young & broke

Hopeful Community...You In?

2009-01-23T22:39:00.000-08:00

Do your part to continue Obama's call for community service volunteers nation-wide by pledging to volunteer 5 hours in your area and Starbucks will reward you with a tall coffee!

Tonight's Cheap Thrills: Mac 'n Lost

2009-01-21T12:22:00.000-08:00

s'MACdown 2009

...is a sure to be memorable Mac 'n Cheese cook-off event - $10 admission gets you sampling and voting rights - $5 beer and whiskey shots available all night!

Bell House's Lost Premiere Party

...local BK band Previously on Lost will be pumpin' up the crowds an hour prior to the highly anticipated premiere of Lost tonight - $5 admission with a chance to win seasons 1-4 on DVD and $1 Sailor Jerry Rum Swizzles if you arrive by 7pm

We have no knead to give up hope America!

2009-01-21T11:44:00.001-08:00

Why not celebrate our nation's huge political turning point with a slice just the way you like it? Jim Lahey is the owner of a hot new pizza place in Hell's Kitchen called Co. (short for Company) as well as the genius behind the mouth-watering Sullivan Street Bakery, so I'm pretty sure his fifth sense about the secrets of divine baked goods will certainly translate to his pizza dough recipe. Here's to hoping this recipe is truly as simple to make as it is sure to be tasty (if followed to Jim's delicious standards).

Free Inauguration Day Goodies!

2009-01-18T17:33:00.001-08:00

I know, I know...it seems like we're having your cake AND eating it too but who's gonna complain when we get to both celebrate an exciting political change for our country on inauguration day AND get awesome freebies? I say chalk it up to being a sign that things are already looking brighter for our economy's ickiness (at least for this one day). Free is free and in this tougher economic times whether you're Young & Broke or Mature & On a Budget, this Tuesday's list of freebies is just pure patriotic music to the ears...

Krispy Kreme is giving away one doughnut of your choice per person (no purchase necessary) on inauguration day!

NYC Metrocards/Dunkin Donuts: No free doughnuts here but they are giving away free rides on the NYC metro. Free metrocards will be given out from the Union Square/14th Street station this Tuesday (free metrocards will also be given out at Grand Central and Time Square on future dates this month - see link above for details)!

Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Dillard's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, etc. will be doling out $175 Million worth of high end make-up and beauty products on Tuesday, January 20th on a first-come, first-serve basis (until supplies last - see link for list of specific products and all participating department store chains).

TGI Friday's bartenders will be mixing up FREE Jack and Coke's at 9pm on inauguration day for the "toast heard 'round the world". Appetizers will be half price for everyone with purchase of an entree and free chips and salsa will be served to all TGI Friday's GiVE ME MORE STRiPES members.

Do you know of any other inauguration day freebies? If so, please leave a comment below!

Cheers...Salud...Saude...Prost...

2008-12-30T19:12:00.001-08:00

I know I said I wouldn't blog while on vaykay but I found a site I needed to share in time for New Years...enjoy!

The Fifty Best Champagne Cocktails

* The Black Velvet :: half chilled champagne and half stout

* Ritzy Raspberry Revelry :: raspberry vodka and champagne

* Champagne Julep :: sugar cube, fresh mint and champagne...dash of bourbon, optional

...find more champagne cocktail suggestions HERE to help stretch your champagne supply, wow your guests and toast in 2009 with a tasty bang!

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-25T00:58:00.000-08:00

Hello Y&B folks,
I will be taking a highly anticipated vaykay to more southern and warmer climates for the next few weeks and will be setting aside my blogging updates until my return in mid-January. Happy holidays to you all and here's to a more prosperous new year!
Be well,
NYCFreelancer

FRIDAY :: Free Brazilian Dance Party @ BAM

2008-12-23T07:45:00.000-08:00

BAMcafe Live offers up FREE live music every Friday and Saturday night, featuring rock, jazz, R&B, world music, pop, and more from Brooklyn and beyond. This weekend's post-holiday Brazilian beats party sounds like a great way to dance the year away...

