Weekly Top Five Freebies and Cheapies

Every week, I scavenge the Internet, US cities, nay, the world to bring you, my beloved, the best freebies and cheapies that life has to offer. (P.S. I promise to include at least one "date" offering for my penny-pinching friends who know that lack of income should never mean lack of love!)

1. Cheap Designer Shoes. In case you are a bibliophobe, rest assured that Amazon is not just for bookworms! Stop by here and cheap out 80% off luxury brand shoes from Givenchy and others.

2. Cheap NYC Theatre. What if I told you that for the price of $10 plus the role of a dice, you could see 30 plays? Not to worry, my ADD friends, these plays, an exercise in interactive chaos, are performed in 60 minutes, engaging the audience, who is welcome to BYOB to the show. Check out the Neo-Futurists play, "Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind," every Friday and Saturday nights at 10:30 pm.

3. Free Street Fairs. For NYC dwellers or visitors for the holiday weekend, the Street Fair is a staple NYC summer affair, a carnivalesque arena of cheap trinkets, exotic wares, and a range of ethnic foods for your sampling pleasure.  I crave the falafel in the off-season.  Check out this site for the wheres and whens.

4. Free Perfume.  Download this coupon and receive a free purse size bottle of Clinique Happy.  Like we have said all along, in a recession, it is still free to get Happy!  (Bad puns, unfortunately, are also free!)

5. Free Advice for the Pinked-slipped.  Recessionwire has done a great job of consolidating and centralizing excellent articles on the how-to's of unemployment.  Check out everything from severance advice to debt management.

Weekly Top Five Freebies and Cheapies

Every week, I scavenge the Internet, US cities, nay, the world to bring you, my beloved, the best freebies and cheapies that life has to offer. (P.S. I promise to include at least one "date" offering for my penny-pinching friends who know that lack of income should never mean lack of love!)

1. Free Beach Read. For those of you heading ocean side this spring, nothing compliments the smell of suntan lotion and taste of that first pina colada like a good, old-fashioned chic lit novel. Get a free copy of the book (most recently turned film) Confessions of a Shopaholic for that perfect vacation trifecta.

2. Cheap Fashion. Maxstudio's Supersale, with many items 70-80% off, allows Recessionista's to indulge their inner Fashionista without the trip to Confession post purchase.

3. Free Comedy at Your Fingertips. For those of you who cut cable extras, like DVR, to save some dinero, you no longer have to miss out on the latest from those cuddly, crass characters of Southpark. Check out http://www.southparkstudios.com/ for the latest episode in its entirety (with no commercials!) Just don't overindulge in the cheesy poofs!

4. Reduced-Price Lingerie. This Recessionista simply can not "bare" to describe La Perla undergarments as "cheap!" NYC Recessionistas can indulge in this exquisite line's sample sale today with as much as 80% off. Tres Jolie!

5. Free Recession Lexicon. To be en vogue these days, you must stay on top of the vernacular of the moment. Thankfully, the ladies at Recessionwire are giving up-to-the-moment vocab lessons to keep you trendy and clever at cocktail hour. Learning terms like "Slay-offs" and "Funemployment," you will be the hit of the discounted happy hour you attend tonight!

Weekly Top Five Freebies and Cheapies

Every week, I scavenge the Internet, US cities, nay, the world to bring you, my beloved, the best freebies and cheapies that life has to offer. (P.S. I promise to include at least one "date" offering for my penny-pinching friends who know that lack of income should never mean lack of love!)

1. Cheap Way to Stay Healthy: As the weather warms up, we tend to spend more time outside. Most people know they should wear sunscreen, but most people do not know that moisturizers and foundations purporting an "SPF" typically do not offer "broad-spectrum protection" - namely they only block out a portion of skin damaging UVA rays. Take an extra 20 seconds and apply Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 85 to exposed skin; a tiny investment ($10) now can save you a lot of pain later.

2. Cheap Way to Look Healthy: I expect a fear of following #1 is trying to make Casper the new tan. Recessionista, puhlease! I wouldn't leave you out to dry! Try Physician's formula powder bronzer for $10 at the local drugstore, or, for a recovering Tan-aholic, perhaps you should splurge on Benefit's Jiffy Tan bronzer, a liquid that caused the Chairman of the Board at my company to ask me where I went on vacation.

3. Free Chance to Show Off Your Snuggie: Rather than let that fleecy blanket-cum-garment continue to collect dust at the back of your closet where it has been since Christmas given your inability to regift it, show it off at the The Snug, a 9th Avenue NYC bar that will be hosting The (free) Snug Fest this Saturday, April 11th. Be sure to take pictures and send them to that great aunt of yours who, bless her heart, knew you needed a snuggie.

4. Free Healthcare: With so many people I know losing their jobs recently, Walgreen Clinics have stepped in to play Healthcare's White Knight to the recently unemployed. If you have lost your job since the end of March, you are likely eligible for this program. Click on the link for specific details, and hats off to Walgreens for having a heart.

