Jeanette Pavini Dishes on Where to Save and Where to Splurge During the Holidays

Your credit card balance is increasing and your receipts are piling up because of the holidays. It’s the time of the year everyone expects to drop hundreds of dollars. Read more

Florence Henderson Takes on Technology (or What to Buy Mom for Christmas This Year)

I love my parents. They taught me everything from how to spell my name, to tying my shoes and driving a car. I never thought I’d ever have to teach them anything, because they were the ones with all the answers. The one thing that does puzzle them, however, is the very thing I have become so proficient at — I don’t even have to think when I do it. All that is internet and technology related just goes completely over their heads, and my patience quickly runs out when I’m explaining how to add an email address to their address book for the fifteenth time. Luckily, there’s someone who’s trying to tackle just that issue.  And who would have thought that “America’s Favorite Mom” would be the one with the answer? Read more

Why You’re Losing Money if You Don’t Own a NYPL Library Card

After pulling a series of all-nighters you pulled in college among stacks of books, you never want to hear the word “library” again, right? Well, here’s a reason why you should embrace the place that helped you get that A in economics: it offers so many free programs, you might just be able to chip a little bit of your budget away. Read more

Last-Minute Tips for a Stress-Free and Budget-Friendly Turkey Day

Thanksgiving is only days away and you may have been too busy tying up loose ends at the office before the long weekend to think about what your plans are for T-day. Don’t fret just yet.   Jeanette Pavini, Coupons.com’s Household Savings Expert, has you covered for last-minute tips that’ll help you plan and save money.

Make a List

The first thing you should do, Pavini suggests, is list everything you need so you can account for your expenses. Once you’re done, review it to see what you can cut. If you stick to just those items, it’ll keep you from overspending or splurging on items you don’t need.

Listing the dishes you want to serve is a good idea too. Get an exact head count of who’s attending and create your menu — and quantities — accordingly. And keep your food variety in check. “You really don’t need three veggie dishes!” Pavini reminds.

Do Your Research

Search for coupons for each item on your list. “You will score the best deals by doing your homework,” Pavini said. Check the circulars to see which stores have your items on sale and search online at places like coupons.com and manufacturer sites for printable coupons. “It’s free money!” Pavini said. Some grocery stores even offer a free turkey if you spend a certain amount of money.

Be a Techie

According to Pavini, “new technology makes saving money easier and more accessible than ever.” Coupons.com offers new mobile features for on-the-go shoppers. For all you iPhone junkies, there’s Grocery iQ, an app that allows you to manage your shopping lists, sync them between two phones, add coupons and photograph an item’s bar code to automatically add it to your list.

For those that don’t have the luxury of an iPhone, the site has a mobile app for everyone else that lets you browse and clip coupons to email to yourself or print wirelessly. So you can browse and clip during your commute, pick up your printed coupons from home and start shopping!

Substitute

Little substitutes here and there can go a long way. “Day-old bread is half the price and perfect for stuffing or bread pudding,” according to Pavini. And there’s no harm in getting a less expensive wine for dinner. You can put it in a beautiful decanter to give it some elegance, Pavini suggests. And if you’re only cooking for a few people, “a turkey breast is the way to go over a full turkey.”

Spend (A Little) Time, Not (A lot of) Money

Don’t underestimate your creativity and resourcefulness. Decorations on your list of items? “Instead of buying a centerpiece, make your own eye-catching arrangement from pinecones and branches found outside your home.”

Rely On Your Guests

The hostess in you may be inclined to decline your guest’s offer to bring something to dinner, but there’s no harm in accepting. When someone offers to bring a side, dessert, anything, take them up on it. “If you don’t, you’ll end up with enough wine to fill a cellar.”

Ditch the Plastic

Just like during any other shopping venture, credit and debit cards can be dangerous at the grocery story. Pay with cash, Pavini suggests, to ensure that you only spend what you want and don’t go over budget.

Photo credit:  ramsey everydaypants

10 Cheapest Turkeys in the City

Thanksgiving is fast approaching and it’s about time you start thinking about the main attraction: the turkey. You can have all the sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce you want, but it’s not Thanksgiving without that delicious centerpiece. Read more

Turkey Day Treats and Sweets

Thanksgiving is a day for football, family, friends and most importantly: food. So whether you’re hosting the big dinner at your humble abode or heading to the in-laws, you need to come up with something delicious. Here are some recipes to accompany your turkey or satisfy your sweet tooth after your hefty meal — and they’re all under $5. Read more

Broke-Ology Star, Francois Battiste on How to Be Broke

We know of plenty of major fields of study: Psychology, Philosophy, Anthropology. But there’s one study I wish they would have taught me more about in college:  Broke-ology-the study of being broke.  It comes from the great mind of Ennis King, played by Francois Battiste, in the aptly-titled production now playing at the Lincoln Center Theater.

