Restaurant Review: Pier i Cafe

When looking where to grab a bite to eat, you always have to weigh cost with value.  Since New York is a little more expensive than other cities, this is even more difficult.

Sometimes places cost more because of the location, food quality, or atmosphere.  Pier I Cafe is located outside along the Hudson River, only open during the summertime.  This is one of New York's best kept secrets.

Locals dine here for a relaxing meal along the water.  With its casual setting, many come here after a day of biking or running down the river's esplanade.  It is also one of the few places that allows the consumption of alcohol in the park, so it is a great place to watch the sun set, eat good food outside, have a glass of wine, and come to dinner dressed in your workout clothes.

It is geared towards adults, but is welcoming for all ages. Think of it as an "adult picnic", where the adults sit alongside the water, drinking a glass of wine and having a salad, while the kids run around and play. It is the perfect "daycation" getaway, feeling as if you have escaped the bustling and noisy city, and landed in a tucked away paradise. Food is great. Atmosphere is like nothing else. And it is full of locals.

What more could you ask for?

How about a price reduction? It is a little bit expensive, and not exactly "frugal". A burger is about $10, and a beer is about $6, but for the value, it is frugal. You have a relaxing, front seat view of the water, eating and drinking, watching the sun set. Honestly, McDonald's runs about $8 for a value meal, so how much more are you actually paying? Trust me, it's worth it.

Consider this: Spend a day on the Upper West Side. Walk around Central Park, Columbus Circle, Lincoln Center, and Broadway. Rent a bike along the Hudson River for a couple hours, bike uptown towards Harlem and get a chance to tour yourself around for an affordable price,then conclude your journey here at Pier I for dinner, and watch the sun set along the Hudson.

Price: 3.5/5
Atmosphere: 5/5
Location: 5/5
Food: 4/5
Service: 4/5

Expect to spend: $15-20

What to order:

The "i" Burger
Maine Lobster Roll
Classic Caesar Salad

Is Last Minute, Money Efficient?

Well, is it?  I'm asking YOU!

Sometimes, we save money by booking ahead.  This could be for hotel, airfare, tourist attractions, restaurants, etc.  Sometimes, we save by booking at the last minute.

I've paid very little for flying to New York during holidays by booking it almost 6 months in advance.  I then talk to others traveling around that time, and find out that they paid the same by booking it a few days before.

So which is better?  Where do you find the most savings?  Are you "better safe than sorry" or "later is better than nothing"?

Where do you find the best deals for the best booking times?  Is it better to book ahead for airfare and save the tourist attractions for when you get to your destination?  Write a comment and let me know!

The Best ROI

Can you donate your money and be frugal too?
                   Yes.
You just have to figure out the best use and need for your money.

While I think it's important to save money, it is also important to give with the amount you've saved.  You want to be able to give to the best cause, and to get the most out of your money.  The problem I always face, is that there are so many different causes.  Girl Scouts want an extra dollar for some charity; the grocery store asks me to donate a dollar for breast cancer; my church is raising money missions trips; KONY wants all of my money- and the list goes on.

So how do you know what to do?  I think giving is very important.  If you can afford to give, then it is a necessity.  You need to make sure you give to something you are passionate about though, and something you feel at peace with.  I would just like you to consider a cause that my family has received money from, and in turn, given to as well.

I go to Oral Robert's University, a small Christian college located in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  My parents are alumni, and have seen this school go through many hardships and challenges.  Recently, the school has been excelling- having top notch teachers, expanding and remodling campus, and the school is officially "in the black" (meaning they are debt free!).

They have a scholarship for kids who are well rounded in all aspects, calling it the "Whole Person Scholarship".  This is good for students like me.  I don't have the highest SAT scores, but I am very socially adept, spiritually sensitive, and very fit and healthy.  This scholarship is for those students.

ORU is currently raising money for these students.  When donating, always thinking about if you will have a good return on your investment (ROI). Donating to a student's education, and providing them with a way to go to college, is some of the best ROI you can get.

I urge you to check it out.  If not this school, then maybe another one is pulling at your heart.  Education for youth who deserve it but cannot afford it is some of the best ways to donate your money.  Think about it.  What kind of ROI are you getting from your donations?  Donate to where you think the best ROI exists.

Guest Blog: Befrugal.com- Saving More Online

Sweet savings for city life

When living in the city, it is much more convenient to do your shopping online. With free shipping coupons, earning free Cash Back and getting your items delivered to your door, why wouldn’t you? I’m happy to share these great deals with you from BeFrugal.com:

·       Save using this Sephora coupon for free shipping on orders $50+ (ongoing offer).  Cash Back rate today (3/20/2012) is 5.6%.

·       Get free shipping on daily deals with this Target coupon (ongoing offer). Cash Back rate today (3/20/2012) is up to 4%.

