Image via free-coins.comJust got back from taking this month's cache of loose change to the coin counter at TD North bank. Total savings: $51.86. Wheeee!!!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Rent Rant Redux
Image via newyorktimes.com
More evidence of falling rents in last Sunday's New York Times:
"Many people who signed leases in the bubble years are paying much more in rent than what their apartments would get today. So when their leases expire, some New Yorkers are trading up for better deals, finding comparable places for less money or nicer apartments that do not come with a big rent increase.
'No one's willing to pay more now, because there's always another deal next door or down the block,' said Georgia Kaporis, an associate broker at Citi Habitats. 'They're just upgrading for less.' "
To read the rest of the article, click here.
I LOVE DRUGS (TORES)--RITE AID EDITION
Image via riteaid.com
Two, Cheap is expanding its drug store coverage!
Behold, the sales at Rite Aid this week:
Maybelline Cosmetics, BUY ONE GET ONE FREE
12-packs of Heineken/Amstel Light/Stella, $13.99
Bags of Tostitos or Doritos chips, 2 for $5
Suave shampoo or conditioner, 2 for $3
Click here to see what else is on sale at your local Rite Aid this week!
Monday, March 30, 2009
I LOVE DRUGS (TORES)
Image via duanereade.com
On sale this week at Duane Reade:
Advil Liqui-Gels (50-ct), $6.99
Claritin Liqui-gels (24 ct), $19.99
Edge + Skintimate Shave Gels, 2 for $5
15% off Aveeno Skincare
Take $2 off Duracell Battery AA or AAA 8-packs
Bud/Miller/Coors 12-packs, $11.99
Food Emporium Friday (Belated Edition)
Image via thefoodemporium.com
It's time for another round of Food Emporium Friday--this time on a Monday, on account of my being really bad at doing my taxes. Apologies to everyone. Remember, these deals are only good with your totally free Food Emporium Rewards card, so get yours today!!
On sale this week:
Purdue Boneless Chicken Breast Bonus Pack, $2.99/pound (Save $3.50/lb!!)
81% Lean Ground Chuck, $2.99/pound (Save $1/lb!!)
America's Choice Sour Cream, 2 for $3
Assorted Green Giant Frozen Vegetables, 2 for $4
Sky Top Organic Farms Milk, $2.69
America's Choice Cottage Cheese, 2 for $6
Select College Inn Broths, $.99
Irish Spring 3-packs of bar soap, 2 for $4
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Buck Up
At left: My goodness, My Guinness.Some people cope with the recession by throwing themselves even harder into their work. Others simply curl up under the covers and have a good cry. Still others turn, as many before them have, to booze.
In that vein, NYMag.com has a great round-up of NYC bars with $1 (or less!) beer specials. Read the article here. Thanks to my pal B-dubs for the tip...
Rent Rant
At left: Behold, the elusive washer dryer. Image via citi-habitats.comMy friend Nina sent me this article from the Wall Street Journal, proclaiming that rents in NYC are in a free fall. To see if this was true, I took a tour of some of the open properties in my neighborhood. FYI, I went with Tom McNichols of CitiHabitats. Tom was super informative and totally non-pushy--definitely a great guy to use if you want to go the realtor route. Here's his info: Cell: 917. 435. 0420, Email: tmcnichols@citi-habitats.com.
My findings? Rents are definitely lower than in the past, though reductions are totally landlord-dependant. I saw one place that was way larger than my one bedroom, that was going for about the same price (oh, and it had a washer/dryer. AMAZING). But I also saw one that was about a third of the size of my current digs, that was asking for almost $600 more/month. It seems to me that some landlords aren't yet ready to believe that the rental bubble has burst, and too bad for them: the last place I mentioned was one of 20 open apartments in that building.
My advice to those on the hunt: find a realtor you can trust and do not be afraid of lowballing. Tom was super open with me about how long the apartments we saw had been on the market, signalling to me that said places could be had for less than the asking price.
