The grass is always greener on the other side, or so they say. And while that very well may be true with some things, it’s certainly not when it comes to your neighborhood. There are a scores of reasons why hanging out in your own hood can be incredibly beneficial to you. However, most people still tend to herd towards the flavor of the month and congregate at the current hot spot. And as a return for their patronage, they often times get slapped with high bar tabs, long treks home (while drunk), or expensive cab rides. But we say “Forget the Fad, Keep it local!”, and this is why:

1. You’ll spend less money.

If you live in a borough, the prices you pay for things like coffee, beer, and food are far less pricey than their counterparts in Manhattan. Take for instance the small coffee that’s $0.75 at my local neighborhood deli as opposed to the $1.25 price tag on a small coffee at the deli by my office. Or even more importantly, commuting home if you’re in no sound mind to take mass transit.  A cab ride 20 miles can easily cost $30, while you could take a local car service (likely costing about a third of that) or walk if you’re already in your neighborhood.

2. You’re supporting local — and usually small — businesses.

Starting a small business is no easy feat. And keeping the momentum going for the next few fate-deciding years isn’t either. With less than half of NYC based small businesses staying open after four years, it’s nice to throw some support under the little guy. Small businesses employ about half of the country’s workers and make up about 99.7% of all U.S. based employer firms.

3. Little or no commute

You can’t put a price on time. And having an extra hour to spend in solitude, or an extra hour hanging out with a friend beats the hell out of an hour commuting. In addition, you’re also making the best of your time spent.  The less time you spend in transit, the more time you’re spending doing things that are of more value to you. Traveling back and forth from work steals enough precious minutes out of the day, and nothing takes the excitement out of a quick meet up like a long, painful hike to get there.

4. Meet neighbors and build a sense of community

Having a network of friends and acquaintances nearby is a great resource. We’ve all had those mornings where you just wanted to meet someone for a leisurely coffee, or have a late last-minute drink without too much planning. Or maybe you just need help changing a light bulb.  Either way, knowing there’s a willing soul or a helping hand right around the block just makes life that less complicated.  Not to mention, it creates a safety network where each person can look after one another.

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If you’re looking for something fun, free and cultural this weekend, head uptown to 165th Street for The Bronx Museum of the Arts’ First Friday event starting at 6pm.  This month will feature Street Dance NYC:  The Hitters!, music group RPM, and a screening of the trailer for “All the Ladies Say”.

If you’ve never taken advantage of a First Friday or a First Saturday event at one of the NYC based museums (the Brooklyn Museum does it also), you’ve been missing out on a huge opportunity.  While regularly featuring free admission to the museum, musical entertainment, films, speakers, and food and drink, it’s one of the best ways to spend a cash-free evening in the city.

From the invite:

Family Affair
FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2009, 6:00 to 10:00pm
South Building-Lower Gallery
Admission: Free

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This First Friday’s program, hosted by husband and wife dance pioneers Rokafella and Kwikstep of Full circle Prod Inc., will feature a distinguished panel of original Hip Hop dance crews who will discuss the format and growth of street shows, as well as shed light on their struggle to establish this uniquely American art form. The discussion will be followed by a screening of the trailer for “All the Ladies Say,” a film about national and international female break dancers, and a performance by the band RPM.

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Panelist include: The Executioners, NYC Float Committee, TheTransformers, The Breeze Team and United Street Artists.

They also have an exhibit that sounds really interesting called “Street Art.  Street Life.  From the 1950’s Til Now” which is running until January 25, 2009.

THE BRONX MUSEUM OF THE ARTS
1040 Grand Concourse
at 165th Street
Bronx, New York 10456

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December brought with it cold, bitter weather, lots of face time with families and, which you may have noticed, a distinct lack of posting. And for that, dear readers, we sincerely apologize. But not being ones to focus on the past, 2009 is here with a bang! And with this new year comes a whole truckload of ideas that our staff is working to implement for your guys. This means an increase in Interviews, How-To’s, Personal Stories, and Weekly Listings of cheap events in and around NYC. So keep on reading for our Editors pick of the December blogosphere as we bid adieu to 2008 and welcome the new year with open arms and heightened anticipation.

On a side note, if there are any changes or ideas that you’d like to see implemented on the site, we’d love to hear them. Leave us a comment in the comments section or send an email to lauren@lifestylermag.com.

