Anyone know how to shop frugally in New York City?
Franci, a reader who recently moved to NYC from New Zealand, sent me this question and since I've never grocery shopped in NYC, I thought I'd throw the question out to you, my readers!
Does anyone have any tips on shopping in NYC? Food here in NYC is excessively expensive. I'm freshly out of New Zealand and finding shopping frugally here a real challenge. Not to mention the fact that we have to go to the supermarket a few times a week as we walk everywhere (unlike at home where we had a car). If we want to do a big shop we have to take a taxi home or hire a zipcar, otherwise we just use our wire cart and walk, so buying in bulk is rarely an option.
I've only ever been to NYC a handful of times, and I've certainly never been grocery shopping in the Big Apple! But, I'm sure some of you have, and maybe those of you who live in other urban areas will some ideas for Franci.
Fire away!
I will be honest and say that the wire-cart and subways will only get you so far. My sister lives in the city and she takes advantage every time I come in (which is often). I'm always stopping for her at Walmart and picking up essentials like TP. As for food, it's easier in the summer than the winter. I love going to the different farmers markets that get set up for fresh produce.
For your meats, pick a butcher and stick with them. I love that NY still has that mom & pop feeling sometimes and loyalty really pays off. The butcher down the block from my sister knows what she likes and is always throwing in an extra piece or recommending recipes and stuff for her to try.
Check out restaurant.com, groupons, etc. because you will find tons of deals on entertainment and eating out.
I wrote a post a while back about finding deals on Broadway http://www.makingcentsofit.com/2010/03/hidden-secrets-of-broadway.html so you can look there for information on rush seating and tkts.
You can also save on movie tickets a few ways. If the $4 promotion (http://www.makingcentsofit.com/2010/06/4-amc-movie-tickets.html) is still going on that's one way, but you can also buy discount tickets in buck from places like Costco or AAA.
One last suggestion, is when you buy clothing keep the purchase under $100. They tax above that. If you really need to go shopping, take the Path train out to NJ because they are tax free on clothing and the train will drop you directly across the street from a mall. Also, Ikea has a free shuttle from Port Authority to Ikea in Elizabeth which is close to a different mall. Taking a cab from Ikea to the mall is much cheaper than a cap from NY to the mall.
Good luck. New York really gets a bad rep for being expensive, but the worst thing there is the rent. When it comes to food and entertainment, I really don't find it much different than where I live in PA. Actually, I do find it different. NY's food and entertainment is much better.
My husband used to live in New York. He said buying food there was cheap but you have to change your shopping habits. He said that most New Yorkers go to the store every few days or so because they have tiny kitchens and no cars. He would find parts of the city where he could find cheaper grocery stores like Chinatown and buy what he could carry home, like spices, as his "big" or weekend shopping trip. He would stick to buying fresh fruits and veg every few days or so which were less expensive than they are here in the Midwest.
I forgot to mention in my other comment. Some of the major grocery stores in the city are more expensive because they can be. Depending on where in the city you are living (and which borough) consider taking your wire cart on the bus to a Shoprite. I know there's on in Manhattan and one in Brooklyn. 80% of the time, you'll find the best deals there since it's not a "gourmet" store like many of the other grocery stores in the city try to be.
And don't feel funny taking your cart on the bus because lots of people do it. I've seen people carry bikes on the subway too.
I really have no idea but remembered reading this post:
http://www.owlhaven.net/2010/04/24/groceries-part-two/
awhile ago and thought it may contain helpful hints.
China town has pretty inexpensive stores. That's really all the grocery shopping I did when I was there visiting.
However, if you go to http://thirtyaweek.wordpress.com/, they live in the city and spend $30/week to feed 2 people, so I'm guessing they know all the inexpensive place. Also, they usually post their receipts so even if you didn't want to contact them directly, you could still see some of the places they shop.
