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!

Food Trucks & Gyms Offer Freebies For Hurricane Sandy Victims

As New York City struggles to regain its footing after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, food trucks and gyms are doing their part in the relief effort. Until 4 pm today, several food trucks will be serving (free) hot meals to anyone and everyone they can accommodate. For those of us living in lower Manhattan, the PB&Js and canned soup have left us yearning for a hearty, hot meal. Stop by one of the following locations to pick yours up:

8th Avenue and 19th St:
Andy’s Italian Ice
Milk Truck
Frites n’ Meats

Washington Square:
Big D’s Grub
Coolhaus

Rockaways- Beach 50th and Beach Channel Drive:
Cupcake Crew
Eddie’s Pizza

Astor Place:
Rickshaw Dumplings
Toum
Wafles and Dinges

Tompkins Square Park:
Sweetery
Mexico Blvd

14th & 3rd Ave:Wafles and Dinges

City Hall Park:
Wafles and Dinges

In addition, New York Sports Club is opening their doors to the public and offering the use of their showers, outlets, and exercise facilities free of charge until November 14th. They have locations around the city. Check their website for open locations.

I am proud that in the midst of mind-boggling bus lines, crowded subway system, and general uneasiness, there has been a real sense of community among New Yorkers. My prayers go out to all of those who lost their lives, homes, livelihood in this unprecedented storm. Stay safe and be sure to pick up a hot meal from one of these gracious food trucks and blow off a little steam at a New York Sports Club!