by Shawna Blake

Created on: December 31, 2008

Modest budgets are usually the hindrance of enjoyable vacations. And any hard-working, middle class American knows this all too well. We don't just vacation on budgets, we often live on them. Thus, a vacation is often overlooked or completely avoided altogether. We can't always afford vacations, what with paying bills and buying groceries and all. So, when we do venture out of our comfort zones and tour the world, it tends to put a hurt on our wallets. New York City is a prime example of a high priced place to visit. Whether you are headed there to see a Broadway play, or simply to tour the many sights, it will cost you a pretty penny. However, there are simple ways to hang onto a good portion of your money while still enjoying yourself tremendously in the city that doesn't sleep. I know this because I managed this very thing recently, and my visit to the Big Apple could not have turned out any better.

~Watch prices.

So you are standing in the gift shop on Liberty Island and decide that you really do need that 7 inch replica of Lady Liberty. Instead of paying full price for that one, wait until you vist one of the hundreds of gift shops that line the streets. There you shall find it much cheaper than you would in the official gift store. That goes for every other souvenir that you may come across. Take those famous 'I love New York' t-shirts for example. On one corner they will be 3 for ten dollars, while another will offer you 7 for the very same price! That is the perfect way to get a souvenir for each of your friends or family, yet not spend a fortune. The same goes for postcards.

~Share meals.

My cousin and I didn't want to skimp on our experience, and since the portions of the meals are fairly generous, we decided to share most of our meals. A large quarter pound burger with fries and onion rings is more than enough for two people. It allows you to experience the fare, while keeping your wallet filled, and it doesn't fill you up to the point where you can't enjoy dessert or snacks in the next few hours. After all, there are snack carts and Starbucks on every corner, literally in the city. You can also choose to eat at an eatery that is not expensive (like the famous deli's, or the delicious pizza shops) instead of one where it costs you $100.00 per person just for reservations (like 'Per Se', which is located in the Time Warner Center).

~Take a tour.

We paid a little over seventy dollars each for a downtown bus tour that lasted 24 hours. With it we got tickets

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