Kathryn Teran
Surviving DC without asking your parents for more money
Kathryn Teran
Summer 2015
Washington DC—not quite city not quite town, where history is made, opportunities are found, and networks are linked. The Metro (DC’s public transportation service) is clean and functions consistently until 3 am on the weekends. Shopping is abundant and there is food from every corner of the globe in every form from bakeries to food trucks to restaurants with $2.50+ tasting menus. For all you ladies and gents over 21 coming from Boston, behold, the promised land of happy hour. If you’re staying at the Deb you will be thrilled to find that the restaurant right next door has $1 margaritas. God Bless America.
We have arrived, well, kind of. Unless you’re fortunate enough to have either a paid internship or your company pays for your public transportation, costs will start to add up, and fast. It happens slowly, and then all at once—your food truck lunches, bottomless mimosa brunches, and frequent use of the metro will add up and have you looking at your bank statement wondering where the money that was supposed to last you all semester went.
So, my tips for surviving DC without awkwardly asking your parents for more money?
Transportation
If you’re lucky enough to have your employer pay for your public transit like I was, use it to your advantage. While the weather’s still nice (looking at you Fall Interns) and if you’re interning within a few stops from the Deb, walk to work. If you walk to work twice a week that’s one round trip metro ride that you can take on the weekends. It adds up and is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise before you resign yourself to eight hours of office work.
If you happen to be out and about after the metro close, sign up for an Uber or Lyft account (or make another). These service often offer discounts for new members. I was able to get from Foggy Bottom back to the Deb for $4 with Lyft and from the Trader Joe’s on 14th Street for $0.97. However, if you’re traveling alone it’s helpful to know that the screening process is more rigorous for Uber than for Lyft.
Food and Drink
This is where my money always ends up going astray. In some ways this is inevitable; there are so many phenomenal restaurants in DC, and the bottomless brunch at Zengo’s are to die for. A good way to save money is simply by cooking whenever you get the chance. Pack your lunch—lunch is a great time to connect and network with your coworkers and PB&J with a yogurt and a piece of fruit costs less than $2 to make. When you have time, make dinner. If cooking isn’t your strong suit, Trader Joe’s has super affordable and healthy frozen meals. Leftovers? Bring those suckers to work. Stay in and cook with your friends—you can make an amazing steak dinner complete with wine, sides, and appetizers for less than $30. And finally, go to networking events, even if you just stay long enough for the mini egg rolls and wine.
Sunrise at the monuments- a must do!
Entertainment
You can easily spend an entire semester in DC without having to pay for any entertainment whatsoever. The Library of Congress is my personal favorite. Go into the James Madison Library, tell them you’re doing research and you can apply for a library card free of charge—how cool is that? Then pick a random room and the librarian will know by the look on your face you have no idea what you’re doing and will be excited to show you the cool stuff that they spend eight hours a day with. Finally, the Smithsonians, I highly recommend the toaster exhibit. Why you ask? Toast didn’t always just exist. Someone had to invent the toaster. Had it not been for the free Smithsonians my vast historical knowledge of toasters would be nonexistent. Pick a random topic. Educate yourself.
Katie is a rising senior interning at SOS Children’s Villages and hopes to simultaneously make rent and make a difference in Washington DC after she graduates next spring.