ALMA NYC

Fri, Dec 26, 9pm—1am
Bar opens at 8pm

Whether you prefer ALMA as an acronym (“All for the Love of Music & Art”) or as the Portuguese word for “soul,” you’ll need both meanings to approximate the epic dance floor experience offered by this formidable Brazilian music collective. At the helm is first generation Brazilian and native New Yorker DJ True, combining samba, pagode, and drum & bass—plus a little extra holiday spirit—into foot-stomping Neo-Brazilian fusion grooves.

Free Concert Series by Carnegie Hall

2008-12-23T07:34:00.000-08:00

Upcoming Free Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concerts!

FALU

Vocalist Falu seamlessly blends Indian classical, alternative rock, contemporary pop, and electronic styles to create a unique, genre-defining sound the Wall Street Journal calls "Indie Hindi." Learn more >

SUN, JAN 4 at 3 PM
Kingsborough Community College
Leon M. Goldstein Performing Arts Center
2001 Oriental Boulevard
Brooklyn, NY 11235
718-368-5596

ALEXANDER FITERSTEIN AND FRIENDS: THE ZIMRO PROJECT

"A clarinetist with a warm tone and powerful technique" (New York Times), Alexander Fiterstein and his new chamber ensemble, The Zimro Project, perform Prokofiev's cabalistic Overture on Hebrew Themes. Learn more >

SUN, JAN 11 at 3 PM
Henry Street Settlement, Abrons Art Center
Recital Hall
466 Grand Street
New York, NY 10002
212-598-0400

Richard Mannoia of MUSIC UNLOCKED

The hot new chamber group Music Unlocked made its ensemble debut in June 2008 at 92YTRIBECA and has performed with such ensembles as the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. Seen on Broadway and at Lincoln Center's Mostly Mozart Festival, Music Unlocked brings chamber music to new audiences with engaging and innovative programs. Learn more >

SUN, JAN 25 at 3 PM
Henry Street Settlement, Abrons Art Center
Recital Hall
466 Grand Street
New York, NY 10002
212-598-0400

Wines Under $10 @ Astor Place Wine & Liquor

2008-12-22T09:27:00.001-08:00

Check out these Y&B vino deals at Astor Place's Wine & Spirits! It's like Trader Joe's prices for top notch vinos! Cheers to 2008...

Haute New Club :: Greenhouse :: FREE!

2008-12-21T19:05:00.000-08:00

The great bloggers of Curbside Booty have posted an evite to their free Christmas Eve Sexy Social Soiree (6-10pm) held at the world's first eco-friendly club, Greenhouse, newly open last month. Dress to impress, free admission with $6 beers and $8 wine by the glass. Toasting in the New Year in this same club will cost ya $250/seat so thank you mucho Curbside Booty for making it possible to enter these eco-friendly doors for a sliver of the cost while still freshly trendy.

Greenhouse

150 Varick St

(btw Vandam & Spring)

212.807.7000

Dozens of Cheap or Free DIY Holiday Gift Ideas...

2008-12-14T19:59:00.000-08:00

Check out dozens of great cheap or free DIY gift ideas including DIY wine glass charms, gourmet cocoa, stenciled shirts and homemade bathrobes, as well as holiday decor on the cheap and more at the DIY Anything!

What's Mine Is Yours...ClothingSwaps.com

2008-12-06T05:32:00.000-08:00

An entry in one of my favorite blogs, Curbsidebooty, recently enlightened me to the concept of online clothing swaps! This news was both a revelation and a new found religion...as well as an obsession that has now consumed my entire Friday evening (ohhhhh dear lord). This could just be the best thing to top sliced bread since Craigslist...only for top quality clothes, accessories, homedecor, books, music and more. Instead of being down in debt, get excited about what your toss-off duds could be exchanged for at any one of these great clothing swap sites. Goodbye Saturday night, hello brand new wardrobe!

WhatsMineIsYours.com {started in the UK and opening up to stateside participants willing to work with international shipping costs...anyone got any suggestions on cheap services to the UK?}

SwapStyle.com

RehashClothes.com

ClothingSwap.org

How to Get Free Drinks at Starbucks...

