NYC On A Budget: Your Guide To Living In The City Without Breaking The Bank

Allow me to state the obvious: living in New York City is expensive.  We’ve already covered the basics on how to save money while you’re interning and how you can create your own personal budget, but let’s take it to the next level.  Even if you’re not tempted by the irresistible smells wafting through Magnolia Bakery or the gorgeous Manolos in the window display at Saks, being a savvy shopper in the city is still a challenge.  But just because you need to be frugal doesn’t mean you can’t have fun.  From food to entertainment, we’ve got some tips and tricks so you might just be able to afford a little chicken for your Ramen this summer.    

Food for thought

A girl’s gotta eat, right?  Here’s the problem: dining at restaurants every night and ordering takeout at lunch with your fellow cubicle-mates will make you go broke.  And those stale pretzels sold on the street that taste like cardboard?  They just aren’t going to cut it.  The solution?  Farmers’ markets.  These fabulous markets provide healthy, fresh, local produce to hungry New Yorkers every day and are the perfect place to hit up before heading home after a day at the office.  We know it’s a pain to carry extra bags on the subway, but trust us: it’s worth it—especially since you’ll know exactly where your food is coming from. 

Greenmarket farmers markets has 18 different locations in Manhattan alone, pulling in over 250 customers during peak season.  So grab your favorite eco-friendly bag and load up on all of the fruits and veggies you can carry. 

Also, be sure to get a discount card at your local grocery store.  Just ask for one at the register when you check out, and they’ll probably give you something you can stick on your keychain. 

Get your culture on
 

NYC is a cultural melting pot, so what better way to soak up the best of what the city has to offer than by visiting one of the many museums?  Tons of museums have free days in addition to offering discounts for students, so grab a friend and have those IDs ready.  

• American Museum of the Moving Image: Free on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Bronx Museum of the Arts: Free on Wednesdays
• Jewish Museum: Pay-what-you-wish on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Museum of Arts & Design: Pay-what-you-wish on Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Museum of Modern Art: Target Free Fridays from 4:30 p.m.
• New York Hall of Science: Free on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Guggenheim Museum: Pay-what-you-wish on Fridays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Walk this way

Now’s the time to splurge and get a great pair of sneakers—because they’re going to be your new best friend.  Not only is walking excellent exercise, but it’s FREE.  Cab rides are super-pricey, so for longer distances, the subway is your best bet (though you can always share a cab with a friend).  Lucky for us, for just a $2.25 fare, you can travel anywhere in the city.  In addition, the Downtown Connection is a shuttle service that runs between Battery Park City and South Street Seaport seven days per week, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. 

Gym hop

People bar hop, so why not gym hop?  Many gyms provide one or two-week free trials, so you can beat the system by working out at different gyms for months.  Gym bouncing not your style?  Try the City of New York Parks and Recreation Centers, where for a one-time membership fee of $50, you have access to numerous facilities in all five boroughs.  Like the gym, some of these recreation centers hold indoor pools, gymnasiums, fitness rooms, running tracks and more. 

And as always, with Central Park at your fingertips (or rather, your feet), you can join the masses by kicking your cardio into high gear with a few loops around the park or tossing a Frisbee with friends—no membership fee necessary. 

Skip the spa, pamper yourself
 

After a tough week walking in stilettos at the office, your feet deserve a little love.  But before you drop $60 on a mani/pedi combo at the salon, consider a DIY treatment.  By skipping out on having a professional scrub your toes, you could potentially save $2,000 per year (according to NY Magazine)—or at least a couple hundred dollars for the summer while you intern.  Choose a fun shade from OPI’s 2010 Flutter collection, like Wing It! or Catch Me In Your Net for a fresh, summery look.   

Caffeine cut down 

For some of us, just like water or air, coffee is something you just can’t imagine living without.  But those daily trips to Starbucks to get your Grande nonfat latte with no foam?  Those days are numbered, my friend.  New York Magazine reports that drinking your Starbucks from home can save you $1,222 (can you imagine how many pairs of heels you can buy with that kind of money?).  If brewing your own java at home isn’t your cup of tea, considering making the jump from Starbucks to Dunkin’ Donuts.  By switching to DD, you can potentially save $233 per year. 

Give my regards to Broadway…

Times Square is a tourist trap indeed, but if you’ve never experienced a Broadway show, this summer is your chance.  From Mamma Mia! to Wicked, New York is the home of musical theatre, where even the most anti-musical individual can find a show they like. Broadway tickets can cost over $100, but you can purchase them far cheaper by taking advantage of the many discount ticket resources.  Check out a TKTS Booth, where tickets can be found for 25 to 50 percent off full-price, which means you’ll end up paying $50 to $75 for your ticket.  Another great (albeit last-minute) option is Standing Room Only and Rush Broadway discounts tickets, which are priced for as low as $25.  These tickets are only available when the box office opens or just a few hours before the show starts.  Sometimes a student ID is needed to buy these tickets or cash is the only kind of payment accepted, so be sure to double-check before you go.  

Coupons are for cutting

Cutting out coupons isn’t just for grandmas at the grocery store anymore.  As you know, savvy shopping in the city is important, but before you pick up the scissors, visit 8coupons.com to get the best deals in your ‘hood from shopping to places to eat and drink.  Whether it’s bars, salons or stores, 8coupon’s provides free online and printable coupons, while featuring great local deals.  Check out their homepage each day to see what the “top 8” deals are.  You can keep track of the best bargains by signing up for their e-newsletter or following them on Twitter (@8coupons). 

Sources 
 

http://nymag.com/guides/cheap-living/caffeinate/

http://nymag.com/guides/cheap-living/nails/

http://www.notfortourists.com/features.aspx?id=214&city=ny

http://gonyc.about.com/od/broadwayshows/a/discount_ticket.htm

http://matadortrips.com/budget-guide-to-new-york-city

http://www.cenyc.org/greenmarket