Vacations Blog

Stuart Schuffman, aka Broke-Ass Stuart, is the author of the critically acclaimed book Broke-Ass Stuart’s Guide To Living Cheaply In San Francisco. Stuart has been busy the past year writing another ‘living cheaply’ guide – for New York.

He lived in NYC and tramped the streets, put up with friends, hunted down cheap eats and bars with happy hour drinks and free food, and in general, experienced how it feels to be ‘young, broke and beautiful’ in the Big Apple. The book is due out in November. I asked him a few questions which might help you out if you’re stuck in a bad spot in NYC. Even if you have no such problems, follow his tips and your New York vacations will be memorable, to say the least.

Question: Last time I talked to you, you were in the middle of writing a book about Living Cheaply in New York. How’s that coming along? Still set for a November 2008 launch? Is it better than the San Francisco guide?
Ans: I’m glad to say that I’m finally done! I mean we still have to deal with editing and corrections and shit, but my 10 hour days behind the computer are over. I’m elated; I just turned it in last week. So, yeah, the book will be out in November.

As for if it will be better than the SF book, that’s hard to say. There’s a lot more content since it’s a bigger book. There’s also a comic in the middle. The super talented Mike Force took a story I wrote and turned it into a really funny comic. Who doesn’t like comics right?

Question: So, let’s say I’m a tourist in NYC with a couple of days to kill, and kinda short on cash. What do I do? (other than buying your book..) Where do I go to sleep? What do I eat? How do I move around?
Ans: Moving around is easy, take the subway. New York City has one of the best mass transit systems in the world. Every city should be so lucky. As for what to eat, if you’re really short on cash, but you want to experience NY food, you can’t go wrong with street food. The variety of food carts is amazing in New York, you can find everything from pretzels to Korean food to pulled pork sandwiches. But if you tire of street food, your best bet for a cheap meal would be the East Village or Williamsburg. Just wander around for a bit and you’ll find something good.

With regards of where to sleep, try booking your accommodations on like hotwire.com or a similar website. Otherwise, stay in a hostel. That’s what I always prefer to do if I don’t have friends to stay with.

Question: I asked you this last time, but I’d like to ask you again. Out of the two – San Francisco and New York City – Which one do you like better? And why?
Ans: Hmm…That’s so tough because I love them both for different reasons. To be honest, San Francisco is my home and where I’d like to always be based, but New York is well…New York. It’s like San Francisco is my wife and New York is an alluring (and money draining) mistress. Not that I encourage cuckoldry, but well, you know what I’m talking about. I don’t see myself living there again, but I sure as hell love to visit.

Question: I take it you spend some time exploring the bars in New York City. Which is the best place in New York City to get punch drunk without having to empty out your wallet?
Ans: Did I ever! I’ve seen more bars in New York than you could imagine. Every neighborhood has a few solid dive bars, like The Upper East Side has the Subway Inn and Chelsea has McManus Café, but as a whole, the East Village and Williamsburg are gonna be the best bang for your buck. They are both teeming with great bars with cheap drink specials. Some of my favorites are the Blue and Gold in the East Village and the Levee in Williamsburg.

Question: Done any sight-seeing, or is it all frugal living? If you have seen any of the sights, which ones do you like the best? For that matter, which Borough do you like the best? Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan? And why?
Ans: Damn, all these questions are like quadruple questions Let’s see I’ll start at the beginning: Yes, I did lots of sight seeing and tons of it is free or cheap. For example, most of the museums throughout the city have a day where it is pay what you wish, and some, like the Met, are always that price (although they suggest something like $20). Also, you don’ have to pay to walk up to the Empire State Building and stare upwards, it only costs money if you want to ascend that fucker. Grand Central Station is an architectural marvel in itself and its just a bloody train station. Anyone can go in there.