2008-12-05T01:39:00.000-08:00

I saw this article on eHow.com and am a sucker for freebies of any kind, but especially the caffeinated variety...hope you enjoy:

Everyone loves freebies, especially when it comes to the essentials. There are a few different ways to get free drinks from Starbucks...read more.

Flea to Brooklyn This Sunday

2008-12-04T09:00:00.000-08:00

The good peps at much loved Brownstoner's Brooklyn Flea are now hosting an indoor holiday flea dubbed "Gifted". Over the next three Sundays (11am-6pm) enjoy the same wild and amazing variety of vendors and food seen throughout the summer now within the toasty shelter of the Brooklyn Masonic Temple (also a great music venue from time to time). Gifted is both reason enough for this Manhattanite to brave the winter chill and take that bravery across the bridge to Fort Greene...so come on and join me...you know you're dying to find a deal!

Young, Broke & Zen

2008-12-03T08:41:00.000-08:00

Just 'cause we Y&Bers have money woes doesn't mean we have to live in a constant state of stress. Taken from an article I wrote for DivineCaroline, here are some simple (and mostly free) ways to keep your blood pressure and stress-level down while you go about being your brokeass self.

1. Zen through our eyes: Simply close your eyes. It's amazing how much we can take in and how much we can wear out our poor pupils, especially sitting in front of computer screens all day (and TVs at night). Give your lids a rest and close them if only for a minute of solitude. Read more...

2008-12-02T09:15:00.000-08:00

Technorati Profile

Free Weekend Events...

2008-12-02T04:51:00.001-08:00

It's Target First Saturday time again folks...

That means free events...live music, dancing and free movies at the Brooklyn Museum of Art THIS Saturday!

Y&B Christmas Trees

2008-12-01T23:51:00.000-08:00

'Tis the season to get creative you Y&Bers. We may not have the funds for a fresh cut Doug Fir but that doesn't mean we can't decorate our digs with the best of 'em. Check out these inexpensive Christmas tree alternatives to help inspire your holiday decorating during this season's financial downturn.

DIY Holiday Decorations

2008-11-30T00:04:00.000-08:00

From recycled egg carton "Fairy Lights" to a Ribbon Wreath made with zero sewing skills and easy Cinnamon Stick Votives to Duct Tape Bows, you can definitely deck your halls on a dime this season!!

Best of Black Friday

2008-11-27T20:46:00.000-08:00

Check out the uber Black Friday Ad list HERE.

Post-Turkey Zen

2008-11-25T17:55:00.001-08:00

Hulu.com, one of my favorite online TV sources, has recently started offering Exercise TV with easy to intermediate level pilates and yoga classes you can do for free from home. After that post-Thanksgiving dinner nap on Thursday, why not give this Zen in Your Den workout a try...it's a great 20 minute workout habit to get into at the start of the holiday feasting season.

Le Breakfast Deal

2008-11-25T17:31:00.000-08:00

Le Basket on W. 3rd and Broadway here in the Village has long been a place to score some great early morning deals and right now their breakfast bargains are sure looking tasty. Check it out from 6-11am daily:

Bagel (or roll) - $0.50

(w/ butter) - $0.70 (w/ coffee, tea or cocoa) - $1.75

One egg on a roll - $1.50

(w/ coffee, tea or cocoa) - $2.25

Two eggs, homefries & toast - $3

Western Omelette - $3.75

Wine Library TV

2008-11-25T00:35:00.001-08:00

If all you can now afford to drown your financial sorrows in are the $2-4 "two buck chuck" Charles Shaw wines, you don't have to settle for anything less than the best of those "vintages". In order to help you make an informed decision, check out Sommelier Gary Vaynerchuk's take on six of these dirt cheap Trader Joe's vinos.

How to save $500 in the next month!

2008-11-24T19:16:00.000-08:00

Everyone can learn to adjust to cutting back, be it through a ski trip upstate instead of Vail, waiting for the black friday sale to buy that flat screen TV for 30% off or opting for a classic purse you can coordinate with year round instead of a seasonal designer bag. But real savings doesn't start with the triple or quadruple digit purchases. It starts with the smaller ones you make daily. Let's see just how much you can save on those everyday items when you look for clever ways and alternatives to cut costs on a smaller scale.

