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How to Live Cheaply in New York City

My butt itches. It is in a strategically unwise location: in between two unfriendly plastic barriers that prevent me from drifting off. I don’t like it!!

But enough crying (see the play on words? Oh yes, I know…genius)

I’m “sleeping” on a train. I’ve been backpacking in New York City for the last 30 days. And, at times, I’ve found myself without a place to stay. Partially because I haven’t made it back to whatever random couch I’m staying at. Largely because it’s just the way things worked out.

How to Live Cheaply in New York

It’s tough. To be honest, not knowing where I will sleep goes on my list of the top 3 most difficult challenges of my life (up there with losing someone I fell in love with and cold calling).

I’ve learned a few things over the last 30 days; lessons I wouldn’t have come close to really understanding before going “homeless.”

  1. Gringos eat too much.
  2. We are all 2 or 3 bad decisions away from being homeless.
  3. Whatever the price the American dream might be, pay it.

American’s Eat Too Much

Did you know that the average United States Citizen eats about 2700 calories a day (a number that has increased 25 % since 1970.)

In “Energy Expenditure of Walking and Running,” published last December in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, a group of Syracuse University researchers measured the actual calorie burn of 12 men and 12 women while running and walking 1,600 meters (roughly a mile) on a treadmill. Result: The men burned an average of 124 calories while running, and just 88 while walking; the women burned 105 and 74. (The men burned more than the women because they weighed more.) ¹

The fact that we are actually less active than we were back then puts even more sugary icing on the cake. How many times have you broken a sweat in the last 7 days? [Nerves about the next American Idol audition don’t count.]

This Adventure is Bananas

Over the last 30 days I have eaten at least 2 meals a day, but no more than 3. I’m experimenting with Leangains, an intermittent fasting way of eating. I only eat between 12-8 or 1-9. I follow a 16 hour fast and 8 hour window of eating.The logic behind it is that our bodies are not built for excessive eating. We come from hunter gatherers that did’nt have a Panera or Starbucks at every corner. So, that’s why I’m not eating breakfast.

 

And it cost a lot less rupees to only eat within a certain window of time- when backpacking on a budget, this is a HUGE deal.

I’ll have before and after pictures (non-nudes, of course…those are for the premium…jk) and a more detailed post or two about it after the 30 days are up.

We are Two or Three Bad Decisions Away From Being Homeless

Ever heard people say any of the following?

  • “Ugh. I can’t believe that guy doesn’t just get a job”
  • “Homeless people are disgusting.”
  • ” She must be a crackhead.”

I’m serious. I’ve heard those three verbatim. The other day- when I had to sleep at a McDonalds- I walked around and was struck with a steel hammer of logic: If I didn’t have my family to provide 20 dollars a day for me right now, I would literally be homeless. Society doesn’t care how much potential you have if you aren’t paying your bills.

I wouldn’t be able to just run back to mom and dad if I suddenly developed pneumonia. The cold cement floor and I would have to become intimate friends! All it takes is eviction, being fired from a job, quitting spontaneously, or a DUI mixed with more bad decisions.

Appreciate shelter. Appreciate a home with AC. A bed. A kitchen. A family. You never know when they could disappear.

But don’t play it safe either. Learn how to take calculated risks. If you’re not living on the edge, than you’re taking up too much space.

Whatever the Price for Success is, Pay It

Decide what you want out of life and don’t stop until you get it. I’m in New York for a reason. I’m on this blog because I know writing, learning, helping others, and doing awesome stuff really get my heart pumping.

Chase your dream until you catch it, then never let it go. If you doubt your ability to achieve, than surround yourself with people that believe in you.

I’ve noticed that all the successful people in the world will tell you that you can accomplish anything you want in life, so long as you are willing to pay the price it takes. Ask someone that gave up on being an actor, an astronaut, a millionaire, or [insert extravagant role that takes a lot of luck and gut-wrenching-work]…want to know what they will tell you?

“It was too hard, “I had to be realistic, “I wasn’t born to the right family,” “I didn’t have connections.” Blah…blah…blah…

Don’t listen to them. Listen to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, well known Actor, Model, Millionaire, and former Wrestler (successful, don’t you think?)

He tweeted this recently:

In 1995 I had $7 bucks in my pocket and I knew two things: I’m broke as hell and one day I won’t be. You can achieve anything.

I believe it. Do you? Hopefully, if you’re going through a tough time, my story (or even just that one quote) will help you keep pushing.

Get out there and get what is yours.

-Juda

P.S. I’ll be writing a post soon on some Do’s and Don’ts of surfing on couches in NYC. What kind? Would you like to know how to live on only 20 dollars a day? How about how to leave couches in good graces (so they invite you back!). Where to eat for cheap. And more.

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