How to Live Smart and Still Have Fun in New York City Without Breaking the Bank
New YorkNew York City can be really, really expensive, but I still feel like it can be manageable if you kind of learn how to budget your money in a smarter way. Obviously everyone is making different amounts of money and has different situations, so it’s important to do what actually works for you and not just copy someone else exactly. I just wanted to highlight some ways I’ve personally learned how to save money while still keeping like a fun, active lifestyle here in NYC, because I don’t think saving money has to mean being boring at all.
Share an apartment with roommates if possible.
This is another tough one but probably one of the biggest ways to save money overall. Living with roommates can seriously bring down your yearly cost of living by a LOT. Rent in New York is so high that splitting it makes a huge difference. Of course finding good roommates can be a process and not always easy, but when it works out it makes everything way more affordable and honestly can even be fun if you live with the right people.
Prepare coffee at home instead of buying it out.
This one is kind of a no brainer but coffee is just way too expensive when you buy it outside all the time. As someone who works from home, it’s really hard for me to justify buying coffee out every day unless it’s like a weekend treat or something special. I do love trying new coffee shops sometimes, but honestly I usually prefer making coffee at home most days. It’s cheaper, quicker, and kind of just part of my routine now.
Plan your weekly meals and shop with a list.
One of my favorite ways to save money is to sit down and write out every single meal I’m going to eat for the whole week ahead. I’ve actually started looking forward to doing this now because it makes me excited about finding new recipes and trying new foods. This whole process has helped me cut down on food waste a lot, and also made me think more carefully about how I’m using ingredients I already have at home instead of just buying random stuff. It also helps you see your week clearly, like when you’re eating out versus cooking at home, which makes you more aware of your spending without even trying too hard.
Use public transportation whenever you can.
In New York you can pretty much take the subway or the bus anywhere you need to go, which is honestly one of the best things about living here. I usually only take Uber, Lyft, or a taxi if it’s super late at night or if I’m splitting the ride with friends for safety reasons. Other than that, the subway and bus are really reliable most of the time and wayyy cheaper. It might not always be the most glamorous option but it saves you a lot of money in the long run and becomes part of your routine pretty quickly.
Choose social plans that aren’t always about spending money on food or drinks.
This is probably the hardest one out of all my budgeting tips because going out in NYC can get expensive sooo fast. I’ve found that socializing is usually where I spend the most money without even realizing it. I really recommend finding good happy hour deals if you’re in the mood to go out for drinks, because that helps a lot. If not, doing something like an outdoor picnic with some takeout and maybe a bottle of wine is such a nice vibe and way more affordable. I also try to be more intentional with the restaurants I choose, like picking places I’m actually excited to try so it feels more special and worth the money instead of just randomly going somewhere.
Cut back on ordering through delivery apps.
This is honestly a rule I’ve always kind of stuck to because I feel like it is pretty easily avoidable, especially if you live in New York where everything is literally so close. The only time I ever really order food delivery is if I’m sick or just physically can’t leave the house at all. These delivery apps end up charging sooo much extra money between fees, tips, and everything else for something you could have just walked and picked up yourself for like 30% less, sometimes even more which is kind of crazy when you think about it. Over time those small extra charges really add up way more than you expect.
Look for secondhand options when buying clothes and furniture.
There are sooo many fun thrift and vintage stores all around New York, and it honestly makes shopping way more interesting. I’m also a big fan of online secondhand shopping like on Poshmark, Depop, and ThredUp. You can usually find really good deals on things that are basically brand new but just secondhand. Also we’re living in such a trendy clothing era where things go out of style super fast, so I like saving money by not paying full price for something I might only wear for a couple months anyway.
Always check if you can get a student discount.
My last tip is to always ask for student discounts literally everywhere you go, because you’d be surprised how many places actually offer them. I use them at museums, clothing stores, restaurants, and a bunch of other places too. My New York Public Library card also gets me into a lot of museums for free or super discounted which is such a good hack. These little things might not seem like a big deal in the moment but over time they really add up, and it never hurts to just ask for a better deal anyway.
At the end of the day, living in New York is always going to be expensive, but if you’re a little bit more mindful and intentional with your habits, you can still enjoy everything the city has to offer without constantly stressing about money.