{"id":182961,"date":"2025-08-28T19:32:16","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T19:32:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/182961\/"},"modified":"2025-08-28T19:32:16","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T19:32:16","slug":"i-survived-on-just-20-for-one-day-in-nyc-heres-how-you-can-make-it-work-too","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/182961\/","title":{"rendered":"I survived on just $20 for one day in NYC \u2014 here’s how you can make it work, too"},"content":{"rendered":"

New York City is one of the most expensive cities in the world \u2014 but not for this man. <\/p>\n

Indian food influencer Aabir Vyas recently proved that with a little strategy, it\u2019s possible to eat three meals and make it through a full day in the city with just $20.<\/p>\n

His Instagram video<\/a> documenting the experience quickly gained attention on social media, sparking both praise and incredulity online.<\/p>\n

\"ManYouTuber Aabir Vyas proved that New York City doesn\u2019t have to be expensive. @belikeeaabirr \/ Instagram<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome to an episode of Barely Surviving with Aabir. The challenge is simple: manage breakfast, lunch and dinner outside, all within $20,\u201d Vyas said, translating his original Hindi intro to the video.<\/p>\n

His goal wasn\u2019t just to survive on the bare minimum, but to also make thoughtful choices about what to eat, where to spend, and how to stay full throughout the day. <\/p>\n

Vyas kicked off his day with a low-cost but filling breakfast: five bananas for $1 and a bagel with eggs for $3. <\/p>\n

\u201cThat was my first meal of the day. I\u2019m trying to keep it relatively healthy. I know the protein is low, but the carbs give enough energy to get going,\u201d he said. It was a light start, but a strategic one, prioritizing volume and energy over high-cost proteins. <\/p>\n

For a midday boost of energy at lunch, he bought a protein bar for $2.29 and paid more than twice that for a coffee at $6.17. While some may see that as a luxury on a tight budget, Vyas justified the spend.<\/p>\n

\u201cI needed a good coffee and a place where I could sit and work comfortably. The protein bar gave me 20 grams of protein,\u201d he explained. He also picked up a sparkling water for $0.48 to stay hydrated and push through the day without feeling empty. <\/p>\n

Dinner came from a classic New York food cart \u2014 chicken and rice for under $7. By skipping extra sauces, he was able to stay within his remaining budget while still enjoying a hearty, protein-rich meal. <\/p>\n

\"NYCDinner came from a classic New York food cart \u2014 chicken and rice for under $7. @belikeeaabirr \/ Instagram<\/p>\n

In total, Vyas spent $19.94 for the day, just six cents under his $20 limit. He also saved on transportation by using a prepaid subway card, which wasn\u2019t included in the day\u2019s budget.<\/p>\n

The video quickly went viral on social media, with many viewers applauding his creativity and willpower. However, some criticized his spending priorities, especially the decision to buy a $6 coffee while working with such a limited budget. <\/p>\n

\u201cYou spent a third of your budget on coffee?\u201d one commenter noted, while others suggested he could have opted for a $1 bodega brew instead.<\/p>\n

Still, many appreciated his honest and realistic approach to the challenge. It wasn\u2019t about suffering or starving \u2014 it was about making deliberate choices and showing how far $20 can go if you plan wisely.<\/p>\n

Vyas proved it\u2019s possible to survive \u2014 and even stay relatively comfortable \u2014 in a notoriously expensive city on a shoestring budget.<\/p>\n

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