A lot of young people have a vision for their first apartment after college. That vision doesn’t usually involve living in your grandparent’s basement. But when 22-year-old Asaada saw the state of the rental housing market, she decided that a free place to stay in Queens, NY wouldn’t be such a bad idea after all.

Despite the financial constraints of a college graduate living in a big city making $2k a month, she's resourceful and creative, making her basement space feel like home. Asaada talks us through her relationships with her grandparents, highlighting the dynamics of shared living spaces and the contrasts between her grandmother's adherence to rules and her grandfather's more relaxed attitude.

Asada's commitment to self-improvement, her passion for experiencing life, and her reflections on embracing her current circumstances are central to where she is in life right now. Because even when you realize your vision was a little ambitious, with practicality, flexibility and a little hustle, it is possible to find a happy plan B.