·       Stock up on coffee and charge up for the day with this Starbucks coupon for free shipping on orders $99+ (with code FS99AFF, ongoing offer). Cash Back rate today (3/20/2012) is up to 3.5%.

·       Save with this Old Navy coupon for free shipping on orders $50+ (ongoing offer). Cash Back rate today (3/20/2012) is 3%.

·       Score free shipping on orders $25+ with this Drugstore.com coupon (ongoing offer). Cash Back rate today (3/20/2012) is 8%.

Where do you like to shop?

Restaurant Review: Joe's Shanghai- The Home of the Soup Dumpling

Ready to find a place that not only offers good food, but good value? All in one of the most expensive cities in the world - NYC.  Yep...This is my favorite: Joe's Shanghai 

Located in the middle of Chinatown, this is an authentic Chinese restaurant with a unique dining experience!  Known as "Home of the Soup Dumpling", this place offers a wide variety of Chinese food.  Their dumplings, filled with soup, are the highlight, but anything you try on their menu is amazing.  Really tasty noodles (order "Shanghai Noodles"), some of the best fried rice I've ever had, as well as fresh seafood and crisp vegetables too (since they get them fresh in the Chinatown markets)!  You can't go wrong!

Once, this place was only surrounded by locals in the Chinatown area, but more tourists and locals from all over New York have been hearing about this best kept secret.  It is a simple decor inside this "hole in the wall" restaurant, full of plain wood round tables and multiple Zagat reviews hanging on the walls.  They have group seating style, so odds are, you are sitting with the people you came with, and people you've never met!  The portions can be shared or self portions, but when I go with a group, I tell everyone to get something different so we can all try!  The waiters don't speak much English, so know what you want (even before you sit down- they are very interested in flipping tables).

If you want authentic NYC Chinese, in a great location, for great value, don't go anywhere else except Joe's Shanghai.  Great for locals, and great for tourists.  And when you go, ask for Derek!  He is actually one of the only servers that speaks great English and is very friendly!

Price: 5/5
Atmosphere: 3/5
Location: 4/5
Food: 5/5
Service: 5/5

Expect to spend: $10

What to order:
Pork or Seafood Steamed Dumplings
Fried Rice
Shanghai Noodles
Scallion Pancakes
Crispy Duck
Red Bean Dessert

Use the Streets!

What do tourists do? Buy inside.  What do locals do?  Buy outside.  Locals realize that the best deals are found outside on the street.

Here are some items to keep in mind:

Fruit Stands are great ways to get fresh fruit when you need it, for very low prices.  Sometimes these stands even have huge sales on fruit that cannot stay much longer.  This is a good opportunity to take, keeping in mind that the fruit might not last you more than a couple days.  It works out great when you want something for the moment or later on in the evening, because you can get amazing deals that no other store in the area can compete with.

Newspaper Stands are another great way to save.  Get great things on the go, and don't even think about stepping foot into a Duane Reade again.  Here you can find snacks, magazines, soda, and water for as cheap as it'll get.  Keep in mind, that in tourist areas, such as Times Square or Central Park, they'll want to charge more.  The golden rule: Never pay more than $1 for anything here (excluding big items).  Water, soda, candy = $1.  Pay any more and you are paying too much.

Food Carts are what the locals do.  This is what we love.  It is affordable, fresh, and gives you a taste of the real city life.  I often grab my coffee and bagel from here in the morning, buy a snack and sit on a bench in the park, or just eat it on the go.  There are always people purchasing at these stands so the food is fresh, so don't you worry.  Sometimes in certain cities there are "themed" food carts.  I've had the best waffles at a waffle cart, best tacos at a taco cart, etc.  Basically, any type of food you crave? Yup, there's a cart for that.  Check out NYMag for a listing of the top carts from 2010, which most of them are still doing business today.

All It Takes Is Simplicity, And A Little Bit Of Water.

Can you save on daily food items in one expensive city?  Yeah, good luck.  A city where there are $40 burgers and $1,000 omelets.  Here are some general day-to-day food saving tips:

• Rite Aid: For any snacks, cereal, toiletries, candy, etc, it is one of the cheaper drug stores in the city. With amazing sales, this can be the next best thing to Walmart!
• Water Cases: Buying a $6 case of 24 water bottles ahead of time to keep in your house saves more than you think. Carry one with you for the day, this way you don't have to spend $2-3 on a beverage outside. 
• Food Carts: One of the best things the city has to offer.  You can usually get a unique snack/meal for under $5 which could be halal (rice and lamb/chicken), waffles, dumplings, tacos, hamburgers, etc.
• Stick with Water: Special drinks can add a lot to your bill at restaurants (especially alcohol, which doesn't concern me since I'm not 21...).  So by the end of your meal, sometimes your drinks cost just as much as your food.  But tap water is free, healthy, unlimited, and you won't gain any weight! 
• Hint: If it's not a restaurant chain, RARELY will you get free refills on soda, tea, etc.  Always double check and ask before you end up spending $10 for a diet coke....
• DOLLAR PIZZA: Enough said.  I won't ever pay over $1 for a slice again.  Located around the 42nd st area on 8th and 9th and St. Marks (and more popping up, recently on 55th and Bway).  You can also get the special, which is 2 slices and a soda for $2.75.  It really doesn't get better than this.