Also: Tom mentioned that some "no-fee" apartments are traps. Here's why: larger buildings will use "no-fee" deals and offers of free months of rent in order to lure you into a lease with higher monthly rents. So, say you move into a place with "no-fee" and a free month's rent and the landlord offers to prorate it for you so you can have this beautiful space for the low cost of $2000/month. Sounds like a sweet deal, but it's not. Because come year 2, you're rent will skyrocket up to the full amount (which could be something like $2600/month). Tom said that it's better never to prorate: tell the landlord you'd rather pay the fee or the rent, so that your lease lists a lower monthly rent.
In the end, I didn't see anything so fantastic that I would consider going through the trauma of moving. However, I did see proof that rents are falling, and that maybe I could be getting a better deal from my landlord. A phone call to him is in order, and obviously I'll update you on the result...
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Free At Lance!
This just in, from Bloomberg news: "New York City Seeks Freelancer Unemployment Benefit." Click here to read more.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
I LOVE DRUGS (TORES)
Image via duanereade.com
On sale this week at Duane Reade:
Free Duane Reade Ibuprofen with $20 purchase
Q-tips, 2 for $7
12-packs of Bud, Coors, or Miller--$10.99
2-packs of Bounty Big Roll Paper Towels, 2 for $6
4-packs of Charmin Big Roll Bath Tissue, 2 for $6
Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent, $4.99 + 25 bonus points!
Taxation with Compensation
Image via dailynews365.com
There's nothing fun about tax time. (Well, unless you're due to get lots back--being a freelancer, I do not fall into that category. At all.) But here's a little something to make filing less painful: H+R Block is offering $20 off tax preparation for new clients. Click here to get the coupon.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Just Sayin'
I had to go buy a pricey book at Barnes & Noble today, so I found a coupon through retailmenot.com. It took me three seconds of searching and I saved a nice chunk of cash. There's no excuse, people!
Food Emporium Friday
Image via thefoodemporium.comGet excited: It's time for another round of Food Emporium Friday! Remember, sales are only good with your Food Emporium Rewards Card, so get yours today.
Behold, the sales:
ON SALE THIS WEEK, 3/20/08-3/26/08
Perdue Split Chicken Breasts, $1.79/pound (save $2/pound!)
25% off ALL Shady Brook Farms Products!
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, 4 for $5
Bumble Bee Solid White Tuna, 4 for $5
Organic Peeled Baby Carrots, 2 for $5
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Contain Yourself
Image via thecontainerstore.comI love The Container Store. Walking through its aisles, I instantly feel more organized, more in control, more able--even when the reality of my situation is that I am none of those things. There's just something about the shiny plastic and hard angles of all those bins and binders--they beckon like a light in the darkness. Am I crazy? A little. But happily, Oprah understands (Doesn't she always?):
Wedded Bliss
Image via brides.com
Soon-to-be brides know that the lead up to the big day can be less than blissful. You've got to find a dress, a venue, a caterer, a band, and a way to keep "that" Uncle from getting anywhere near your bridesmaids. Happily, the Wedding Salon is here to help, FREE (scroll down for the free bit):
Requests the Pleasure of your Company on
March 23, 2009
At the Roosevelt Hotel
New York City
From 4pm-9pm
Meet face-to-face with the Hottest Vendors in the Industry
Learn the Latest Tips & Trends for Your Wedding
See Spectacular Table Decor, Jewels, Honeymoons, Invitations, Musicians, Photographers, Florists and More
[VENDORS:] Sylvia Weinstock * Colin Cowie * David Tutera * Deborah Hurwitz of the Jersey Boys
Complimentary Services by The John Barrett Salon of Bergdorf Goodman
Victoria's Secret Lingerie Lounge
Bridal Reflections Couture Fashion Show
Cocktails, Hors d'oeuvres & Incredible Gift Bags
.... [ED: Sorry, I got bored of copying. Here comes the important part:]
Complimentary Tickets for You and Your Engaged Friends ($50 Value, Admits 2)
Use Code MRFNY09C at www.WeddingSalon.com
Info@WeddingSalon.com| 212.631.7777"
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
J. Crew Cuts
Image via jcrew.comFor the next four days, take another 20% off J. Crew.com's final sale items with the code EXTRA20 at checkout.