A lot of this depends on where you live. If you're in midtown, there are a number of higher end supermarkets but not many cheaper stores. If you live in a more residential neighborhood, there are probably lots of options --there are no less than three grocery stores within two blocks of my apartment as well as a number of mom and pop bodegas, an ethnic grocery store, a fruit stand, and a health food store. Not all of them have the same prices on the same items. One grocery store sells the exact same package of burrito wraps for $2 less than another. That same grocery store sells strawberries for cheaper than the fruit stand but the fruit stand has the best prices on lettuce, onions, asparagus and sodas (strangely enough). One grocery store sells mushrooms for $.99 per package, all the rest are over $2.49. There's also a Costco within walking distance, and we get great prices there on things like toilet paper and movie tickets. So keeping a price book or learning the best prices on items within walking distance is very important.
A lot of my grocery shopping means picking things up at different stores. We meal plan and do a larger grocery run on Sunday, then pick up produce or meat as needed during the week.
Depending where in NY you live Trader Joe's can be a good option. It is very reasonably priced for many things and is designed for 1-2 people households so it is easy to shop there without buying in bulk so things don't have a chance to go bad. Definitely also agree to embrace the local butcher and fruit stands, great fresh food is available all over in the city.
my college roommate is from NYC. this is the advice she proposed.
try to find non-chain stores. there are a bunch of privately owned grocers scattered throughout the city, and they usually have the best prices because you're not paying for the name of the store. they're not always right on a subway/bus route, but for money's sake, it's a great option to look into.
nyc is littered with .99 stores. some of these stores carry name brand items that you'd usually buy, still in code, so you might want to check them out.
invest in a camping-style backpack - that is, a large one that you would use to carry your belongings on your back. this will help you be able to carry larger loads of things and they offer proper back support.
menu planning in a situation like this is a necessity. no use in buying a ton of stuff you won't use for the week, especially when you have limited means of getting it home.
look for farmers' markets during the summer months. most neighborhoods in the city have farmers that come in from neighboring rural areas and sell their goods at a fraction of what it goes for in the stores. cheaper food and helping the local economy are always good.
do some online networking. a lot of people will post on craigslist or other such sites looking for a "bulk buying partner." that's someone who will go to a bulk store with you and split the cost and product 50/50. you're still getting more than you normally would for a better price, but you're not left with an overwhelming amount of something that you won't use all of.
hope that helps!
Depending on where you live, if you can manage it -- it may be a distance from your home in NYC -- the Park Slope Food Coop is the best deal in the city. Some people don't like that you have to work there once a month, but the food and sundries are CHEAP. Incidentally, it is where 30 Bucks a Week (the blog mentioned above) shop.
Thanks so much for your ideas and advice, everyone! There's certainly some good things to think about here. All this is just so foreign to us, but we'll get there. 🙂 And thanks for posting my question, Kristen!
Tina from $30/Week here - we generally shop at the Park Slope Food Coop because the prices there are extremely low (since you have to work there to shop there, the overhead is VERY low). If you can't make it out to Brooklyn, I advise you to check out:
Chinatown - fruits, vegetables, bulk rice, dried mushrooms, tofu, noodles, high quality fish and condiments. With a variety of subway stops serving it (with elevators), a good place to shop with a large granny cart
Jack's 99-Cent Store (32nd Street location)- brand name yogurt, milk and cheeses, decent bread priced at .99 a loaf, pasta and the top floor has things like Faje yogurt and fancy sausages
Trader Joe's - Just opened a new location in Chelsea, an excellent place to get staples - free range eggs, chicken, nuts and snacks. Buy wine at their 14th street location.
Grocery stores that are NOT D'Agostinos, Gristedes, West Side Market, Whole Foods, etc. - unless there is a deal going on, shopping at these places can run havoc on your wallet. The Whole Foods in Union Square (I think, it could be the Bowery location) has a bulk section, which is actually great for things like oats and brown rice. Check the circulars on-line for grocery stores for particular deals on things you want. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Farmer's Markets - you might also be surprised at your local farmer's market. Yes, some things are expensive, but when fruits and veggies are in season, you can get them for a song. Go at the very end of the day when the market is about to close up and get even better deals. Vendors will want to get rid of stuff instead of carting it back to the farm and will usually cut you a deal.
