Spending and Saving in New York City: Part Four
Editor’s Note: This is part four of Noel’s ongoing series about her adventures navigating the NYC sample sale world, adjusting to life without total financial support from her parents, and learning where to spend and save to support her love of fashion while staying within budget! In case you missed them, see Spending and Saving in New York City: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.
Photo Credit: 1
Okay, okay — I “cheated”: I went Black Friday shopping at home in California. Granted, quite a few of my friends stayed in New York City for Thanksgiving break, since we were only given two days off from school, so they were able to enjoy the wonderful array of Black Friday sales that can only be found one of the fashion capitals of the world.
However, my three days in California were about more than just shopping: they have allowed me to reflect upon my life in college and my life at home. The contrasts are especially apparent: from sharing a minimally-furnished bathroom with three other girls in my dorm suite (NYC) to finding out from my mother that the toilets in our house can now clean your derrière with warm water for you (CA). I’m still a big fan of Charmin toilet paper.
Ahem. Quoting one of my good friends, who also bedecked her dorm room with fashion photography, “I was broke, am broke and will always be broke from unplanned shopping.” After “cheating” on my spending plan with Black Friday, this phrase rings truer than ever.
I wonder – should we just accept our fate as perpetually broke college students? And if we accept this fate, does this mean we can shop as much as we want, without feeling guilty from looking at our dwindling bank accounts? Is the college the time to feel broke, be broke, and eat ramen noodles while wearing Christian Louboutin over-the-knee boots?
I really needed to have these questions answered.
In the meantime, while I have only been going to college in New York City for three months, here are a few more somewhat-practical-but-mostly-sappy lessons I’ve learned so far from being a perpetually broke but fashion-obsessed college student:
- Tupperware is one of the best investments you can make for yourself. One time at lunch in the dining hall, I got a huge plate of spinach salad — in addition to an egg-white omelet and some pasta. I didn’t even touch my salad because I was so full, but I didn’t want to waste it either. I asked the lady working at the front counter if I could use one of the “take-out” containers to rescue my salad. I was told that I had to dump it in the trash, because food can’t be taken out of the dining hall. I made sure to (stealthily) bring my Tupperware container the next time I ate in the dining hall. And to stop overestimating how much I can eat.
- One of the perks of having stylish friends is being able to borrow their clothes and get inspiration from their daily outfits. Some of my close friends are involved in Hoot magazine, Columbia University’s premier fashion, lifestyle, culture, and arts publication, which I co-founded with my fellow perpetually broke friend. I am constantly in awe of their intellectual curiosity, brilliant creativity, and fantastic style. Sometimes, college appears to be a constant costume party — and thank goodness there are friends to borrow from.
- Professors are inspiring too. My writing instructor has an earthy sense of style — and aside from the fact that all of the guys in the class find her attractive, I am always most captivated by her polished yet slightly bohemian look, always consisting of simple silk dresses or cotton shirts paired with urban leather boots (or classy heels), a giant pair of headphones, and a black backpack (ah yes, she rocks the backpack). In other words, have style — don’t blindly follow trends.
- Don’t compare yourself to others. Whether it’s academics or handbag collections, comparing yourself to your peers is not productive or healthy. One of my friends once said to me, “I feel so average here! Everyone is so fabulous. I have nothing to my name.” College is about mixing with students from completely different backgrounds and finding common ground in spite of these initial differences. For example, my friend from Seattle, Washington found out that his roommate from Ghana shared his love for Lupe Fiasco.
I am about to fly back to New York City, but I’m desperately yearning for the next three weeks (including final exams) to be over, so that I can fly back home and well, pretend to not be a broke college student. In fact, I just realized that my suitcase is packed with more Ramen and cereal than clothes.
Did you go Black Friday shopping? What did you buy? And truth be told, did you stay within budget?
Posted on on December 1, 2009 / Filed Under: College Life / Tags: Black Friday, Budgeting, California, NYC, Shopping
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Sarah
It’s really frustrating that this is the FOURTH article about shopping in New York. I have always loved this site and look forward to checking it each morning. I am from a really small town in Virginia and probably will never make it to New York, So I would appreciate it if the advice for fashion stay more general. I could tolerate one even 2 posts about New York, but please no more..
