How does anyone afford to live in New York City? The secret is that Manhattanites are—by necessity—brilliant bargain-hunters. We have learned how to maximize our city for less, from great happy hours to cut-rate theater tickets to free art exhibits. And we pride ourselves on our money-saving tricks—some of which we’re even willing to share. So next time you visit New York, skip the kitschy restaurants, big-name department stores and rote city tours, and follow the savvy advice of those who have managed to get by without going broke. Oh, and could you walk a little faster?—we’re in a hurry.

SHOPPING
The general rule in New York is never pay full price. With so many vendors, someone is selling it cheaper. And with so many choices, there’s a lot of turnover—especially in the consignment, thrift and discount shops.

Designer Resale: High-end apparel is reduced by 20 percent after 30 days, and by half after 60 days (just follow the color-coded tags). 324 E. 81st St.; 212-734-3639; designerresaleconsignment.com

Fisch for the Hip: The meticulously edited selection of delicately used Chloe, Missoni, Marni, Vera Wang, Stella McCartney, Gucci and more is big enough to keep your attention, but small enough to trust that the owners don’t take just anything. 153 W. 18th St.; 212-633-9053; fischforthehip.com

Michael’s: The city’s wealthiest get rid of their designer-wear here—fabulous clothing, jewelry, bags, belts, shoes, sunglasses, even bridal gowns. Nothing except for Chanel, Hermès and Pucci is more than two years old. 1041 Madison Ave.; 212-737-7273; michaelsconsignment.com

Barney’s Co-op: Carrie Bradshaw obsessed over the Madison Avenue flagship, but the slightly cheaper co-ops in SoHo and Chelsea sell all the hot young designers, plus Barney’s own label. barneys.com

Most major labels sell last season’s styles or slightly damaged pieces in drastically reduced-price sample sales. To find them, check out websites like dailycandy.com or budgetfashionista.com. Be prepared to meet manic shoppers and try on clothes without a dressing room (wear stockings or leggings). The deals are worth the hassle.

Pearl River Mart: This threefloor Chinese market is a bargain-hunter’s paradise, and the cheapest and oddest place to find cloth-slippers, small notebooks, jewelry boxes, face soap, soy sauce, serving trays, silk jackets, ceramic vases and more. 477 Broadway; 212-431- 4770; pearlriver.com

Holiday Bazaars: In late November and December, vendors selling everything from Christmas trinkets to fine art set up stands at Union Square, Bryant Park, Grand Central and Columbus Circle. Some of the merchandise is schlocky, but there’s plenty of original jewelry and quality knickknacks—that is, great gifts.

FOOD & DRINK
Lunch Like a Luminary
A few top restaurants offer a midday prix fixe: three courses for less than $40 per person (before tax). It’s not a cheap lunch, but it’s the smartest way to sample New York’s finest plates.

Perry Street: Overlooking the Hudson, Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s gorgeous glass-walled canteen has a three-course lunch menu (with 10-15 options) for $24. The beef and egg dishes are always winners. 176 Perry St., 212-352-1900

Gotham Bar and Grill: When in Gotham . . . you must eat organic beet salad and pappardelle with braised lamb at this handsome restaurant. Three courses for $31. 12 E. 12th St.; 212-620-4020

Fleur de Sel: Goat cheese and artichoke ravioli, braised veal breast with chanterelles, and caramel ice cream with date puree at one of New York’s best French restaurants? Definitely worth $29. 5 E. 20th St., 212-460-9100

Dévi: The Indo-Chinese cauliflower in spicy tomato garlic sauce is the talk of the town. A three-course prix-fixe lunch goes for $25. 8 E. 18th St.; 212-691-1300

DOWNTOWN CRAWL
To entice you to try their menu, many restaurant-bars offer free (or almost free) food with your happyhour-priced drink. Walk from place to place to make a meal.
Five Points: $5 top-shelf martinis and $2 oysters are available from 5 to 6 p.m. at this beautiful bistro with a fountain and stream in its dining room. 31 Great Jones St.; 212-253-5700

Aurora SoHo: Order a glass of Gavi ($8) at the small bar, and help yourself to the crisp flatbread with tapenade, spicy hummus, olives and tomato toasts, from 5 to 7 p.m. 510 Broome St.; 212-334-9020
Lure: Dinner at this swanky boat-like restaurant can be pricey, but from 5 to 7 p.m. you can fill up on crisp calamari with smoked-chili glaze ($6) and caviar-topped deviled eggs ($7). The best deal is the oyster shooters: four large oysters in four strong Bloody Mary shots ($8). 142 Mercer St.; 212-431-7676

Aroma: The weekday 5 to 7 p.m. “aperitivo” ($15) includes a generous flight of three wines and all-you-can-eat freshly prepared antipasto (dishes vary daily—duck-liver mousse, Tuscan bean salad, crostini, butternut squash puree). 36 E. 4th St.; 212-375-0100

Cucina di Pesce: Cozy up to the bar and help yourself to free mussels in marinara sauce—the silver serving tray is kept warm and full from 5 p.m. to close. 87 E. 4th St.; 212-260-6800

REAL DEALS
This city loves to brag about its cheap eats. Here are some of the better bargains.

