How I Managed to Live on $20 for a Day in NYC—and How You Can Do It Too

New York City is one of the most expensive cities in the world — but not for this man.

Recently, Indian food influencer Aabir Vyas demonstrated that with some strategizing, you can eat three meals and get through a whole day in the city on just $20.

His Instagram video documenting the experience quickly gained attention on social media, sparking both praise and incredulity online.

“Welcome to an episode of Barely Surviving with Aabir. The challenge is simple: manage breakfast, lunch, and dinner outside, all within $20,” Vyas stated, translating his original introduction in Hindi for his video.

His aim wasn’t merely to scrape by but to make deliberate decisions on what to eat, where to allocate his budget, and how to feel satiated throughout the day.

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

“That was my first meal of the day. I’m trying to keep it relatively healthy. I know the protein is low, but the carbs give enough energy to get going,” he said. It was a light start, but a strategic one, prioritizing volume and energy over high-cost proteins.

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.

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

Dinner came from a classic New York food cart — 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.

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’t included in the day’s budget.

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.

“You spent a third of your budget on coffee?” one commenter noted, while others suggested he could have opted for a $1 bodega brew instead.

Still, many appreciated his honest and realistic approach to the challenge. It wasn’t about suffering or starving — it was about making deliberate choices and showing how far $20 can go if you plan wisely.

Vyas proved it’s possible to survive — and even stay relatively comfortable — in a notoriously expensive city on a shoestring budget.