Queens Goodwill Outlet Brings the Bargains!

I used to consider myself a thrift store aficionado. I would frequent Housing Works, Angel Street, Buffalo Exchange, and countless hole-in-the-wall consignment shops hunting for bargains. Little did I know, I had been missing out on one of the city's greatest second hand shops: the Queens Van Dam Goodwill Outlet.  A friend of mine told me about it a few months ago and I finally took my first trip out there this Friday.

Just a few blocks from the 33rd St/Rawson Street 7 train stop in Queens, the Van Dam Outlet is one of the city's best kept secrets. Just like any other retailer, Goodwill receives new (well, actually used) merchandise via donations on a continual basis. Merchandise that isn't selling in a Goodwill store is taking up valuable floorspace that could be occupied by better selling products. This slow-moving merchandise needs a place to go. And that place is their outlet store.

It's a no frills venue. Unsorted clothing is tossed into large blue bins and customers take their chances rifling through the hodgepodge of men's, women's, and children's duds. Clothing sells for 1.69 per pound. Several scales are placed throughout the warehouse-style store so that customers can weigh their finds. There's also several bins filled with shoes, bags, and belts. These items sell for 1.79 per pound.

I know what you're thinking: a store full of Goodwill's rejects probably has very little to offer. But on the contrary. A little digging uncovered an All-Saints vest, Burberry slacks, and Tory Burch blouse among the bins. Unfortunately, none of those fit me, but keep reading to see the amazing stuff $10 bought me at the outlet.

An Economist's Tips on Finding Good, Cheap Restaurants

Tyler Cowen is the not the first person I would think to consult about finding a great restaurant. He's  a professor of economics at George Mason University and author of New York Times best-selling e-book The Great Stagnation as well as writer of critically-acclaimed economics blog marginalrevolution.com. But his genuine love for food combined with his background in economics have made him an unlikely expert on the subject. He recently authored An Economist Gets Lunch: New Rules for Everyday Foodies which covers everything from how food in America became so bland and mass-produced (he blames prohibition, strict immigration laws, and kids!) to why Mexican food tastes different in Mexico and the US. His insights into how supply and demand, cross-subsidies, and technological advances influence food is fascinating. I picked up the book at my local New York Public Library to educate myself on the economics that drive food.
My favorite chapter by far was "The Rules for Finding a Good Place to Eat" which offers practical tips for finding good, cheap restaurants. Here are some highlights:

1. Eat at a restaurant on a side street: Restaurant owners, like the rest of us, have to pay rent. Rent along the long avenues, where there is heavy foot traffic compared to side streets is exorbitantly more expensive than on side streets. And that cost is factored into the price of each meal. A restaurant located on 5th Avenue and one just around the corner on say, 50th Street may have the same quality food but the one on 5th Avenue will have to priced their dish higher to accommodate the higher rent. Plus, chances are that if a restaurant is surviving on a side street without the business of the multitude of tourists who eat at places on main streets, it is probably pretty good!

Free Gloves at American Apparel

American Apparel is giving away more free stuff! All you have to do is text "Apparel" to 23000. Then you'll recieve a confirmation text that entitles you to one free pair of fingerless gloves. The gloves are super warm (you can choose between an acrylic or wool blend) and are perfect for texting. Plus they come in a whole slew of fun colors! They sell for $12 dollars so be sure to stop in before December 10th when the promotion ends! Happy shopping!

My Favorite Things in NYC for a Dollar

The almighty dollar doesn't seem so mighty when you just have one...especially in New York City.  You can't even buy a ride on the subway without shelling out more than twice that. But there are a few things in New York that still only cost a dollar. Here are my top 5 favorite things in NYC for just a buck:

1. Soft Serve Cone at McDonald's- Forget Big Gay's or Van Leeuwen, when you're jonesin' for a good old-fashion unadulterated soft serve cone, look no further than the Golden Arches. For just $1.29 (and apparently only 170 calories), it can't be beat.

2. A Slice of Cheese Pizza at Two Brothers- One dollar slices abound in New York, but no one does it better than Two Bros. Because of their high volume of customers, they bake pies on a continual basis guaranteeing your slice will be freshly made with the cheese still bubbling from the oven.

