How To Make Your $50K Salary Feel Like $100K, According to Humphrey Yang
Written by
Ashley Donohoe
Edited by
Levi Leidy
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With the costs of everyday expenses rising, many people feel like their salaries don’t stretch far enough.
The PNC 2025 Financial Wellness in the Workplace Report showed that 67% of American workers lived paycheck to paycheck, with 38% feeling financially out of control.
While you might be unable to boost your salary immediately, you can focus on increasing the value of each dollar. In a recent video, money expert Humphrey Yang discussed how to reduce costs or maximize the money spent on five key expenses so that a $50,000 salary can feel more like $100,000.
Housing
Not only is housing often the biggest expense, but the cost of shelter and certain utilities has been rising faster than overall inflation, per the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data. While options for saving on housing may be limited, Yang offered tips to at least maximize the value you gain.
He suggested focusing on a high value per square foot when you’re choosing a place. This includes considering local amenities that improve your social life and happiness, as well as walkability, which Yang explained can positively affect your property value. Plus, consider your commute time since you may be happier and save money if you’re close enough to walk or bike.
Yang said you can also make premium design choices so your home feels fancier, more spacious or easier to navigate. You could rearrange a room, add better lighting or get rid of unused furniture.
Transportation
According to AAA’s 2025 driving cost data, you can spend anywhere from 55.87 cents per mile to drive a small sedan to 98.54 cents per mile to drive a half-ton pickup truck. These numbers account for various expenses and show how important your vehicle choice is for your finances.
“You want to pick a car with historically low maintenance costs plus high reliability scores,” said Yang. “So, I would probably think of models like the Toyota Corolla or the Honda Civic.”
Rather than picking a new car with a steep depreciation curve, consider Yang’s advice to opt for a used model that is three to five years old with around 30,000 miles. That way, you won’t face a major depreciation hit and shouldn’t have major maintenance issues right away either.
Plus, Yang suggested revisiting your car insurance to avoid overpaying. You might check each time your policy is due to renew and get quotes from other insurers for the same coverage.
Food
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) consumer expenditure data showed that the average household spent $10,169 on food in 2024. That amount included $6,224 on food at home and $3,945 on food away from home.
Since food costs quickly add up, Yang discussed the importance of planning meals to know what to buy and to reduce reliance on services like DoorDash. He also recommended identifying which food items affect your budget the most, such as meats or brand-name products. Substitutes or generic products could save you a lot without compromising taste.
Finally, Yang suggested being careful with dining out. While you might enjoy the treat, the extra cost could wipe out the savings on groceries. When you do want to eat out, you can ask about specials or smaller portions, share larger dishes and use leftovers to increase the value.
Entertainment
Yang discussed how entertainment costs vary widely and highlighted the rising costs of movie and concert tickets.
He said, “I used to remember that I could spend $50 on a concert, and these days, [with] a premium artist like Ed Sheeran, for example, he might be $175 for nosebleeds and $450 for a ticket on the floor.”
Since you have many options, you can consider cheaper yet meaningful entertainment, such as hiking or playing games with loved ones. Another savings tip is to check whether local attractions offer free or discounted days, or whether your library offers local discovery passes.
Yang also suggested knowing the hourly cost, which is likely much lower for a video game than a big-name concert. Plus, you can consider hobbies with financial benefits. For example, cooking classes can help you prepare tasty meals at home, while a crafting hobby can lead to a side business.
Subscriptions
Yang mentioned a 2025 CNET study that found subscriptions cost the average American $1,080 per year, with $205 of that amount spent on unused ones. Rather than cutting services that matter to you, review your monthly recurring expenses, identify all of your subscriptions and cut the ones that don’t offer enough value for cost.
It’s also worth finding free or cheaper substitutes. For example, you can often bundle related services or choose an annual subscription for a discount. You may also have access to free digital media services with your library card.
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