Recession This!

Free Flick Fridays

2009-12-22T16:16:00.000-08:00

Snowed in and out of things to watch on TV? We've reminded you about free on-demand movies (probably) included in your cable package before. Now Tribeca Film Festival has a blog highlighting some of the better movie picks on hulu (it's not just for catching up on Glee). All that's missing is the popcorn.

Extra Coin from Coinstar

2009-11-10T04:13:00.000-08:00

Now through December 6th, you can get an extra $10 (in rebate form) when you turn in your coins to a CoinStar machine.
As always, there is a fee to turn your coins into cash, but the fee is waived if you turn it into a gift card from one of the participating merchants (e.g., iTunes, Amazon, etc.) -- and hey, now you have a gift card for that hard-to-shop for niece or nephew!

Get the promo details here. CoinStar machines are usually located in a Duane Reade or Whole Foods stores; find the one nearest you here.

Via MyFrugalAdventures.com
Photo by Chris_Jones

The Best Deal in NY?

2009-10-06T12:42:00.000-07:00

Recession This! isn't quite dead yet, and when I stumble upon a deal like this, it makes me happy to have a place to spread the word. Went out for drinks with friends at the Film Center Cafe over the weekend and we were all bowled over by the $4 hotdogs and fries. For four bucks, you get 2 Hebrew National dogs (with some lovely sauerkraut) AND a heaping pile of fries -- the perfect late night soak-up-the-booze snack. And this place isn't a dive -- it's served on a real plate (a square one which adds to the fancy) and the rest of the menu is affordable too. A few people (okay, including me..) weren't even that hungry but just couldn't pass up the deal! I will be back with hungry and drunk people in tow (okay, maybe just me).

Film Center Cafe is at 9th Ave and 44th St.

When the Lights Go Out

2009-09-03T09:28:00.000-07:00

You probably already know that compact fluorescent lamps, or CFLs, save you loads through increased energy efficiency (60-80% less energy usage than conventional bulbs) and longer life (6 to 15 times longer).

But what do you do with CFLs when they do die? There's mercury in there, so you can't just throw them out. Well, intrepid reporter Jody found out that The Home Depot recycles CFLs!

Also: once you've phased out those old batteries with rechargeable batteries, bring the old batteries to Whole Foods to recycle them (bins at the exit door, next to the #5 plastics recycling bins).

Don't forget these other energy/money-saving tips!

[Photo by Schodts]

Metrocard math

2009-09-01T10:48:00.000-07:00

Back in the salad days when you were working full-time in New York and taking the subway every day, you probably just plunked down the $80+ for a 30-day unlimited Metrocard because it was the best deal, right?

Nowadays, there are stretches where you don't get on the subway or a bus for days at a time. Your hours have been cut to a few days a week (or you're out of a job entirely) and you stay at home or at least in the neighborhood most of the time.

But which Metorcard should you buy for those times when you do need to travel? If you put at least $8 on a regular Metrocard, the 15% bonus means each trip costs only $1.96 (the bonus does not increase the more cash you put on the card, so long as it's more than $8). Here's a breakdown of the minimum number of rides you need to take for the unlimited Metrocards to be a better value:

Save Ink, Save Money

2009-07-24T19:28:00.001-07:00

Green Print sounds pretty amazing but I haven't tried it yet-- it's software that allows you to print only the pages you need (especially handy when printing things from the web)-- eliminating those annoying extra pages with just a few lines, or deleting images or ads that waste your ink. It also calculates the amount you save by not printing the extra pages.

More on the company here, including the scary statistic that printer ink costs $40 to $80 an ounce, compared to Dom Perignon at only $5 an ounce.

(I hope we haven't posted about this before -- it seems like the kind of thing Franke would have discovered!)

Your Friends and the Recession

2009-06-18T12:36:00.000-07:00

Money is never an easy topic to discuss, even when the economy isn't spiraling out of control. And, talking about money with friends is typically a big fat no-no. But, what happens when your friendships are suddenly effected by differences in your incomes? This great article on Slate got me thinking about my friends with and without money, and if I've felt like any relationships were in jeopardy because of the recession. Fortunately for me, most of my friends are poor artist types, so we're all in the same boat. But, I do have friends in other places who own homes, have kids, can afford to go on vacations. Maybe the reason we're still friends is because we don't see each other often. If those people lived nearby, maybe we wouldn't be as close.

Fix Healthcare to Fix the Economy

2009-06-16T14:01:00.001-07:00

It's common knowledge that one of the biggest reasons people go into credit card debt is funding skyrocketing medical costs with their credit cards because our health care system is broken. People on the left of the politcal spectrum have been saying this long before Sicko* came out. But even conservatives, like John Maudlin, are seeing that one way to fix our economy is to fix health care. Maudlin compares the ratio of expenditure of Gross Domestic Product to Life Expectancy among several countries and comes up with these figures:

"According to the Economist the total US spend on healthcare is 15.4% of GDP including both state and private . With that it gets 2.6 doctors per 1,000 people, 3.3 hospital beds and its people live to an average age of 78.2

UK - spends 8.1% of GDP, gets 2.3 doctors, 4.2 hospital beds and live to an average age of 79.4. So for roughly half the cost their citizens overall get about the same benefit in terms of longevity of life.
Canada - spends 9.8% of GDP on healthcare, gets 2.1 doctors, 3.6 hospital beds and live until they are 80.6 yrs
France - spends 10.5%, 3.4 docs, 7.5 beds and live until they are 80.6 [years old]
Spain - spends 8.1% , 3.3 docs , 3.8 beds and live until they are 81 [years old]
As a whole Europe spends 9.6% of GDP on healthcare, has 3.9 doctors per 1,000 people, 6.6 hospital beds and live until they are 81.15 years old.

...in many cases...the healthcare system is better in the US than in some other countries BUT US citizens must therefore get ill more often than any other country in the West in order to achieve the truly appalling statistic that they are the 41 longest living nation on earth with France, Spain, Norway, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Andorra, Holland, Greece and Sweden all featuring in the top 20 longest living nations and the UK and Germany at 22.

This is the big failure of the US system. It is unforgivable. You may get a better chance of recovering from certain diseases but as a whole you will die younger in the US than most developed countries. ... Something is severely broken."

Check out the full article here on InvestorsInsight.com.

Of course, economic growth is stifled because many people put off treatments they can't afford and stay sick, only to get worse and lose their ability to work altogether. Or those lucky enough to be employed and have health insurance stay in dead-end jobs for fear of losing their coverage.

Kinda makes you want to write your congressperson, doesn't it? Check out this post from Consumerist.com for the most effective way to communicate with your elected representatives.

*Watching Sicko is the movie version of this argument, so check it out.

SPF

2009-06-15T12:15:00.000-07:00

Summer means lots of things, and one of those things in NYC is cheap theater. See professional fully staged productions of awesome new plays for a measly $10.00 a pop. With eight plays to choose from, new shows every week, and superb casting (Ally Sheedy -- that's all I'm saying) you can escape the heat for a couple hours and get your culture fix. All shows are at The Public Theater, which is real close to lots of cheap eats, so take a date to dinner and a show; I'll bet you'd spend a total of $40.00 on everything if you do it right, and your date will be so impressed with your dating skills in this recession-filled world.
Check it out here.

Housing Works Street Fair This Saturday

2009-06-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

Even if you're cutting back on spending, you still need to buy clothes sometimes. And if you've been really good, you deserve to treat yourself to some books and music. Head down to SoHo for Housing Works's bi-annual Open Air Street Fair extravaganza this Saturday, June 6th (rain date June 7th).

This festive, all-day shopping bazaars take place on the quaint (closed to traffic) cobblestone Crosby Street outside of the Bookstore Café and features tens of thousands of $1 books, CDs, and - perhaps the biggest bargain of all - $20 bags of all-you-can-stuff clothing from Housing Works Thrift Shops.

And there's food! Sliders and sweets from The Works. and beer from Puck Fair will be served!

Best of all, all profits from the Open Air Street Fair pay for Housing Works’ services for homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with HIV and AIDS. In 2007/2008, the two street fairs attracted more than 50,000 people and generated more than $45,000 for those services.

Check out the Housing Works website for full details.

Free Software

2009-06-02T14:22:00.000-07:00

We've told you about free PhotoShop alternatives before, and suggested you check out all the options they find on Lifehacker. Well, now there's yet another source for free software: AlternativeTo. [via VeryShortList]

Currently in beta, AlternativeTo allows you to search by platform as well as the specific gajillion-dollar software title you are trying to approximate with a free app.

[Photo by marblegravy]

Fish Tacos

2009-05-31T17:30:00.000-07:00

What a delicious summer dish! Here's a quick, cheap, & easy recipe from Martha Stewart's "Great Food Fast". (You probably already have a lot of the ingredients in your kitchen cabinet.)

1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
2 tablespoons lime juice
salt and pepper
1/4 small red cabbage thinly shredded (about 2 1/2 cups)
4 scallions thinly sliced (about 1/2 cup)
1 jalapeno chile, halved lenghtwise, one half minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound tilapia fillets (or other firm white fish) cut into 16 equal strips
8 flour or whole wheat tortillas
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves

1. In a large bowl, combine the sour cream and lime juice; season with salt & pepper. Transfer half the mixture to a container; set aside for serving. Toss the cabbage, minced jalapeno, and scallions with the remaining sour cream mixture. Season again with salt & pepper.

2. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil and remaining jalapeno half over medium-high heat; swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. Season the fish on both sides with salt and pepper. In two batches (starting with any larger pieces), cook the fish until golden brown on all sides, 5 to 6 minutes. Discard the jalapeno.

3. Warm the tortillas.

4. Fill the tortillas with slaw, fish, and cilantro leaves. Drizzle with reserved sour cream mixture.

Image pulled from the Food Network website.

We Love NPR

2009-05-20T10:34:00.000-07:00

It's clear that we here at Recession This! are big fans of NPR, probably because they're smart and they offer a lot of free stuff, like their podcasts, which cover many topics from news to entertainment. My ipod podcast list looks like a love letter to NPR. (My husband says "If you love it so much why don't you marry it?" To which I reply, "Maybe I will." And then he says, "Well, go ahead." And then I say... you get the picture.) I've recently added Planet Money, and I'm hooked. I was reluctant at first; all this recession business really gets me down. Plus, there is so much I don't understand that I didn't want to listen to a podcast that would make me feel even more confused. Fortunately, Planet Money breaks down the economic crisis in an average of twenty minute easy to understand episodes. And, they keep in mind that many of their listeners probably did not study money in school, so it's very audience friendly. The hosts are pretty cool, too. If you want to make heads or tails of our crazy financial world then I highly recommend starting with Planet Money.

Image taken from NPR's website.

Get rid of your car

2009-05-19T07:55:00.000-07:00

We all know, driving less is better for the environment. And it's definitely better for your budget. Recession This! readers in NYC and other large cities are probably aware of car sharing companies but perhaps you haven't given it a try. Recently, multiple options for car sharing have become available in NYC. New York Magazine had an article in March comparing 2 new companies (Connect by Hertz and Mint) to the more established Zipcar. Recession This! has not tries either Connect by Hertz or Mint so we can't compare ourselves but several of us are happy Zipcar members.

A Zipcar membership allows you access to over 1670 cars in the 5 boroughs & New Jersey and anywhere else they are available. You can add family members or friends or significant others to your account. There are several different payment plan options depending on how often you want to use the cars. Each plan includes tax, gas and insurance while you drive. For details on how the program works, check out Zipcar's comprehensive site.

I'm here to encourage you to give it a try. We use a Zipcar about once every 2 months to pick up and drop off at our storage unit (the curse of the tiny NYC apartment), drop off stuff at Goodwill (for a tax credit!), take a day-trip out of NYC, pick up free furniture from friends and even to stock up at Trader Joe's in Queens.

If you're curious, Recession This! can offer you $25 in driving credit when you sign up for Zipcar - another way to save a little money! Click the button above or click here to Join Zipcar and get $25 in free driving!

Recession Pampering

2009-05-17T20:35:00.000-07:00

Many of you ladies (and some of you men) may be assuming that you have to give up your spa pampering and treatments now that the recession has gotten us all. Never fear - there are still ways to frugally indulge yourself and stay pretty (or handsome)!

Recession This! found this great article about facials on a budget at Skincare-news.com. It's packed with money-saving tips and informational links.

Also, look for your local Spa Week, when local spas feature specials and deals on all kinds of services and products.
Check out SpaWeek.com for more information on deals near you. Don't miss the Steals & Deals page for recent offers and monthly specials.

Consider doing a DIY Manicure or DIY Pedicure at home. Look for deals at an online drugstore or your local drugstore.

Stay pretty frugal and frugally pretty!

Tattoo You

2009-05-16T18:52:00.000-07:00

According to the Christian Science Monitor, contrary to conventional wisdom, one non-essential expense Americans are not choosing to forgo is a tattoo:
"Just last week one of my coworkers tattooed an 83-year-old woman getting her first tattoo."

So, if you're looking to pick up a new trade, consider skin-inking recession-proof. But if needles make you squeamish, consider these other alternatives. [from MSNBC.com]

[Photo by King Taco]

Splendid Cheap Eats

2009-05-14T09:15:00.000-07:00

Hey Recession This! readers - one of my favorite NPR Podcasts is The Splendid Table hosted by Lynne Rossetto Kasper.

Lynn has an infectious love for food of all sorts. She starts each episode with a conversation with Jane and Michael Stern authors of Road Food (an essential book for any road trip). Lynn then has a few features with guest foodies or reporting from important food places & events and she finishes up by taking listeners calls with food and recipe questions.

Even if you don't listen to the show, The Splendid Table website is a great resource for recipe ideas and quick fixes.

And recently, The Splendid Table added a new feature called Splendid Cheap Eats, a collection of Lynn's recipes that use inexpensive ingredients.
The recipes are organized by category and then by main ingredient. Recipes run the gamut of familiar comfort food like Macaroni and Cheese to more adventurous fare like Turkish Braised Eggplant. There's even a recipe for Beer Can Chicken - a perfect summer cook-out recipe. No one can resist the chicken that sits up on the grill!

Happy cheap eating!

photo of The Splendid Table's How to Eat Supper from The Splendid Table store

Recessionist Nirvana

2009-05-07T08:54:00.000-07:00

Thousands of people are unemployed or underemployed thanks to the recession. If you are one of the many who are scrabbling for a new job, we at Recession This! feel for you -- many of our friends and loved ones are out there with you.

However, if you are out there struggling to replace the job you had with one at the same salary, you might want to read today's post at The Simple Dollar. It explains that "...the magical amount of 'enough' income is much lower than many people think."

While this is not a tip on how to, say, save money by using your freezer*, hopefully it will help you stress less while on the job hunt and help you decide on a job you want to do, versus one that pays what your last (probably crappy) job paid.

*Like how we snuck that tip in anyway? From NYTimes via Lifehacker]
[Photo by J. Star]

NPR Challenge: How Low Can you Go?

2009-05-01T12:33:00.001-07:00

NPR's All Things Considered has been running a challenge for professional chefs and home amateurs alike: How Low Can you Go - Feed a group of four for less than $10.
I've heard several of the on-air features listening to the NPR Food Podcast.

So far, they have interviewed and featured recipes from 4 chefs:
Gina and Pat Neely do Mac & Cheese for $9.
Navy Chef Michael Edwards makes a skate dinner.
Chef Ming Tsai prepares Chicken and Corn-Fried Rice.
and (my favorite of the 4) Spanish Chef Jose Andres makes a Chickpea and spinach dish.

The links above take you to a transcript of each interview with the chef as well as the recipe and comments from listeners. The pages also have a link to listen to the story - I have to recommend that you give them a listen, especially the Jose Andreas segment.

AND you too can join the challenge! If you have a great recipe for a meal that can feed 4 people for $10 or less, submit it to All Things Considered here. Let us know if you have enter the challenge and we'll feature your recipe here on Recession This!
Bonus: at the $10 challenge page you can see all of the recipes submitted by listeners in the comments.

Good luck and happy recession cooking!
Image from NPR's How Low Can You Go challenge page

Reduce, Reuse, ReGoogle

2009-04-30T06:57:00.000-07:00

Finding yourself with random stuff lying around your house taking up space that you don't want to send to the landfill, but can't sell or foist upon Goodwill? Google a way to repurpose it!

For example, I have a bunch of old mouse pads (culled from the day job) that I could not think of a new use for. A quick Google (actually, I used Goodsearch and gave to my favorite charity without spending my own money [See this previous RT! post]) and I found these myriad ideas:

Bases for houseplants, etc. to protect your furniture [from Craftster]
Pads for table & chair legs [from Reader's Digest]
PDA sleeve and insoles [from eHow]

For general inspiration, you can also do a flickr search or Goodsearch image search of "repurpose" and see what others have come up with. Some folks, like Scavengerjo, even make art of things that have no other life left.

Also check out Brooklyn-based RePlayGround for tips and for kits to help make new things out of old trash.

What do you have sitting around your house that could find new life as something useful?
[Ode to the Modern Housewife by Scavengerjo]

You Know Why? Chicken Thigh!

2009-04-29T13:20:00.000-07:00

Chicken thighs are cheap and delicious. And, thanks to Real Simple, you can eat them in this cheap and delicious recipe. What makes this recipe great, aside from the heavy cream, is the number or ingredients you probably have on hand. I always seem to have frozen peas and white wine around, for example, so there wasn't much left to buy at the store. And, since the ingredients aren't fancy you can go to a regular ol' grocery store and buy 'em for less. Bust out the slow cooker that's gathering dust in your cabinet and get to cooking!

CHICKEN WITH TARRAGON AND LEEKS

1 1/2 pounds baby new potatoes (about 16)
8 small skinless chicken thighs
3 leeks (whites and light green parts) cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
1 cup dry white wine
Kosher salt (I use regular old Morton's)
1 10 ounce package of frozen peas
1/3 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon fresh tarragon

Place potatoes on the bottom of a 4 - 6 quart slow cooker. Add chicken, leeks, wine, and 1 teaspoon of salt.

Cook, covered, until chicken and potatoes are tender, on high for 3 to 4 hours, on low for 6 to 7 hours.