“Broke-ology,” written by Nathan Louis Jackson, chronicle’s the lives of the King family as they deal with the absence of wife and mother, Sonia, played by Crystal A. Dickinson, and decay of the family’s patriarch, William, played by Wendell Pierce. As Ennis’ younger brother, Malcolm, Alano Miller holds the role of the younger brother who returns from college, faced with the difficult decision of whether to remain with his father, who is suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, or return to Connecticut for a well-paying job. As Ennis, Battiste played a man who has a baby on the way, a job he hates and the difficult task of making ends meet. “Broke-ology” was thought-provoking and brimming with emotion. It was about being “stuck” and wanting better from life; about the power of love and what it can lead one to do.

Chicago native Francois Battiste knows a lot about the study he so proudly announced he invented as Ennis King — that of being broke.  After  professionally acting in Chicago for 3 years at places like Victory Gardens, Lookingglass Theatre and the Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Battiste made the move to New York in 2002 to attend Julliard. Since graduation, he’s had roles in “Prelude to a Kiss,” “Ten Things to do Before I Die,” and “The Good Negro.” Even with such roles under his belt, Battiste says, “I am an actor. In New York City. I’m fully aware of trying to make ends meet.”

Aside from acting, Battiste works with Covenant House, a non-profit organization that sponsors abused and homeless children. As a Trainer for the Tele-Fundraising Division, Battiste says “it’s a job that’s very demanding. However, it allows me the flexibility one must have facing the demands of being an actor in this city.”

New York is expensive and you have to “cut down everywhere you can. I used to joke that you had to pay for oxygen in this city,” Battiste said. Carrying your own lunch, making your own coffee, reading your news online instead of print and skipping the restaurant and getting a great, affordable meal in your own kitchen are all ways to save, he suggests.

And on the rare occasion that Battiste does have free time, his recreational outlets are still budget-friendly. When “the weather agrees, I love to play catch with my wife, perhaps in the park. Or play her in dominoes, or my favorite: Scrabble.” Naturally, Battiste will also try to get to a good theater now and then with the help of the Theatre Development Fund (TDF). Other favorites include the Whitney Museum or museums that have a suggested donation like the MET and Museum of Natural History. And there’s always community service. Helping out, like at a soup kitchen, “is always a way to get outside of yourself, which can transcend your enjoyment in another way, without economic weight,” Battiste said.

Despite the expenses of living in the city, there are still ways to enjoy yourself without blowing all your cash. “NYC is its own planet,” Battiste said. “There’s no other place on earth that forces you onward and upward like the perpetual forward momentum of the rotten apple.”

“Broke-ology” is playing at Lincoln Center Theater through November 22. Tickets can be purchased at half price by phone at (212) 947-8844 or online at www.broadwayoffers.com using the code BOBLOG1. Or you can just click here.

Don’t have the cash to go yourself?  No problem.  Just leave a comment in the comments section with one way you save cash in the Big Apple, and you can win 2 tickets to see Broke-ology, courtesy of us and the nice people over at Lincoln Center.

Note: Limit 6 tickets per purchase.  Subject to availability.  Offer may be revoked at any time.  No retroactive discounts.  Regular service charges apply.

Double Duty: Cook, Clean and Beautify for the Price of a Bottle of Oil

Olive Oil: It’s great on your pasta, perfect for your salad — and does wonders cleaning off your makeup? Apparently the do-it-all kitchen staple isn’t just great for cooking and embellishing your dinner. In fact, there are a surprising number of ways that olive oil can be used for all sorts of household tasks. Read more

Lowered Rents? Where’s Mine?

Times are rough and we’re all trying to cut back in some capacity. You buy a few less drinks at your favorite Happy Hour, and skip dessert at dinner. But sometimes you can’t control the costs of your more basic necessities — like your rent.  Or can you?

Landlords don’t live in a giant bubble, oblivious to the crashing economy around them. They know now that it’s even harder than ever to make ends meet, and many of them are willing to work with good tenants in order to keep them.

William Turbert, 21, knows the hardship of writing out that monthly check. Like every other college student, he struggles to save every dollar he can.  However, with a little persistence, fact checking, and a respectful attitude, he was able to have his rent lowered by $100 a month.  So if your budget is getting tighter and you find yourself in a more serious financial pinch, here are some ways to convince your landlord to work out a better deal for the both of you.

