Thrifty in the City: Coupons at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods? Say whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?

I think we all get excited when watching Extreme Couponing and think, "Wow, I could totally do that!  I need 900 mini deodorants for a penny!"  The unfortunate part is that NYC is not coupon friendly.  None of the local stores offer double or triple coupons (the closest one is Pathmark in Harlem).  And the stores here are limited on what they offer and the sales that come out - although there are good deals to be had.  And most of the coupons that come out are for over processed and unhealthy packaged foods.

Trader Joe's
I, myself, am a Trader Joe's Junkie.  I love it.  It makes my life so much easier.  It has all the natural and organic foods that I wish I could afford at Whole Foods, under their TJ's private label, that are crazy affordable and it's close by.  Sometimes I even spring for the $6 delivery when I really load up.  But did you know that you can use coupons there???  No, this is not a joke, people.


Over the summer, in a constant attempt to save money, I found some really great coupon and savings websites.  My favorite being Healthy Life Deals and The Thrifty Mama.  This blog puts up all the coupons and weekly specials for Whole Foods and Trader Joe's!

Trader Joe's Coupon Deals - Healthy Life Deals

Thrifty in the City: Avoid the Ick with ZocDoc

Every year the Ick starts to creep it's way through SVA and it's coming...  You know what the Ick is.  It's sniffley, achy, mucousy, coughing, exausting, contagious, disgusting ICK! 

While trying to avoid students' cooties and bathing in Purel, I'm always amazed when I'm talking to you sickly lot that hardly any of you have local doctors.  Every year I watch my poor residents in misery with illness, toothaches, and other unhealthiness because they'll wait to go home to see "their" doctor.  This is just not acceptable of adult women (this means you!).  You should all have local doctors, dentists, and know what your medical and dental insurance are and ALWAYS carry your insurance cards with you.  You never know when an emergency might come up!

Thrifty in the City: Splurge a little, save a lot!

Here are this week's decadent deals that are a real steal!

Looking Good...

Living Social: Shoedazzle.com, $19 for any shoes, boots, handbag, or jewelry! 

BuyWithMe: $20 gets you an OPI ‘Shatter’ mani-pedi (a $40 value) at Confidence Beauty Salon.

Dining well...

Groupon: for $20, you get $40 worth of contemporary continental cuisine and one dessert (an $8 value) at Giorgio's of Gramercy (a $48 total value). 

Thrifty in the City: Bored and Broke!

I'm always amazed whenever I hear "I'm so bored!" from my residents.  Mostly because you all have so much work to do, but also because you live in NYC!  There are SO many things you can be doing.  Once I start making suggestions, then I hear the starving student mantra, "But I'm so broke."  Ok, well I have a cure for both.  It won't put anymore money in your pocket, but it certainly won't take any more out and you won't be bored EVER again.

Here is a google calendar that I created of all of the FREE nights, days, events, in the City.  Keep checking it as I'll constantly update it.  You can even add it to your own Google Calendar or iCal line up!

FYI, if you don't use Google Calendar you're seriously missing out, it's like the best thing ever and it's free... get with it people.

Thrifty in the City: Deal Shout Out

Awesome Deals for week of September 12

Fun stuff to do in the City

Here are some awesome things to do this weekend and over the next few weeks while the weather is still lovely!

Celebration of Brooklyn Flavor

Buy With Me: Celebration of Brooklyn Flavor
$35 gets you TWO tickets with 6 food tastes each, plus 4 drink tastes each ($70 value), on Sunday, September 18 from 1-6pm. 

Bloomspot: Couture Fashion Week - This weekend! 

General Admission tickets from $24 - $30! 

Couture Fashion Week @ Bloomspot

Zozi: Happy Hour Cruise - Wednesday Night Hudson Trip 
$10 (must be 21 or older), for three hour cruise at sunset around Manhattan, bartenders shake you up a free cocktail, and you can shake on the dance floor on the bottom deck as they'll have a DJ spinning!

Kayaking on the Hudson

Zozi: Skyline on Hudson - After Dark Manhattan Kayak Trip 

$39 gets you a guided 'After Dark' kayak trip.  Leave at twilight, spend 75 minutes cruising the city's shoreline. 

Groupon: Cinema Village 

$12 for Two Movie Tickets and Large Popcorn (Up to $27 Value)

Thrifty in the City: Free Yoga Classes!

Molly was sharing with me the other day that she really wanted to start going to yoga classes this year but they can be so expensive.  Yoga is an amazing exercise practice that is great for any fitness level and it's an amazing stress reliever.  It is something that centers you physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.  But a class can cost anywhere from $16 - 30 and they pack the classes in!  That's a bit much in my opinion.   


So after doing a little research, I found out that there are plenty of places around here that offer cheap, if not free classes!  Also, check out those Groupons and other discount sites regularly, they're always offering discounted yoga packages too.

Thrifty in the City: DSW Fashion's Night Out!

Since RA Twig's Tea Party doesn't start until 9 pm, why don't you run down to DSW and do a little shopping first?  Enter to win a $100 gift card, get some free ballet flats, and get 10% off some shoes and handbags!

Thrifty in the City: Deal Shout Out

I am a deal junkie!  I never like to pay full price for anything!  Every morning over my cup of coffee, I read through all the Groupon like sites to see what awesome thing I can do, eat, or see for a fraction of the price. Sometimes I see great deals that I'll pass on to my residents.  Here's today's BEST deals that I think you would love!!

Bhojan

$18 for Two-Person Dinner including Appetizer, Entrees, Dessert, and Lassis (Up to $40 Value). $32 for Four Person Option (Up to $80 Value).

This place is amazing and it's close by, Lexington and 27th!  You can have dinner with all of your roommates for $8 a person!  That's crazy!

Urban Nail Salon

$15 for Manicure and Pedicure at Urban Nail Salon ($30 Value). $36 for Spa Manicure and Pedicure and a 10-Minute Foot Massage ($80 Value).

There is nothing like being broke and having a crummy day and then realizing that you have a Mani/Pedi that you haven't used yet!!!  


For $15, you get a basic mani-pedi package (a $30 value), which includes:

• Mani-pedi
• Application of polish
• Two-minute shoulder massage