Soap

Before: Body by Victoria Body Wash, 6.7oz ($15)

Try: Oatmeal and Honey Pure Vegetable Soap by Trader Joe's (2 bars for $1.50)

Shampoo

Before: Nigella AX B Shampoo ($25)

Try: Kiwi Shampoo by VO5 ($0.99) or Green Apple Shampoo by Suave ($0.99)

Haircut

Before: Cut and blow dry by Hairmates ($60 + tip)

Try: Bumble & Bumble hair model cuts (Free - usually offered on Mondays only) or you can try doing a search under the free section of Craigslist for other salons offering their services for gratis if you're willing to change things up with a cute bob or a new haircolor.

New Music CD

Before: Full price at Virgin Records or iTunes (average new CD: $14.99)

Try: Being patient enough to wait for a CD by mail through Amazon (average "very good" or "like new" new released CD: $5.99 including shipping)

Movie Tickets

Before: Full price ticket ($12)

Try: Kew Gardens Theater in Queens or Cobble Hill Theater in Brooklyn ($6.50 for shows before 5pm, first showings on Saturdays and Sundays before 2pm and all shows on Tuesdays and Thursdays, except for holidays) or all shows before noon on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays at any AMC/Lowes theater in NYC ($6). You can also scout out places for free movie preview tickets like the Curbside Booty blog but be prepared to wait in line at least an hour before the movie to guarantee seats.

Gourmet Pasta Sauce

Before: RAO's Gourmet Marinara Sauce ($9.89)

Try: Roasted Garlic Marinara Sauce from Trader Joe's ($1.99) and add Del Monte's Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic & Oregano ($1.99)

Getting around town

Before: Cab (average ride: $8) or Metrocard ($2/ride)

Try: Biking (if it's not raining and you own one), walking (you could probably use the exercise) or hop on this month's free shuttle bus, t he HOB Connection (courtesy of Heart of Brooklyn), from Bryant Park or the MET to various locations in Brooklyn.

Yoga Class

Before: Average yoga studio class ($20/class)

Try: Yoga to the People ($10/class suggested donation) or try their free yoga podcast anytime at home

Weekend trip to Boston, D.C., Atlantic City, Philly or Niagra Falls/Buffalo

Before: Flights or roundtrip bus tickets ($50-200)

Try: Megabus trips around the east coast between January and May, 2009 (Free!)

Caffeine

Before: Double tall soy vanilla latte ($4.50)

Try: Doppio, cafe au lait or tea ($2.50)

Chanticleer performance

Before: Holiday concert at the MET on December 3rd, 6:30pm ($70 each)

Try: Special holiday show at 5th Avenue Apple Store on December 5th, 2pm (Free)

Brunch

Before: Farmer's omelet at Sarabeth's ($12.75)

Try: French breakfast at Mudspot ($5.95)

Romantic/Intimate Dinner

Before: Pre-fixe at Kings Carriage House ($49/pp)

Try: Pre-fixe at Spice Cove ($9.95/pp + $5 glasses or $20 bottles of house wine)

Wine

Before: Erath Pinot Noir, 2006 from the Wine Warehouse ($32)

Try: Red Diamond or Blackstone Merlot at Trader Joe's Wineshop ($7-9)

Cocktails

Before: Late night cocktails at full price ($10-12 each)

Try: Happy hours are key and will not disappoint with deals at places like The Dove Parlour (4-8pm daily) or The Blue Owl (5-8pm, weekdays or all night Wednesdays). Both of these great little hotspots offer $6 specialty drinks including winners like the Dove's French Lavender or Cherry Tart Cocktails and the Blue Owls' Moneypenny or Carpetbagger Martinis in cozy atmospheres.

Greenbus is a Free Bus!

