by Greg Schwartz

Created on: January 26, 2010

Baltimore, Maryland is home to over 650,000 people.  If you're like the majority of the city's residents, you're looking for ways to spend a little less money.  Here are some of the best ways to save money while living in Baltimore:

- Public transportation

Baltimore has a strong public transportation system, consisting of the Metro, Light Rail, MARC Train, commuter buses, and local city buses.  Using these methods of transportation, residents and commuters can get around almost anywhere in the city.  The fares are not expensive, and you'll save on gas as well as parking.  See the Maryland Transit Administration's

website for schedules and maps.

- Local attractions

There are many area attractions that residents and non-residents alike flock to see.  These attractions can sometimes get a bit pricey, but if you know where to find deals and when the off-peak times are, you can spend less money to see the same things.

Take the National Aquarium for example.  The Aquarium hosts many unique and interesting exhibits, including dolphin shows and the tropical rainforest, and it always draws a crowd.  One adult ticket is usually $24.95, but if you go on a Friday evening after 5:00, the same ticket costs only $8.00.

- Cheap parking

Baltimore can be an expensive place to park.  Many of the downtown parking garages charge a minimum of $5 or $6, even if you're only there for a half hour.  Scoping out the city streets can save you a lot of money if you can find cheap meters and garages.

If you're in the area, one good place to park is the open lot on Preston Street, between Eutaw Street and the 5th Regiment Armory.  This lot almost always has open spaces, and the minimum fee is only $3. 

The University of Maryland at Baltimore parking garages can easily cost you in the double digits, and street parking around there is typically a dollar an hour (if you can find a spot).  But if you go across Baltimore Street, on the west side of MLK Boulevard, there are parking meters (the gray ones) that will give you an hour and 15 minutes for only a quarter.

- Bars

Baltimore is a city that comes alive at night.  There are tons of bars across the city and many clubs.  If you go out a lot, figure out which bars offer drink specials on which nights, such as dollar drafts or half-price rail drinks.  Chances are you can find a few different specials for every night of the week.

- Books

If you like to read, check out Baltimore's Enoch Pratt Free Library (with many branches across the city) rather than buying new books.  If you're set on buying a book rather than borrowing it, try The Book Nook in Glen Burnie or Ukazoo Books in Towson for a used (cheaper) copy.

There are many more ways to save money in Baltimore, including walking.  If you're not going far, leave your car where it is (especially if you've found a cheap meter) and hoof it for a few blocks.  You'll save money and get exercise at the same time.

Learn more about this author, Greg Schwartz.
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