5. Free Way to Save Yourself Alot of $$$: If you think that the time and complexities of getting to a customer service representative to ask about a bill, make a complaint, are just bad luck or an afterthought of an engineer, then I think you might cut back on the Margaritas, Recessionista! With the help of this incredible directory to an extraordinary plethora of major business, you will get to experience the natural buzz of getting directly dialed in...saving yourself time, frustration, and, because we all know humans are much more respsonsive than prerecorded, non-emotive, robotic voices (well, most humans anyway...), you will save money.

Living La Vida Broke-ah

If the creators of South Park can come up with hundred of ways to "Kill Kenny," one can imagine that there must be many other sites that offer valuable deals, discounts, and overall tips to fabulous living on a budget. Recessionista Roadmap wants to arm all of the masses with these, and we will continue to spotlight blogs and websites that can contribute to a positive outlook on life during dark economic times. Here are a few of note:

Popsugar: This website offers fabulous up to the minute tips on beauty and lifestyle, entertaining, technology, and, for the uber-indulgent Recessionista, a plethora of celebrity gossip. With special offers and fantastic tips, this is one to check out when you need a break from perusing Monster.com.

Wisebread: Who wants stale, dried-up financial advice, when a deliciously-written, starchy alternative is a hop, skip, and click away? Wisebread offers daily savings tips that, while entertaining you, can help increase the, er, dough in your pocket.

4 Reluctant Entertainers: I've met Martha Stewart and can honestly say there is only ONE of her in the world. Time to get realistic. However, the reality is Recessionistas can throw fabulous parties, be tremendously creative, and accomplish all of this on a budget. This website is loaded with excellent examples and lessons learned. It's a good thing.

Recessionista Tip of the Day: So, you can't quite kick your Starbucks habit - no judgement, Recessionista! However, instead of falling prey to the green and white cupped monster, try a quick stop by Dunkin Donuts instead. A Venti latte at Starbucks will run you $3.65, where the DD equivalent is $3.29. This minor switch saves you $131 annually. If/when you give up your daily DD habit, you save, brace yourself, $1200, yes, twelve hundred dollars. That overburnt office cup of joe never tasted so good, right?

Beating the Sunday Blahs

I have found that many Recessionistas have a difficult time with Sundays, evenings especially. The weekend is virtually over, and work stress steals your last moments of freedom. Stop checking your email, put down the work, and let the laundry wait until tomorrow. You deserve every last moment of your weekend. Here are a few ways to enjoy this evening on the cheap:

1. Phone a friend. Sunday evening is a very good time to call friends you meant to call during the week (don't feel bad - it happens to the best of us.) Plus, because your pal likely has the Sunday blahs too, he/she will be especially thankful for a chat.

2. Indulge Unashamed In Bad Television. Many Recessionistas live very busy lives that afford little time (or interest, for that matter) for television. Regardless of your vice (Law and Order, ESPN Sports Center, Real Housewives of New York), this is the night to enjoy guilt-free. Go ahead and turn on Lifetime Movie Network, no one is watching.

3. Get Hot. Create a little at-home spa time. Run a bubble bath or enjoy a steamy shower, and end your weekend with a quiet evening of relaxing and grooming. You can even get really creative and throw together your own "at home" spa products to enhance the experience. Here are a couple of recipes.

Vanilla Sugar Scrub

1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup oil (almond is ideal, but vegetable or olive will work too)

1-2 Tablespoons of Vanilla Extract.

Combine the ingredients in a pretty bowl and lavish on your skin in the bath or shower. Rinse and smile - you just saved the $30 you would have spent at the Origins counter.

Creamy Rose Bath

1 Cup Rose Petals OR
1/2 Cup Rose Water (found in health food stores)
1/2 Cup Coconut Milk

Add ingredients to a warm bath and drift away. You would pay $50-100 for a similar experience at the Spa.

4. Cook. Sunday evening is the perfect time to enjoy the quiet solace of the kitchen and prepare delicious entrees (on a budget, of course) for the week ahead. After all, the Sunday blahs might be bad, but the brown bag blahs are worse! (P.S. Look for our upcoming series of Recessionista Recipes!)

5. Get Nostalgic. Make yourself a mug of tea with milk and honey or pour yourself a glass of red wine, then sit down with that big old memory box collecting dust in your closet, and enjoy a proverbial walk down memory lane as you look through photos, cards, and love letters from the ex you un-friended on Facebook.

Recessionista Tip of the Day: Whether shopping at the mall or the grocery store, the ease of the credit/debit card can create a false sense of infinite money supply and lead to unplanned and usually unnecessary purchases. Make a list of what you need and bring CASH (only enough to cover the cost of the items).

Weekly Top Five Freebies and Cheapies

Every week, I scavenge the Internet, US cities, nay, the world to bring you, my beloved, the best freebies and cheapies that life has to offer. (P.S. I promise to include at least one "date" offering for my penny-pinching friends who know that lack of income should never mean lack of love!)

