There's no other city like NYC...

Hello NYC and budget friendly New Yorkers, I hope that you have been spending wisely and taking advantage of the great things this city has to offer, on a smart budget of course. This sadly, will be my last post since I started this blog for a school assignment, its been fun, but its unfortunately time. However, that doesn't mean you have to stop doing super fun and cheap things in NYC because there are tons of great things to do that aren't waiting to take all of your money.

Yes, this city is expensive, but people are here suffering though it because it's NYC, its that simple. This is one of the greatest cities in the world, to some-the very best, but there's nothing like it, so yeah, it might cost more to go and see a movie or order a cocktail or even a beer for that matter, but the real reward is that your living in NYC and some how your making it happen. It's the land of dreams and opportunities and an amazing city to live in, even if it's only for a couple of months, one year, or 15, it's the experience of being and living in a city filled with so much energy and life that makes everything worth it, even the fifteen dollar hamburger, but we solved that problem because now you know where the cheap eats are and what to do on the weekends when you don't want to empty your bank account, so live to the fullest that you possibly can in this city and enjoy the magic that it brings!!!! There is nothing else like it!

So go, don't be afraid to spend some $$$$ in this city because now you know how to spend it wisely!! Love NYC and it will love YOU!!

Have fun and enjoy!$!$!$

Does NYC have it's own Currency!?

Okay, so just a reminder this blog is about money and boy, does it matter living in NYC!! Well, I found this really interesting article from New York Magazine, which talks about NYC having their own currency basically. It's a pretty crazy idea, but you know what, it's true. Listen to what I found out about this crazy city of ours...

Our dollar looks the same as the better-known U.S. version, but it doesn’t go nearly as far here as anywhere else. How much is the NYC dollar really worth? Based on a few scientific calculations, a NYC dollar would lag somewhere behind a Canadian buck. Here’s why:

Check out what Daniel Gross with Amos Barshad & Wesley Wade had to say in their NY Mag article.....It's some pretty crazy stuff...

TAXES

An annual study by the city of Washington, D.C., compares tax burdens in large cities. A hypothetical family of four living on $150,000 in New York would pay the nation’s highest combination of sales, auto, income, and property taxes: about $22,635, or 15.1 percent of income. By comparison, the national median is $14,219, or 9.5 percent. That’s another $8,416 extra per year here, or another 5.6 cents. Our dollar is down to 80.4 cents.

BASIC COSTS

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says overall prices here are 9.9 percent higher than the rest of the country. Remove the premium New Yorkers pay for housing and the currency is debased another 4.4 cents, to 76 cents.

LIFESTYLE COSTS

Less quantifiable is the price of status, which tends to matter more in New York than elsewhere. You might be the best-dressed guy at a Minneapolis cocktail party rocking a Hugo Boss suit ($695) from Macy’s, but it might take a Thom Browne suit from Barneys ($4,330) to do the trick here. While these costs are difficult to measure, it is possible to calculate the added price of living in a city with the best of everything. Yes, we have better art, food, and entertainment, but you’ll pay a premium for access to it. Here, a side-by-side look at lifestyle purchases in Minneapolis—a city with a statistically average cost of living yet some semblance of a cultural life—and New York:

Check out this chart....

Baseball tickets
Twins premium seats . . . . . $24
Yankee loge box seats . . . . . $50

Museum admission
Walker Art Center . . . . . . . . . $8
MoMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20

Movie ticket
The Prestige, St. Anthony Main Theater . . $8
The Science of Sleep, BAM . . $10

Prix fixe dinner at top restaurant
La Belle Vie . . . . . $80 a person
Per Se. . . . . . . . . . $210 a person

Annual gym membership
Minneapolis Life Time Athletic Club . . $1,439.40
Equinox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,895

Marathon entry fees
Minneapolis . . . . . . . . . . . . . $85
New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $116

Bottom line? On average, these life-enhancing amenities cost 85 percent more here than in Minneapolis. If we assume that the average American deploys 8 percent of total income on such indulgences, a New Yorker will spend 14.8 cents of every dollar on them. Now we’re down to 61.2 cents.

