Living in a big city on a low income isn’t a phase. It’s reality for a lot of people, and it doesn’t magically get easier with time.
Back in 2019, I shared over 30 money saving tips for big city living based on real experience, not theory. No budgeting apps, no “just stop buying coffee” nonsense. Just practical ways to survive when your money has to stretch further than it should.
So I went back and watched that video.
And here’s the thing…Almost all of those tips still work today.
Which says a lot more about how expensive life has gotten than anything else.
Watch: 30+ Money Saving Tips – 7 Years Later
What Still Works (And Always Will)
Some things don’t change because they’re built on necessity, not trends.
- Choosing where you live based on function, not status
- Using public transportation strategically instead of relying on convenience
- Washing smarter, not more often, and using low-cost laundry methods
- Cutting and maintaining your own hair
- Making your own products instead of constantly buying replacements
These aren’t hacks.
These are systems that reduce how much you need to spend in the first place.
What Got Worse
Let’s not pretend everything stayed the same.
Some of these tips used to save you money. Now they just help you avoid overspending.
- Groceries that used to be affordable are now unpredictable and inflated
- “Budget” options that quietly became mid-range pricing
- Thrift stores pricing donated items like boutique pieces
What used to feel like getting ahead now often feels like just keeping up.
What I Do Differently Now
This is where the shift matters.
I’m not trying to “save money better.”
I’m focused on needing less money in the first place.
- I swap products for cheaper versions or eliminate them entirely
- I refashion and reuse what I already own instead of replacing it
- I question every purchase instead of assuming I need it
- I build routines that don’t rely on constant spending
Most of the time, the solution isn’t out there in a store.
It’s already sitting in your closet.
The Real Takeaway
If these tips still work after 7 years, they’re not trends.
They’re survival strategies.
And maybe the problem isn’t that people don’t know how to save money.
Maybe it’s that everything costs more, and we’ve been taught to solve that by buying even more.
Start Where You Are
Around here, we use what we have to make what we want.
If you’re ready to stop chasing “more” and start working with what you already have, you’re in the right place.
Get started at RefashionistaSheri.com
