So Expensive! How Do People Save Money in Big Cities?
You hear about it often. People in big cities who struggle to pay rent. Or eat. All because the cost of living is insanely high.
So, how do people save money in big cities? Is it even possible?
Yes! Millions of people do it every day by being creative and resourceful. You can do it even if you live in San Francisco or NYC. And it’s possible without sacrificing on your quality of life. Read to learn how!
12 Top Ways to Save While Living in a Big City
1. Find free or low-cost activities to enjoy
In big cities, libraries have more than just great books to offer.
You might be able to find:
- free seeds to plant herbs, flowers, veggies
- free museum and national park passes
- a library of things you can borrow like power tools, sewing machines, game boards, frisbee sets, etc.
- free activities: fairs, festivals, yoga or taichi in the park, geocaching, art galleries…etc
2. Utilize Your Local Parks
Cities tend to have nicer parks and meetups. So, take advantage of these outdoor spaces! Relax, enjoy picnics, and attend community events instead of paying for entertainment.
3. Buy secondhand
Shop at thrift stores in nicer parts of your big city. Or buy secondhand in online marketplaces for clothing, furniture, and household items.
Try Freecycle or no buy FB groups first if you need something. Or if you want to get rid of something.
4. Share living expenses
*Saves The Most!
Rent is high, so consider roommates or shared housing to split rent, utilities, and other costs.
Pro Tip: Rent from a human instead of a management company if possible. They typically raise the rent less.
5. Opt for public transportation
Instead of owning a car, use buses, trains, or bikes.
This doesn’t just save on a car loan, but also saves thousands on parking, gas, and maintenance.
Bonus: It’s also great exercise to walk or bike to local places!
6. Cook at home
Limit dining out by meal prepping and cooking at home. Eating out can be expensive in big cities!
- Take your food with you to work or school
- If you find a great dish somewhere, try to replicate it at home
- Beware of snacks & coffee! There are temptations everywhere in big cities.
Pro Tip: Focus on finding free hobbies that don’t require eating out.
7. Use a co-working space instead of a private office
If you work remotely, consider renting a spot in a shared workspace instead of paying for an office or working from costly cafés.
8. Cut back on subscriptions
When you’re spending more on rent, it’s best to cut back in other places you can. Limit or share streaming services, gym memberships, and other recurring expenses.
9. Use discount grocery stores or buy in bulk
Save on groceries by shopping at discount stores, farmers’ markets, or buying non-perishables in bulk.
In large cities, you can find local markets and ethnic stores that often have cheaper prices.
10. Get Creative With Grocery Shopping
Time your grocery shopping for when your local supermarket reduces prices on soon-to-be expired foods. (You can freeze much of this!)
Related:
- What Not to Buy in Bulk
- 30 Best Cheap Foods (That Are Also Healthy)
- How to Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half
11. Take advantage of employer benefits
Maximize any transportation subsidies, meal allowances, or health benefits your employer provides.
12. Negotiate bills
Finally, compare everything. When every dollar counts, you don’t want to let these drain your wallet.
Call providers to negotiate lower rates for:
- utilities
- Internet
- phone plans
- car or auto insurance
- health insurance
Your Turn!
If you live in a big city, what are your best tips to save money? Share in the comments below!
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