WAGES

New York is a high-wage town, up and down the income scale. Mercer Human Resource Consulting notes that a job that pays $30,000 on a national median will pay $36,720 in New York, compared with $27,840 in Birmingham, Alabama. According to The American Lawyer, a first-year associate at Manhattan’s Cravath, Swaine & Moore can expect to make $145,000, while those at Dorsey & Whitney in Minneapolis can expect just $105,000, 28 percent less. Assuming the wage premium in New York is a generous 15 percent, you add back 15 cents. Now the New York dollar is worth 76.2 cents.

These cold calculations omit some other important factors, like ambition. Here in Gotham, a junior banker can aspire to a partnership at Goldman Sachs; a first-year associate lawyer to a partnership at Cravath; a waitressing actress to Broadway. Any of these dreams, if realized, will bring outsize psychic and financial rewards that simply aren’t available in Minneapolis.

And then there are the intangibles. What price do you place on jogging around the reservoir in Central Park? On the Union Square Greenmarket? On home delivery of Vietnamese food? If the value of a dollar were the only consideration, the vast majority of New Yorkers would be better off in Saginaw, Michigan; Portsmouth, Ohio; and Rock Island, Illinois—cities with the most salubrious combination of low costs and comparatively high wages, according to Salary.com. In that survey, New York ranks dead last. But how many college graduates are moving to Rock Island this year?

It's a great artcile and it hits right on the $$$$ I thought it would be a good article to share. I hope you all find it enjoyable and somewhat entertaining!

Fun Outdoor Activities to do in NYC

Okay, so with the warm weather approaching, there are a lot of fun and cheap activities to spend your time doing outside. I know most people think that because we live in this gigantic city of tall buildings and cement that there isn't any fun things to do besides walk around and go to Central Park, but there is more!!! So pull out your paper and pen and jot some of these ideas down, so you will be ready and prepared for the sweet Spring-time weather that is soon approaching!

New York City Greenmarkets
Yes, in New York City there are actual farmers markets, complete with farm fresh produce, flowers, meats and more, which are all available for sale at Greenmarkets. These FAB markets are scattered throughout the city, but one of the most popular market is located in Union Square and it is a must to put on your list!

Bryant Park 2003 Film Screenings
Every Monday night during the summer, you can see great films for free in Bryant Park. Okay, so the summer might seem far off right now, but it will be here before you know it and how amazing is this? Click the link to check out the schedule!

Outdoor Summer Concerts
From Bryant Park and Lincoln Center to Prospect and Central Parks, there are musical performances (many outdoors and many free!!!!!) throughout the summer (don't worry it will be here before you know it.) Find a listing of ongoing performances by clicking the link and to see which concerts are FREE...now that is music to my ears!

Coney Island
This is a must! Even if your not into eating a famous Nathan's hotdog and going on a roller coaster ride, it's super fun to just walk around and take in all of the sights and people! It's a fun place to spend the day and it doesn't involve a lot of $$$$$ also, check out the Mermaid Parade for some summer thrills by clicking the link!

This should get you started...I will return with more ideas and suggestions! Hopefully this Spring and Summer talk will bring the warm weather quicker!

Enjoy and keep budgeting your $$$$

Fun in Brooklyn!!!!

Hello Everyone...It has been awhile, but I am back, back with some cool, fun, cheap, and hopefully free stuff to do in this wonderful crazy expensive city of New York!

This post, is going to be dedicated to cheap and fun things to do in Brooklyn. So if any of you haven't ventured out into Brooklyn before, now is your chance. Here are some ideas to entertain yourself without spending all of your $$$$

Check it out!!!!

Wine Tasting at Slope Cellars

Slope Cellars offers free wine tastings on Saturday afternoons. (call for schedule). Slope Cellars has an outstanding selection of wines in every price range and the staff is friendly and helpful. (436 Seventh Avenue (btwn. 14th-15th Sts.)718/369-7307)

NYC Transit Museum

Set in a restored 1930s train station, come underground and learn the fascinating history of New York City transit. You can sit in cars from the early 1900s, complete with the subway ads of the day. Find out how the lines were built, along with other fascinating history. The memorabilia, models and photo exhibits make for a fun afternoon. Adults: $5, Kids: $3. (Corner of Boerum Place and Schermerhorn St. 718/243-3060, Tues - Fri: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; weekends, noon - 5 p.m.)

