SHOP WISELY
Living in New York City can be very expensive. We want you to patronize your neighborhood bodega and other local businesses, but we also want to protect you from overpaying for groceries and supplies. A bodega is convenient, great if you only need one or two items such as milk, produce, drinks or a snack, but in general they charge much more than the average New York City supermarket, especially on toiletries and over-the-counter medicines. Try to do your regular grocery shopping at a supermarket. You can even shop for groceries on line: FreshDirect - www.freshdirect.com - allows you to order groceries and have them delivered directly to your door.An alternative to supermarkets are the "big box" warehouse stores such as Costco and BJ's, which are located in some of the outer boroughs, New Jersey, Westchester and Long Island. These stores require you to buy a membership, but that quickly pays for itself with all the money you save while shopping there. It is a good idea to rent a car (share the rental with a friend) and drive to one of these stores. Don't worry - with some minor planning, you can fit more than you think in a city apartment and in your freezer, and buying in bulk is a smart way to save money! Furnishing your new apartment can be expensive, but keep an eye out for deals on Craigslist.com. You can also add some stylish but inexpensive furniture at IKEA in Brooklyn and in Elizabeth, New Jersey -- there are free shuttle buses from New York City. Check out their website - it is in resources under Discounts & Smart Shopping. Woodbury Common is in Central Valley, NY - about 45 minutes to an hours drive from NYC. They have 220 outlet stores where you can find deals while enjoying an afternoon in the countryside. It is also listed under Discounts & Smart Shopping. DISCOUNTS & SMART SHOPPING
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