2008-11-23T22:21:00.000-08:00

Wanna travel even further out of the city than just another borough...maybe hop on over to Philly, try your luck in Atlantic City, see political history in the making in D.C., create some romance in Buffalo or Niagra Falls? How about traveling that involves no long security lines at a busy airport, the ability to take a nap or read during your commute and all for less than a dollar...ummmm, was that a typo? Sure 'nough isn't. Megabus is offering free roundtrip tickets (with a minor 50 cent "service fee") when you travel between January 14 and March 18, 2009 and book your reservation using the promo code greenbus. What are you waiting for...go 'n get your travel on in 2009!!

Free Shuttle Service from Manhattan to Brooklyn

2008-11-23T21:54:00.000-08:00

Are you feeling so low on dough that even a $2 subway fare is stretching the budget? Don't fester inside your closet-sized studio all winter long wishing you could at least break free into other boroughs for a change, go out and do it with the help of Heart of Brooklyn's free hop-on hop-off shuttle service, The HOB Connection. Running every weekend this month from the MET and Bryant Park to several points in Brooklyn, it's not only a comfortably free ride but your tour guide will provide you with an abridged narrative to the sights you probably never see during a typical underground commute.

BIG shopping deals this weekend...

2008-11-21T11:02:00.000-08:00

Visit another one of my sites that allows me to cut and paste more easily. It includes a long list of deals (25-40% OFF) being offered at stores like Sports Authority, Ann Taylor, Ralph Lauren, Aeropostale, Quick Silver and more through this weekend only! See the complete list HERE.

Free Cat Power Song...

2008-11-17T18:50:00.000-08:00

...if you're a fan like me, get Metal Heart for free HERE.

20 cent breakfast follow-up...

2008-11-17T10:22:00.000-08:00

Casa Havana: A Breakfast Review

190 8th Ave (btw 19th/20th Sts) - A/C/E to 23rd

212-243-9421

Yes, that's right. I braved the possibility of 20 cent diarrhea for my readers to best determine the real value of such a deal. Here are my notes...

I made my way over to Chelsea on Sunday morning around 9am to confirm the edibility of this 20 cent breakfast. It was is eat-in only (of course), so I plopped myself down on a stool at the diner's bar. I noticed I was among about half a dozen other cheapskates there for a morning deal and they seemed to be quite content with their platefuls of aesthetically decent food so I grew a bit more confident.

After I ordered the breakfast: two eggs (I like 'em scrambled), ham or bacon (the guy's ham next to me looked good so I thought it a safer bet), coffee or tea (they assumed corrected when a greek cup of caffeine sans tea bag was set in front of me), fries and toast.

I sipped the cup of coffee (or actually half a cup but for 20 cents they can be a bit stingy) already creamed for me...as I searched for any nearby sugar with no luck. It was decently hot, however, and ultimately as drinkable as your morning bagel cart coffee.

The bacon tasted like burnt plastic (and yah, I had ordered ham). The fries were soggy and cold and I'm about 99.2% sure they were last night's leftovers with no attempt at reheating to cover this up. It was the pre-buttered white toast and barely warm eggs that became the saving grace. They, along with the half cup of creamed coffee were worth the 50 cents I left at the counter. I walked away with a satisfied belly and am happy to say (24 hours later) that belly is still feeling good (ie. salmonella-free).

If there is a next time, I would like to try that ham I had ordered but let's be honest, when a deal is this dirt cheap neither me or my waiter really cared too much about order accuracy.

ON THE GO TIP: If you're on the go and don't have time to eat-in, try ordering this breakfast minus the hot plate (ie. only the toast and coffee). These were the two things they can bring you right away and you can scarf down the toast in a minute and grab your Greek coffee cup to go as you throw a quarter on the table. For 25 cents...yah, it's still worth it.

Recession comes with a 20 cent breakfast!

2008-11-14T00:17:00.000-08:00

Feel like we're living in the depression? On the upside the effects of cautious spending have given rise to outrageous deals by vendors like the restaurant owners of Casa Havana trying to reel you back in with a 20 cent breakfast (between 7-11am daily)...yes, that's $0.20...can this be for real!? Yes and yes...verified both by a reviewer on yelp and the reliable UrbanDaddy e-publication this shocking special is no joke: two eggs, bacon, toast, fries and a cup of joe...but they won't say how long this deal will last so if you happen to find a quarter on the sidewalk...it's your lucky morning...run on over to 8th Ave/20th St to get stuffed for a pennies (twenty to be exact)!