1. Cheap Date: One of the easiest ways to make it through a first date without sweat stains under your arms is to kick off the night with a few libations. Unfortunately for New York City dwellers, this can mean a $30 -50 bill for the two drinks you both indulge in before dinner. Fortunately, there is Welcome to the Johnson's, a bar straight out of the 1970's, with decor and prices to match. PBR's, running a mere $1.75, are served in a can, the pool table seems transported from your uncle's basement, and somehow the television that your Grandma sold at the rummage sale two decades ago has made its way here. All of that, and you will find the bartenders (see Shye, above - photo by the lovely Angie Cope) to embody Lower East Side sexy. Just don't let your date catch you checking them out!

2. Cheap Smells: Not to be confused with smelling cheap, http://www.luckyscents.com/ offers sample sized containers of exclusive fragrances for a mere $3 (Guys, I know, I know - you can practically buy 2 PBRs at Welcome to the Johnson's for that price, but trust me, the ladies love this type of thing.) If your taste in fragrance is a little more mainstream, stop by Sephora - they will make you a sample of your favorites for free.

3. Free Trivia: You are enjoying your PBR with your date (who, by the way, smells awesome because he/she picked up their free vile of fragrance at Sephora earlier) when the conversation starts to dwindle. We have all been there, but, thanks to http://www.mentalfloss.com/, you don't have to suffer through an awkward turtle moment. For instance, think of how impressed your date will be when you explain the difference between Celsius and Kelvin, and watch he/she swoon when you tell them 9 Things they never knew about H. Ross Perot. Give Facebook a break and check it out.

4. Cheap Omiyage: The Japanese have this fabulous tradition of Omiyage, the art of gift giving. Even when they go on a first date, gentlemen are expected to bring a small gift as a sign of honor Take a cue, my friends - go to http://www.etsy.com/ for inexpensive homemade gifts that you don't have time to make yourself. Surprise a date, charm a hostess, or make your boss's day, and it is still cheaper than a bottle of wine. Domo Arigato!

5. Free Shopping Spree: Before your fabulous date, you will clearly need to find a new outfit. Notice I said "find" instead of "buy." Recessionista Kristi from DC suggests grabbing your best friend or trusted fashionista and playing "Dress-up." This involves your best friend and newly appointed personal stylist looking through everything currently in your wardrobe, even items collecting dust (hello, lace bodysuit circa 1990), and creating new, fabulous looks for you by mixing and matching pieces you already own. This is guaranteed to break you out of your everyday black turtleneck rut.

Recessionista Tip of the Day: Student loans - these are the two words that kill any one's jello shot buzz. Wouldn't it be great if you could just make your day to day purchases and slowly but surely the loan would disappear. Your wish is my command, Recessionista! Check out http://www.upromise.com/, a site that contributes a percentage of your purchases back towards paying off your loans. Now, that's smart!

Weekly Top Five Freebies and Cheapies

February 26, 2009



Every week, I scavenge the Internet, US cities, nay, the world to bring you, my beloved, the best freebies and cheapies that life has to offer. (P.S. I promise to include at least one "date" offering for my penny-pinching friends who know that lack of income should never mean lack of love!)



1. Cheap Glamour: Even during the Great Depression, ladies still put on their faces. However, if the idea of spending 30 dollars or more on a tube of lipstick causes you to cringe, spare yourself the crows-feet promoting expression and check out http://www.eyeslipsface.com/home. With prices starting at $1, don't mistake the low cost with a lack of quality. Special thanks to Noura for sharing this beauty "secret!"

2. Free Performances: All Hail, my DC Recessionistas! In case you are mulling about the nation's capital feeling like your only free entertainment option is to come up with a cause to protest and picket for, think again. The Kennedy Center offers free performances to the public every night! Given the multi-cultural nature of the performances, this is a good opportunity to bring a date to show that, while you are broke, you are at least worldly.

3. Cheap Elegant Dining: Beginning this weekend, Seattle kicks off its "Dining Around Seattle" celebration, a month-long showcase of many high-end Seattle restaurants on a prix fix of $30 for dinner, $15 for lunch. Take the money you saved on lipstick and dig in!

4. Free Harvard Degree: Ok, not really. However, a little known secret is that you can download coursework and even lectures from Harvard and other schools for free. Download, read up, and impress your friends with an hour lecture on thermodynamics next time at the bar - a crowd pleaser, to be sure! Also, check out http://www.oculture.com/

5. Free P. Diddy Vodka: Everyone gets free Chiroc vodka this Sunday, March 1, at the LGBT party "Spritz at the Ritz", at the Ritz on 46th between 8th and 9th Avenues, NYC. DJ Jon Jon Battles hosts this no cover dance party. Smells like a wild, Recessionista-approved good time!

Recessionista Tip of the Day: Keep your change. Clean out the bottom of your purse, the ashtray of your car, and between the cushions on the couch, and store them in an empty jar or that Ming Dynasty vase you were looking to put to use. Before you know it, you will be able to afford to pay for your own drinks at the bar*

*converting coins to cash highly recommended prior to bar order placement