And, of course, cook frugally! Use dried beans instead of canned, make vegetable stock by storing carrot peels, the ends of celery, parsley, onions and garlic peels and bits in a large freezer bag. Once it's full, make stock and store. Strain your own yogurt to make fancy greek yogurt - the possibilities are endless.
Chinatown. Dollar stores for some groceries and toiletries. There are some decent prices at Whole Foods IF you buy their store brand. Also there is a new Costco in north Manhattan I think....
Real New Yorkers would prob have many more tips but that is what I learned in the brief few days I spent there.
Mary, mom to many
I appreciate this post...I've been looking into moving to New York City myself {read: mentioning it to my husband since I've been watching Selling New York on HGTV lol}.
It depends on where in NYC your friend is living. If she is Manhattan, she can check out fresh direct and have a look at their prices and see if that's what she's more comfortable paying.
Union Square is one of the places where they have good farmers' markets. There are also spots where they have farm co-ops distributed. She should google that.
If she is outside Manhattan she'll have better luck I think, depending on where she lives.
Fairway, Costco, and Stop & Shop are decent places for prices.
Now might be a good time to learn how to make a great pot of rice & beans.
I lived in New York a few years and always remember lugging all my groceries home on the train, but I tried to focus on all of the wonderful things I bought and what I was going to make. Being a vegan and preferring organic I usually shopped at Whole Foods, still do. Although I definitely agree with shopping at the farmer's market in Union Square. Also there is a Trader Joe's now open that wasn't there when I lived there near Union Square. They are known for getting the best prices for everything and have a wonderful selection! The dollar stores are also great. One thing for sure is when I was in NYC I don't remember buying tons of food at one time because I spent much of my time out in the city. I would shop maybe two or three times a week and that way I wasn't wasting anything or buying too much and forgetting about it.
Best Wishes!!
Oh Franci- it can be done! I lived in Manhattan for 2 years when I was young and single, and even though it's almost 20 years ago- it's SO specific and SO different than shopping elsewhere. I will make a short list and check in tomorrow- just off the top of my head, I got one of the most amazing and gorgeous and flattering swimsuits in my life for about maybe $10 (probably less) in the TRAIN STATION! (Penn Station, not Grand Central)-there are (or were) stores or "stalls" in there with the most amazing merchandise- so cheap - and not what you would find in a store. There are the 14th street stores, but that is more work to sort through, and as far as groceries, you definitely don't do supermarket shopping, you shop more often at neighborhood stores and ethnic markets. The difference is incredible. It's akin to people going to Europe and going to a restaurant in a tourist trap and spending more than a hundred dollars on dinner, or knowing the local spot and getting an amazing meal for ten bucks.
The store names will be different, but the concept is the same, and I will think on it and come back tomorrow.
I don't know about NYC, but I do know that the grocery store chains have a sneaky marketing technique when they put things on sale. They put cereal, for example, on the end isles, then put up a sign that says 4 for $6.00 on advertised brands only. What they don't tell you, however, is that not all the cereal they put out there on the end isle are the advertised brand, so you end up paying more for certain boxes that they put there, hoping that they would catch you. You have to go into the isles to find out which ones are truly on sale to make it worth your while and hopefully also have a coupon or two to bring down the price even further.
Well, I used to live about an hour from the city, so food was not too expensive. Have you considered buying some of your groceries online? They usually deliver at a VERY decent price (a few dollars + tip). Doing a google search such as "grocery shopping online, NYC" will give you plenty of options to try out. Also, search to see if you find grocery shopping through a website that usually serves university students. These tend to be less expensive. I, for instance, have used the Gopher Grocery were I live (MN). Hope this helps.
Hi Franci!