Transfer the chicken and all but 4 of the potatoes to plates. Using a fork, smash the remaining potatoes into the cooking liquid to thicken.

Add the peas and cream and cook just until heated through, 3 to 5 minutes. Spoon over the chicken and sprinkle with the tarragon.

Feeds 4.

Recession Fitness!

2009-04-27T09:23:00.001-07:00

You no longer have an excuse to sleep in on Tuesdays. Starting May 5th certified personal trainer Abby Sweitzer is offering running classes for FREE. Don't have an expensive gym membership? Don't need one! This one hour a week work out is enough to motivate you to create your own training program and it won't cost you a dime -- o.k., you might have to buy some decent running shoes. Aside from that, just throw on an old t-shirt and shorts and get ready to run!

Bonus Earth Day Post

2009-04-22T10:57:00.000-07:00

Now that you've shrunk your bills (see previous post) check out this free book download from Grist.org. Register with Grist for free and get tips on how to live green every day (because, as we've said time and again, living greener usually means living cheaper too).

Not only will you get the free e-book, but you will also be registered for a free trip to Bonnaroo '09!

[Photo by SouthernPixel]

Bill Shrinkage

2009-04-22T10:31:00.000-07:00

Shrink your bills! Not by wading into a cold pool with them, but with BillShrink.com

Enter a few generic details about yourself and your cell phone or credit card bill, and they offer alternatives that save you money. For instance, I plugged in info about my rewards credit card, and they offered me 32 alternative credit cards that would save me more money/give me greater rewards.

Found the link in an MSNBC article about saving $1K on your cell phone bill; check that out here.

[Photo by 99 James Nguyen]

Where to Hide Your Money

2009-04-15T11:38:00.000-07:00

In these tough times, you are probably holding onto any money you can get and/or still have. AOL has a list of some crazy places to hide money (actually, some make sense to me), though it seems the best idea is to stuff it in your bra like this woman did -- it could save your life.

And check out this post for the worst places to hide money (especially if you live in a crack-addled neighborhood). [via Bloggingstocks.com]

Why not play with those bills before you hide them? Check out how to at the Origami Resource Center.

[Photo by nathangibbs]

Quick Tip: 6 Things to Stop Buying to Save Money

2009-04-12T04:00:00.000-07:00

From Yahoo! comes a quick list of things you don't really need to buy that will help save your pocketbook (and the planet):

Air fresheners
Bottled water
Dryer sheets
DVDs and books
Trash bags
Wrapping paper

Odds are, as a reader of this blog, you have already cut one or more of these things out of your budget -- perhaps more! And if someone gives you a hard time about buying less, tell them it's not your fault that the economy is in the toilet.

Paranoia is Healthy

2009-04-11T04:00:00.000-07:00

Just in case you didn't have enough to worry about, now it seems you have to be especially worried that "ATM skimmers" aren't stealing your PIN and taking what little money you have left.

According to Consumerist.com, here are some tell-tale signs to look for:

Slots that don't fit (and can be removed!)
Multiple mirrors - one could be hiding a camera that records your PIN
Strange ATM error messages
Trouble inserting or removing your card
The ATM looks different from the other ATMs around it
Dummy brochure boxes with hidden cameras on them

Read full article here (especially if you live in New York City).

[Photo by ohad*]

Mythbusting the Stimulus

2009-04-10T08:26:00.000-07:00

Don't be expecting one of these in the mail.

A timely article clearing up some confusion about the Obama administration's stimulus plan courtesy Kiplinger.com. They list 7 Misconceptions, but I am guessing the most pressing for the readers of this blog are:

#1: You will not get the stimulus in the form of a check, but rather in the form of tax withholding adjustments (a little more take-home pay). (You can also watch a short video explaining this benefit here.)

Of course, that's if you are fortunate enough to still have a job. If not, read #5 and #6 about COBRA benefits (talk to your employer, not the government, about having to pay only 35% of the cost and the length of that perk). And read #7 about the number of weeks you can receive unemployment payments.

Read the full article here. [via Yahoo! Finance]
[Photo by Bright_Star]

Dine-n-Dash

2009-04-07T12:06:00.000-07:00

Gastronomic e-newsletter TastingTable today offers a run down of daily (relative) deals at various NYC eateries. Get sloppy with BBQ and beer at Hill Country on Mondays, or BYOB to Alto in Midtown.
So if you somehow still have the cash to go out to eat, check it out here.

Picture = 1K Words

2009-04-06T19:28:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't heard enough words explaining the Global Financial Mess (or you haven't listened to the NPR programs on the subject, no matter how many times we tell you to) check out the entries at GOOD magazine's contest to create an infographic on Making Sense of the Financial Mess. The winner is here and you can see all the entries here.

Vulture Alert - Otto Tootsi Plohound (Shoes)

2009-04-03T09:29:00.000-07:00

This one is for the ladies:
walking past Otto Tootsie Plohound (which always sounded like an 80s synth-pop collective to me) I noticed that all shoes were going for $29.99 a pair, with two pairs going for $50.
So, ladies, if you have some money squirreled away and need/want some fancy-shmancy shoes, now is the time.
According to New York magazine online, the store is closed (and it looked dark at 10:30 this morning), but there were still shoes on display and those mark-down signs in the windows.

[Photo by Lip Kee]

Recession Education from This American Life

2009-03-30T11:07:00.000-07:00

Check out a slightly different take on the recession from the good people at This American Life: (It's not all about the money or evil bankers like this one or these two.)

More Free Book Chapters

2009-03-23T09:13:00.000-07:00

The book I Will Teach You To Be Rich hits stores (online and off) today, but you can check out even more of it for free online. If you decide to buy the book today, send in your receipt because the author is giving away stuff like free Kindles.

Free Book Chapter: Optimize Your Credit Cards

2009-03-18T14:31:00.000-07:00

Ramit over at iwillteachyoutoberich.com has a book coming out in less than a week, a nuts-and-bolts approach to things the Average Person can do to save -- and even make -- money. On his website he is offering the first chapter on Optimizing Your Credit Cards for free. Check it out here.

Free Theater

2009-03-11T07:20:00.000-07:00

The 52nd Street Project offers writing and acting programs to kids. The plays the kids write are performed by professional actors in New York, and, I have to say, it's some of the best theater out there. The shows are FREE and the productions are well produced. Get tickets here for the performances in April. After seeing the show you'll probably want to volunteer with them. You can get more information and an application here.

The 52nd Street Project
Playmaking Shows Spring 2009

Can Do!
Plays on the Bright Side

The 52nd Street Project 2009 Spring Playmaking Shows

Featuring ten short plays by the kids of Playmaking
Performed by:
Eliza Baldi, Jeremy Beck, Reg E. Cathey, Jackie Chung,
Billy Crudup, Danyon Davis, Emily Dorsch, Steven Goldstein,
Donnetta Lavinia Grays, Patrice Johnson, Jordan Mahome,
Elizabeth Marvel, James McDaniel, Martha Plimpton,
Jeanine Serralles, Cynthia Vance & Elliot Villar

Directed by:
George Babiak, Michael Bernard, David Costabile,
Megan Cramer, Liz Flahive, Reg Flowers, Kathleen Foreman,
Sonia Manzano, Niegel Smith & Rebecca White

Music by:
Andrew Sherman

Friday, April 3 @ 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 4 @ 3:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 5 @ 3:00 p.m.

The Public Theater
The Anspacher Hall
425 Lafayette Street
between Fourth & Astor.

Admission
FREE

Reservations required:
212/642-5052

More Ways to Cut Costs

2009-03-09T08:29:00.000-07:00

Yahoo.com has a good little list of ways to cut down on all the things we love that get us through the day. It's all the things you know, but a great reminder none-the-less. I'm stocking up on fruit and I'm only drinking coffee made in the office. Yesterday I heard on the news that you can save $1000.00 a year by making your own coffee. Wow.

Recession Blues? Stay Positive!

2009-03-09T07:54:00.001-07:00

Do not watch the news. Just don't. Turn off MSNBC, CNBC, FOX, and any other so-called news program with talking heads screaming about recession / depression / apocalypse / the earth imploding any minute now if the Dow Jones drops one more point.

We know we're in crisis, ok? And, the best way to get out of this is not to listen to the cranks on the tube. Instead, take a deep breath, recognize that this, too, shall pass, put a smile on your face and a song in your heart, and add one or more of the following activities to your ever growing list of recession-friendly fun:

1. Spend more time in the park. Talk to people. Pet dogs, play with babies. I promise, one hour in the park will lift your spirits for the rest of the day.

2. Surround yourself with positive people and insist that you not talk about the recession for the whole day. Obvious, I know, but sometimes if you don't remind yourself it's really easy to get sucked in to negativity.

3. Join a church or other community group that's focused on positive thinking and community service.

4. Speaking of community service, what better way to contribute to society than to volunteer somewhere? Be a mentor at Big Brothers Big Sisters or at the 52nd Street Project; volunteer at the Humane Society; find out what projects the city has going on; plant a garden.