Figure Out What You’re Looking For

You need to have an idea of what you want to pay and evidence to support your reasoning. First, decide what you can afford to pay each month. Then, figure out if it’s asking too much from your landlord. Remember, you’re not going to lower your rent by half.  Be realistic about your expectations. “Many landlords depend on this [income] for their livelihood”, Turbert stated, so it’s important that you are aware of the costs that they incur and make an offer that isn’t lowballing them.

Do Your Research

You should know what others are paying for a similar apartment in the same location. Check out sites like Craigslist, Rent.com and ApartmentFinder to see what comparable apartments in your neighborhood are leasing for. If a similar studio apartment is going for $200 less per month just a few blocks away, keep that in mind when speaking to your landlord. Are utilities included in another apartment, whereas yours are not? That’s another working point.

If you can’t get your rent lowered, you can always aim for getting better amenities or paid utilities. “I went into the situation with an idea of what I wanted to pay and what I truly thought was fair considering the market value of the property,” Turbert said. “Understanding [that] allowed me to bring a stronger argument to the table.”

Have a Game Plan

Have your arguing points laid out in advance. List the reasons why you need your rent lowered. Maybe you just lost your job, you aren’t working as much overtime, or your student loan payments have reached their maximum deferred status. Many landlords are reasonable and will at least try to come to some agreement, considering you’ve been a tenant in good standing.

And on that note, don’t forget to mention that you’ve been a good tenant for “x” number of years, have always paid your rent on time, and have never given them a problem. Finding a responsible tenant — especially in the midst of a stagnant job market is a costly and time consuming process.  Turbert had been a tenant for two years when he approached his landlord to lower his rent. “He understood that he would lose me,” he said, if they couldn’t come to an agreement.

Keep Your Cool

You can hint that you may need to look for a more affordable place to live if your rent isn’t lowered. This is a more effective move if you find a similar apartment nearby for a lower price. But, just hint. Never threaten to move out, otherwise the argument could escalate and possibly leave you out of a place to live. “Although it doesn’t hurt to have a strong personality in situations like this,” Turbert suggested, “I wouldn’t go about it in hard-headed manner.”

If your landlord is willing to compromise, then you’re in luck.  Even $50 less each month can add up to big annual savings. But if  your landlord doesn’t budget, it’s important to have a backup plan — whether that means staying put and dealing with the situation at hand or finding a new pad.  Either way, “stay positive,” Turbert suggests. If you’re a good tenant, your landlord won’t be so quick to lose you.

Photo credit:  Mattox

10 Halloween Tricks That’ll Leave You With More Money For Treats

So Halloween is around the corner and you know there’s going to be a bunch of parties and bars that will be celebrating the event. You can either go to the store and drop at least $50 on whatever polyester mess is left standing, or you can pull together a simple, yet fun, getup with what you already own-or can get with just a few dollars. Grab a date or a group of friends and pull together some of these tried and true ideas that can be thrown together — even as you’re heading out the door.

Danny Zuko
What’s easier to pull together than an all-black outfit? Just pull out your old black jeans from the 90s (you know you still have them) or substitute with black dress pants. Your little brother’s tight black tee-or your own, some slicked hair, a cigarette and a lot of attitude pull that look together in a matter of minutes.

Sandy
Almost all of us own black leggings. If you don’t, I guarantee you know someone who does. If you have an off-the-shoulder top, rock it. If not, go for a tank and some killer heels. Lots of hairspray for your ‘do, a cigarette and some red lipstick will scream “sexy Sandy” from the end of the classic movie.

(A leather jacket with either of these costumes is a plus)

Athlete
Whether it’s your favorite A-Rod jersey or your boyfriend’s old letterman jacket, you can sport it with shorts and cleats and work your inner jock. If you’re going for baseball, grab a bat that’s lying around. A football, basketball, hockey stick — with the right props, your favorite player’s jersey and even some grease smeared across your cheeks, you’ll have the hardcore look of a team player.

Superman
Ok, so not everyone is man enough to walk around in blue tights and red undies, so why not go for Superman’s subtler, yet mysterious alter ego: Clark Kent. With this look you can go from cradling your coffee at your staff meeting to cradling a beer at your favorite pub-no phone-booth quick change required. Just wear your trusty Superman tee (or pick one up for $13 at a store like Kohls) under your button-up. You can sport your new parted ‘do at the office or slick it over right before you leave. Open the top few buttons of your shirt so you can see the tee underneath, and slip on your classy $3 party story glasses. (Try Party City at 38 W. 14th Street).