Artichoke Basille's Pizza & Brewery: New Yorkers are gaga over this new take-out joint, opened by two Staten Island cousins with red sauce for blood. Try the artichoke and spinach slice ($3.50) that made Keith Richards burst into air guitar, and eat it like a New Yorker—walking down the street. 325 E. 14th St.; 212-228-2004

Katz’s: There’s only one thing to get here: pastrami on rye with spicy mustard or Russian dressing ($15). Order it at the counter or opt for table service—where you’ll be greeted by free sour pickles. 205 E. Houston St.; 212-254-2246

Bereket: This 24/7 Turkish joint has fast-food decor but the kebabs ($6) are fantastic, as are the grape leaves ($5) and lentil soup ($3.75). 187 E. Houston St.; 212-475-7700

Café Rakka: The Rakka platter with three balls of peppery falafel, creamy hummus and fava beans in lemony dressing comes with salad and pita bread for only $6.50. 81 St. Marks Place; 212-982-9166

Corner Bistro: Order the ferociously juicy flame-broiled Bistro Burger ($6.75), served with fixins on a paper plate, and a McSorley’s ale ($2.50) at this old bohemian bistro. 331 W. 4th St.; 212-242-9502

Great New York Noodletown: The ducks hanging in the window are typical Chinatown, but the prices and quality are exceptional: Soups ($4-7) overflow with noodles, and the roasted meats with rice plates ($4.25) are enormous and tasty. For a few bucks more, try the salt-baked seafood. 28½ Bowery; 212-349-0923

STREET SMARTS
The “dirty-water dog” and soft pretzel are notorious New York sidewalk eats, but don’t overlook the city’s superb food carts (judged annually at the Vendy Awards), where you can fill up for about $5 on weekdays, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

NY Dosas: A multi-Vendy winner, Thiru Kumar wraps curried vegetables in tasty rice and lentil crepes, served with spicy lentil soup and cilantro chutneys ($4-$6). At the intersection of W. 4th St. and Sullivan St. near Washington Square Park; 917-710-2092

Carnegie John’s: Go for John’s beloved cheeseburger ($4)—a large, fat-streaked beef patty that has been both griddled and grilled to perfection. 56th St. near Seventh Ave.

Calexico: Winner of a 2006 Vendy, fresh artisanal Mexican street food made by two California-bred brothers who specialize in carne asada ($3-$7). Wooster St. near Prince St.

Halal Chicken & Gyro: Halal fans’ favorite is the $5 lamb on rice, with both a super-spicy red chile sauce and a delicious (super-secret) white sauce. Squirt the sauce yourself or ask for a cup to go. 53rd St. near Sixth Ave.

ART & ABOUT
Many museums are “pay what you wish” on Friday evenings.

Museum of Modern Art: Fridays 4–8 p.m., plus free screenings with entry. 11 W. 53rd St.; 212-708-9400; moma.org

Whitney: Fridays 6–9 p.m. 945 Madison Ave.; 212-570-3600; whitney.org

Guggenheim: Fridays 6–8 p.m. 1071 Fifth Ave.; 212-423-3500; guggenheim.org

Metropolitan Museum of Art: The $20 suggested donation also gets you into the medieval Cloisters (in upper Manhattan’s Fort Tryon Park) for free on the same day. 1000 Fifth Ave.; 212-535-7710; metmuseum.org

Many Chelsea art galleries often open exhibits on Thursday evenings with free entry and free wine. Check out artcal.net.

THEATER & MUSIC
Broadway: Get discounts at playbill.com, theatermania.com, nytix.com and broadwaybox.com, or visit the red-and-white TKTS booth in Times Square for 25–50 percent off select shows.

The Manhattan Club: A concierge service offers reduced-price tickets. 888-692-2121; nypreview.com

MUSIC
Carnegie Hall: A limited number of $10 partial-view tickets is available for performances in the Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage (excluding family concerts and gala events). 57th St. and Seventh Ave.; 212-247-7800; carnegiehall.org

Metropolitan Opera: Standing-room tickets for that day’s performances go on sale for $15–$20 at 10 a.m. Order online or line up outside the box office at least an hour in advance to avoid the $7 fee. Lincoln Center, 132 W. 65th St.; 212- 362-6000; metoperafamily.org

SIGHTSEEING
Why spend $64 for a basic Gray Line tour when you can explore New York for nothing?

Central Park: Take a breather in its 843 beautiful green acres. Free admission; centralpark.com

Bryant Park: From October through mid-January, skate the 170' x 100' rink gratis (skates are extra)—plus free Wi-Fi. Sixth Ave. between 40th and 42nd streets; 866-221-5157; thepondatbryantpark.com

Staten Island Ferry: The free ferry leaves at least every half-hour; board at Whitehall and Water streets to see the Statue of Liberty and the city skyline on the 25-minute ride. Stay onboard for the ride back—with a $3 beer. siferry.com

FREE TOURS
Grand Central Station: The Municipal Art Society leads tours on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. Meet at the main concourse’s round information booth; 212-935-3960. The Grand Central Partnership gives tours on Fridays at 12:30 p.m. Meet at the Whitney Museum Sculpture Court, 42nd St. and Park Ave.; 212-883-2420; grandcentralpartnership.org

Union Square: The Union Square Partnership conducts a 90-minute tour of the square on Saturdays at 2 p.m. Meet by the Lincoln statue on the 16th St. side of Union Square Park; 212-517-1826; unionsquarenyc.org

Times Square: The Times Square Alliance leads a 90-minute “Times Square Exposé” on Fridays at noon. Meet at the Information Center, Seventh Ave. between 46th and 47th streets; timessquarenyc.org

GETTING AROUND
To the Airports
Newark: Take a New Jersey Transit or Amtrak train from Penn Station to Newark airport (about 25 minutes). Pick up the AirTrain to your terminal. $15

JFK: Take the A train to the Howard Beach/JFK stop, and then get on the AirTrain. $7

La Guardia: Go by subway to any 125th Street station and transfer to the M60 bus. $2

Subway
Metrocards: Buy an unlimited daily ($7.50) or weekly ($25) pass at any station.


Tip
If you know where you are and where you’re going, hopstop.com will tell you the best way to get there—without a snicker.

NOTE: Information may have changed since publication. Please confirm key details before planning your trip.