Real Solutions To Save Money In New York City

(By Thinking Outside of The Box)

Living in New York City is tough. Aside from the all-too-relatable sardine subway rides, and pretty much sardine-packed everything, New Yorkers are constantly brainstorming new ways to save money, especially millennials. What I’ve found is that the best way to think about saving money is to really break down how exactly you’re spending your money, perhaps by dividing your spending into more manageable categories. Everyone is different and allocates their money differently, but here’s a simple breakdown of broad categories to help you get started:

Housing

It’s no secret that apartment living in NYC comes with extremely high broker fees which can cost you thousands of dollars upfront. A startup company called Loftey, offers really cool perks like pay for your moving costs or giving their clients a monthly rent reduction. They never charge the dreaded brokers fee, and takes away the stress of fake listings which have become an online epidemic to potential renters and buyers.

Also, consider using an ESCO (Energy Service Company.) Beware of scams, as this industry is polluted by them, and given the services a questionable reputation as a result. One ESCO that has gotten good reviews is Zone1Energy. They guarantee you savings on your monthly electric bill, which can help cover some of your additional costs such as internet in your apartment. Company representatives won’t wont work with customers whom they can not guarantee monthly savings. Like many ESCOs, Zone1Energy saves you money by buying energy in bulk from a cheaper rate from ConEd, and can therefore sell it to New Yorkers for cheaper.

Activities

Amy Hart

In addition to free access to The Metropolitan Museum of Art for New Yorkers (they recently announced that non-New Yorkers will have to pay a fee for the first time in 50 years), Cheapinthecity.com provides an extensive list of NYC’s free events to consider, ranging from pilates classes to NYC tours to swimming pools. Do something different and spontaneous--why not, it’s free?

Have some extra cash to do a little shopping? Instead of taking your spree to Macy’s, take advantage of NYC’s famous sample sales. For example, 260 Sample Sale is a family-run business which houses premium sample sales for top brands. They have two locations in Manhattan and offer quality merchandise under brand name designers including ready-to-wear shoes, handbags, jewelry, and accessories for up to 80% off.

Food

New York is famous for its dollar pizza, with leading pizza chain Two Bros Pizza selling slices for $1. There’s no reason to overspend on pizza in NYC when delicious and authentic pizza is selling for a buck. Also, a great tip when you’re out with friends is order tap water instead of bottled. There’s no need for spending unnecessary cash on bottled water -New York City EWG Database, that performs a drinking water quality analysis of 30 million state water records, has found that New York ranks as the 13th best tap water in the country.

Transportation

Citibike may be one of the best transportation initiatives to happen to NYC in the last 5 years. It’s not only one of the cheapest ways to get around, but it’s also fuel-efficient, and good for your health. Celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Louis C.K. have even been spotted cycling around their local neighborhoods. The membership costs $163/per year, but includes unlimited rides up to 45 minutes.

Yes, we can all agree that New York is a tough place to live financially. That being said, small conscious choices such as these, make one of the most expensive cities in the world manageable for everyone. We all move here for a reason, often to chase a dream. You can use these tips to help you get there on a budget.