The normal caveat about sales being a great way to pick up the things you need at a lower cost, not a great way to pick up more debt for unnecessary--albeit cheap--trifles, applies.
Sale Away
Image via shopbop.comIt seems that every e-tailer on the web is offering drastically reduced prices--a good thing since, as my friend Melisa said the other day, "in this economy, nobody should be paying full retail price for anything." That said, I'd add this: in this economy, nobody should be buying things they can't afford--even if said things are at rock bottom prices. So, proceed with caution.
(I feel like our postings have been very shopping-centric of late, is all--and I certainly don't want to seem like I'm promoting needless consumerism. Saving and money management posts to come shortly, for sure.)
Now that I've gotten that out of the way, for those that actually need to buy a new coat for next year or a new pair of shoes etc.:
Tip via my little sister. Hand-wringing via my shrinking savings account.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
DL Deals
Image via worldofstock.com
The beginning of the work week is about as fun as dental work, but my super savvy friend Dana L. is back with some deals to ease any case of the Mondays and save you money to boot. Behold the power and breadth of her wisdom:
"I usually open my mailbox to an avalanche of bills and miscellaneous junk that cascades out and blows away (I'm inclined to let it go, honestly). But free samples give me something to look forward to. They're a bright sparkly light in my otherwise blah mail experience. Here are a few nice free things you can get online right now with a minimum of effort. Remember, do not give them real email! Rather, create a spam email address and use that in all cases where you think someone or some company might persistently email you. I prefer gmail and, with no irony lost, my address is: 'dana.crap.i.wont.read@gmail.com.'
Anyway, away we go:
Free Crest Advanced Seal White Strip (this is their newest, the best they've got)
Free Little Total Cranberry Crunch Cereal (pretty tasty)
Free Betty Crocker Warm Delights Mini Dessert (it's a dessert for one that you can microwave. They're $3 or $4 in the supermarket and the sample they sent me was Molten Chocolate Cake... fantastic.)
Free Quaker Rice Cakes (for when you've had too much of the above...)
Sephora. They usually offer a free sample or two with every in-store purchase, but the truth is that they dump a whole bunch of them into the box when you order online from their website. And shipping is free if you enter SHIP35 at checkout (I think you have to spend $35... not too hard to do at Sephora--ha!). You get to pick the 3 samples you want and they put multiples of each sample into the box. I suspect it's an operations problem at their warehouse... [ED: Says Dana, the engineering goddess. I wish I knew math and stuff.]
As a result of this, I have enough Smashbox eyeshadow base and Stila tinted moisturizer to take me into retirement. I'll be wearing this stuff when I play bridge with the other blue-hairs at the home. Also, right now, order anything and enter PHL31 at checkout and they'll give you a five-piece Philosophy sample (very generously sized!) that's perfect for airplane travel.
This is also not a mailbox one, but this Friday you can get a free Italian Ice at Rita's Water Ice to celebrate the first day of spring. Rita's hasn't made it's way into NYC yet but it's all over elsewhere."
Go Shorty, Bob's Your Uncle
Image via myhairstylingtools.comThis just landed in my mailbox, from the wonderful people at Bumble and Bumble:
"We would like to inform you about a special opportunity to receive a free Razor Bob with Bb.U Model Project. For those who have never attended a Model Call, this is the perfect time to get a fun and flirty new look. For our existing clients, this is a unique opportunity to change your current style.
We hope that you will join us for an exclusive Model Call event on Monday, March 23rd from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm on the 6th floor of the House of Bumble. You will receive a consultation with a Bb. educator to ensure that your hair is appropriate for a Razor Bob or a different featured style, if more suitable.
If you me the requirements for a Razor Bob, you will receive an appointment for an upcoming session.
...Please RSVP as soon as possible to: freebobs@bumbleandbumble.com
We look forward to seeing you soon.