5. Chant, meditate, do yoga. Clean out your physical and mental closet.

6. Think of your own ways to stay positive.

Vulture Alert

2009-03-06T04:15:00.000-08:00

The Circuit City at Union Square was pretty picked over when we stopped in there last week, but the Virgin Megastore in Times Square is still packed with CDs, DVDs, video games, clothes, and even fixtures being sold at a discount.
Virgin is also closing its Union Square location and one in San Francisco. (Union Square is still listed as open on the Virgin web site.)

Sign of the end times? Sure. But if you want some cheap music and/or movies, the time to snatch them up is now.

[Photo by Lip Kee]

TONIGHT: Free Learning Annex Teleconference + Planet Money

2009-03-05T12:23:00.000-08:00

The Learning Annex, purveyor of random seminars of all kinds, is offering a free 14-day trial of their classes.

Tonight, they are offering a free, 45-minute teleconference: "Get Out of Debt Now with Dave Ireland." Ireland is allegedly offering tips on paying off all your debts in 1-3 years, and even paying off your 30-year mortgage (if you have one) in 4-5 years.

Hey, it's free!

From the Learning Annex web site:
"Dave's financial techniques make perfect sense. He has taught thousands how to become debt free and, in this economy, Dave can help you avoid the "debt disaster" that is plaguing millions of Americans.

Dave Ireland is a retired Eastman Kodak Executive with a Master's Degree in Accounting from the Rochester Institute of Technology. He has written numerous books, newspaper and magazine articles on personal finance, including The Monthly Payment Trap and Invest in Your Debt. "

And if you need any more impetus to sign up, listen to last week's This American Life, "Bad Bank" another collaboration between them and the Planet Money people. (You know, the same team who taught us all we needed to know to intelligently freak out last fall.)

[Photo by Jessamyn]

Money Free Weekend

2009-02-27T12:44:00.000-08:00

Broke? Not-yet-stimulated? No reason to stay in and bored this weekend; The Simple Dollar has a list of "100 Things To Do During A Money-Free Weekend" filled with great ideas. Some highlights:

#14. Make decisions about and write out your will. A bit morbid, but death's the only certainty other than taxes. And, while we're being morbid, save your loved ones cash by opting for a green burial (they're cheaper!).

#16. Organize a walking tour. If you live in NYC, check out the walking and MTA tours in Time Out.

#20. Start a blog on a topic that interests you. Or share a bunch of ideas with an existing blog (hint, hint).

#27. Try out some great open source and free software. Check out Lifehacker or our previous post.

#37. Cut your own hair. Maybe not such a great idea...

#47. Learn a foreign language. Search YouTube for videos or check out Babbel.com.

#57. Turn on the water sprinkler. Another idea we're not so sure about...

#68. Write a letter to your future children or grandchildren. You know, the ones whom you left everything to in #14.

#84. Explore a blog you like. How self-serving can we be?!

Have a great weekend!

[via Simple Dollar]
[Photo by Pesterussa]

Free PhotoShop Alternatives

2009-02-23T12:09:00.000-08:00

Got some great party photos you want to edit, but don't have the right software and can't afford to pay for PhotoShop? Stay on the right side of the law with these free alternatives:

SumoPaint is an online application from Finland:

Or you can download a freeware program called Gimp.

Think Outside The Moving Box

2009-02-20T07:48:00.000-08:00

It may not seem like it, but spring is approaching and spring is traditionally moving season in New York. Hopefully you found a desperate landlord willing to offer you cheaper rent than your current place. If you are that lucky, continue the savings by packing up in cheap(er) reused cardboard boxes.

You can search for free or cheap boxes posted on Craigslist, or
set up an account at FreeCardboardBoxes.com.
Boxcycle.com also hooks you up with sellers near you who will sell you boxes cheaper than U-Haul (although they have a messageboard of their own you can search for reused boxes).
UsedCardboardBoxes.com allows you to buy discounted stacks and shipping kits and have them shipped directly to you.

Of course, don't forget to save on boxes by packing less stuff in the first place: figure out what you don't need and sell it on Craigslist!

Photo by Mr. Greenjeans
[via IdealBite]

Top 10 Recession Stocks

2009-02-17T04:45:00.000-08:00

It's common knowledge that the best time to buy stocks is when the market's down, since it will eventually (hopefully) go back up.

According to The Motley Fool the following are the Top 10 Recession Stocks:

Southwestern Energy
Goldcorp
Apple
Gilead Sciences
Priceline.com
ITT Educational Services
Strayer Education
McAfee
Flowers Foods
Range Resources

You should check out their website for a full explication of what exactly "Recession Stocks" are, as well as further investing advice. We at Recession This! certainly are not qualified to recommend any stock purchase or activity on your part of any kind. But if you somehow are lucky enough to have money to invest right now, this post is a good place to start (and all but 2 of these stocks are currently priced under $100).

Blackberry Without Blackberry

2009-02-06T09:04:00.000-08:00

Don't have a Blackberry, want the Blackberry experience but can't afford the upgrade from your plain ol' cell phone? Then look into push e-mail.

We'll admit, we don't know that much about this stuff and are only aware of it thanks to a tech-savvy pal. But if you need it and can't afford to pay for it, check it out. Some providers suggested by our source are emoze and funambol.

[Photo by John W. Macdonald ]

Decrease Credit Card Debt with Multiple, Earlier Payments

2009-02-04T09:19:00.000-08:00

If you're carrying a balance on your credit card, check out this post at Consumerist.com for details on how paying more than once a month -- even small payments -- helps beat down the interest and ultimately save you money. They also have links to spreadsheets that will help you calculate a payment schedule.

$aveNYC Tax Refund Savings Account

2009-01-27T12:49:00.001-08:00

El Alcalde Bloomberg announced today that some New Yorkers may be eligible for a savings account that they can open with their tax refund. You get 2 to 3 percent interest on the savings, and if you save for at least a year, the City will match 50% of your savings (up to $250).

Search the nyc.gov site or call 311 for the "select Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites" where you need to go to be eligible (not everyone will be, of course) to receive this benefit.

Read the full release here.
Or, if you have 17 minutes to kill, watch the video (low bandwith) (high bandwith)

Photo by Gracey Stinson via MorgueFile.com

Quick Tips: More Free Ringtones

2009-01-24T07:15:00.000-08:00

We know, we know: you bought your iPhone before the economy went in the crapper. That's why we're not blaming you for the expense. But at least save some money on the ringtones.
Last October we posted this how-to on making your own ringtones with iTunes. Now, via Lifehacker, we have a plethora of resources for making free ringtones. (Works for non-iPhone cell phones, too.)

Photo by Andalusia via MorgueFile.com

We Are Not Alone: UK in Recession

2009-01-23T07:23:00.001-08:00

Although the Recession This! team saw this coming as early as July, today the news is on the BBC wires that the United Kingdom is now officially in a recession. This is the first recession to hit Britain in about 18 years, and the worst quarter-to-quarter decline in almost 30 years.
Take whatever comfort you can in knowing that our friends across the pond are now saying "Please, sir, may I have some more?"
[via ForeignPolicy.com]
Photo from New York Public Library digital collection

Get Yer Nerd On for Free

2009-01-22T10:40:00.001-08:00

For the rest of January and February, you can browse the content of Edinburgh University Press's journals to your nerd heart's content. [via About.com's Medieval History guide -- I'm a huge nerd too, obviously.]

Photo by Kevin Rosseel via morguefile

Cross Country Drivin'

2009-01-20T12:03:00.000-08:00

Now that Obama is officially president and is going to start cleaning up the place, maybe you will want to take a road trip across this great land of ours. Use rental car comparison site Vroom Vroom Vroom to get the best price on your rental. And they even pony up the money for carbon offsets for your rental. [via Thrilllist]

Don't forget to properly inflate your tires for the best gas mileage!

If you need to fly, check out this previous travel post. For other tips on saving on flights or rideshares, check out this previous travel post.

Photo by Clarita via Morguefile.

Denim Deals

2009-01-14T18:16:00.000-08:00

Last year I discovered Uniqlo's great and reasonable jeans -- and I've been spreading the word. Though normally some of the cheapest jeans around at about $40, now most of their styles are on sale -- starting at $19. Their fantastic skinny jeans (I couldn't believe they fit so well) are $29! Get to Soho, ladies! And gents! (The men's jeans are winners too. And they even have men's skinny jeans... is that a good thing?)

Free Suze Orman book

2009-01-09T07:55:00.001-08:00

We could all use some advice from an expert financial counselor and who better that Suze Orman to tell you how best to manage your money in these recession times? I've always been a fan of Orman's since reading 9 Steps To Financial Freedom way back when. I could barely pay my then-Astoria, Queen's rent, which is why I picked up her book in the first place. Now, Oprah has Suze's new book on her website which you can download for free for one week which started January 8th. So, get crackin' and get to feeling better about our economy -- or at least your place in it.

Fill Your Fridge To Save Money

2009-01-07T07:51:00.000-08:00

Save energy -- and thereby money on your utility bill -- by filling up your fridge and freezer as much as possible. They are more efficient when they are filled (keep things loose in the fridge so air can circulate, pack 'em tight in the freezer). [via Ideal Bite]

If you don't have that much food, you can fill up old bottles or covered pitchers with water (I use a 1 liter tonic water bottle leftover from a party).

Once you fill it up, set the fridge to 40 degrees and the freezer to zero. Vacuuming the coils also helps efficiency which saves money.

