Tiffany Cabán, a New York City Council member representing Queens, recently experienced a significant financial milestone when her student loan debt was forgiven after a decade of public service. The 39-year-old lawmaker, who previously worked seven years as a public defender before joining the council, qualified for federal loan forgiveness that relieved her of more than $200,000 in debt.
Prior to the forgiveness, Cabán was paying nearly $1,500 monthly toward her student loans, which had weighed heavily on her finances. The relief has offered her some breathing room amid New York City’s escalating cost of living, which she confronts personally as well as professionally. Living in Astoria with her rescue dog, Ducky, Cabán’s rent recently increased by $500 to $3,000 per month. In addition, she manages ongoing health expenses related to fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition, with monthly costs ranging between $500 and $700 for treatments including acupuncture, massage therapy, and mental health care—some of which are not fully covered by her insurance.
Cabán, who describes herself as an introvert, maintains a frugal lifestyle, carefully budgeting with the aid of the free version of the EveryDollar app. She allocates roughly $375 per month for food, often sourcing produce from local farms and shopping at neighborhood grocers like Trader Joe’s. Dining out is rare, and she typically brings homemade meals to work. Expenses related to Ducky’s care amount to about $300 monthly for food, medication, and dog-walking services.
The council member’s discretionary spending revolves largely around two passions: basketball and books. She holds season tickets for the New York Liberty women’s basketball team, which cost approximately $5,000 annually, and supports local businesses such as Astoria Bookshop, focusing on titles by diverse authors. In line with her progressive stance on labor practices, Cabán has sponsored a bill requiring companies like Amazon to hire delivery workers directly rather than relying on contractors.
Cabán’s political career includes a notable 2019 run for Queens district attorney, where she narrowly lost in a Democratic primary. Since joining the City Council, she has become chair of its progressive caucus, advocating for policies that address economic challenges faced by working New Yorkers.
In July, the council approved its first salary increase in a decade, raising the annual pay to $175,500 from $148,500—a move Cabán supported to help members keep pace with the city’s rising living costs. She emphasized the demands placed on council members, many of whom work well beyond a typical 40-hour week and balance family responsibilities without generational wealth.
Looking ahead, Cabán plans to leverage her improved financial situation to prioritize travel and retirement savings. She typically visits family in Puerto Rico during the winter and hopes to take more vacations to new destinations. Following a July trip to Chicago for the WNBA All-Star Weekend, she expressed a desire to set aside funds for future travel experiences.
Despite the relief from student debt and her council salary increase, Cabán continues to navigate the financial realities of living in one of the country’s most expensive cities while staying true to her progressive values and commitment to public service.