As for what’s my favorite borough, well, I’m not about to start making enemies and get my visitation rights revoked from any of them. They each have different charms. Manhattan is the New York that people dream about and see in movies. It’s one of the cultural and financial centers of the world. Brooklyn on the other hand is where I lived during my time in New York and is where all the cutting edge underground culture in New York now comes from. Unfortunately, you can’t be a broke-ass artist or for that matter broke-ass anything in Manhattan anymore. The Battle for Manhattan is over, and all the douchebags won. And then there’s Queens. Holy shit do I love Queens. I didn’t really get to explore it as much as I would’ve liked, but it’s amazing. It’s technically the most diverse place in the world, and because of this, the food is unparalleled in both quality and cheapness.

Question: Related question – What does one do for fun in NYC, when you don’t have any money?
Ans: Same thing that rich people do, you just gotta be more creative. Fuck nightclubs, go to a dive bar or grab a 40oz. and drink in the park with your dirtbag friends. That’s what I do. There are also all kinds of free events like concerts and movies in the parks. Hell you can even go kayaking on the Hudson River for free.

Question: One more – Where does one buy things on the cheap in NYC (like shopping for clothes and stuff)?
Ans: Chinatown. The Garment District. Thrift Stores. Street Vendors. Stoop sales. Flea Markets. Craigslist…once again it’s about being creative and realizing that you don’t have to play the game. I don’t need expensive shit with famous names on it. If someone gave me Louis Vuitton or Prada shit I’d turn around and sell it or give it away. Hyper-consumerism is part of what’s wrong with our country, and I for one want no part of it. My book is just as much about giving the finger to the vapid pursuit of material possessions overloaded with social worth, as it is about eating a great cheap meal or finding a shot and a beer for $5. You feel me? Or am I just blabbering again?

Question: If people who aren’t that well off are interested in New York vacations, would you suggest they come, or you think they would be better off spending whatever little they can afford on a cheaper place?
Ans: That’s a tough one too. New York is one of those places that I think everyone should see once in their lives, and honestly, given the state of the dollar, it’s not nearly as expensive as a lot of other places in the world (I’m looking at you London). If you’re on a tight budget you can totally make New York work for you, hell I even wrote a book about it (sorry had to throw that in there). That being said though, I’m a huge huge huge advocate of getting the fuck out of your country and seeing other places. Something like less than 1/3 of Americans have their passports. That’s ridiculous! I mean really, how do you expect to flee the country if you commit some heinous crime, if you don’t even have your passport…just kidding, I’m the only one who keeps their passport valid for that reason. But seriously go visit Peru or Thailand or even Mexico for that matter.

Question: How about meeting people in New York? Any tips, hangouts, good places to hook-up? And related question – New York nightlife? Where does one go after the sun goes down – Someplace fun but cheap?
Ans: This is for potential visitors to New York right? So by “hook-up” you probably mean “drunk, no stings attached, sex in a hotel room or possibly a bar bathroom” right? If that’s the case, I have a feeling people can find it if they’re looking for it. But if that’s not what you mean, then I completely missed the question and am a little embarrassed (well not really). Seriously though, it’s New York City. Whatever your shit is, you can find it here. If you wanna hang out with cheesy dudes with blown-out hair and fake tans, go to the meat packing district. If frat boys in pink Polo shirts and popped collars is your thing then go to Murray Hill. Looking for a hipster with a funny looking haircut and granny glasses? Try Williamsburg. Really, the potential for awkward morning after is endless. Just use protection…luckily you can find free condoms at most NYC bars.

Question: Anything else you want to add about New York, your book, about yourself and/or your future plans?
Ans: Yeah, buy my books! If you like insightful information, cheap tips, and lots of shit talking then you’ll be in heaven. Don’t worry if you don’t live in SF or NY, I’ve got t-shirts that say “Young, Broke, and Beautiful”, you’ll love them!

As for future plans, we’re currently looking into expanding the series and coming out with guides to a few more cities next year. I’d also like a Broke-Ass Stuart TV show. I figure that shit’s gotta be easier than writing books.

That was Broke-Ass Stuart. Check out his website, cause like he says, he’s got darn neat t-shirts and stuff. Photos courtesy & copyrights Nicki Ishmael/Broke-Ass Stuart