Dust Off Your Library Card and Check These Out

In all fairness, I have self-control issues in book stores. I dated someone who could not help but purchase multiple DVDs every time we went to Best Buy or Target (Side note: Target and superstores in general are VERY dangerous places for any Recessionista, as it is nearly impossible to leave those stores with a ten item surplus to whatever you initially intended to purchase.) One of my best friends will only purchase entire albums from iTunes, leading to costly sprees (and, sadly, many songs I have to skip through when listening to her iPod.) Regardless of your vice, this turbulent economy is no place for gratuitous spending on entertaining novelties, especially when there is a magic little device that still allows you to bring music, DVDs, and books home for your consumptive pleasure. Yes, I am referring to the library card! So, dig through your sock drawer or the box of Mardi Gras beads you earned on college spring break, find that good old card, and check these out:

Read This:

Collected Poems: 1947-1997 by Alan Ginsberg

"I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked..." from Howl, by Alan Ginsberg

For those of you sadly unfamiliar with the Beat poets (Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, William Burroughs, etc.), this generation of writers emphasized a bohemian lifestyle and openness to the grittiness of the world. These authors all promoted an anti-conformist existence, and it is so much cooler to call yourself anti-conformist than to call yourself broke.

Watch This:

Labyrinth (1986)

David Bowie, when he still wore outrageous make-up, stars with a very young Jennifer Connelly, along with a slew of creepy Goblin Muppets in this slightly cheesy and fabulously 80's film. Under the signature hand of Jim Hensen, this movie remains a cult classic. Silver Bowie Spandex not included in rental.





Listen to This:

Lenka by Lenka

Relatively undiscovered pop music - yum, the best kind! This light, breezy album is the perfect way to tune out that friend who keeps complaining that they can't decide which Marc Jacobs bag to purchase this season. As for my masochistic Recessionistas who enjoy ruminating about the one that got away, the track "Like A Song" should provide the proverbial knife in the heart you are seeking. http://www.lenkamusic.com/


Recessionista Tip of the Day: Every one knows the cliche "Time is Money." A good way to save time and avoid missing out on amazing shopping sales and deals is to sign-up for the automated (and free!) personal shopper service: http://www.shopittome.com/. This website will send you email notifications when their are sale items available in your size or to your liking, and you can stop spending work hours shopping on the internet and start spending more time on Facebook and LinkedIn, looking for your fabulous next career move.