Lois Lane
This works just like the Clark Kent concept. Wear your work duds (preferably a pencil skirt and button-up) and don’t dare be seen without pencil and paper in hand-you never know when a story will break! You can even paste your photo on an index card and mark out your own Daily Planet Press Pass.

Prom Queen/King
I for one, loved my prom dress and wish I had any excuse to wear it again.  Luckily, I just found one. Girls, dig that dress out of your closet. Boys, dust off your tuxedos. It’s time to bring prom back — and finally get use out of the $200 you spent on your one-time-only outfit. If you were prom queen or king, re-live the night! If you weren’t, here’s your chance. Party stores sell crowns for around $5 and if you can’t find a sash to announce your regal status. You can get a yard of white, satin fabric from the craft store for as little as $2. Cut it into a strip long enough to go from the front of your torso, wrap around the back and meet up again. Use some glitter pens to designate yourself “Prom Queen” or “Prom King” and pin it on!

80s Rockstar
Let’s face it, 80s fashion has slowly been making its way back into the mainstream. So whether you’re keeping up with the trends or dug out your ripped, bleach-stained jeans that you’ve been secretly hoarding in remembrance of the age of crazy hair and even crazier getups, then you’ve got yourself a match made in costume heaven. Ripped jeans, studded belts, bandanas, legwarmers, your perfectly worn-in leather jacket, your KISS t-shirt with the hole in the armpit — be creative. Fellas, tonight’s the night it’s ok to shamelessly walk around with your guitar. Don’t have one? Come on, we know you eat and breathe Guitar Hero — it’s only for effect after all. And ladies go ahead, tease your hair and pull out the blue eye shadow. You know you want to.

Celebrity
Whether we’d like to admit it or not, celebrities fascinate us. The money, the fame, the parties…the idiotic behavior. Channel your inner Lindsay Lohan with some smudged eyeliner and lipstick — remember you’re going for the whole “I’ve been partying for 3 days straight look.” Don’t forget a skimpy dress (or something flashy if you don’t want to show too much skin), oversized sunglasses (yes, even at night) and the two essentials: cigarette in one hand, beer in another.

Feeling gutsy? Then there’s always Britney! And no, I’m not talking about her cute, and innocent (?) school girl days but her more recent, and amusing, Cheeto-snacking, beer-guzzling days. For the sake of your hair we’re not suggesting you buzz it off, but pick up a bald cap from Party City for $13. You can walk around with buzzer in hand or an umbrella — we’re sure you remember that display of sanity. Oh, and don’t forget, PJ’s are a must. Cheetos are optional.

A Significant Other/Friend/Co-worker
If you’re going to a party where everyone will know who you’ll be imitating, all you need is a trip to their closet for some of their duds. Steal their hairstyle and don’t forget to mimic their mannerisms and the way they talk all night. If you really want to get a kick out of it, have them dress up as you at the same party.

7 Deadly Sins
This is a fun idea when you’re going out as a group, but you can still be just as sinful on your own. Just like for the Prom Queen costume, you can each wear a sash to designate what sin you’re representing. Here’s what to wear:

Lust - For this deadly sin, sex appeal is your biggest asset. Spice things up with those sexy boots you love, a slinky dress, fishnets, some red lipstick and yes, even a feather boa if you’d like.

Gluttony - I would recommend a T-shirt you wouldn’t mind getting rid of (preferably a white one) and some slouchy sweats. Stain your T-shirt with anything you can out of the fridge-ketchup, mustard, soy sauce, whatever. (You can use paint or markers if you’re not into the possible stink-factor). Then, tape on food wrappers (or actual food if you think you’ll get hungry) from candy bars to lollipops to chips to that McDonald’s wrapper that’s been on the floor of your car for the past week. Don’t forget to walk around eating (or at least pretending to) throughout the night.

Greed - It’s all about the money! Get decked in your most expensive-looking business attire, tape some fake bills onto your clothes and always keep a stack in hand. You can find fake bills at the dollar or party store. If you’re desperate, there’s always your trusty Monopoly money!

Sloth - This costume is as easy to put together as rolling out of bed — literally. PJs, slippers and you’re best “I just woke up and I’m still tired” look are all you need. This may just be the comfiest costume yet.

Wrath - Anything red would be perfect for this sin-it screams anger. Make your hair look wild and untamed and don’t forget a scowl that’ll make blood run cold.

Pride - Think beauty queen for this deadly sin a la Prom Queen. Pull out that dress and tiara and work on your pageant wave.

Envy - We’re talking about green. Not Hulk green, but green with envy. Green dress, green shirt, green makeup-whatever. If you’re felling super gutsy then you can even paint your face green. Try Ricky’s Green Base makeup for $3. And don’t forget to look envious.

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