44 Ideas for Realistic 2009 Goals - The geniuses over at Master Your Card had some really interesting ideas for realistic and personal growth goals for the upcoming year. I even snagged 10 of his goals for my own. **As a side note, also check out his article on Credit Card Stoozing. I’ve added this to my own goals for 2009, but I’d like to hear from any of you guys if you’ve done this and what your experiences have been. I’m intrigued!

Kathryn Finney (The Budget Fashionista) on Affordable Dress for the Office - There’s nothing more annoying than getting a great new job that pays a serious adult salary, than having to fork over half of it towards blazers and business suits — especially if you’re a jeans and t-shirt kind of person. We picked the brain of veteran budget shopper, Kathryn Finney - genius behind The Budget Fashionista - for some tips on looking sharp at the office for less.

Recessions, Depressions, and How They’ll Affect You - Young Money takes a deeper look at what the differences are between a recession and a depression and just how they’ll affect you.

Five Fabulous Free Finds - Erin Gifford over at Wallet Pop gives us the lowdown on five freebies to take advantage of — including antibiotics and bowling passes!

Charity Gifts — Not Just for the Holiday Season - We came up with 20 ways to tie in philanthrophy with gift-giving, but philanthrophy needs no holiday! Keep the momentum going by donating money, resources or time to whichever organization catches your eye. Here are 20 nonprofits that we like to get you started.

13 Ways to Stretch Your Money - Bill Pratt at Young Money gives you tips on how to stretch your dollar in the new year. Most of the ideas you’ve probably heard a million times before, but he does offer some good ideas on how to save electricity at night and how to implement the 24-hour rule to making snap purchases.

How Much is Your Brain Worth? - Sometimes you just need a few extra dollars in your pocket, and aside from picking up a part-time gig, there aren’t a ton of ways to get it. We give you the lowdown on participating in focus groups, which can be a great way to have a part-time gig on retainer. Use ‘em when you need ‘em, ignore ‘em when you don’t.

The Spending Diaries - New York Magazine chronicles how five New Yorkers in varying income brackets spend a week’s worth of their cash. This is an older article (published in October of ‘06), and as such has probably made it’s ample round on the internets, but I still thought it was interesting — although a bit unrealistic at times. (Their low-end income bracket example is a literary grad student who lives in an $1,800 a month West Village apartment subsidized by his parents, who also foot the bill for his Equinox gym membership and tuition.)

5 Gadgets Worth Waiting for in 2009 - Smart Money has a list of 5 Gadgets that will be priced to sell after this year’s Consumer Electronics Show this month in Vegas. After featuring the latest and the greatest in new tech products, stores will be pushing the slightly older models off the shelves to make way for the abundance of shiny new tech toys. If you’re in the market for a computer, cell phone, or a TV, this is probably your best chance to buy.

Pulling in the Reins: 5 Tips to Curb your Spending - Getting out of the spending mindset can be a difficult task to undertake — especially after the holidays. We offer 5 tips to curb your spending habits and make sure the things you purchase are on a necessary and not wanting basis.

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Vox Pop, a favorite Brooklyn coffee shop/bar/printing press, is hosting a NYE party for those of you who loathe cover charges and annoying idiots in sparkly party glasses.

From the Invite:

The big “Wash away the rotten awful filth that was 2008″ night at Vox Pop.

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No cover charge. Lots of live music.

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Hosted by Punxsutawney Jesus. Live music by Billy Ringo, Fleza Doza, the Punxster himself, and other special guests. Champagne, drink specials, and the vibe that only Vox Pop can offer.

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PLUS! Special performance by Vox Pop’s own Sander Hicks, tickling the ivories as the Casio Bastard.

This is sure to be a fun, relaxed event, considering that Vox usually houses a super nice, laid-back crowd of local Brooklynites.  They’re also bound to have some excellent beer specials, and, the most important reason of all,  Sander Hicks will be rocking out on the keyboard.  And if your ears have never heard the wailing cries for democracy that croon out from the lovely owner’s lips, you truly have not lived.  So come on out tonight, and start 2009 out with a bang and not a whole lot of bucks.