Best Regards
Liz
I’m pretty sure if you’re wearing Louboutin boots and can somehow afford to fly back and forth across the country for break you have no idea what it’s like to be a truly broke college student. There are students out there who work two jobs and are broke from paying the bills, never mind buying new clothes. Just sayin’.
Zephyr - CF Editor
Sarah – I’m just curious – aside from the fact that you don’t live in NY, is there anything about this series that you aren’t liking? I don’t live in NYC either but I encouraged Noel to write this because I love hearing about perspectives from people whose lives are different than mine. I think it’s a little bit of my urge to live the glamorous life vicariously, haha! Other than this series, we do keep the fashion tips pretty general. What would you like to see instead? Any ideas?
Liz – I think you missed what Noel was saying – I don’t think she’s trying to say that she’s stomping around in Louboutin boots and living a lavish life while begging for change in her spare time and pretending she doesn’t have a penny to her name! That phrase about the Louboutins was meant to illustrate the example of spending all your money on frivolous things because when you’re in college, sometimes it seems like poor money management is the norm. Hope that makes sense!
Carol
Thank you! I was asking myself when Noah would write again about her NYC experience. I love to read about how is to live and be broke in the shopping capital lol
The Louboutin comment was fabulous, sometime I have the same doubts… If we should embrace the situation and dress cool and eat poorly XD
Michelle Jeannine
Could just be that I’m from NJ & consider NYC the epicenter for shopping but I don’t think that any of this is totally irrelevant to people in other states. Just because you don’t live in NYC doesn’t mean you can’t live like you do. Take the advice from Big Apple and bring it into a small town in wherever America & you could make your wardrobe and style really unique.
That having been said, not comparing yourself to others is probably the most valuable advice that’s been given, but also the hardest to achieve.
Sam
As much as I love this site, these NYC articles are borderline ridiculous. If Noel wants to write about her fabulous (and her life is definitely fabulous) New York lifestyle and how it pertains to fashion, then that’s fine. However, in these articles, she’s hiding behind the pretense that she’s another broke college student like the rest of us. She’s not-end of story. These articles feature a lifestyle that is extremely dissimilar than the average college girl’s life. Every poor college student I know is broke because they had bills to pay, not because they have a shopping habit they can’t quit. To be honest, I’m so broke that I have to budget for Forever 21 clothes and some months, I can barely swing a new headband. These articles are rather insulting and make the normal college girl feel bad about her own financial status. If you want to keep these articles, then drop the pretense. Noel is not the normal college girl and her spending habits are not, by any means, easy to relate to by average girls.
Lindsay
I like in the boonies of western PA and still find Noel’s articles on NYC interesting and definitely worthy of reading. She should definitely continue writing them! This article in particular was definitely general enough to apply to a wide variety of people. Good job!
Lindsay
*live
wendy
Noel keep it up! Great article. I live in NYC but go to school in NJ and studied in England for a while, her advice is useful everywhere. Love the CL analogy, haha. tip: get CLs on sale esp the barneys or saks sales, the best. Remember everything goes on sale now because no one is buying. I think I would rather eat ramen noodles and walk around in beautiful shoes, why not?
Is it just me or does anyone else find a toilet that cleans after you scary? LOL.
Caitlin
Even though I’m still not blown away by this series, I can tell Noel is trying really hard to relate… which is good.
I’d suggest you do some crazy shopping trips, as long as you’re in “The City”… have you been around Chinatown yet? There are mainstream outlets, but also (in the backstreets) some tucked away clothes stores with interesting things. (also Joe Shanghai’s, best soup dumplings! Yum.)
Don’t be afraid to explore the neighborhoods of Manhattan… as long as you’re not flaunting “Christian Louboutin over-the-knee boots” (with the ramen noodles), you’re pretty much a nobody in NY, and that’s a good thing.
I love NY! So that’s why I think I’m a little hesitant about this series… it’s not about NY as much as it is one college girl’s experience.
I think it would be cool for you to talk about exploring the city, and discovering new things — shopping adventures! You could relate that to almost anyone’s city.
