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When The Economy Screws You, It's Time To Get Resourceful
- by aliciak
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- August 01, 2009
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Your savings are dwindling, your stocks are worth the gum stuck to your shoe, and while you still have a job, this becomes less of a certainty everyday. If you're like me and don't have any money or investments to lose, well, life doesn't change all that much. If you're also like me and take the DIY/resourceful ethic to the next level, then you already know how to budget (have them take YOU out to dinner), hustle (at the pool table, sell cookies to your friend's lunch group) and generally take care of yourself (cook, cut own hair, bike, indulge in no girly activities like waxing, spas, manicures EVER in your life). In other words, I am a-okay, self-sufficient and unaffected by an economy that I try to avoid participating in as much as possible. (For the time being) Let this would-rather-live-in-a-cabin-in-the-woods chick help you out.
Stop Eating Out. Seriously.
I have little sympathy for those who complain about money, or lack thereof, but then proceed to eat out for 70%+ of their meals. Or buy an $8 sandwich everyday for lunch. Um, you are SPOILED if you do that. Learn to cook already, OR, learn to put together a sandwich…or boil water for basic spaghetti…or make your own coffee in the morning. That go out 4-times a week habit? Cut back! But that’s “part of living in New York.” GET OVER YOURSELF. To reiterate, I have NO sympathy for those who “lost so much money” in the recent economic meltdown when those same people frivolously throw away money everyday.
Not Eating Out in New York
Cathy Erway of Brooklyn decided to stop eating out, not b/c of financial constraints, but simply because she went “AWOL” from eating out, buying out, take-out, etc.
She’s busy in her kitchen coming up with recipes, having lasagna parties and is writing a book based on the blog! Well done! See, you can turn it into a business venture along the way!
In tough times (or not), you must learn to hustle, juggle, multi-task or whatever it is you want to call it.
Ditch the Whole Foods habit temporarily
You can’t afford it! I know, it’s GOOD for you to eat organic and dive into that salad bar everyday at lunch, but you will have to put this luxurious habit on hold for now.
Pathmark
227 Cherry St, New York, NY 10002
Hark! It’s a real supermarket! In New York City! Huge, long lines, aisles and aisles that never end. Sounds just like Whole Foods, right? Yeah…no. I adore grocery shopping, pushing around a cart that is way bigger than I need, for at least an hour. Scouring the shelves for steals and deals, picking up some Marshmallow Maties and generic detergent.
You might kick the bucket waiting in line, as everyone is clinically inept, but just like a real supermarket, People Mag. and horoscopes will keep you company.
Hark! It’s a real supermarket! In New York City! Huge, long lines, aisles and aisles that never end. Sounds just like Whole Foods, right? Yeah…no. I adore grocery shopping, pushing around a cart that is way bigger than I need, for at least an hour. Scouring the shelves for steals and deals, picking up some Marshmallow Maties and generic detergent.
You might kick the bucket waiting in line, as everyone is clinically inept, but just like a real supermarket, People Mag. and horoscopes will keep you company.
The Scene in Queens
At the Pathmark!
Met Food
180 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10003
Dirty, sometimes a little smelly, slightly sketchy employees, but also? Cheap groceries. The produce is poor—don’t buy it! You will end up throwing it away anyway because those peaches taste like paste and the potatoes are black inside. BUT, for non-perishable groceries, $20 goes a loooong way.
Dirty, sometimes a little smelly, slightly sketchy employees, but also? Cheap groceries. The produce is poor—don’t buy it! You will end up throwing it away anyway because those peaches taste like paste and the potatoes are black inside. BUT, for non-perishable groceries, $20 goes a loooong way.
Rachael Ray and The New Kids on the Block!!!
See, they will support the cooking skills you didn’t know you had!
The Food Network
There’s no extra cash for splurging on a cooking class, but seeing as though you will probably not be giving up cable or internet, there’s no need to fret. Bobby, Rachel, Ellie, Tyler and even Paula will teach you what you need to know. If you can’t sit through one of their shows, then find recipes on the site and hop to it! You don’t even need to BUY a cookbook!