Bb. U Model Project
415 W. 13th Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10014
866.7BUMBLE / 866.728.6253"
Friday, March 13, 2009
Wholly Cheap Food, Part II
Image via torontoist.comAs I've talked about before, I love the classes offered at The Whole Foods Bowery Culinary Center. And, apparently, they love us back. Enter the code MARCHMADNESS09 at checkout, and get $20 off the following classes:
Tuesday, March 17th-- Kitchen Shortcuts: The Rotisserie Chicken Solution
Wednesday, March 25th-- Advanced Knife Skills: Chicken
Friday, April 3rd-- The Beauty of Butter
For more information, or to register, click here.
Food Emporium Friday
Image via thefoodemporium.com.
TGIF! Here's what's on sale this week at The Food Emporium:
Chock Full O' Nuts Coffee, 2 for $6
General Mills Cereal, 2 for $6
Barilla Pasta, 4 for $5
Family Pack 81% Ground Lean Chuck, $1.99/pound (save $1.80/pound!)
Kitchen Basics Stock, $2.99
Ciao Bella Gelato or Sorbet, 2 for $7
Pepperidge Farm Goldfish, 3 for $5
and...
HAPPY ALMOST ST. PATTY'S:
Killian's Irish Red Beer, $5.99
Thursday, March 12, 2009
J.Crew, Yes Please
Image via jcrew.comIf I had the money (my big expenditure today was some "clarifying" shampoo for the boyfriend--two dollah!), I would totally take advantage of J. Crew's latest "secret sale" and buy myself all manner of shorts, suits, and sandals. Here's the deal: buy $175 or more worth of merchandise, get 20% off. All you have to do is enter the code SECRET at checkout.
But hurry, the promotion is only good until March 13th at 11:59pm.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Mane Squeeze
Image via squidoo.com.Oh God Jesus. Even after my oh-so-sad Super Cuts sampling (result: meh), my hair is still in full force suckage. It needs a cut. It needs highlights. It needs...more than I can possibly afford to give it right now.
Luckily, my friends over at recessionwire.com have rounded up some places where you can go to tame your locks on a budget:
"What:
Wash/cut/blow-dry: $8 (add $5 for longer locks)
Deep conditioning treatment: $7
Where:
Empire Beauty School: 22 West 34th Street
Student Salon: 1-888-898-8903
More deals we've heard about but haven't tried:
What:
Free cut/color/styling if your locks are suitable for open model call.
Where:
415 W. 13th St, New York, NY
Fill out pre-evaluation form on the website.
What:
Free haircuts by student stylists on Tuesdays, 9am-noon.
Where:
15 E. 12th St., 2nd Floor; 212-414-0195"
I've also heard tell that you can get a cut and color done by a trainee for about $60 at the Aveda Institute, though getting an appointment there is about as easy as gaining entrance to the Lincoln bedroom. Still, it's worth a shot: 212. 807. 1492. Make sure you are clear that you want a student cut, and make sure you set aside plenty of time for the appointment, citysearch.com seems to indicate that things there are slow going.
Now, if you'll excuse me: I'm off to find myself some sort of hairnet/hat situation.
Cheap Eats: Oprah
At left: Don't even think about it, Stone.Image via oprah.com
Heh. I just realized that the headline on this post seems to indicate that it would be affordable to eat Oprah. I assure you it would not be affordable, nor would it be a good idea. Bitch will cut you. Into little pieces. And then eat you on national television while housewives everywhere cheer her on. And then you'll wind up the main ingredient in some Junior League cookbook somewhere, under the recipe title: "Stupid Ass Who Stepped to Oprah Souffle, with Caramel Sauce." Trust me, you do NOT want to go there.
Anyway, where was I? Oh right: Oprah had Cat "Tin Chef" Cora, Curtis "I have an accent, therefore I am" Stone, and Tyler "The Ultimate DB" Florence on the show today, in an effort to teach American families how to cook cheaper, more nutritious meals.
I have to admit, I didn't really watch any of it, as I was too busy mourning the death of my sometime employer, while curled up on the couch and staring off into the bleak nothingness that is my professional future. (Happy Effing Wednesday, kids.) But I am always in favor of cheap meals, and you can check out the recipes here.