Madeleine Fahlbusch
I didn’t go shopping on Black Friday because I don’t live in the U.S. so they don’t have sales in their clothing stores sadly. I was jealous of all of y’all who got to enjoy it though :)
Catherine
I live in Texas and I love the shopping in NYC articles. Just because you don’t live near NYC, doesn’t mean you wouldn’t want to.
Roxy
I think these articles are great!
I live in England just outside of Bristol so shopping in NY is really not an option for me, or in any American state for that matter. I find these articles totally fascinating and provides me with an escape to NY. However, I also find them very relevant. I think whether you live in a small town or a major city the underlying information speaks to everyone.
Noel - Columbia University
About the Louboutin comment — I was being facetious. I am currently wearing Zara boots that I picked up on sale for $50…and no, I don’t own Louboutins. I’ve been saving up for a winter jacket and boots, which I JUST bought.
Ellen
i love noel’s series the most. her writing style is the most sophisticated and the most entertaining to read–regardless of where you live.
Vanessa
i gave in for black friday and bought a fair amount of things
j.crew wool peacoat $150
3 pairs of gap jeans $10, $13, $13
2 dresses at anthropologie $10, $10
I’m quite satisfied, although I wish the jcrew coat had been cheaper, i own a $100 wool coat from h&m that is the scratchiest thing in the world, and a $30 coat from old navy that isn’t warm enough. jcrew coats pull on like butter :(
Sam
A follow-up on my previous comment that was not added to this site: I don’t think it’s fair that comments that aren’t 100% positive are rejected. The comment policy of this site says constructive criticism is allowed. My comment, and I’m sure other comments as well, are completely within the guidelines and should be accepted. If this site wants to become more successful, it needs to listen to its readers, not edit their comments,
Keke
I think Noel’s articles on NYC are cute and well written. I feel this one especially is relevant to everyone, not just New Yorkers. It takes all types of people to make this world awesome and those of us who are a little more privileged and worked during college just to feed our shopping and dining out habits (I know I did) are just as relevant as those who have to work their way through school. So let’s all get along! Also, people bemoaning being from small towns and never seeing NYC, what the heck? There’s this huge world that is begging to be explored! No need to live and die in 1 mile radius you were born in.
Iris
This series is improving – it becomes more pleasant and interesting to read as time goes by. Keep on expanding your perspective, Noel!
P.S. You co-founded an arts and style magazine at Columbia? You are after my own heart, Noel! Looking to be a future transfer to NYC in the near future.
elle
I went a little crazy during Black Friday…. I bought jeans, a watch, and a winter coat : I’m glad its over. Haha.
But… I spent WAY TOO MUCH money on clothes in general this month. :(
Hanna
As i literal broke college student, i have to say i find these articles somewhat offensive. I understand that she is trying to make the point that college students tend to make poor financial decisions and spend their given money on nice clothes rather than practical things, but even so, this mostly sounds like the rant of a wealthy college student going to one of the most expensive colleges in the US, about how hard it is to actually be aware of one’s finances. This is the last person in the world that should be giving financial advise, as she is obviously completely taken care of by her parents and has no real financial responsibility. I find this offensive because i work two jobs to pay for my own college degree (hoping to graduate with my engineering degree in 2 years), and i am actually broke. I have been financially responsible for myself since i was 16, and i can tell you first hand, this the last place young women should be reading about taking control of their finances. Please, please, please stick to the fashion articles. I come to this site from my hectic, broke *real* college life to relax and look at cute new clothes! NOT to be told how to manage my finances by the uber-privileged. One more thing – that other article about purchasing $200 scarves at a sample sale (or something close to that) – are you serious!?!? You have no idea what being a broke college student means.
Jennie
Uh…hey guys…she isn’t trying to up herself by writing these articles at all. I think that’s your own far fetched interpretation from her article, and it’s totally rude to stab your finger in her face. Her articles can’t apply to every single student because obviously each person comes from a different background; hers just happens to be more privileged than others.
Plus, accusing her of being a spoiled, monetary worry-free college student is completely bullocks. If she actually WAS completely financially supported by her parents, she wouldn’t be having “[her] suitcase packed with more Ramen and cereal than clothes.”
So stop hating. Thanks!
Ariel
I decided not to go black friday shopping because the mall would’ve been too hectic for me. Thank goodness for cyber monday sales!