Battling the Economy around Town!
Additional Resources for Being Resourceful
Revisit Your Household Habits
Make Your Own Laundry Detergent
Sound a little too hippiesh for you? How would you like to do laundry at half the cost? Yeah I thought so. Whip up some of your own laundry detergent, save your clothes from the mainstream detergent’s gross chemicals that are bad for them anyway and be a little greener in the process. All the while saving $$$!
Air-dry Your Clothes
Wow, there sure are a lot of dry rack options out there! Most are under $10, which means that after 6-10 loads of laundry, you will be saving dryer money. I did this for all 4 years of college and for all 5 years of living in New York. I should really add up all the quarters saved. Booyeah.
A Few Tips to Decrease the Bills
- turn off (or down) lights, fans, AC, heat, appliances when not using.
- fix it yourself! Okay, this could be dangerous, but you’re probably more handy than you give yourself credit for. Learn the basics of fixing things around the house—search the internet for these basics!
- sell your stuff! Craigslist and some lucky perusing peeps are waiting for that end table, record collection, deconstructed loft bed that you no longer use. Sometimes you have to part with what you love, like when I needed money and the Shakespeare anthology had to go! :(
Hygeine and Health do NOT have to go out the window!
Budgeting during this poor economic time does not =giving up all toiletries, prescriptions and doctor visits. I mean, you could give up all these things, but let’s be real—Americans need their shower gel and Xanax. i.e., don’t be a pissy smelly-head because New York already has enough of those.
Health Comes First
Ryan William F Community Health Center-
160 W 100th St, New York, NY 10025
A kick—ss conglomerate of community health centers around the city. Fees are based on income and these places have comprehensive services.
A kick—ss conglomerate of community health centers around the city. Fees are based on income and these places have comprehensive services.
Dr. Jay!
He’s the Williamsburg doctor who runs a for-real practice for those without insurance or low on dough. It’s old school in the fact that he’ll make house calls and make the effort to get to know you. It’s “new” school in that he’s all about using internet, email, iPhones, whatever to keep in touch and communicate! He rocks.
Hello Health, i.e., Dr. Jay!
105 Berry Street Brooklyn, NY 11211
Clinical Health Studies/Trials
I’ve never participated in one but I know people have. And they are still alive and seemingly normal. In addition to getting paid for participation, you can also receive free basic health care. Not a bad perk, especially if you choose a painless, easy trial. Now where are the cookie diet and/or sleep 1/2 the day studies…
Live off the system
New York has one of the most supportive Medicaid programs in the country! I should know (loooong story). There’s some red tape involved, but getting Medicaid with full benefits is not very hard if you can display a lack of $$$. When you’re sick and down on your luck, you’ll get over the whole “But I can’t live off the system! I went to college! What will people think???” really quickly.
Hygeine is important too
Bumble & Bumble
146 E 56th St, New York, NY 10022
It’s the people who play with your hair with scissors like you did with Barbie dolls in the 3rd grade and call it school! Since I cut my own hair and that of others (yes, I AM bragging…no shame in my game!), I cannot vouch for the Bumble & Bumble folks. How bad could a free haircut be? Errr…
It’s the people who play with your hair with scissors like you did with Barbie dolls in the 3rd grade and call it school! Since I cut my own hair and that of others (yes, I AM bragging…no shame in my game!), I cannot vouch for the Bumble & Bumble folks. How bad could a free haircut be? Errr…
DIY Beauty "Recipes"
You know you wanna make your own bubble bath and chamomile shampoo!
My Homemade Owl Soaps!
See, not buying stuff can be cute and fun! The cost of making each one of these is a small fraction of what even the cheapest drug store soap costs.
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Will you cut my hair? Hahaha…I’m kidding…“kidding”
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Going out is a killer. Drinking is a wallet drain enough, but getting food is even worse. My husband and I tallied up all of the money we spent during one month of going out and it was…a lot. Like, A LOT a lot.
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