Black Friday Deals...

2008-11-13T01:21:00.000-08:00

Getting geared up for big time savings this coming holiday? Black Friday is the best time to score great deals on all your holiday gift purchases, so get prepared and plan ahead! Here's a great list of Black Friday specials put together by the author of Champagne Living (another fantastic money-saving blog)...Enjoy!

Vote for President (check)...Get Caffeinated for Free (check)!

2008-11-04T04:04:00.000-08:00

I can attest...the free Starbucks coffee giveaway for voters is for real. I just cast my ballot first thing this mornin' (6:43am to be exact) and immediately beelined it for my free caffeine fix. FYI: The baristas at Houston/Broadway here in the Village are serving up free coffees of whatever size you want...yaaaaah baby...bring on the venti-sized jitters!

I am now more than confident that the other freebie finds out there are legit. Here I come Krispy Kreme, Ben & Jerry's and Babeland...this really does feel like Christmas. I hope if we're all especially good about getting out the vote this year, Santa will bring us a more competent leader!

Maybe I should I bake him cookies too..?

For the 411 on the other freebie finds, visit: Daily Dose of Freebies

Falafel Olympics

2008-09-11T20:24:00.000-07:00

There are many staples of a Y&B diet - top ramien, mac'n cheese, cold pizza and a sudden interest in vegetarianism. Whether you are new to being a veghead or a longtime lover of tofu, the results of our recent West Village experiment may be of great interest to your meatless palette. For the best in veggie fare a few comrades and I ventured on the cheapest taste testing outside of free weekend samplings at Costco - a falafel olympics! There are many highly praised falafel joints in this fine city but to stay within walking distance and our lunch hour, we opted to try the cheapest deal around, the highest praised online and a newbie spot in the West Village. Read on to see how their fried balls (alone and in a sandwich) stacked up against each other...

Mamoun's Falafel

{Cheap & Dirty}

Price: $2.50 (falafel sandwich)

Tasting notes: More fried, greasy & cold

Taim

{Touted Local Favorite}

Price: $5.50 (falafel 'green' sandwich)

Tasting notes: Tasty herbs & crunchy

The Hummus Place

{Newbie to Falafel-Making}

Price: $8.15 (falafel platter)*

Tasting notes: Flavorful, crispy & Mmmmmm

* It would be good to note here that The Hummus Place did not actually make a falafel sandwich and thus a full lunch special was ordered to have all ingredients on hand to procure a sandwich of equal standing.

Award Breakdown

Not surprisingly, we discovered you pay for what you get. We all agreed that Mamoun's fast food falafel was not quite up to par with the others and surprisingly (in a blind tasting mind you) The Hummus Place falafel unanimously out ranked our local fav, Taim. Watch out Azuri, there's a new falafel king in town!

The Hummus Place (7th Ave) {GOLD: Best Falafel}

Taim {SILVER: Best Sandwich & Best Pita}

Mamoun's {BRONZE: Best Value & Fastest Service}

Other flavorful fried chickpea balls around town...

Alfanoose (Financial District)

Azuri (Midtown West)

Moustache (West Village)

Olympic Pita (Midtown)

Yoga Your Thing?

2008-09-09T20:08:00.000-07:00

Being broke gives you little to be choosey about so if yoga has never been your thing before, maybe it's time to give it a second go. With the following public class or free online podcast options you can feel free to give it a try in full view of others or in the privacy of your own casa.

Note: Here in the great metropolis of Manhattan nearly all studios offer a first trial class (normally running upwards of $12-20/class) for gratis. So if you're feeling like joining the ranks of the fancy-pants yogis, that dream is yours, if only for an hour.

FREE YOGA CLASSES:

Yoga to the People

This by-donation studio has been such a huge success in NYC's East Village that they have now expanded with a second location to Berkeley, California. FREE audio podcasts of their high energy classes are also available online.

