Paranoia is Healthy

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

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

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

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)

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

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

More Free Book Chapters

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

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

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

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.