By Amber Schadewald; photo by Isla Bell Murray
Pinching pennies won’t save your broke soul in San Francisco, but for an ever-growing population of us inhabiting this ridiculously expensive city, the battle between responsible budgeting and ordering another round is usually worth the morning headache. Mostly.
I’m fully aware that by writing that sentence alone, my woes are thin in comparison to those who can no longer call the Bay Area their home due to serious financial burdens beyond their control, like rent increases and unlivable wages. I’m still holding ground on my crumbling apartment, paying dues to the best of my ability and pondering next moves in order to sustain this lifestyle. But until some magic happens, things are looking a little bleak in terms of cash flow. I’m nervous.
It’s time to cut back on some of the extra-good stuff if I’m gonna slide into the next round. I’ve started small. No more kombucha (sub apple cider vinegar). No more restaurants with more than a one-dollar symbol—unless I’m “celebrating” something. No more fancy cheese. I bring a flask nearly everywhere. Oh, and my boyfriend and I are taking applications for sugar daddies. Only kidding (kinda).
Everyone who lives in this city has guilty pleasures and enjoys experiencing interesting, delightful things to a certain degree. It’s curious to see how people assign need versus want, and to what degree they hold the ranks. How many times have you or your friend said, “Oh, I can’t afford to go out; I’m trying to save money,” but then you stay in together, order takeout and drink two bottles of corner-store wine in your pajamas? What’s the difference between that bill and the one you would have paid at the bar? Apparently, no one is counting.
So I asked some people what sacrifices they make and what they don’t give up even when their wallets are wafer thin.
Kathryn, 27, Educator
One thing I won’t skimp on is organic produce. It’s seriously gnarly when you find out what kind of crazy chemicals are on nonorganic produce and what those chemicals can do to mammals. No questions asked. I always buy organic.
Ashlei, 30, Housewife
We become vegans when money is tight. Once the check comes in, I splurge on a huge hunk of meat. Nothing makes me feel like a rich woman more than a roast in the oven.
Molly, 35, Photographer
I was raised to be frugal and always look at the price of everything, so as an adult who finally became financially secure around age 32, buying nice cheese felt like the biggest baller move. Not even gonna look at the price tag!
Allison, 30, Therapist in Training
I am always broke, so cutting back is an everyday thing. Barter systems help. I walk dogs in exchange for weed, and I get free yoga from the studio where I work part-time. I like to get kale from my friends’ gardens instead of at the store. I sip seltzer at the bar or bring a flask. I ride my bike, or I stay sober and drive instead of Ubering. I’m obsessed with going to $5 matinee movies at the Grand Lake Theater, and I drink white-wine seltzers instead of just straight wine — then it lasts twice as long!
Britt, 28, Entrepreneur
I keep jars of coins around my room that I call my “vacation fund.” So far I have about enough to take an Uber all the way to the Mission. It’s also my “emergency slice” fund — I have a bit of a pizza problem. On that note, people say my pizza joint is janky, but when I’m dropping $3 on dinner and they’re shelling out for a $12 grilled cheese, I think they’re the dummies.
Steve, 33, Musician
I simply cut out eating. English breakfast tea becomes breakfast and sometimes lunch. Liquor never gets cut, but I drink less because I have no food to soak it up. Oh, healthy city living.
Hana, 24, Photographer
I won’t eat at any restaurants that aren’t self-serve with the “order and take your number” format. I stopped eating fancy and started ordering foot-longs at Subway to get me through the day. No matter how bad it gets, I refuse to give up good, strong local coffee. I’m all right with taking the Muni/BART when I have to forfeit my beloved Lyft. I’m even all right with walking two-plus miles to places I need to get to if it means I’ll save $2.75 and can put that toward a $4.00 Philz coffee.
Laura, 28, Marketing
I’ll never stop paying for Spotify Premium, because fuck commercials coming on when you’re having sexy times.
Jen, 31, Nonprofit Admin
Our rent went up in November, which has had the most noticeable impact on our budget. We’re staying in most nights and have started buying food and household staples at Costco, as opposed to engaging in our previous, more European-style shopping routine of walking to our favorite market every few days. We still pick up produce and the occasional premade weeknight meal from Bi-Rite.
Andy, 39, Business Owner
I started fasting on Wednesdays. It definitely saves me both a lot of time and money. Plus a couple of more abs are starting to peek through.
Alex, 33, Server/Musician
Since moving to SF, I’ve always erred on the side of broke. I live a minimal lifestyle and shop at thrift stores, and though I partake in some of the spoils of SF, the young punk in me still hates all things yuppie. I also work at a record store. Spending money on music is one of my only vices, so I get the hookup at work, and there’s always cheap musical equipment on Craigslist if I need new gear.
