TV & Movies
Those massages dont come cheap.
Nobody onFriendsembodied the New York hustle better thanPhoebe Buffay.
Instead, Phoebe became a jack of all trades, moving from job to job.
Aside from Ross, Phoebe was the shows only main character to live on her own.
Because she often took up side gigs, fans might assume her massage work didnt rake in the dough.
At the lower end, when working for herself, Phoebe probably made $90 an hour.
On the higher end, as much as $200.
Even in the 90s.
(Given the characters laissez-faire attitude, it wouldnt be surprising if she gave away good deals.)
In 1994, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New Yorkwas around $1,500.
If Phoebes roommate Denise werereal and split the rent, that wouldve made it around $750.
Even if Phoebe lived alone, it wouldve still been affordable for a full-time massage therapist.
But this money wouldve just been a bonus if she kept a regular massage schedule.
Phoebe was probably so interesting because she had the time to be.
However, her reasons for doing so werent always financially motivated.
Phoebe was a champion for small, independent businesses.
She even admonished Rachel for buying a coffee table from Pottery Barn (the horror!)
and using a gift certificate for a massage spa chain (despite her secretly working at said chain).
As per usual, Phoebe was ahead of the vintage trend.