It's a little thing, but along with other energy-saving habits, you may be surprised at the savings on your energy bill!

(PS: In a power outage, a full fridge will stay cold twice as long as an empty one, so you don't have to spend money replacing your food)
Photo by Noel Clark

Thriving On Less: free e-book

2008-12-26T12:40:00.000-08:00

Looking for an all-in-one spiritual guide to trimming the fat from your spending and living frugally in the New Year?

Follow this link to download the free e-book Thriving on Less—Simplifying in a Tough Economy by Leo Babauta.

While it may seem like a compilation of many of the tips that you've found on this blog over the past several months, reminders are always good.

[via Lifehacker]

Free Shipping Today

2008-12-18T10:08:00.001-08:00

Today is the first annual Free Shipping Day for many online merchants -- some who even promise to get it here by Christmas (too late for some merchants). [via Lifehacker]

Of course, we have other suggestions for holiday gifts on the cheap (used books, outside the box merchants, and homemade gift ideas) but if you want to buy something mainstream, today is the day to do it.

Photo by jeltovski

Reward Cards Get You Money Back

2008-12-16T13:26:00.000-08:00

At the risk of sounding like a corporate shill: If you are one of those people who can't be bothered to carry reward/customer loyalty cards, these are the times to change your ways.

One example is Duane Reade. The DR offers a $5 coupon for every 100 points you earn. Although prescriptions and beer* purchases do not count, enough shampoo, toothpaste and chewing gum at 1 point per dollar and you have $5 off your next purchase before you know it. You gotta buy that stuff somewhere, so why not utilize their customer-retention program to save you $5 now and then? Register for their e-newsletters and get chances to earn double points and reach your $5 coupon that much sooner.

It's not just drug stores, of course. Many stores offer coupons and specials if you join their rewards programs and sign up for the e-mails (Borders is constantly sending me e-mails with coupons for 20%, 30% or more off.) Again, if you're going to be shopping there anyway, may as well save some green.

You can avoid making your wallet burst with all these cards by simply taping the keychain versions together into one card (I get weird looks from the cashiers here in NYC, but they still work). Or you can use the site Just One Club Card to consolidate all of your rewards cards onto one. [via The Finance Journey via Lifehacker]

*which is just a different kind of Rx.

Photo by Jane M Sawyer / cohdra Morguefile.com

Holiday Gift Ideas: Homemade

2008-12-13T07:00:00.000-08:00

This is a great time to exercise your creative side. Instead of spending loads of dough on gifts that might never get looked at after 12/25, give something meaningful to those you love. Oprah's Favorite Things this year included "Gratitude Boxes", which are easy to make, personal, and don't have to cost a dime.

One thing I do with my family is bake desserts. My sisters and I each bring a recipe -- cookies, cakes, puddings -- and spend a day baking in my mother's kitchen. We then box up the goodies as gifts for extended family members. The baked goods are a big hit. Plus, getting to spend the day baking with my mom and sisters is better than anything I could ever open under the tree.

I've already sung the praises of Kodak Gallery, but printing out pictures for loved ones is a great gift, especially in this age of digital photography. Pictures stay in our cameras or iPhoto and never see the side of a piece of photo paper. Transfer those photos to a cd, take it over to the 24 hour photo place, and print to your heart's content. Cheap, easy, and something anyone will appreciate.

Got a friend or loved one who is too busy to take their clothes to the dry cleaner / organize their desk / repair broken appliances? Surprise them by taking care of some of the things they can't take care of themselves! One of the best gifts I ever received was when a friend surprised me by having my broken camera repaired. And, I know I'd love it if someone offered to organize my desk at home!

There are countless things you can make or do for the people on your holiday shopping list. So, get creative and save yourself some money at the same time.

Holiday Gift Ideas: Outside the Box

2008-12-12T09:37:00.000-08:00

Here are some great websites to check out if you want more creative gift ideas that won't necessarily break the bank.

Uncommon Goods has some expensive items...but some really fun, cheap items. And, there are great things for the babies in your life, too. Check it out for artwork, jewelry, and gifts made out of recycled materials. This is a fun website to explore for all the off-center people you love.

Mod Cloth is my latest discovery, per my mother of all people! Know someone who loves all things vintage? Mod Cloth is for them. And, it might be for you, too. Lots of clothing for cheap, especially the super cute shoes. And, the website is structured so you can shop by interest, which eliminates the possibility of getting distracted by the 200 items you don't need.

Mischief Maker makes an amazing chai. Sadly, it looks like you can only get it online unless you live in Minneapolis. At $7.50 a bag, plus shipping, it makes 8 cups of the most delicious chai I've ever had at home (sorry Trader Joe's, but I don't like the chai mix you offer). Considering a cup of chai at just about any cafe will run you at least $3.00 this is a great deal. The best part is you can store it in your refridgerator and reheat a cup when you're ready. Makes a great gift for the tea lovers.

And, for the hip pre-teen or the adult who just doesn't want to grow up, check out Fred Flare for cool gifts like an iPod boom box or "risky business" sunglasses. I have to admit, I'm kind of in love with the Shinetastic Clasp Purse and the Petit Four Lip Balm Set. Gifts from Fred Flare are sure to earn you serious cool points with those hard to please 13 year olds on your list.

Time's running out for online shopping, so get movin'! A lot of online sites are offering free shipping so take advantage now and save your energy for the treadmill instead of walking the mall.

Save On Your Time Warner Bill Without Haggling

2008-12-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

Consumerist.com is a great blog and abounds with posts to cut your cable bill by threatening to cancel (or by asking for a better price or by deception).

If you want to haggle, more power to you. If you want to save money with less hassle and you have Time Warner Cable, simply use the Price Lock Guarantee option.

After I called Time Warner (1800OKCABLE) to take advantage of the Price Lock guarantee, they discounted my current service to less than what I had been paying, and I am insulated from price increases for 24 months.

Caveat: there is a penalty for early termination, but that's only if you cancel TWC service altogether. Since the wife and I are not moving any time soon, it was a no-brainer to save ourselves $12/mo ($288 over 2 years)*.

And don't forget to take advantage of the Free Movies On Demand that are probably already a part of your package.

*we have DTValue package + high-speed online. Savings vary by package.
Photo by Darren Hester

Recession Fitness

2008-12-09T12:10:00.000-08:00

Assuming you have already cut costs by firing your personal trainer and canceling your membership to the gym you never went to, you may be finding it hard to stay motivated and keep/get yourself in shape. Here are some tips to do that for free:

one hundred push ups

I have a hard time getting motivated, but I found the One Hundred Push-ups regimen very easy to keep up with. The most gratifying part? Seeing results in my upper-body strength and tone within the first couple of weeks.

quick burst workouts

And since time is money, check out these Fast Workouts That Really Work! [from Yahoo! Health].

Even though you're not going to the gym, you might still find yourself in need of fitness clothes. Check out this previous post on where to get good looking sportswear for less.

Happy Hour Locator

2008-12-08T12:00:00.000-08:00

Hopefully we will soon be drinking to celebrate rather than to drown our economic sorrows. Whatever the reason, drink responsibly -- that includes paying less. Coovents uses a Google Maps mash-up to chart current happy hours around town.
(And don't forget MyOpenBar.com in the links section to the right.)

Holiday Gift Ideas: Used Books

2008-12-07T08:29:00.000-08:00

Usually my mom, my dad, 3 brothers and I go overboard with our Christmas gift-giving - we love to give each other gifts and we love to give gifts that are a little more expensive than necessary. As we've added family members with girl/boyfriends and spouses, the spending has gotten massive.
This year, to curb our Christmas spending, we're exchanging used books - we're giving 1-2 used books to each family member. No other gifts allowed, no new books. We all love books and we all love to trawl for used books - so we've actually been having fun while we look for inexpensive but well-considered gifts for each other.

Here in NYC, we have a wealth of amazing used bookstores to poke around in. I'm a fan of The Strand for most anything.
The Housing Works Book Store is another great place to browse - and 100% of profits go directly to Housing Works.
Argosy Books on East 59th is a wonder of rare and pricey old books but the outside table is always filled with fascinating bargains - usually under $10.

Outside NYC I love: Citylights in San Francisco, Epilogue Books in Ballard WA, and Renaissance Bookshop in Milwaukee WI (which has an outpost in the Milwaukee Airport!) - Renaissance doesn't have a website but you can read a little about it here.

Let us know if you've have a favorite used bookstore here in NYC!

Home Cooking Equals Love (and Saves Money)

2008-12-05T10:09:00.003-08:00

I am huge fan of Marcella Hazan -- I used to read her cookbooks before bed when I was little (really!) and practically all my best dishes come from them. Over Thanksgiving, she wrote a lovely editorial in The NY Times about the importance of home cooking.

"Which is why, as we come together over the holidays, we should take a moment to think about how we might become cooks again. We could even begin, in these financially straitened times, by replacing store-bought presents with meals cooked at home.

After all, what experience of food can compare with eating something good made by someone you can hug? Like other forms of human affection, cooking delivers its truest and most enduring gifts when it is savored in intimacy — prepared not by a chef but by a cook and with love."

True that, Marcella.