Vox Pop
1022 Cortelyou Road
between Stratford and Coney Island Avenue
718 940 2084
8:00pm - 1:30am

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If you were lucky enough to have a job this holiday season, and even luckier to get a holiday bonus from the boss, then pat yourself on the back. Since funds are few and far between these days, that holiday bonus is even more precious. And precious things should be spent well — or shall we say invested well. We know it’s hard to not spend that cash, but hold out for another week or so when most of the shopping mania calms and the urge to spend dies down. And in the spirit of saving cash and building wealth, we’ve thrown together a few ideas on where to go and what to do to get the most out of your bonus this year.

1. Open or Fund a Roth IRA

If you haven’t opened one yet, this is your year! It’s never too early to start planning for your retirement. And if you think that your company pension is going to offer you a warm retirement, chew on this for a minute: a 25 year old currently making an annual salary of $40,000 a year would need to save approximately $600,000 by the age of 65 to effectively battle inflation and live on 75% of their ending salary (assuming they received living wage raises each year). Keep in mind that the majority of pension payment lump sums are in the $100,000 range, meaning that most people only save that much throughout their entire career, and social security payments are barely a drop in the bucket. Never underestimate the crippling power of inflation and economic instability. Supplement your future income by chucking away even a hundred dollars a month into a Roth IRA, and your future self will thank you.

2. Open a Vanguard Stock Account

I will be the first person to tell you that now is the time to Buy, Buy, Buy! Stocks are cheap, the market will rise again, and the people who take advantage of opportunities now will be in better financial shape ten years down the road because of it. Don’t believe me? Follow Warren Buffet’s lead. He’s been buying up stocks like they’re on the 50% off aisle at Wal-Mart. I’ve been putting more money into my stock account, and am planning to invest in another fund this year. And since I’m a big Vanguard fan, here are my three favorite funds managed by them: 500 Index Fund, Extended Market Index Fund, and the Total International Stock Index.

3. Debt Repay

Nothing says “Hello 2009″ like a clean financial slate. Throwing a lump sum at a mountain of student loan debt can be a big motivator to getting that balance paid off. Plus, knocking down a balance can drastically reduce your monthly payments, although I prefer the snowballing method rather than lowering your minimum payments to hasten the repayment process. There are few feelings that trump being free of debt, and the extra disposable income you’ll see each month after finishing off that last bill will feel like sweet victory.

4. Invest in Yourself with a Networking Vacation

I’ve decided to sock away some cash to go towards Networking Vacations. This is not your typical vacation, but attending industry conventions and networking events to further promote my freelance career. After a quick Google search for industry networking events across the country, I realized that there is a convention for absolutely everything. So far for 2009, I’ve planned three small trips and I’m treating them as personal investments in my budget. To save funds, I’ve set up a recurring savings transfer to a high yield checking account with a savings goal (this means once I reach my target amount, the money transfers will automatically stop). And since I’m planning pretty early (almost a year in advance for two of them), I’ll be able to get super cheap airline flights and good hotel rates.

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Vanguard has a cool new video series up on their website right now which talks about how to make the most of your investing ventures. Their reassuring voice couldn’t come at a better time, considering many people’s hesitancy to trust the market right now. Keep on reading for their four part video series which focuses on controlling your investment costs, managing risk, choosing the right investments, and the benefits of long-term investing.

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2. Manage Your Risk

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3. Choose the Right Investments

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4. Benefit From the Gift of Time

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As a LifeStyler reader, you’re probably hip to a few other budget savvy blogs and websites regarding frugality and shopping. And if you’ve spent any time checking out budget shopping guides, you’ve no doubt come across the musings of The Budget Fashionista. Founded by Karthryn Finney, TBF has built a cult following by becoming the Go-To destination for budget-savvy shoppers looking to stay in style without breaking the bank. Along with showcasing fashionable looks for less, they frequently feature sample sales, interviews with the creme de la creme of the fashion world for style tips, and DIY guides to re-creating runway looks for under $100 (and oftentimes under $60). So with budget consciousness on the brain and the masses flocking to find bargain deals, we couldn’t not pick Kathryn’s brain for some tips on how to keep in style in the workplace for less than you probably spend on your electricity bill.

As an introduction to some of our readers who aren’t familiar with you, how did you become known as the Budget Fashionista?
The budget fashionista started from a love of fashion, but a lack of cash. I was living well above my means, racking up over 6 figures in credit card and student loan debt. I started the blog in 2003 as a way to stay connected with friends and to chronicle my experiences getting out of debt.

