New York is not a cheap city to live in; there’s no getting around the fact. Rent devours one-third of your paycheck before you even see it, and you can easily blow the remaining two thirds on mediocre martinis at just one bar. Luckily, navigating the labyrinth of costly entertainment options is an art that can be mastered. You can have a few crumpled bills in your market and run this city like Diddy. Here are 14 commandments for being broke in NYC. Abide by them and thrive in Gotham, regardless of the sad, dwindling number in your checking account.

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