Recession About Town: Free Admission at Museum of the Moving Image

2008-12-03T12:54:00.000-08:00

During the Holiday season and into 2009, you can see the main exhibit(s) at MoMI for free and for a longer time. Sure they're under construction, but hey, it's free (unless you feel obligated to chip in the suggested $5 donation).

Galleries
Tuesdays through Fridays: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays: noon – 6:00 p.m.
Mondays: Closed

Additional Holiday Hours:
Friday through Sunday, December 26 through 28, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Monday, December 29, 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, January 3 and 4, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
Photo by mconnors

Holiday Gift Ideas: Luna Bazaar

2008-12-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

Looking for inexpensive gifts for your office mates? Check out Luna Bazaar where you'll find beautiful ornaments, candles, and other colorful knick knacks that make thoughtful, simple gifts. Free shipping on orders of $150.00 or more.

We're Officially Relevant!

2008-12-01T11:49:00.000-08:00

Good news -- we are officially in a recession! According to a report by the AP, the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) met and decided that, guess what, we've been in a recession since December 2007! Of course, the Bush Administration never wanted to say the dirty word, but all you hip people who read this blog and, uh, live in the real world, know we've been suffering for awhile now. That's great for us at Recession This! as we get to keep bringing you wonderful news on how to not spend money. And, since you're already a big fan you won't be losing your favorite blog anytime soon.

Holiday Gift Ideas: Home Movies

2008-12-01T10:58:00.001-08:00

You have a box full of vacation slides, family video tapes, heck, maybe even some old movies shot on (gasp!) Super 8. You got rid of your VCR a couple years ago, and you never really owned a slide projector. And, for the life of you, you wouldn't know how to view a Super 8 film even if your old Uncle Lou gave you detailed instructions, along with stories about the "good ol' days" thrown in for free.
Don't know where to take that big box of memories? Head straight to Tanata
where you'll get a 10% discount on all digital transfers. Make your mom cry tears of joy when you relive the terrible two's. Finally get a look at that trip to Amsterdam you took ten years ago. No longer will you be behind the technological times; plus, you'll be able to get rid of that box that's been taking up space in that closet all these years.

Holiday Gift Ideas: Kodak Gallery

2008-11-30T11:18:00.000-08:00

Every year we look for deals during the holidays (the 4:00a.m. trip to WalMart on Black Friday), but this year it feels especially necessary to save some money. If you don't want to spend a fortune, but want to give a gift that is creative, comes from the heart, and is inexpensive visit Kodak Gallery where you can make photo albums, photo cards, calendars, and mugs all starting at very low prices. Your parents love pictures of you; organizing a bunch in a 5 x 7 album on acid-free paper will only cost you $6.99 (starting cost for 10 pictures). And, Kodak Gallery always has some sort of deal going on, whether it's free shipping when you spend a certain amount, or discounts of 20% - 30%. I got four 5 x 7 albums, plus one of the fancy leather bound albums, for only $98.00 -- that's under $100.00 for my immediate family! And, I know it'll be a gift they'll love and have forever.

Democratic Chinese Dr Pepper

2008-11-21T11:15:00.000-08:00

China may not have democracy, but you can have a free Dr Pepper. Because Axl Rose actually finished the album Chinese Democracy before the end of 2008, Dr Pepper is honoring their promise to give every American a free soda, via a coupon on their website (starting Sunday).
Details in this article.

Photo: Jane M Sawyer / cohdra Morguefile.com

Holiday Travel on the Cheap

2008-11-19T08:35:00.000-08:00

Some great sites for saving on holiday travel -- or any travel:

Ride share sites like eRideShare.com and Ridester.com let you connect with people who are driving your way. Or, if you have a car, you can post your trip to find someone to split the gas.

I've never tried it, but I've heard others have survived the Chinatown Bus for travel between NYC and Boston/DC/Philadelphia and other eastern cities.

If you are not opposed to getting e-newsletters, Travelzoo finds and aggregates great travel offers and delivers them to your inbox. (You can also just visit the website.) Today's e-mail included free bus tickets in the northeast and midwest (for Q1 2009) and my pals Sean and Sue are going to Prague in January on the cheap through an offer they found there.

If you are looking for airfare and more:
First read this article in Wired Magazine (orignally found it on lifehacker).

Second use Kayak.com (we've mentioned it before) to find great deals and have the option to compare with Hotwire, Priceline, Expedia, Travelocity and Airfare.com.

Free Movies On Demand

2008-11-18T09:25:00.000-08:00

My first official post! Thanks to the Recession This! Team for having me aboard.

If you have already put your Netflix subscription on hold to save a few bucks, but have kept your cable TV subscription, you can still catch up on great movies any time.

The other day, the wife and I caught A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints and The Mother via Sundance Channel On Demand -- a sub-channel of Free Movies On Demand from Time Warner Cable. It is channel 1008 in Brooklyn/Queens and Manhattan; check channel line-ups to see what other channels you might be missing out on.

If you have another provider (like RCN or Optimum) that offers the same service, let us know!

The Cheap and The Tasty

2008-11-17T16:06:00.001-08:00

If you work in Midtown and still haven't discovered Midtown Lunch, this will be the best news your wallet has gotten in a week. The blog is all about the cheap and the tasty -- two of my favorite topics. It has brought me many new food adventures and happy days away from the generic overpriced deli food. Plus, it always lists free food giveaways!

Search and Share the Wealth

2008-11-11T08:13:00.000-08:00

From our amazing Recession Tipmaster Franke:

Still want to give to good causes but can't even afford peanut butter for your brown bag lunch? Use Goodsearch.com whenever you need to look something up on the web. First choose the charity you want to benefit, and then each time you search using their engine, a portion of ad revenues go to your charity of choice -- at no cost to you!

If You're Reading This, You're Hip

2008-10-26T12:02:00.000-07:00

The New York Times has finally announced to the world how cool we are with an article on the emergence of the Recessionista trend -- though one expert says it's just a way to justify shopping during tough economic times (as long as it's cheap it's okay) but since we were never girls that would consider buying $1235 purses I disagree. But I do like the slogan they pulled from a Sears catalog from the 1930s : Be Smart and Thrifty!

Recession Education

2008-10-21T09:29:00.000-07:00

Lately, I've been too paralyzed by fear as I watch the economy collapse around our ears...I've barely known what to think let alone what to write. Oh, also...I've been working in Louisville, KY since August so I've been out of the NYC cheap stuff loop. So, I mark my return to RT! posting as well as my determination to UNDERSTAND this thing and GET THE BETTER OF IT with a referral to This American Life.

Most of you probably already listen to Ira Glass' slightly twee but always entertaining radio show on your local NPR channel...or perhaps, like me, you do the free weekly podcast.
I want to call out 2 particularly fantastic episodes that you can listen to for FREE.
In May, they aired Episode 355: The Giant Pool of Money which began to explain (for normal people) what the mortgage crisis is and how it happened.
Just a few weeks ago, Episode 365: Another Frightening Show About the Economy followed up with more explanation of what has been happening to the economy.

I urge you savvy RT! readers to listen to both shows - they do a great job of explaining how we got to this crisis without pointing fingers - just logical explaining.
After you listen to the This American Life shows, check out the Planet Money Blog and Podcast. Created by the same team that put together the TAL shows, the blog and the podcast are keeping up with the current economic situation in the same "info for the normal guy" manner.
Now that I'm more informed, I'm starting to creep out of my cave and into the (scary) light of life in a recession.

Recession Consumption: 123 Burger Shot Beer

2008-10-13T13:34:00.000-07:00

The owners of 123 Burger Shot Beer have made recession prices their business model. As the very creative name states, it's $1 Burgers, $2 Shots, $3 Beers. This place is probably a frat infested nightmare in the later hours, but I visited on a lovely sunny Saturday afternoon and we had the patio in the back to ourselves. You have to order at least 3 of the one buck burgers, but they are surprisingly tasty for what are essentially White Castle sliders. (As you can see from the photo, you could eat a lot more than 3 of them). The honey peanut wings were stupidly delish, like a satay on steriods, and all the fried sides we tried hit the spot. Plus, since everything is so cheap you feel like a king -- sure, I'll have another! Yes, bring us waffle fries!

10th Ave between 50th and 51st Street. Beware (or Rejoice, depending on your outlook): There is a little bit of a Hooterish vibe to the place (the waitress's "shorts" were shorter than her apron)...

Recession Consumption: Pie for Dinner

2008-10-07T11:17:00.001-07:00

My time in the UK rekindled my love for all things wrapped in a pastry crust, but sadly Americans are not so hip to the savory pie (other than our comfort favorite the Chicken Pot Pie). Australian friends recently escorted me to pie heaven at the Tuck Shop, where I was delighted by yummy pies with glorious fillings including veggie, Thai curry and traditional beef. Dinner for only $5!

Open late and guaranteed to absorb mass quantities of alcohol.
Tuck Shop is on 1st St between 1st and 2nd Avenue.

Quick Tips: Free Ringtones for iPhone

2008-10-07T08:16:00.001-07:00

Thanks once again to our favorite outside contributor, Franke, for hooking us up with this fancy and fun piece of info. Don't fall victim to paying for iPhone ring tones like I did; watch the video and them for free. Who can afford to buy ring tones when we have to pay the government $700 billion?