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By now we know that it’s no picnic dealing with terrible economic woes in general, but it’s particularly biting during the holiday season. You may have scrapped some holiday plans or purchased less gifts this year, but don’t let that stop you from helping out a few good causes. There are many organizations out there with charitable missions that you can support with a small donation (and get a tax write-off in the meantime). Keep on reading for 20 charitable causes and organizations to support this holiday season.

1. Support Disease/Illness Research. There are so many foundations out there for various conditions such as Breast Cancer, HIV/AIDS, Diabetes to name a few, why not aid in the search for cures and better treatments. A few sites for online donations are: The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (www.bcrfcure.org), The American Foundation for AIDS Research (www.amfar.org) and American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org).

2. Pass on a Coat. If you have an extra gently used winter coat lying around, give it some purpose and pass it on to someone who doesn’t have one. New York Cares accepts donations of winter coats for men, woman and children. Check out their website www.nycares.org for one of many drop off locations, or to make it even easier, just drop off your coat at any NYC Police Precinct.

3. Give Blood. The nation’s blood supply has been fearfully lacking for quite some time. If you are healthy and weigh at least 110 lbs, look into donating blood. You can find your local blood donor station at www.GiveLife.org. This simple act can have the truly monumental impact of helping save a life.

4. Help Stop Female GM. Author, former supermodel and UN Special Ambassador (1997-2003),Waris Dirie created a foundation to combat the practice of Female Genital Mutilation. For at least $10, you can help the foundation continue to speak out against this cruel and inhumane practice. Visit www.waris-dirie-foundation.com.

5. Send a Stuffed Animal. Project Smile is a non-profit organization, founded 5 years ago, that provides stuffed animals, small toys, and books to firefighters, police officers and paramedics to give to children involved in traumatic events. By simply putting a teddy bear in the mail can you can help ease a child’s distress. Project smile also has a neat Aidmatrix account (you can access it by clicking the donate tab on their homepage) where you can purchase supplies for their cause that get sent directly to them and avoid actually going out shopping for goods to post in the mail. Visit www.projectsmile.org for all the donation guidelines.

6. Be Santa. Around this time of year the US Postal service kicks off its annual Operation Santa Claus. This program provides a solution to the record numbers of letters post offices receive every year addressed to Santa Claus. If you’d like to help a needy child this Christmas season, check with your postmaster to find out when and where to pick up a “Dear Santa” letter. In New York you can pick up letters at the James A. Farley Post Office located at 421 Eight Avenue (between 31st & 33rd) from Monday-Saturday from 9am-4pm. On Thursdays you’ll have until 7pm to pick up letters.

7. Help Provide a Safe Ride. RightRides is a NYC based organization that provides safe and free late night rides to women, transgenders and those who are gender queer. RightRides was founded to combat the increase in attacks on women walking home at night and they service 35 neighborhoods in NYC. To help keep this service going with monetary help, visit www.rightrides.org and click the “donate” link. Donations are made via PayPal, so it’s a safe and easy way to show your support. For more hands on help, look into volunteering to be a RightRides driver. Check the RightRides website for further volunteer info.

8. Feed the Hungry. There are several food drives over New York accepting non-perishable goods. Soup kitchens also take donations. Check here to find a soup kitchen in your neighborhood. If you’d rather donate online, look into Feeding America, a non-profit hunger-relief charity. Feeding America serves the US and Puerto Rico and, as they state on their website, “distributes more than 2 billion pounds of donated food and grocery products annually”. Donate money to the cause at www.feedingamerica.org.

9. Give Away Your Business Suit. Ladies, do you have business attire that you no longer wear? Bottomless Closet states its mission as promoting “self-sufficiency among economically disadvantaged women in New York City”. Bottomless Closet provides a professional wardrobe and skill developing workshops. An easy donation of business professional clothing can help this organization transition women into the workforce. You can drop off donations Monday–Thursday, from 9:30am–5:00pm, at 545 Eighth Avenue (between 37th & 38th Streets), 12th Floor. Call 212-563-2499 to schedule an appointment. Visit www.bottomlessclosetnyc.org for more information. There are other organizations like this so don’t hesitate to do a bit of researching to benefit this cause if you are outside of the NYC area.