Death By A Thousand Magazine Cuts
At left: RIP Best Life. Image via mrmagazine.files.wordpress.com
You guys? If one more of the magazines I freelance for goes under I will seriously run screaming through the streets. THROUGH THE STREETS. And probably naked too. Because, really: who can afford clothing when your profession of choice is going down faster than a loosey-goosey teen on prom night?
Also, I just said loosey-goosey. When did I turn 80? Hell.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Drink it In
Want to get the buzz on where to get buzzed? My friend Stephen (thanks, Stephen!!) says that something called coovents is posting on twitter, letting NY-ers know where to go for cheap, happy-hour drinks. Sign up to get the updates here. Booze! Fun!
Book It
Image via westportlibary.org
Borders is offering 25% of any one item purchased in store with this coupon until March 15th. (You'll need a rewards card, which you can get for free at the store.)
I wonder if the Twilight series counts as one item? Hmm....
DL Deals
Image via luggageguy.com
Ok. My friend Dana L. is a saving genius--so much so that I am giving her her own column. This week, Dana tackles the twin female banes of pantyhose and engagement presents. Wheeeeeeeeeee!!
"- Calvin Klein pantyhose are always $2.98 at any Burlington Coat Factory. Seriously.
-Diane Von Furstenberg luggage (rolling, overhead-compartment-ready, super cute) is at most TJ Maxx stores for less than $49. These make particularly good engagement gifts for girls that you like. "
Get the Code Revisited: High-Flying Discounts
Image via http://home.att.net/~thft/richie.htm
Whoohoo! More tips! This just in, from my super smart and super savvy friend, Dana:
"RetailMeNot is AMAZING and it's even BETTER when you use the Continental Airlines ShopOnePass links to get to the sites. If you are a Continental Airlines person who tries to stock up miles to periodically visit the parents (and the islands), ShopOnePass is a free and easy way to rack up humongous miles.
Yesterday, I found a jacket I loved at Banana Republic for $229. Instead of buying it at the store, I went home, found it online, [and found] a RetailMeNot code to knock off 15% (down to $195). Then, I used the ShopOnePass link to get to BananaRepublic.com, and they gave me 6 miles for every dollar plus free shipping. So I got my jacket for less than $200 and I also got 1150 frequent flier miles, which is (in Continental's eyes) the equivalent of flying round-trip from New York to Charleston, SC. A few purchases like that and you're well on your way to a free plane ticket.
Also, during the holidays, they usually offer 25 miles per dollar at FTD (the florist)."
Read our last posting on retailmenot.com here.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
I LOVE DRUGS (TORES)
Image via duanereade.com
Time for another Duane Reade sale roundup. Remember, these deals are good only to Duane Reade Rewards Card holders (it's free, it takes a second to fill out the form, it's silly not to get the card), so get yours today. Also, a quick note on bonus points: the card keeps track of how much you spend at the store, and every $1 you spend = 1 bonus point. At 100 pts. you get $5 back.
ON SALE THIS WEEK AT DUANE READE, 03/07/09-03/13/09
Kellogg's Cereal, 2 for $4 with a minimum $20 purchase
Vitamin Water, 5 for $5
Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts Coffees, $7.99
12-packs of Becks, Corona, Heinekin, and Sam Adams, only $14.99
Heinekin 5-liter Keg, $19.99
Select Lysol Cleaning Products, 2 for $6 plus 25 extra bonus points!
Check out the sales for yourself here.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Tea for You
Image via starbucks.com
This just in from Tipster Amanda (seriously, you guys, I LOVE THE TIPS. Keep 'em coming):
"[NYSC members] can go and show their membership cards to Starbucks on Tuesdays...after 2pm and get a free Tazo Chai Latte or Tazo drink...They called it 'tea on us.' Maybe it's for all the Sports Clubs--Boston, DC, NY? But definitely NY."
I couldn't get a representative from the company on the phone, but Alberto--the guy who answers the phone at the E. 76th Street location--confirms that NYSC members can get a free tea drink on Tuesday afternoons.
Tiny, Cheap Bubbles
Image via thenibble.com"The larger plastic bottles of San Pellegrino are on sale for 99 cents at the store right next to the old Jefferson Market in the West Village."
