There I was — sitting in my bedroom on a regular Friday night watching Sex and the City re-runs when it hit me! How the heck did Carrie afford her Lifestyle? We know she was a columnist, but realistically the amount she made could not cover her daily cab rides and $25 cocktails for a week let alone afford her a posh apartment in the middle of Manhattan.
How did Carrie Bradshaw from SATC afford her LIFESTYLE?
After 20 years, the writers sold us a dream that was far-fetched and downright unrealistic giving us false hope of Life in New York City. They made it seem that once you are stylish and have the right connections you would automatically live an enviable lifestyle. I had the pleasure of visiting New York in February for Fashion Week and it was hella expensive! Even the daily commute on the subway that us common folks take was expensive!
Let’s Look at her Expenses
Monthly Salary $4,024
Rent $700 (due to rent control). It would have been $2,897
Shoe Purchases $425
Take Out x3 Daily $250
Weekly Brunch: $411
Clothing: $500
Cigarettes: $25
Cosmos/Drinks: $25
Cab Rides: $150
Electric Bill: $250
Phone Bill: $76
Internet: $98.15
Hair: $150
Credit card: $1500
Total: $4,560.15
Her Friends & Loved Ones Helped
I did some digging and realized that there was an interesting incident when f$ck boy Aiden broke up with Carrie and told her she had 30 days to make a down-payment or she would lose the apartment. In true Sex and the City Fashion- the money talk was discussed over “drinks” and was deemed as a sensitive topic where all but well-to-do Charlotte offered to help Carrie who described her situation as being in a “financial cul-de-sac“. Carrie received a loan from Big vis a vie check where she was advised by her friends not to take it.
Carrie then visited Charlotte in her own house after taking a $5 cab and walking a couple of blocks. The women went on trading harsh words where Charlotte reminded Carrie that it wasn’t her job to clean up her financial mess.
We then later know that Charlotte gave Carrie her engagement ring who then used it as a downpayment for the apartment. We also assume that Carrie paid back Charlotte monthly. (after picking up several freelance jobs one being at Vogue for $4 per word) as this money was a loan rather than a gift.
Her Freelance Gigs
Following her breakup with Aidan Shaw, Carrie was confronted with more than just her romantic failure. Carrie had to face her financial shortcomings, too. After decades in New York City, a successful column, and a rent-controlled apartment, she had less than $2,000 to her name. To rectify her financial woes, Carrie took on a freelance role at Vogue, the publication she spoke about when she just arrived in the City and chose to purchase over food.
At the time, one of her freelance gigs paid $4.00 per word as she boasted in one of the episodes and she wrote between 4-5 articles per month. If she did let’s say 300 words per article, they would make $1,200 and around $4,800 per month.
Conclusion
Though Sex and the City was a popular romanticized series based in New York City in the 90s-2000s, it was definitely one of the most unrealistic. Carrie even went on to have a fabulous Apartment which was more than the rent she struggled to pay, yet she somehow still maintained her fabulous Manolo Blahnik wearing, Cosmo Drinking, and Jet setting lifestyle.
We know it’s fictional as who really afford to live like Carrie and not be in significant debt!
A Sex and the City mystery has been solved! Do you remember your favorite episode?
#How did Carrie Bradshaw from SATC afford her LIFESTYLE?
#How did Carrie Bradshaw from SATC afford her LIFESTYLE?
#How did Carrie Bradshaw from SATC afford her LIFESTYLE?
#How did Carrie Bradshaw from SATC afford her LIFESTYLE?
#How did Carrie Bradshaw from SATC afford her LIFESTYLE?