Sunday Night Cooking Challenge (on Wednesday)

2008-09-24T10:53:00.000-07:00

One-Pot Rataouille, from Sunset Magazine

3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans (14 1/2 oz. each) diced tomatoes
8 ounces eggplant, rinsed and diced
About 1/2 teaspoon salt
About 1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 pound bell peppers, diced
8 ounces zucchini, diced

I added:
Couscous, Quinoa, or pasta
Goat Cheese

The recipe also called for these ingredients but I didn’t use them and it turned out great:
8 ounces yellow summer squash, diced
3/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

1. In your biggest frying pan, heat 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and simmer for about a minute.
2. Add tomatoes (with juice), eggplant, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1/2 cup water and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until eggplant is soft when pierced, about 10 minutes.
3. Prepare couscous or grain of your choice according to package directions.
3. Stir in bell peppers, zucchini, and yellow squash. Return to a simmer, cover, and cook until squash is tender when pierced, 8 to 10 minutes longer.
4. (I skipped this step) Stir in basil and remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil. Add more salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve on top of the couscous and sprinkled with goat cheese. The goat cheese is key as it brings it to a new level of delish that will make you happy to eat it for lunch the next few days!

Recessiontainment: Free TV

2008-09-22T13:30:00.000-07:00

If you haven't discovered hulu.com check it out. Catch up on some of those t.v. shows you've missed for free. That's right, no need to spend money on Netflix or buying dvds on Amazon that you'll only watch once. And, if you do it now you can catch up on all 7 episodes of Lipstick Jungle before the season 2 premier on Wednesday, September 24th at 10:00p.m. on NBC.

Loose Change

2008-09-22T12:46:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Franke for this. And, have fun seeing how much change you can find in a day.

http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/08/13/change_hunters/

Recessionista: Revisiting Old Habits

2008-09-22T09:47:00.000-07:00

Wow. Are we screwed economically or what? I don't know about you, but I am freaking out. I'm not going to pretend like I understand why or how Lehman Brothers collapsed, AIG is in the toilet, and Merrill Lynch is downgrading to "bank" status. What I do know is my already fragile financial life is doing it's own circle down the drain. But, it's fall and it's time to make wardrobe improvements. What's a budget-conscience freaked out girl to do when she feels like she can't shop, yet the air is cooling down and she wants to look cute? Go to Old Navy! Maybe you're like me and needed a break from this discount Gap because 1. you don't want to look like everyone else, 2. you feel you've outgrown it, and 3. now that you're older and making more money you should shop at grown up places. Well, I spent a little time at ON recently after a long hiatus, and was pleasantly surprised by the selection, the diversity of styles, and the accessories. ON sells shoes now! And, they're, like, totally cute! And, the jewelry is fun, bright, and adorable! I dived into the many dresses and skirts they have for fall and found many things I liked that were also flattering. The best part came when I reluctantly picked up a pair of jeans and added them to my dressing room stash. My expectations were low; I have trouble finding jeans that fit in more expensive stores, so I was sure ON could not possibly have jeans I could wear. Imagine my utter joy when I tried on what they call their "Sweetheart Fit" and they wrapped around my curves to perfection. The best part -- they cost $29.50. $29.50 for jeans! That fit! And look good! And don't look cheap! I'll be going back to get them in every wash.
So, ladies, the lesson here is revisit those places you've written off as they might surprise you. The second lesson -- that perfect thing you're looking for (jeans, for example) might be where you least expect them.

NYTVF

2008-09-15T06:03:00.001-07:00

I can't believe we ladies here at Recession This! forgot to post this amazing FREE event. The New York Television Festival began on September 12th and offers free screenings of pilots made by people from all over the country. Not only are the pilot screenings free, but there are several panel discussions featuring professionals in the entertainment industry which are also open to the public for FREE. Check out NYTVF for more details. And, if you're around Wednesday afternoon at 3:30, come on down to see Living In Captivity, a 22 minute sitcom about zookeepers, written by Nicole Greevy, Uma Incrocci, and Erica Jensen.

Recession Consumption: Brunch at Home

2008-09-10T08:15:00.000-07:00

The Recession This! Girls love brunch, but sometimes $16 for a waffle can seem ridiculous. Inspired by my latest web obsession, Smitten Kitchen, and her deliciously simple recipe for huevos rancheros, I fed my Queens neighborhood posse for the price of one Manhattan brunch entree!

eggs $3.49
2 cans goya black beans $3.38
Sour cream $1.79
Shredded Cheese $5.29
Corn tortillas $1.29

Total: $15.24

It helped that I had a ton of gorgeous tomatoes to make fresh salsa with-- I can't wait to eat them again next weekend!

Recession Consumption: Puttanesca

2008-08-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

I love brunch. I believe brunch should include a free alcoholic beverage. But, while it's never hard to find brunch in the city it's getting more and more difficult to find many restaurants that still offer the free mimosa / bloody mary / bellini / screwdriver.
What The Husband and I discovered completely on accident today was Puttanesca's brunch deal: for $8.00 they offer unlimited bloody marys, mimosas, and strawberry or peach bellinis. And, with their already really low prices (eggs benedict for $7.50 which can with a salad and potatoes) this is a pretty good deal. That is, if you have a Sunday you can spend drunk for the afternoon. The Husband and I did not partake in the unlimited alcohol as we could not face the rest of the beautiful day wasted, but the next time we can we're totally going back.
Please note: dinner here is $$$. Brunch is much less.

Recession Consumption: Urbanspoon

2008-08-21T02:00:00.000-07:00

For all you iPhone owners out there if you haven't added the application Urbanspoon stop reading and do so now. First of all, it's free. Second of all, it totally works. Say you need a cheap place to eat, but you're in an unfamiliar neighborhood. With Urbanspoon all you gotta do is pick your neighborhood, type of food you want to eat, and how much you want to spend. Hit "shake" and, like a slot machine, Urbanspoon will find your request within seconds. And, you don't even have to know what you want to eat or how much you want to spend. The application has a feature where you can lock in the the neighborhood, but keep the type of food and $ open fields open. Or, you can lock the neighborhood and type of food, but keep the $ field free. Or...well, you get the idea. The Husband and I used Urbanspoon one night before meeting friends in the East Village. We needed dinner before a night of drinking, so we plugged in "East Village" and "$"; Urbanspoon hooked us up with Velseka where we had two sandwiches, two beverages, chips and cole slaw for $18.00.

Recessionista: Nothing to Wear? Call A Friend!

2008-08-20T09:38:00.000-07:00

It happens all the time. You've got a swanky NYC party to attend and it's going to require wardrobe no less than something out of Sex & The City. Three hours before the shindig you're in your closet and nothing is right. You can't wear that BCBG dress because 3 friends who will be at the party saw you in it two months ago. That sexy yellow thingy you bought on impulse still doesn't have matching shoes or coordinating accessories. Before you panic and run for the nearest "Clothes for Ho's" pick up the phone and call someone who knows your closet. Sometimes a friend can offer a perspective on your wardrobe that you can't see because, hey, you bought those H&M pants to go with the Daffy's blouse and they can't possibly go with anything else...can they? I speak from experience. Recently, I had a loft party in Soho that I wasn't going to miss, but after destroying my closet I still had nothing to wear. I called my friend Amanda to find out what she was wearing. Sensing my problem Amanda suggested I wear "those cute denim shorts" she's seen me in, like, once. I never imagined those shorts could be anything other than super casual, but Amanda said I should pair them with a fancy top and some heels. Sure enough, I found something totally perfect in my closet to go with the Forever 21 shorts. A pair of gold heels and gold clutch, a long green and gold necklace, and gold earrings completed the outfit...and I didn't have to spend a dime. To top it off, I looked very "Soho Loft Party". So remember, you've got three life lines: always phone a friend first!

Recessionista: Fabulously Fit

2008-08-14T12:46:00.000-07:00

As a marathon runner I am clad in active wear just about every day. I've accumulated quite a running wardrobe over the years, and, admittedly, I'm a sucker for all things Nike. (Except their shoes which don't offer me enough support. But I digress.) However, in these recession times Nike prices aren't jiving with my budget, so I've done a little research on where to get good looking sportswear for less.

Let's start with Old Navy where I discovered tanks and shorts for $14.50 each. I even saw a pair of shorts on sale for $8.00. They offer a wide array of colors, though not as many styles as one might want, but compare this with Nike's $25.00 - $65.00 price tag and, well, you don't have to do the math to know that you're saving major ducats. And, if you need more encouragement, my good friend and avid runner Mariana wore a pair of Old Navy shorts on a 16 miler and said they were super comfortable.

Next I did a little on line visit to Kmart where I found a decent selection of running and yoga wear. Not much variety, but lots of cute colors. And, I noticed a scuba hoodie for $8.00. Their prices start even cheaper than Old Navy, ranging from $7.99 - $14.99.

It's hard to find good deals at places that specialize in sportswear. So, if you want to look great running in the park or in the yoga studio or even in the gym and you don't want to spend a lot of dinero get your gear from retailers that carry a variety of merchandise.

Recession Reading: Coupons are Cool?

