While I continue to attempt to determine what kind of budget I’m going to need to live on for the first few months of living in The City, I am constantly scouring the internet for new “help” guides to living in New York. As I’ve stated in the past, my career here in SoCal has afforded me some little luxuries and allowed me to continue to build my savings for what I hope will not be a long unemployment once I arrive at my new home; but, in reality, my career is allowing me to save (along with a strict budget I’ve implemented for this reason) so that I can survive on what I imagine may possibly be a worst case scenario, no decent paying job for a while (what with the economy in bad shape and all).
Today, I came across this story…this little tid bit of cockeyed information that just completely sent me into a tiny tailspin.
Granted, everyone is feeling the pain of a slumping economy and some are struggling to stay afloat. Even just today a report came out that, on average, even millionaires have lost a third of their assets in the current recession. (yeah, we all feel terribly bad for them, right?) This, of course, simply adds to the fear and trepidation I hold deep inside in relation to making such a life altering decision as moving to New York from Los Angeles. What really freaks me out, however, is the story of Katie Holmes spending nearly $14 million on living expenses in the last six months she’s lived in Manhattan. Now granted, I’m all for the better off trying to boost the economy and consumer confidence, but $14 million in six months? Seriously?!!?
According to an article on NYPost.com, (just summarizing), Katie has spent this on: Food – $7,315.17 ; Clothing – $17,094.50 ; Nights Out (Cultural Events) – $5,415 ; Real Estate – $14,407
Just to list a few.
Now, I understand that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are a “Hollywood Power Couple,” but good God that is a lot of money! I’m not one to generally keep up with entertainment news, but as I’ve stated before, I am keeping up with news stories having to do with NYC and this one just kept popping up across the web.
Kinda freaked me out a bit…hopefully (compared to theirs) my piddling insignificant savings will get me by.
I believe money to simply be a means to an end and while I am driven and focused on success, my definition of success is much greater than monetary. Now believe me when I tell you, I’m no hippie who’s all for “just living in the moment, man” and being a gypsy of sorts, in fact, quite the contrary. As I’ve mentioned, I was raised in a rather structured and conservative household and do believe that each person must be a contributing member of society and not just some floater simply skating through life. However, I do believe in simplicity. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I like nice “things” as much as the next person, but it is not what drives me. I’m not driven to make more money to buy a bigger house to buy a nicer car and to have nicer things at home. My God, I’ve seen some of the apartments in Manhattan and would love to have a 3 bedroom with a city view balcony, but the truth is, I don’t need it. I believe the extra money that would be spent on that kind of rent could be put to better use to contribute to society (i.e. – the arts, community development, the overall U.S. homeless problem). That’s just me. I don’t judge if you do like the nicer things, I have plenty of close friends that do, but for me, a simpler life will suit me just fine.
“Money often costs too much”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