3. Bagels- New York City is known for its bagels. Forgo loading it up with a fancy cream cheese (which can quadruple the price) and it should only cost you a buck. There's no better way to start the morning than by tearing into a soft, freshly baked New York bagel.

At Tompkins Square Bagel- One of my faves!

4. Rings at Joe's NYC- This midtown discount retailer (located on 8th Avenue and 38th St) has the most amazing jewelry, especially their rings. At a dollar a pop, you can afford to buy a whole bunch. I just picked up this owl one last week. Really cute, eh?

5. Pretty much anything at Jack's 99 Cent Store- Jack's is truly a treasure trove of amazing finds. I've gotten everything from calendars and notebooks to granola bars and cookies to cleaning supplies and cooking utensils at Jack's. In fact, my roommate and I just did a little decorating in our kitchen from posters we found at Jack's.

Tres Chic for Cheap!

So the next time you've got four quarters burning a whole in your pocket, unload on one of these great $1 NYC finds!

How to Keep Your Tab Small When Dining with Friends

Let's be honest, having a social life and being on a budget is really hard sometimes. It seems like every time I hang out with my friends I end up spending money, especially on dining out. It's a tough situation because I don't want to miss out on spending time with my friends but I also know that I only have so much disposable income to spend on eating out.  When there's a get together at a restaurant that's a little out of my price range or if I've already spent the bulk of my "going out" money, I follow a few simple tricks to keep my dinner bill small so I don't have to miss out on the fun.

Enjoying a low-cost meal with friends...notice the bowl of soup!

1. Stick with water- That Sprite or Coke just tacks on an extra $2 to the price of your meal. You could buy a whole liter of the stuff for the same price!

2. Order an appetizer as your entree- Appetizers are almost always less expensive than entrees. Look for ones that are meant to be shared by the table like calamari or a pizzetta. You'll get an ample amount of food without breaking the bank.

or 

3. Order the soup!- I am a huge fan of ordering soup as my entree. Substantially cheaper than an entree, most restaurants feature a soup of the day that usually come in a hearty portion with a side of bread. 

4. Opt for dessert elsewhere- Yes, that cheesecake looks amazing, but is it really worth $5 dollars? Probably not. If I really need a sugar fix after dining out, I buy a candy bar on my way home. It's a much cheaper way to satisfy my sweet tooth.

There you have it, by following these tips you can enjoy the time you're spending with friends instead of worrying about how much it's costing you. And remember, don't over-restrict yourself. If you're dying to try a signature big-ticket dish at a new restaurant or heard rave reviews about a dessert on the menu, go for it!  Use these tips for those times when the food is less of a priority than the people you're with. 

Carvel Offers Free Cones Nov. 15th

For all those craving a sweet treat, stop into Carvel tomorrow between 12 and 8 to pick up a complimentary junior size cone. The only one located in Manhattan is in Tribeca but for all of you who work in around Wall Street or go to school in the area (I'm talking to you, Kings College students!) it would make a great mid-week indulgence. And if you're feeling especially generous, you can donate $3 to Hurricane Sandy relief and you'll receive a Carvel Coupon book with up to $30 in savings. Free ice cream and supporting the community sounds like a pretty good combo to me.

MANHATTAN: 

Carvel
118 Fulton Street
New York, NY 10038
212-732-7283

BROOKLYN: 

Carvel
Penn Station Plaza, Long Island Railroad Concourse
New York, NY 10001
(212) 244-3848

Carvel Express
569 Myrtle Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
718-783-3744

Carvel Express
625 8th Avenue
New York, NY 10036
212-239-1165

Free Nail Polish at American Apparel

What's better than wearing the season's hottest nail color? Getting it for free of course! Now through November 10th, American Apparel is giving out free nail polish in some of their most popular shades. Just stop into an American Apparel and show this coupon (in print or on your phone) to pick one up. I braved the blizzard to get mine, choosing Hunter Green which I plan to wear throughout the upcoming holiday season. Cheers to well manicured nails without spending a dime!