agency level?
- Any notable differences in project management decision making structure / matrix between corporate and agency level?
Thanks

Sys admin (security) role in Zoho- chennai (hometown) with 6.5lpa
Or Information security executive role in Asian paints (9lpa)- Mumbai.
Which one should I choose. Please suggest your opinions.

like
like

What’s the salary range like for senior consultants in risk advisory?

like

What's a good salary for 4.5 years of experience as a Big Data Engineer (Azure/PySpark/Databricks) in the Amsterdam/Utrecht area?

In talks with recruiters and I feel like I'm being low balled.

Insight about knowledge specialist roles at Bain? TC + relationship to associates would be helpful to know

like

what will be the inhand salary of 17 lakh 50 thousand , thats include 10% variable pay.

I have 3 offers in my hand. I have 5.6 years experience in automation testing.
ADP - 18 lakhs(Hyd)
Wipro - 18(Hyd)
UST global- 21 ( Bangalore)
Which one should I prefer?
Did I get correct CTC or less?
I am feeling I got less package.

like

Iqvia was famous to give single digit (4-5%) increment. Is it still the same case? Or things have improved to 12-14%? Based on performance and other factors for sure.

like

What salary to expect for director of pharmacy at encompass health?

like

I am interested in taking a new position at my current job - Electrical Engineering and Production Manager, in the Chicagoland area. Whats a good salary for this position? Is there anyone currently in this role - what are some of your duties?

like

What’s the average salary range for a GAS?

like

Does anyone know Barclays Ib summer bonus cycle month?? Thanks in advance

like

Got an offer from a smaller “boutique” firm with ultra high net worth clients that’s 21% more than I’m making at Deloitte plus 7.5k sign on. Fully remote (firm located in CA, I’m on east coast). Take the offer?

like

Anyone suggest how is the variable payout in Congnizant?

like

More Posts

Hi team. Hope you all are well and safe.
I will be joining Accenture in two weeks, want to get some understanding on the current policy on remote work and return to office date if there is one.
I am currently in Seattle, WA, USA.
Thank you!

like

Hi fishes.
Does ey gds Bangalore provide transport facility to the employees and if yes then how much they charge for it

like

As a chemical engineer, I have a lot of job opportunities, but as a recent graduate, I have had a hard time getting my first job. After my internship, I have only had 3 interviews. Does anyone know about any job bank for chemical engineers?

like

Why is the stock market bleeding today?

like

How many leaves are there in PwC AC. Do you guys have winter disconnect?

like

Any info on the agency Heartbeat in NY?

like

Can anyone suggest nearby pg at coforge noida @Coforge

like

Any recs for insightful and well written books on entrepreneurship? Friend is trying to launch his own startup so I’m thinking of sending him a relevant book as part of a thank you gift

like

I am in a long distance relationship with someone who is currently in B school. He spends pretty much all his breaks and holidays traveling with his classmates. Most of the time I am fine. But for some important holidays and my birthday, I told him we should spend time together. He just said it’s more important for him to bond with his classmates and ignore my ask. It’s really disappointing and I don’t know what else to tell him. Is that a reasonable ask or am I being dramatic?

like

I seem to go through this cycle where I'll try to fix a problem, fix it and then go back to my old ways. I'm trying to fight against it but basically my performance review is coming up and I think it's likely I'm going to be let go because of my failure to meet expectations. Earlier in the year I was going through a rough time and working through it, I have gotten better over the course of the year but I feel it's not enough. I got fired from my last job. I'm so sick of this cycle

like

How do I tell a firm I screened with that another firm I screened with is moving forward with full rounds? I would prefer the former firm, even though the latter firm is ranked higher. Thanks for any advice

like

Dm for LTI referals

Any recruiter in search of a Scrum Master 🙂

like

Have any firms sponsored mbas for tas people? I really want to do an MBA in the future, but mathematically speaking I will probably be around s2 or s3 when I apply. At that point it may not be justifiable.

like

Not enough people understand mountain driving etiquette - if you see a conga line of cars behind you it’s because you’re slow and you should pull over at the next available turnout and let them pass.

like

What are exit ops for Big 4 Cybersecurity Consultants that are non technical (Strategy/Risk)?

like

Just got a new job! How long until I can update my linkedin? I’ve heard you should wait until you’re two weeks into the job - is that accurate?

like

Are there actually tax cuts switching from home office in NYC to Hoboken?

like

I am currently graduated STEM student, looking for a .Net role job, may I have some referrals? Thanks!

likeuplifting

Additional Posts in Advertising

When should you stop following up after a great interview? Was told I was too pricey for one market, so they asked me if I would consider another in the future. I said yes, and now it’s been a week.

like

Without asking or confirming, account lead booked an in-person client meeting that requires travel. Who books ~any~ major client meeting without first checking with the team ?

like

I have been editing and doing other post work and am up for a promotion. My role will be evolving to include producing and editing officially. What kind of salary and title should i be asking for?

like

Hi fellow fishies - loaded question but does anyone know of any agencies (ideally in NYC) that are open to visa sponsorship? I have a good friend and former coworker who is a KICKA$$ account lead and is struggling to find a new role (needle in a haystack for sponsorship... ugh). Current place is beyond toxic. Any info/advice appreciated! Thank you 😊

like

I promise you, whatever you have to tell me as I sit down with my lunch is not as important as eating my lunch.

likesmart

I was just let go from a contract position 2 months early due to client reorgs (Covid). Was filed as a W2 but on a 6 month contract. Would I still qualify for unemployment? Pre Covid I wouldn’t but with the continued Pandemic Assistance plan, I think I might. Does anyone here have experience with this?

like

Just interviewed somewhere that’s considered a great agency and who’s work I LOVE, but it didn’t feel right... it went really well, but something doesn’t feel right. Advice???

like

Any good experiental companies in the US or Toronto?

like

What small or mid sized NYC shops are doing good work right now?

like

Best headhunters in nyc?

like

I just got into reading books, any suggestions to start with? Which could help to increase media/marketing knowledge.

like

The people behind Diet Madison Ave IG account are heroes

likeupliftinghelpful

Cool job offer for AD

Post Photo
like

The new Volvo commercials are 🔥🔥🔥

like

Which agencies are going through layoffs

like

Any word on Swift in Portland?

like

My girlfriend works in branded content. She is out having dinner with the production crew after they wrap eating dinner. She makes a comment how she wished she brought her swimsuit to go swimming cont

like

I’m currently interviewing for an AS role which would be a bit of a pay cut, but I’ll get to learn a lot so I’m interested. Any tips on how to approach the negotiation convo if/when that comes, besides asking to at least meet me halfway re:salary? They already provide unlimited PTO and free health benefits(which is nice).

like

What do y'all know about Konrad NY?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal