Oh yes my Pretty Ones, just like every trip I’ve ever been on, I set a budget for this little spontaneous getaway of mine to New York City and Boston. 

My Goal: $500

My original plan was to visit New York City for only 7 days on $500 (#spoileralert #failed). But (of course there’s a damn but…) then I extended my trip and stayed a total of 12 days in NYC, and added Boston to my trip for 3 nights.

Here the dirty deets.

Cash Withdrawn: $600
VISA Card setback: $687
Trip Total: $1,287.20 (for 12 days in NYC, and 3 days Boston)

The Breakdown:

Transportation

Toronto —> New York City (bus): $85.50
New York City —-> Boston (bus): $13.50
Boston —> Toronto (flight):  $111.20 
Cabs in NYC: $45
Cabs in Boston: $26
Metro Pass NYC: $50
Metro Pass Boston: $10
      Total: $341.20

Accommodation

NYC #1 with my lovely friend Kavita: $0
NYC #2 with my talented friend Amanda (NYE): $0
NYC #3 with my beautiful friend Sarah: $0
Boston with the gorgeous Naomi and Claire: $0
      Total: $0

Food

In NYC: $450
In Boston: $100
     Total: $550

Shopping

In NYC (Gap and Macy’s): $235 #fail
In Boston: -
      Total: $235

Entertainment

Ferry to watch the sunset: $4
Central Park NYE Run: $50
Glamour office tour:  -
Walking around NYC / the park: -
The American History Museum: -
Sleep No More: $80
The MOMA:  -
Detroit Disabled Exhibit:  -   
Top of the Rock: $27
Snow Patrol Concert: -
Vivian Maier Exhibit: -
God of Carnage Play: -
     TOTAL: $161

The Summary

Transportation: $341.20
Accommodation: $0 (luck girl I am!)
Food: $550
Shopping: $235
Entertainment: $161
     TOTAL: $1,287.20

My Final Thoughts

Despite this trip shifting my money situation into the sketchy-every-penny-will-count-zone for Australia, it was worth it.  Had I not been an idiot and shopped (Macy’s and The Gap), I would have done 2 weeks away in NYC and Boston for $1,000, which I don’t think is too shabby! 

Obviously I am incredibly fortunate to have such great friends who let me stay in their abodes for free - Thank you so much everyone! I couldn’t have done this trip without you.

I was also very fortunate to get free tickets to all the galleries in NYC, invited to Glamour, free tickets to Snow Patrol!, and God of Carnage. Thank you so much to all those who helped me out!! I am forever in your debt :)

Ps. I was thinking of doing a Big Budget post (from Berlin, Croatia, Nepal and S E Asia), but would people care? Should I bother… let me know peeps.