2008-08-09T12:52:00.000-07:00

This is old news, but I'm in Scotland so I'm a little slow (too many pints). The New York Times has called attention to a new movement-- apparently us gals at Recession This! are Frugalistas. Check out this article on the new hip hobby: clipping coupons! I tried one of those coupon sites years ago and thought they were a waste of time-- I'll have to check out coupons.com and couponwinner.com and report back. It will be hard to convert me-- I sort of enjoy the mindless browsing through the Sunday coupons... there's something soothing (and very minorly crafty) about getting out the scissors. And I don't need more time on the computer...

Quick Tips

2008-08-08T07:23:00.000-07:00

Starbucks is becoming my new favorite company. They recognize when they need to make changes to keep their business afloat in this crazy economy. So here's a quick tip for all you coffee lovers: if you make a purchase before 2:00p.m., bring your receipt back after 2:00p.m. for a grande cold drink for $2.00. Same day only. Not only will you save some cash, but if you drink your beverage in the store ask for a porcelain mug instead of a cardboard cup, and you'll be saving a tree as well!

Recessionista: Make Money Off Your Duds

2008-08-07T07:31:00.000-07:00

Done with those Prada shoes and Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress? Take it over to Encore, a consignment shop that buys gently used designer garb from regular people like you. Encore will price your duds and split the sale with you 50/50. Price is determined by condition, style, and label. And, they only take what's in season, so don't try to sell that gorgeous Michael Kors skort in the winter.

So now you're saying, "Recessionista, I don't have a closet full of designer wear. I'm more of a vintage girl." Guess what? You can play this game, too. Cheap Jacks will buy your 1950's and older clothes outright. No sharing cost or splitting the profits. The owner is usually there from 12:00 - 4:00 to check out your collection, but call the day before to make sure he's in. Prices vary based on condition and age of the garment.

UK Recession Sessions

2008-08-06T09:30:00.000-07:00

Even the Brits are worried about Credit-crunch cuisine. This article caught my eye on the front page of The Times (not the New York Times) as I shopped for bargains at the Scotmid-- my Edinburgh corner store (much nicer than any NY bodega). They recommend The Frugal Cook-- a UK version of Recession This!-- right down to the identical green layout!

Recession About Town: Free Outdoor movies!

2008-08-05T06:27:00.000-07:00

The August heat is here and it's a challenge to find ways to avoid running your A/C all the time. Try saving on your energy bill by checking out one of the many FREE Outdoor movie festivals in the city. Most are located in breezy, open areas to keep you cool and there's one for almost every day of the week!

Monday: The always crowded but classic Bryant Park Summer Film Festival is a fun night with a Hollywood classic. Get there early to find a good spot and picnic while you wait for the sun to go down. Get a group together for Superman on August 18.

Wednesday: FOUR great movie venues!
The Museum of the Moving Image is hosting free movies at Socrates Sculpture Park in Astoria. Tonight's movie is a double-bill of The Red Balloon+Persepolis. Check the calendar for upcoming films.

Thompkins Square Park shows movies every other Wed night through September 19th. It's a small park, so arrive early to get an unobstructed view of the screen. The next flick is The Graduate on August 13 or get your scream on at The Shining on Sept 19.

On the West Side check out River Flicks for Grown-Ups every Wed at Hudson River Park- FREE popcorn! Tonight's movie is NYC classic Saturday Night Fever - the series ends with The Blues Brothers on August 20.

Summer on the Hudson: Movies Under the Stars brings free movies to Riverside Park on the UWS. This summer the theme is Election Night with the original Manchurian Candidate tonight, Primary Colors next Wed and ending with All the President's Men on August 20.

Thursday: Go for Movies With a View under the Brooklyn Bridge. Brooklyn Radio DJs set the scene, RICE provides meals on site and there's even free valet bike parking from Transportation Alternatives. Don't miss next week's screening of Cabaret!

Friday: River Flicks for Kids at Hudson River Park offers family/kid friendly movies that also appeal to adults and FREE popcorn. This Friday I'll be there for my favorite kid movie, The Goonies!

And check out other special outdoor screenings:
Central Park is showing free NYC-themed movies at Rumsey Playfield every night August 19 - 23. I know running girl will be there on August 22 for her favorite movie, Moonstruck.

Finally, Rooftop Films brings films of all kinds to NYC rooftops all summer long. Venues and times vary so check the schedule for up-to-date screenings and locations. Tonight Trouble on the Water, a documentary about an aspiring rap artist and her streetwise husband who are trapped in New Orleans by deadly floodwaters, screens at Harlem Meer in Central Park.

Get out there and keep cool!

Sunday Night Cooking Challenge

2008-08-03T11:49:00.000-07:00

Beef and Sweet Potato Stew

I finally put the Crock-Pot to the test last week and made this delicious stew. (Full disclosure: I made it on a Tuesday morning and not Sunday night.) Stews are great because they last for about 3 or more meals and they're pretty cheap to make. You probably have most of the ingredients in your pantry. When I made it I only had to buy the beef for $5.75. Thanks to About.com for this recipe.

* 1 1/2 pounds lean stew beef
* 3 tablespoons flour
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon pepper
* 1 large onion (or 2 medium), halved and cut in 1/4 inch slices
* 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
* 1 large sweet potato, cut in 1 1/2-inch cubes
* 1/2 cup beef stock (canned, or from bouillon or base)
* 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1/2 to 1 cup frozen peas or green beans (thawed)
* salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:
Toss stew beef with the flour and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet; brown beef and onion. Place sweet potato cubes in the Crock Pot; add beef and onions. Mix beef broth with cinnamon and pour over beef mixture. Cover and cook on low 8 to 10 hours. Add peas or green beans during the last 15 to 20 minutes. Good with biscuits.
Serves 4.

Drugstore price challenge

2008-08-02T14:00:00.000-07:00

I was given a hint several weeks ago that NYC's Bed Bath and Beyond stores (or at least, the one on 6th Ave & 18th Street) stocks super-discounted drugstore staples and toiletries. They don't sell this stuff on the Bed Bath and Beyond website, unfortunately. I had been finding good deals online at Drugstore.com but lately, I've noticed that the prices are only competitive when they're having a sale. While Recession This! does advocate sale hunting - I find it valuable to have a reliable, reasonably priced source for basic drugstore items.

I did some price comparison between Bed Bath and Beyond(BBB), Drugstore.com’s regular prices and ubiquitous local drugstore chain Duane-Reade (DR). It's is a very casual comparison and not every item was available at all 3 stores. To my surprise, BBB comes out significantly cheaper on every item.
Here are the results:
Please take note that prices change at the whim of the market and this is only a comparison of a few items over a few days.

Quick Tips

2008-08-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

This in from super recession friend Jody F:

In the summer, don't turn on your air conditioner when you're cleaning your apartment. You'll save money on your energy bill and you'll save energy. Not only are you helping your pocketbook, you're helping the environment. And, who cares if you're hot and sweaty while you're cleaning -- you have to take a shower afterwards anyway.

Recession About Town: One Story

2008-07-31T06:14:00.000-07:00

A friend brought this great program to my attention. If you enjoy reading and discovering up and coming authors, check it out!

One Story is a non-profit literary magazine that features one great short story mailed to subscribers every three weeks.
A one-year subscription (that's 18 stories) is only $21. This would be an amazing gift for an avid reader. Plus, they make perfect subway reading since they're printed small enough to fit in your back pocket.

One Story also has a free monthly Cocktail Hour & Reading Series allowing their readers and writers to mingle. The readings are usually the first Friday of the month at Pianos. Each month's featured reader chooses a favorite cocktail which is sold at a fair and reduced price from 6:30pm until 8:00pm!
And if you're a writer, you can submit your story for consideration.

Recession This loves an affordable way to support new writers, intellectualize, enjoy a cocktail, and meet new folks!

Recessionista: Bull's Eye

2008-07-29T20:56:00.000-07:00

I snatched up this cute outfit from Target. Made by Converse (who knew they made anything other than shoes?), it's sporty, but paired with a pair of heels takes it to the drinks-after-work level. And, the best part -- the skirt and blouse were $24.99 each. Paired with my favorite shoes it's $50.00 outfit. And, because the colors are neutral I can probably mix and match with other clothes already in my closet.

Dear (Recession) Diary

2008-07-28T13:30:00.000-07:00

Dear Diary,

Today I realized that I have had the same 3 movies from Netflix sitting at home for over a month! I pay $16.99 per month for unlimited 3-at-a-time but I've been so busy finding great cheap events that I haven't even watched one movie in over 6 weeks - what a waste of money. Next month, I'll downgrade to 1-at-a-time for only $4.99. Or maybe I'll even put my account on hold for up to 90 days while I focus on my social life.

UK Recession Sessions

2008-07-26T14:37:00.000-07:00

Recession This! has dispatched a intrepid reporter into the field to gather recession news from around the globe. Here's the latest scoop from London: a dollar bill's worth about as much as a post-it. We can all take a break from complaining about New York prices. In fact, this weekend, go to the movies and be happy to pay $12 a ticket. I went to see Hancock (one of those movies that's enjoyable but if you think about it for one minute afterwards you realize it actually makes no sense) and it cost me 9 British Pounds. Ladies and Gentlemen, that's $18!!! Go ahead, get the popcorn-- it's still a deal!