Food Emporium Fridays
At left: Image via thefoodemporium.comTGIF! It's time for yet another round of Food Emporium Friday, in which Two, Cheap highlights items on sale at The Food Emporium. Remember, most of these deals are only available to rewards card holders, so get yours today. Oh, and because Two, Cheap tends to get distracted by things like Oreos and beer, you might want to check out the sale for yourself here.
ON SALE THIS WEEK, 03/06/09-03/12/09
Horizon Organic Milk, $2.99
Driscoll's Premium Strawberries, 2 for $6
Perdue Fresh Drumsticks or Thighs, $1.69/pound (Save $.90/pound)
Bussetto Salami Chubs, $6.99 (sooooooo good)
Nabisco Snack Crackers, 2 for $7
Carr's Crackers, $2.99
Stonyfield Farm Organic Yogurt, 5 for $4
America's Choice Seltzer, 5 for $3
and
WHEEEE! It's almost St. Patty's Day:
6-pack of Guinness, $7.49
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Get the Code, Save a Load
At left: Wedding Season is Coming.... Image via alibaba.com
So, here's the thing: I love my friends. I live for my friends. My friends get engaged, I rejoice. My friends register for blingy bowls and chintzy china, I recoil. But I do not retreat.
Here's why: 9 times out of 10, you can purchase the glitzy glassware of your friends' dreams for way less than is listed on their registry.
Here's how: retailmenot.com . The site compiles a list of discount codes and coupons (many of which only get sent to frequent shoppers or special customer groups), which you can then use at checkout to get a--sometimes drastically--reduced price.
The codes don't always work, but when they do it's pretty exciting. (I've been known to squeal.) And the site is not just limited to registry-type stores. I've used it to get a discount on a Hertz car rental as well as to get 15% off my last online clothing purchase.
So anytime you are buying from the web, hit up retailmenot.com and see if you can't catch a break. After all, couldn't you use one right about now?
[Editor's Note: If reatilmenot.com doesn't have what you are looking for, you can always try googling the store name + "discount code." It's worth a shot!]
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Haute Cuisine Faces Cold Reality
Gourmet's latest issue features a ham sandwich on its cover. Image via gourmet.com
Following the news that NYC's Restaurant Week has been extended yet again, comes this from The New York Times:
"After covering eating trends that have included haute pub food, exotic fruits like yuzu, and restaurants that dehydrated, foamed and froze everything from meat to dessert, upscale food magazines are writing about an even more unexpected topic: cheap home eating."
Read the rest of the article here.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Watch and Earn, Revisited
Image via alliesanswers.com
A couple days ago, I wrote about a friend who managed to get her cable bill reduced drastically. Another of our friends just pulled off the same feat with Time Warner, which is my cable provider too. So I decided it was my turn.
I called up the company, and told them that I needed to reduce my bill, which runs me about $140 a month. The first woman said she could reduce my bill to $99.95 if I locked into a contract with them for the next two years. I almost took it, but am glad I didn't.
The reason? She was only reducing the cost of my service (which is $106) and not the cost of all my add-ons. Time Warner charges extra for wireless and DVR service, as well as extra for every cable box, remote control, and internet converter that you have in your home. My extras came to a little over $30, so her offer was only going to get my actual bill to $133-ish. After doing the math, I asked to be transferred to a retention specialist. She said OK and promptly hung up on me.
I called back and got transferred to a retention specialist named Craig. (That is, after I spent another 20 minutes on hold, listening to scratchy piano music.) Craig couldn't do much for me either, he explained. I explained that I didn't think I could stay a Time Warner customer, then, especially since I could switch to RCN for much lower. He gave me a quote of $110 for the next year--all in--and I took it.
My friend and fellow Time Warner Cable customer had gotten her service down to $99. But I have an extra cable box in the house, so I figured this was the equivalent deal. At any rate, it's less than what I was paying, so I guess I'm happy with it.
Another thing: the first agent told me that prices for cable will go up industry-wide in April, so locking into a contract now is probably a good idea. If she's to be believed, even people happy with their service might try locking into their current prices now.
If anyone else has had better success at this, I'd love to hear from you!
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