I live in a big city now and I have a very small income, so I've learned how to get my grocery shopping done frugally. Trader Joe's is a GREAT place for things like olive oil, cheese, frozen fruit, prepared sauces, etc. Whenever I'm going by the Trader Joe's on the bus, I hop off to stock up on these items. I've also found very frugal deals at Whole Foods. WF can be really pricey if you're not careful, but they have an in-house brand (365) which is very reasonably priced, I think. And the produce sales are good. I can't do all my shopping at Whole Foods, but for some things, it's a good option. Also, someone else mentioned ethnic food stores/neighborhoods -- this is a really good suggestion! For example, I love to cook Indian food and the spices I need cost a ton at the regular grocery store, but they are so inexpensive at an Indian grocery mart. I think it's worth it to seek out ethnic grocery shops...that's a perk that isn't really available to people living in rural areas! So, take advantage!
The key to grocery shopping in the city is to think about how many heavy items you're getting, since you're going to schlep all the way home with the bags. Also, I think zip car is a great way to go when you want to stock up on heavy items. I do this about once a month and buy so many canned items at once I probably look like a crazy person.
Good luck navigating grocery stores in NYC!
Chinatown is a great place for cheap vegetables and fruits. There are TONS of people who go there with their wire shopping carts and backpacks and even small luggages to haul their goodies home on the subway. I find that the fruit stands on the corner of Canal street and Mulberry street are great for prices. The produced/veggies from Grand street cost WAY more than others in Chinatown so I avoid them.
The only thing about fruit in Chinatown is that sometimes they ripe quickly so you may want to pick produce that is not so ripe if you intend on eating them slowly. I don't go to the large Chinese market called Kam Man on Canal street between Mott and Mulberry because they cost so much more for things like soy sauce and such. I frequent Po Wing Hong which is on Elizabeth between Hester and Canal. There prices are much more reasonable.
Trader Joe's is a great place for organice and health foods. Check out their website for the nearest location near you.
I sort of skimmed through the other suggestions, but I see that a lot of them involve traveling to other parts of the city for shopping. That can be really hard because you have to take the bus or subway and you can't take much with you. Plus I have a 2-yr-old so traveling for groceries is pretty much out of the question.
My savior in NYC for groceries has been Freshdirect and I'm shocked no one else mentioned it (did they? like I said, I skimmed). It's MUCH cheaper than the local supermarkets and they have lots of great stuff. Freshdirect.com. Awesome! Also fruit stands and farmers markets both of which can be found all over the city.
For clothes H&M is the best. It's cheap and they're all over too. Plus sales and all the regular stuff.
Hope that helps!
Wow, thanks again for all the advice, everyone! Yeah, Momseye, I have a 3-year old and a baby, and usually if I go shopping with the wire cart I put the baby in the front pack and the 3-year old walk, which means we can't go too far! Thankfully there's a supermarket nearby, but I don't find them cheap.
I definitely want to try out a few of the suggestions mentioned above, and freshdirect for sure!
I do not know if someone already has this tip , but I recently read a book by Colin Beavan : No impact man.
If I an right, he lives, works and relax himself in NYC . Together with his wife and child , he tries to make no impact on our world , so he gives less and less money.
I hope she can go forward with this tip. In any case: I wish her every success!
There are great perks to living in a wealthy city. My DH, baby, and I go to free live music shows all summer. We pack a picnic from home and often sit on the grass outside of Summer Stage in CP for a wonderful (and free) weekend day or weekday evening. There are tons of free movies for kids and adults, free bikes at Governor's Island on Fridays (and a free boat ride to bring you there), free kayaks in Riverside Park, story times all over the city, free museum days, I could go on and on! Check out Time Out Kids online for a great database of events and articles on how to navigate school shopping, birthdays, etc. without spending a ton. With little kids, make the most of your neighborhood, check out events at your public library, and use Fresh Direct. Good luck, Franci!
My parents just came back from NY they said they ate like they do in Europe, shop everyday for bread, everycouple of days for freshfruit and veg. Personally i like shopping so sounds divine