10. Help an After school/Youth Program. After school programs are a great asset to any community by providing an outlet for young people to realize and take advantage of their potential. Donate to a local programs and be involved in helping empower and motivate the youth. Here in NYC, there is a great program: Team Revolution, which was founded by Divine Bradley when he was only 17 years old. This organization states that its goal is to “create the next generation of community leaders and social entrepreneurs”. Visit their website (www.teamrevolution.org) to make a donation.

11. Support the Performing Arts. Many performing arts institutes are in desperate need of funds to support production and touring. Companies and dance schools will also usually take other donations such as office furniture, computers, and even more importantly, your time. Volunteering with a specific skill set in marketing or grant writing can be a huge boost to a small performing arts organization. Our NYC favorites are The Dance Theatre of Harlem (www.dancetheatreofharlem.org) and Elisa Monte Dance (www.elisamontedance.org).

12. Support Local Theatre. Keep the arts alive with a donation to a theater or playhouse. Many theatre programs offer excellent after-school programs for local youth as well. There are many adult and children’s theaters in need so make a contribution and help maintain and expand current programs. We’re big fans of The Children’s Theater Company (www.childrenstheatercompany.org).

13. Buy a Toy. The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program collects new toys to be given out to children for Christmas. Put a smile on a child’s face for the holidays and check out www.toysfortots.org for drop off locations.

14. Contribute to a Local Hospital. Hospitals are a necessity for obvious reasons, so make a small donation. In NYC, for example, you can donate to The Bronx’s Montefiore Hospital, the university hospital of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine at giving.montefiore.org. With so many hospitals all over the country, feel free to take your pick and do a good deed.

15. Give Away A Scientific Calculator. There is a major lack of school supplies in many public schools. If you know a teacher, see if he/she needs any supplies for their class. Even if you don’t know any teachers personally, you can pick a random school where you live. I’ve heard that scientific calculators, in particular, are in need, but teachers would most likely welcome a host of supplies from crayons to rulers. Another way to help could be donating some old books you have to the school’s library.

16. Shop. In NYC there are several second-hand shops that support charities. On 17th Street in Manhattan you’ll find Angel Street Thrift Shop (www.angelthriftshop.org) which states that its profits benefit “individuals and families affected by substance abuse, HIV/AIDS and Mental Illness”. You’ll stumble upon many great “finds” in this place from dishware sets and ornate crystal candy dishes to Ann Taylor blazers and vintage coats. Housing Works is another organization addressing the AIDS crisis as well as homelessness. They have shops in Manhattan and Brooklyn and you can also bid on items online at www.shophousingworks.com. Don’t miss out on the steals you’ll get on quality goods at Housing Works like the Marc Jacobs spring jacket I scored for $45 or the English dinner plates I bought for $3 each!

One Laptop per Child (www.laptop.org) - For $199 you can provide a laptop to a child in the developing world. For $399, you’ll get one laptop for the child in your life and one to be donated to a child in a developing country.

The Amber Chand Global Gift Collection- This organization provides a way for female artists in conflicted areas to provide for themselves financially. Online you can purchase items crafted in Tibet, Sudan, Nepal, Afghanistan and other countries. The cost is a bit pricey but the items are handmade, beautiful and for a good cause. Shop online at www.amberchand.com.

The Body Shop- Buy a Home Lip Care Stick from The Body Shop (www.thebodyshop-usa.com) and contribute to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence helping women and children affected by domestic violence.

17. Give a Kid A Backpack. Support education and set up a donation through giveakidabackpack.org. This non-profit uses donations to obtain backpacks filled with school supplies that are then given to children in impoverished areas around the world. According to their website, this organization is responsible for handing out backpacks to 14,000 children.

18. Support Victim Assistance Programs. Safe Horizon, according to their website, is here to “provide support, prevent violence, and promote justice for victims of crime and abuse”. They provide 24-hour lifelines for victims of crimes and are working hard to tackle domestic violence, child abuse, trafficking, rape, sexual assault among other crimes. Donate at www.safehorizon.org.

19. Help Your Alma Mater. So you get those alumni newsletters in the mail and more often than not give them a quick flip-through and toss it. Why not contribute a few bucks and help out your old college. You can also earmark your funds for specific areas if you’d like, for instance, to help support the construction of a new science wing.