Integral Yoga Institute

This studio uniquely offers your SECOND class for free, as well as a regular set of FREE Deep Relaxation classes (Fridays at 5:30pm), Open Meditation classes (Monday-Saturday), Introductory classes (Saturdays at 5:30pm) and one very inexpensive Hatha (level 1) class for $5 on Saturdays at 7:45pm. Special Note: Unique class offerings include Spanish Hatha, Postpartum Hatha and H.I.V. Hatha.

YogaDownloads

This uber comprehensive website has an amazing selection of downloadable yoga classes from Kundalini to Yoga for Athletes, Chair Yoga, Prenatal and Hot Yoga to Yoga for Back Pain just to name a few. There are many FREE audio podcast offerings as well as FREE printable posters of new poses to try at home.

FREE Fall Preview Parties for ABC, NBC and CBS

2008-09-04T15:34:00.000-07:00

After the writers strike cutting shows shorter than a normal run, some of us may have felt a bit cheated last season. Well the long awaited fall return of several popular series such as Sex & the City's siamese series Lipstick Jungle - a sinful favorite of mine, probably due to the idea that for one hour a week I can live in the shoes of someone living the "wannabe young and rich" shoes - as well as long lineup of new shows are returning in just two weeks. A rare opportunity becomes available to the public to both spend zero cash AND attend a New York premiere event every pre-fall season here in the big Apple. Hosted at the Museum of Television and Radio's Paly Center for Media ABC, NBC and CBS provide an evening of pilot previews and season premieres (as well as occasional parties pre-previews). Hurry and RSVP today and get a chance to start the buzz on which shows will fly and which will flop!

A Dozen FREE WiFi Hotspots

2008-09-02T12:57:00.000-07:00

TOP 12 FREE WiFi CAFES

(in and around the Village)

12. Tea Spot

127 MacDougal

Open: Mon-Thurs (10am-10pm)/Fri-Sat (10am-midnight)/Sun (11am-8pm)

11. Paradise Cafe

141 8th Ave (btw 16th/17th St)

Open: Weekdays (7am-9pm)/Weekends (7am-7pm)

10. Grounded Organic Coffee and Tea House

28 Jane St (nr W. 4th St)

Open: Daily (7am-8pm)

9. Gramstand ~ TIP: This is a haven for all things tea.

214 Avenue A

Open: Weekdays (7:30am-9:30pm)/Weekends (9am-9:30pm)

8. Housing Works Bookstore Cafe ~ TIP: Portion of proceeds go to help fight HIV/AIDS and Homelessness in NYC.

126 Crosby (btw Houston/Prince St)

Open: Weekdays (10am-9pm)/Weekends (12-7pm)

7. B Cup Cafe ~ TIP: Best espresso of the bunch

212 Ave B (at E. 13th St)

Open: Weekdays (7am-10pm)/Weekends (8am-10pm)

6. Wholefoods (on Bowery) ~ TIP: Amazing salmon dinner and sushi options at upstairs cafes

95 E. Houston (at Bowery)

Open: Daily (8am-11pm)

5. Aroma Espresso Bar

145 Greene St (at Houston)

Open: Daily (7am-11pm)

4. Think Cafe (2 locations) ~ TIP: Decent selection of food (soups, sandwiches, salads and pastries), organic coffee, beer, wine and cheese tasting/happy hour and live music.

248 Mercer St (btw 3rd/4th St)

Open: Weekdays (7am-midnight)/Weekends (8:30am-midnight)

And NEW location at:

1 Bowery (and Bleeker)

Open: Weekdays (7am-midnight)/Weekends (8:30am-midnight)

3. Soy Luck Club ~ TIP: Great selection of healthy food options, soy and organic milk available.

115 Greenwich Ave (btw 7th/8th St)

Open: Weekdays (7am-11pm, 10pm on Fridays)/ Weekends (9am-10pm)

2. Vbar ~ TIP: Great selection of bottled beers and wines (no real food options here aside from a cheese plate and limited seating). Note: Vbar becomes more of a winebar after 5pm.

