When recent college grads first envisioned themselves graduating from college, they probably imagined tossing textbooks to the side and starting their new lives as decently paid working professionals. Few imagined they would be dealing with of a lack of available jobs and a nation in recession. As a result of the current financial crisis, however, many recent graduates are opting out of the job market for the time being, and deciding to go back to school.

We’re all about living a financially healthy lifestyle, but no one is perfect and we feel that one of the best ways to get inspired to spend well, save money, and not get so overwhelmed about your financial situation that you go totally haywire is to commiserate with others. Hence the emergence of a new series where we speak to real New Yorkers about their financial woes and how they’re dealing in a city that doesn’t bode well on the pocket.