20. Volunteer Your Time. Well maybe you don’t have any extra money to give to a charitable cause. As much as we all have used the “I don’t have time” excuse, the truth is everyone can spare a few moments of time to do something they really care about. So,if you’re really interested in helping out during the season of giving, check out organizations of your interest that accept volunteers for a day or maybe even two. You can also head down to the local church or soup kitchen and serve up some grub to the less fortunate.

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I’ll make this short, sweet, and to the point. I’ve spent the past two Saturdays rummaging through the Housing Works stores looking for Christmas presents, and let me tell you, they have not disappointed. So if you’re lost on what to buy someone for the holidays, hop on over to one of their stores for some quick inspiration. It’s a rare and beautiful day when you can find a Borrelli tie for $10, a set of bourbon glasses for $4, and a brand spankin’ new Diane von Furstenberg dress for $65 all in the same store.

And their mission? Surprisingly it’s not focused on the retail. Housing Works is the largest community-based AIDS service organization in the U.S. So besides having some of the best thrift store prices I’ve ever seen in Manhattan, their profits go towards housing, healthcare, meals, job training, drug treatment, HIV prevention education, and social support for AIDS patients and their families. Shopping and a good cause? Sign me up!

Check below for store locations and check out their website for one-of-a-kind items and auctions on some pretty nice swag.

Housing Works locations:

Yorkville Thrift Shop
1730 2nd Ave. New York, NY 10128
212-722-8306

West Village Thrift Shop
245 West 10th St. New York, NY 10014
212-352-1618

Upper East Thrift Shop
202 East 77th St. New York, NY 10021
212-772-8461

Upper West Thrift Shop
306 Columbus Ave. New York, NY 10023
212-579-7566

Gramercy Thrift Shop
157 East 23rd St. New York, NY 10010
212-529-5955

Chelsea Thrift Shop
143 West 17th St. New York, NY 10011
718-838-5050

Brooklyn Thrift Shop
122 Montague Street Brooklyn, New York 11201
718-237-0521

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Months back, we discussed ideas on how to generate some extra cash on the side, and followed up on those ideas with a how-to guide in pitching yourself as a freelancer or consultant to potential clients.  While doing some part-time work can be some great additional income, there are still other ways to make a quick buck with little work and relative ease.  While it’s not steady money, focus groups can provide some quick and painless cash if you qualify for a study.  Keep on reading for a look at what a focus group consists of, how to find them in New York, and what to expect in time and compensation.

What is a Focus Group?

According to the business dictionary, a focus group is a small number of people brought together with a moderator to focus on a specific product or topic.  They focus on discussion as opposed to individual responses to formal questions to produce qualitative data.

Companies hire market research firms to hold focus groups in order to get first hand knowledge of what consumers think about upcoming products and marketing ideas.  They look for a group of people showing diversity in ethnicity, age, and income.

How do I find out and sign up for them?

I’ve been participating in focus groups since I arrived in New York five years ago.  They’re the quickest and easiest way to make a few bucks on the fly — and especially helpful during weeks when you just have enough to make rent.

I’ve been most successful in finding upcoming focus groups through Craigslist.  I go to the “Jobs” and “Gigs” sections and type “focus group” or “market research” into the search query and see if I qualify for any of the groups.  “Gigs” tends to have more listings for them. The next step usually requires submitting some basic background information for their first round of selections.  This information commonly consists of your name, age, ethnicity, work status, occupation, and industry, followed by topic specific questions such as the brand of shampoo you use or what types of sports drinks you regularly consume.

What’s Legit and What’s Not?

Many of the spam emails and websites that ask you to sign up to receive focus group listings tend to be fraudulent.  This is a way for them to collect your personal info and get you to submit answers and opinions for a measly $2 per survey.  I avoid these because they’re not worth the time to fill them out.  Some of the more reputable companies (at least in NYC) are:  Focus Pointe Global, KGA Research, New York Focus, and Focus Suites of New York.

What’s the Typical Compensation?

Typical compensation can range anywhere between $25 and $300.  Most focus groups last between one and two hours, and the average compensation is $100 - $150.  Not bad for a few hours of round table discussion.  There is, however, a downside to focus groups, and that is that once you participate in one, you’re usually not eligible for another group for at least three months.

As mentioned earlier, focus groups are an excellent way to make the occasional quick buck, but not something you could try to turn into regular cash.  Unfortunately there aren’t nearly enough opportunities to turn this gig into a part-time job.  But hey, a benjamin in the palm in return for a few hours of time is well worth looking into.

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