225 Sullivan (btw Bleeker/W. 3rd St)

Open: Weekdays (9am-2am)/Weekends (10am-4am)

1. Esperanto Cafe ~ TIP: Basically open 24 hours...and pretty packed most of the time...so get there early to claim your seat for the day (food options include salads, sandwiches and pizza).

114 MacDougal St (nr W. 3rd St)

Open: Daily (8am-4am)

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Apple Stores

Soho

103 Prince St (at Mercer)

Open: Mon-Sat (9am-9pm)/Sun (9am-7pm)

West 14th

401 W. 4th (at 9th Ave)

Open: Mon-Sat (9am-midnight)/Sun (9am-7pm)

5th Ave

767 5th Ave (at 59th St)

Open: Daily (24/7...yah, that's right...if you need a free Wifi spot...or a new iPod...you got one at 4:30am...they also have the cleanest downtown public bathrooms)

Wanna Graduate Debt Free?

2008-08-28T10:07:00.000-07:00

After exhausting all scholarship and grant options (which can usually make at least a few thousand dollar dent), try these next six steps to walk away from graduation with a degree in hand and money in your wallet.

1. Choose your school based on both the program you want and how financially viable it is for your situation. Be open to a second or third choice and visit as many campuses and classes as you can, that third choice school may really surprise you in person.

2. Consider the possibility of staying in-state or taking classes at a community college (in our out-of-state) for the first two years of basic requirements before going to a pricier private university or out-of-state school. The savings of 63-90% is phenomenal. According to the College Board, the average cost of a full year’s tuition for 2007-08 at a community college was $2,360, compared to $6,185 at a state school and $23,712 for a private four-year school. The U.S. Census reported the average cost of tuition and fees (including room and board) at four-year public colleges and universities was $14,203 per year for in-state students and $38,400 for out-of-state students in 2006-07. With in-staters saving an average of 63%, sticking close to home is definitely worth a second thought. Not only is this option a huge savings, it doesn’t compromise your education when so many community colleges and schools in your home state are ranked just as high if not better than other universities you may have your eye on. Check out how your short and long list of college choices stack up at Princeton Review, College Prowler and U.S. News and World Report.

3. Look into work-study positions and part-time jobs to help out during your first year of college (especially jobs that may come with beneficial perks like free food, coffee, haircuts, textbooks, music, tickets to shows you may have otherwise spent your hard-earned cash on, etc.).

4. Get a campus job after your freshman year in the residence halls as a Resident Assistant (RA) or Programming Assistant (PA) - you not only get free room and board (an average savings of $6,960 per year for public universities and $8,149 per year for private universities in 2005-06 according to CNN Money.com) as well as connections to all the free entertainment and events on campus but you build great relationships and a close community with your peers that can be harder to come by when living off campus. FYI: Many schools also offer similar positions for Graduate students as well.

5. Stick to a budget in college and live within your means. Simply put, if your part-time job doesn’t afford you the ability to get a latte every morning, you don’t need it. You can live without that expensive salon conditioner or the newest iPod and you can probably get by with a slightly older version of that geology textbook than the one at the bookstore. You’re entering adulthood where your parents are no longer taking care of your every need and that means educating yourself on more than Biology, French and Calculus. For a few more ways to save a buck, check out these sites:

Save a Buck: Chasing Cheaper Textbooks

Sparks Notes

Craigslist

Daily Dose of Freebies

Freecycle

DIY Anything

6. Educate yourself about credit cards. It is never worth the XL T-shirt to signup for that “free” credit card. Take time to research the options out there before diving into these serious financial contracts. Usually the best credit cards are the ones you can apply for through your bank. And while I would highly suggest using debit cards or cash only, if you do decide to get a credit card treat it like it was a debit card and ALWAYS, ALWAYS pay it off on time. Also keep that with so many no or low interest loans out there you should never have to resort to charging your tuition bill on a credit card! For more information on good student loans, see the FAFSA website or even TuitionBids.com where lenders compete for your business with competitive low fixed APR of around 5-9% on average. Lastly, for great links and tips on healthy money management, check out Wanna Be A Millionaire? You’re on your way to doing great things and starting your young career on a debt-free foot is going to be one of best decisions you can ever make.

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