The Prospect Park Trolley

From the Cute and Fun files, the charming Prospect Park Trolley is a free ride through beautiful Prospect Park. Get off at any of the scheduled stops including the Wollman Rink, the Wildlife Center, the Botanic Gardens and the Brooklyn Museum. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, Noon - 6:00 p.m. See site for details.

Tour the Brooklyn Brewery

Once home to dozens of pre-Prohibition breweries, Williamsburg is now home to the Brooklyn Brewery. Opened in May 1996, the company's 25 barrel brewery is Brooklyn's first commercial brewery in 20 years. Saturday noon-5 p.m. 79 N.11th St. 718-486-7422. Tour is free and samples are given at the end.

Visit the Harbor Defense Museum

Located in Fort Hamilton, it's Metropolitan New York's only U.S. Army Museum. The post became the first National Guard Training Camp in the United States. Captain Robert E. Lee was assigned to Fort Hamilton here in 1841 as the post engineer. Visitors here can inspect the fort's landside defenses alone or as part of a guided tour.

Check out the dumbo arts center

gallery hours Thursday - Monday 12 - 6 dac maintains a 3,000 sq. ft. gallery space dedicated to group exhibitions of fine arts. At the gallery, the dumbo arts center brings together established curators with local artists. Call for exhibit info. (30 Washington St. 718/694-0831)

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge

It's fun, and romantic, and free, all rolled into one. What a beautiful bargain!

These are super great ideas for you all to try!! Thanks to About.com and Wendy Zarganis for these fun and CHEAP ideas!!

Go have fun and save your $$$$

Fun Cool and FREE Things to do in NYC!!!!

I don't know about you, but I am a college student, so I don't have any set income coming into my bank account every week. Which makes it difficult to do and explore all of the amazing sites this city has to offer. Well, today, your in luck, I am dedicating this post to talking about all things that are fun, free, or very cheap! What's better than going somewhere for free!



Check these out if you're into cultural events, history, art, or anything in between:


Museum of Modern Art
Beat the $20 admission every Friday between 4-8pm...go it's FREE!

Whitney Museum
See up-town art work and listen to live music on Fridays 6-9pm, it's not free, but you can pay what ever you like, so donate a dollar or two if you can afford it!

Brooklyn Museum of Art
See art work, listen to music and dance all for FREE on the first Saturday of every month from 5-11pm, that's not to shabby!

Visiting these amazing museums should keep you busy for a while, but just in case you get hungry there are some great NYC CHEEP EATS...it's nothing gourmet, but it's food and it tastes good.

Check them out! They're CHEAP!!!

I'm sure many of you are familiar with the world known, Grey's Papaya! NYC's most loved FRANK!! Cheap and delicious! If you like Turkish food, then Sip Sak is a must, it is very quaint and and their motto is "Fast Served Turkish Food." Get quick delicious food for a reasonable price. This is a must, for those of you who crave a Philly Cheesesteak every so often, but you can't make the trip down to the city of brotherly love then put Shorty's on your list. They specialize in making a mean Philly Cheesesteak at Philly prices! Lastly, hit up this simple minimal hangout in the East Village. Momofuku Noodle Bar, they like to call themselves a humble ramen bar, but they are far better than your pack of ramen you made last night for dinner. Beware, if you go, expect to wait for up to 30 minutes to be seated, it's that good! You can't mess with something when it's delicious and cheap!

Some other cool ideas to take up your time in this crazy expensive city is to use what's around you. Take advantage of street fairs, flee markets, central park, and yes, even the Staten Island Ferry. The park is ours, and nature never charges an entry fee. Especially with the warmer weather approaching, spending the day at the park is a great escape from everything else in this city. And the ferry, It's FREE! Why not take advantage of it, you get to enjoy the FAB city skyline and they throw in a free trip to Staten Island of course! This city doesn't offer a lot of free stuff, so what they do offer, use it and take advantage of what's around you!

I have another great tip for you all. Everyone needs a haircut right? Well, men and women can go to the Bumble and Bumble salon to get free haircuts , styling, or dye jobs done for absolutely nothing! You are being used as models by students who have at least two years experience, so you can't beat it! Also, at Salon V2, in good old Chinatown, women can get a blowout for $15 bucks, you can't beat that! It's so cheap it might become a weekly habit!

So go out and enjoy all of this fun and free stuff , oh, and leave your wallet at home!!!


Have FUN saving $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$