The Peek is pretty ingenious in its simplicity. And I think a lot of other people would agree with me. There’s something nice about ditching the gadgets with the bells and whistles for one that does the one thing I need — deliver email. No more, no less..

Coney Island will play host to the First Annual Parachute Literary and Performance Festival, a two day celebration of poetry, prose, spoken word, and artistic expression. The free events (starting at 6:30pm each evening) will be held in two locations: The New York Aquarium’s Alien Stingers Exhibit, and the Coney Island Library.

Two nights ago, LifeStyler intern Francesca Antonacci and I attended the opening of the new Housing Works AIDS foundation/thrift store in Tribeca. This one houses two floors of goods and words cannot express how much I love this organization.

So for those of you whose lack of monetary funds is indeed stunting your professional and intellectual growth, we’ve found 5 free resources you can use to improve your education and acquire new skills.

I wouldn’t say that I’m the biggest sport fan, but I do love going to baseball games. The screaming crowds, the sea of jerseys, the intensity of overtime. But expensive seats, traffic jams and break-the-bank beers prices can make the experience less than stellar. Thankfully, Duke’s in Union Square has ponied up a nice solution to that problem: a front-row seat and ice cold beer – sans the insane prices.

Looking for something eclectic? Antique? Cheaper? Flea markets are the answer to your plea. Large and small, indoor and outdoor, in parks or school yards, fleas are a great place to find the unique treasures you’ve been searching for. You’re sure to find original pieces from designers or that perfect antique clock you’ve been searching for. And if you’re in a DIY mode, you can always get something at a low price and then re-furbish, re-paint and re-design it to fit your own style. For an additional bonus, a lot of fleas have food vendors and are adjacent to farmer’s markets where you can pick up locally produced fruits and veggies. Make a day of it at one of these fleas in New York:

Ever wish you had a way of seeing what your career might be like in 20 years? Yeah, me too. However, since the DeLorean was our best effort at time travel and because most us are not willing to pay $40 an hour to have someone read our future from a foggy crystal ball, your best bet might be going with a medium of foretelling that’s a little more realistic. [More...]

While a having a career mentor may not seem like the most fantastical way of getting a glimpse of your future career, it’s certainly something that all young professional should deeply consider having for the many benefits and insights that a mentor can provide. The following five reasons will explain how you can gain insight, get helpful criticisms, build your professional network and make yourself an invaluable asset to any company — all by taking on a mentor.

Cancelled your cable to save money on cash, but now find yourself dying for some quality television content? No worries. The staff here at LifeStyler has your back, and we’re gonna give one lucky reader the Full 9 Seasons of Seinfeld. But like everything in life, this beautiful DVD set, encased in faux suede and boasting a coffee table book, doesn’t come without a little bit of work.

Every so often, amongst the stacks of bills piling up in your mailbox, you’ll spot a large envelope with a delicate cursive adorning the front. Suddenly your wallet feels hundreds of dollars lighter. An invitation to an event, whether it’s a wedding, bridal shower, baby shower or birthday party typically means you’re expected to drop some cash.

Your favorite budget New Yorkers are proposed panelists during SXSW Interactive’s 2010 Festival. The topic? The Broke Diaries: How to use blogs and Twitter to live cheaply. But the process is largely decided by viewers, which is why we need you vote!