Slowly going into debt from student loans
Hanna stole the words out of my mouth. Every word. I understand that you are trying to bond with a grip of the readers who don’t make an income yet and have to shop with their $200 monthly allowance from mom and dad. I get that. However, it is still important–as a writer–to be mindful of you’re entire audience.
Chelsea Morgan T.
Thanks so much for this. It is frustrating as a college student learning about finances on you own and often in the classroom, as well. This is also the time I find myself most inspired in art and fashion..why do we have to be poor now?!
It was nice to see someone relate, and perhaps I won’t sigh as loudly when I look at my bank statements at the end of the month; maybe it’s the natural cycle of being a collge girl..
Also.. is your birthday coming up? You have such a Christmasy name :)
Chelsea Morgan
Brooke
I think it’s ridiculous that people are “offended” by this series. Noel, are you trying to give real financial advice or are you blogging for entertainment? Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m guessing it’s the latter. This is one of my favorite series, and it’s lovely to get to enjoy blogs from someone who actually has writing talent.
Calm down, people. She’s not claiming to be anyone she’s not.
Anyway…this is something I’ve been dealing with as well. When I see something perfect, I have to buy it, and it’s becoming a real problem. Apparently, many things are perfect. I’m definitely in the “skipping meals because I saw a cute coat” camp.
Vicky
Well, I don’t live in the USA and I find this interesting. I can’t relate 100% to the situation in any way, but I think it’s cool to see how others live. I would feel offended if she was trying to say that she is better than us, and that’s not how it sounds like.
Keep going!
p.s. I do agree that maybe it is getting a little long, but that’s all.
Breanna
I live in a poor european country and my budget is probably much smaller than most people here and I still find this series intresting. It’s well written and the tips are pretty general – just replace the “Louboutin” with any other brand and “shoes” with any other clothing piece and you have a typical “college student on a budget” situation. Of course CF readers are not only college students and many of those who are, are financially responsible for themselves. But Noel is a college student on a budget and she writes this series from her perspective – it would be offending if she tried to give some advices how to make ends meet when you have to earn the money for the college and never experienced it.
I see the *wink wink* within her usage of the word “broke” and I can trully relate to it, because that’s how I feel in the end of the month. I know my parents wouldn’t let me die of hunger, but I’m ashamed of my poor money management skills and I just wait for the next month money transfer eating ramen noodles and pretending I’m not hard up at all.
Zephyr - CF Editor
Sam – Your comment wasn’t deleted – it was awaiting moderation and I hadn’t got around to approving it yet. I’ve been a little busy these past few days! Anyway, your comment was within the guidelines of the post. If it says “your comment is awaiting moderation”, that means just that – I haven’t had time to approve it. Sometimes the spam filter catches comments and won’t let them through ’til I approve them!
Keke – Totally agree about needing to explore! Even if you’re from a small town, who knows what could happen in the future? Why not visit NYC or aim to travel the globe for that matter? There’s no reason you can’t dream about that stuff!
Grace
Yup, went Black Friday shopping! Not in the hectic get up at 6am to go stand in line kind of thing though.
Discovered H&M for the first time on Black Friday, actually! I don’t live terribly close to an H&M, the closest is 30 min away, but there was one 40min away that was also together with Old Navy, Urban Outfitters, Forever 21, Target, so I went to that one. Picked up 3 pieces for an average of $10 each. Then a pair of skinny jeans at ON for $15. I’m amazed at how affordable it all was.
Although, that’s quite enough clothes shopping for my broke college student budget for a long time. xD
Paula ?
I was actually pretty excited for this series when it first started because I’ve always loved New York (I’ve never been there but I love the idea). I have to say I’m a little disappointed, though. I just haven’t found any of the articles super entertaining or interesting. I don’t want to sound like a b****, but I guess it’s just not what I expected…
Vanessa @ Chic and Charming
I think some of the girls here are missing the point of the article. College girls don’t live Gossip Girl lives, regardless if they are from New York City. New York City may be a very expensive city where the cost of living is much higher, but that doesn’t mean they have limitless funds either.
