Good morning class of 2024 and 2025, and I hope you’re settling in nicely! You may or may not have noticed, but living in New York City costs a pretty penny, and it can be overwhelming to navigate the financial waters of college as a semi-new adult. My two best pieces of advice are snag and save! Snag every free opportunity you can, and save as much income as possible.

See something wild? Overhear something particularly wacky during NSOP? Tell us, by submitting a tip to tips@bwog.com or via the form on our website.

Today’s Highlights:

• Community Roundtable: Managing a Budget from 10 pm to 12 am: Learn how to “adult” as a broke college student with experienced and wise OLs. Trust me, you’re going to need all the wisdom you can get for your first year in NYC!
• Mr. Softee Truck | 117th St. Barnard Gate from 12 to 2 pm: More free ice cream! With 80º weather and student loans just beginning to accumulate, there is no better time to seek out a cool, refreshing snack at no cost to you. Enjoy!

One Thing To Do Before Graduating: Take the ferry! Talk about balling on a budget…for only $2.75, you can essentially get a yacht ride with gorgeous views. The feeling of New York’s ocean breeze against your face on public transportation is a uniquely “city school” experience. I recommend going on any of the ferry routes at sunset!

From The Archives: Bwog Finance: Best Bank Account For College Students and A Columbia First Year’s Guide To Tipping are both excellent resources for two important aspects of money management in college. If you’re paying for meals in a restaurant or services throughout the city, you’ll need to understand tipping expectations, and choosing a bank account can range from mildly confusing to severely frustrating. Use these articles—they truly are gems from the past—to aid you through the process!

stack of coins via Wikimedia Commons