College students — historically known for having devastating bank statements — live in one of the most expensive American cities: New York City. This paradox may seem cruel to any Fordham University or NYC college student, and that’s because it is. However, these collegiate individuals are able to put their educated minds to good use and find crafty ways to stay financially afloat in this town of $10 iced lattes.
Seeing as not all students can qualify for work-study or on-campus jobs, and even those that do can only work 10-15 hours a week, students who are especially interested in having some fiscal wiggle room have gone rogue to look for more opportunities.
In order to cover the costs of urban shopping and dining, Joanna Reyna, FCRH ’28, works as a driver for the Ram Van, the intercampus shuttle. However, she has picked up another gig to fund her expenses.
“I walk a little girl from daycare home every Monday,” said Reyna. Her new job helps fund her shoe-buying habit and provides an easy form of income to give Reyna some more liberty with her spending. Instead of restricting her purchases to the bare necessities, this extra inflow of money has given her independence and freedom to splurge more on outings in the city.
“If I want to go treat myself to an ice cream or a meal, I can go do that,” explained Reyna. “I would 100% recommend this life; it’s nice to have pocket money.” The daycare chauffeur went on to say that she appreciates not having to rely on parents for any kind of allowance. Although Reyna has created a lifestyle with more responsibilities and time commitments, her schedule doesn’t pose an issue.
“You just have to balance it out,” said Reyna. “Right now I really only have it Monday, Friday, and Saturday, and then the rest of the days I can do extracurriculars and homework.”
Despite how attractive it is to make some extra cash, one has to keep in mind the challenging balance between academics and work. Still, if you can swing it, it never hurts to have a source of income that enables you to splurge on a bacon egg and cheese or chic new coat to fit in with all the impossibly fashionable New Yorkers.
If you are interested in following in her footsteps, taking to social media as opposed to some other job hunting site is the way to go. Reyna discovered this job opportunity via a Fordham community Facebook group.
I myself have explored some varying side hustles, because there is no hope in the nearby future of me adopting responsible or frugal spending habits as long as there are perpetually emerging cute, artisanal bakeries in this city.
In addition to picking up shifts for my hometown employer over breaks in the school year, I have made use of the Knack tutoring program. After going through the tedious online certification process, which took me a total of one night to complete, you have free range to tutor anyone in classes you’ve already taken and make some money. Some classes are more conducive to tutoring than others, but if you feel ready to preach some philosophical ethics, Knack is the place for you.
The pay is technically still funded by Fordham, but it doesn’t count as work-study, so it is a much more accessible and flexible option for all students. Plus, if you have a friend that is struggling with finite mathematics, you’ve got your financially responsible weekend plans figured out!
Living in a city with such high levels of activity and prices, it is easy to get carried away with spending on weekly excursions. Personally, I am haunted and ashamed by the figure I spent during my first-year fall semester. However, one of the best aspects of going to school at Fordham is all of the entertainment and urban opportunities that are at your fingertips.
While I appreciate receiving a paycheck, sometimes I end up overcompensating with my expenses, feeling liberated by seeing money enter my bank account. To any student who is able to secure a side hustle, I would recommend not letting what goes into your wallet go straight to your head as well.
Sometimes, it feels as though I am allergic to having money in my bank account and that I yearn to be the recipient of a low-spending mode email from PNC Bank. I usually rationalize it by thinking, “Oh, why make money if not to spend it?” But, we must apply some of Aristotle’s advice for living a life of temperance (email me for tutoring in philosophical ethics).
If you are in need of some cushioning in your checking account, don’t limit yourself just to Fordham work-study. There’s a large world of easy, student-friendly income at your fingertips if you know where to look. Where there’s a will and a paycheck, there’s a way.