Noel didn’t mention that she flies home on her private jet. She probably has a credit card like most college girls and uses a commercial flight just like everyone else. After she sees the newly accumulated balance on her card, she is probably broke just like everyone else. The Christian Louboutin reference (regardless of whether Noel owns a pair or not) was probably just a mere metaphor to relate to a college girl’s shopping habits. Despite trying to make ends meet, most of us girls still want to go to the mall to and “treat ourselves.” ;)
I like Noel’s New York posts. I believe it’s a refreshing take on a college girl’s life in a very expensive city. New York is expensive and it doesn’t matter who you are. She is presenting valuable tips if anyone ever wants to make it there, regardless if they want to move there or just to visit often. Her life may seem fabulous but if you’ve been following her on her old blog (like I have), she’s worked very, very hard for it! And that can paint an inspiration for us too.
To answer your question Noel, I like Black Friday shopping especially Cyber Monday (great sales online!). I didn’t score too much yet, but I can just tell that the mall is going be decked with wonderful sales this year.
I also think that we should accept our fate as perpetually broke college students because it’s who we are…. otherwise we’re masquerading as someone that we’re not. Surely, we can still become serious frugal fashionistas on a budget and some of your valuable shopping tips prove that.
Angie Marie
As an earlier reader mentioned and I myself commented on one of your previous posts, you are extremely educated and articulate and have an elegant writing style. I am always impressed by everyone who is a part of College Fashion. All of the girls are fun, fashionable, enlightening, and committed, though Noel has been blogging for years, is at an Ivy League school, and obviously has a gift for writing.
That being said, Noel, I am also an aspiring writer and one “tenet” of creative writing which I strive to stick to is “write what you know.” Us readers would love to hear about your life and gain insight from your advice AS LONG AS you tell us, truthfully, about being yourself. Don’t feel pressured to give us financial advice! I think you’ll find that you’re a much stronger writer if you stick to topics that suit your lifestyle.
Writing has the power to really stir people up emotionally. I, for instance, was so emotionally relieved to not see boyfriends mentioned in the Christmas gift suggestion article, simply because I keep having to turn down cute boys and remain single because I can’t seem to find anyone who shares my values and would make good boyfriend material. I can understand why readers who are struggling financially would me really irritated to see a reminder of how poor they are compared to you, just as I would have been a little annoyed to see boyfriends mentioned in that other article. It’s just a sensitive topic right now.
I think think you will find readers much more receptive to your articles if you either simply rename the series. Another idea would be to challenge yourself to NOT SHOP for a semester and then blog about the creative ensembles you come up with from your own closet. And, of course, your career as a writer seems to be going wonderfully aready (I believe I read that you interned for one of the “big name” fashion magazines) and a little criticism from readers shoudn’t be too big a setback.
Sorry to ramble so much, but I wanted to show support with some (hopefully) constructive criticism thrown in. Thanks for the fascinating read, Noel! Now, back to studying for finals…
Sarah
I’ve always wondered about the same thing. Even though you don’t stick to the plan, i still think that you need it there (including that guilt factor), so that you won’t go WAYYYY overboard, if you decide to come to terms with your shopping addiction.
I love the series! Keep it up Noel!!
p.s
I’m all the way in Hawaii, but planning a trip to NYC for this coming Jan. and i’ve already put some of the stores in this series on my agenda! Can’t wait to stop by them. Even if i wasn’t planning this trip, i’ve always been interested in the life of someone who lives in NYC!
jackie wilson
I like the idea of reusable storage but some tupperware has nasty things like BPA that can leech into foods. Preserve lines are made of recycled products collected at whole foods and sent it to the company. I get all my toothbrushes there and if i needed to purchase food containers I would go to them first, but usually find plastic containers that are washed out well work just fine!
Angie Marie
Zephyr, I wrote a comment on December 2 that was quite long (I spent at least ten minutes writing it) which I personally thought contained a fair amount of both praise and constructive criticism for Noel. I think you do such a wonderful job with the site, and I think it’s awesome that you take the time to moderate all comments! However, I wanted to check back and clarify whether my comment has not shown up because of a technical glitch or because it was somehow deemed offensive. I don’t mean to be pushy in any way, haha, I just put a lot of thought into that comment and hoped for it to show. Thanks for your dedication to this site; it’s my favorite!