Metropolis Place: Saving Money in the City?

Fulfilling your dreams in a big city is exciting, but with the tempting shopping, nightlife, and everyday expenses, living costs can rise as high as skyscrapers. Stay true to your lifestyle as well as your budget with the following cost-cutting tips for big city living.

Farmer’s Market

Nearly every large city in the United States hosts at least one weekly farmers market. Farmers markets are a great way to load up on healthy, locally grown and raised vegetables and livestock. They are also typically the least expensive way to do your grocery shopping, especially if you are buying food that is locally “in season.”

LocalHarvest.org

is your essential resource for locating a market near you.

Public Transit

Many large cities boast such an impressive transportation system that it is easier to forgo a car and purchase a monthly package deal from your public transit instead. Choosing to utilize public transportation will not only save you money, but it will also expose you to different areas of your city, help the environment, and often get you to your destinations quicker than if you were sitting in city traffic.

Shop And Compare

As you live in a big city, you are probably surrounded by several stores which carry identical items. To use this to your advantage, download price comparison applications such as

google Shopper

and

Red Laser

, which provide you with price comparisons on thousands of items.

Midweek Deals

When it comes to saving big, sometimes

when

you buy is more important than

where

you buy. Wednesday seems to be the best time to buy two essentials--groceries and gas. Many supermarkets use this day to perform mark-downs on items which are nearing their expiration, while gas prices inflate during the weekend and fall to their lowest midweek.

Be Thrifty

Saving on clothes, houseware, and home decor sometimes means shopping secondhand. You will be astonished by the name brand, high-quality items you come across on your secondhand adventures. Visit

Yelp.com

to read reviews on thrift stores near you, and be sure to shop most often at secondhand shops in the wealthiest areas of your city for the best finds.

Stay In

When attempting to save money in a big city, it is crucial to set boundaries and strict budgets on the amount you spend on dining out and visiting bars and nightclubs. Look closely at your earnings and decide on a reasonable, weekly budget for these expenses. Converse with your group of friends about taking turns hosting cocktail and dinner parties, as these are a great way to keep your wallet and friendships full.

Take A Step Back

If you’re having a tough time saving money in your neighborhood, you may want to consider moving. Although it may be difficult as a city dweller, moving to the outskirts of a major city can often save you thousands on your monthly rent.