Frankie Hoy, a comedian and TikToker, set himself the challenge of surviving a month in New York City on just $100. He managed to make it to the last day of the month, and decided to treat himself by not hopping the turnstile and paying for the subway. He also left a $1.58 tip for musicians performing in a subway station, ate oatmeal and brownies, and made his own coffee to save money. He believes most New Yorkers could live for two weeks on $100 by making small adjustments to their spending habits.
On 11 December 2022, Frankie Hoy, a comedian and TikToker, set himself the challenge of surviving a month in New York City on just $100. After 31 days of living on a budget, Hoy had just $4.33 left. To celebrate his success, he decided to splurge on his final day.
Hoy saved money by living out of a former DHL van in Queens, hopping the turnstile in subway stations (illegally), eating oatmeal and savouring leftovers of the cheap pizza available to buy around the city, and making his own coffee.
On his last day, Hoy left a $1.58 tip for musicians performing in a subway station, ate oatmeal after performing at an open mic, and enjoyed some brownies at a party before heading back home. He then decided to treat himself by not hopping the turnstile and paying for the subway, something one viewer described as ‘the biggest plot twist in cinematic history’.
Hoy believes most New Yorkers could live for two weeks on $100 by making small adjustments to their spending habits. His challenge proves that it is possible to survive in New York City without breaking the bank.