• Hint: $1 Pizza NYC Locations
• NYC Restaurant Week: There are select weeks in the year that pricey, upscale restaurants offer "prix fixe" meals (pre-selected multi-course menu of items) to customers at a low set price.  This is usually during off-peak season in NY, but is a great way for anyone to try some of NY's best varying from $35-$50.
• Simple is Key: Although the appetizer looks great, and you would love to get that NY strip steak, be realistic.  You can eat at pricey places and spend little by being smart.  Stick with the cheaper items and don't get the $8 pina colada, the $4 for extra meatballs, and the $10 dessert.  Chicken, water, and skipping dessert is ideal.  Honestly, I've even done a $12 appetizer as a meal and been more than satisfied!
• Skip Fast Food: It sounds cheap, but fast food here means spending about $8 for a value meal at McDonald's.  It's insane.  You can eat simple at a restaurant for around the same price or do a food cart and save money.  It's unhealthy, and definitely a prime example of not getting your money's worth.

Guest Blog: Befrugal.com- Never Pay Full Price Again

You don’t have to live like Granny Smith to save green in the Big Apple

There is no denying that NYC is one of the most expensive places to live. With spending temptation all around from food to fashion galore, how can an average New Yorker save money?

It does not have to mean deprivation, but it does require thought and practice. Here are a few tips:

·       Plan your spending: Make a list of what you plan to buy and do throughout the week and be sure it fits into your budget:

o   Stick to your plan to avoid surprise spending.

o   Look for savings opportunities so you can spend even less than you intended. Head online for some quick research:

§  Check out weekly ads so you can spot sales.

§  Look at group buying sites like for deals on entertainment options.

·       If you purchase Groupons through a savings site, you can earn cash back (a percentage of your transaction deposited into a free account) on top of your savings. The rate today (3/13/2012) at BeFrugal.com is up to 8%.

§  Search for printable shopping coupons and restaurant coupons.

o   Make all your purchases online. Here’s why smart New Yorkers should shop online:

§  Your purchases are delivered straight to your building.

§  You’ll avoid sales pressure to buy complimentary items.

§  There’s no embarrassment when deciding to put items back.

§  You can find free coupon codes to save money.

§  You can earn cash back for free when you shop through a savings website.

§  You can use a rewards credit card to earn points or more cash back.

·       Consider alternative entertainment options. Restaurants, movies, and just about everything else are expensive, without even adding in cab fare. These ideas can help you save:

o   Invite a few friends over for a pot luck meal. Hosting a party can be costly and apartments are too small to have many guests, but you can still have a fun evening or brunch gathering.

o   Enjoy the park. Grab a book or pack a lunch and head to Central Park to get some free fresh air.

The money you save using these tactics can be deposited into your bank account or used to treat yourself.

BeFrugal.com offers free money-saving resources including coupons, Cash Back, tools, advice, weekly ads and more.  You can get a $10 bonus for signing up for free. Sign up today! 

The Cost of Living = The Cost of Traveling

Now, the majority of us don't have a car, car insurance, know current gas prices, or can even drive. Even without these expenses, New York transportation is still expensive. Especially since the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) raise their prices ever so often. So, here are some things I suggested that can help YOU save!

1.  Take advantage of what the MTA has offered YOU! 
   They give you a 2 hour transfer limit between bus and subway.  When I am running quick errands in Manhattan, I usually see what the distance is between each place (longer distance = subway; shorter = bus).  I use a different one for each direction. You save $2.25 each time you do that, and it adds up!
   EXTRA SAVINGS: When you get on a bus, ask for a bus transfer ticket.  The driver will print one out for you and you can use that on a different bus if there is another one you can take to go somewhere else.  That's 3 trips out of one $2.25 fare!
2. Sometimes it's just best to "cab it"
   It is.  If you have 4 people and you are going somewhere that is too far for walking, but too close to cough up $2.25, then take a cab.  When you divide it up amongst your friends, it ends up being around the same amount. And you took the luxury of a cab.  Just don't forget to tip!!
3. Student metrocards
   Public NYC schools give students one metrocard with 3 swipes a day, to be used weekdays from 5:30am-8:30pm, excluding holidays.  But you can REALLY use it.....
   -From 5am-9pm (it's the MTA's "bumper time", I suppose)
   -On holidays
   -To give to anyone! Lend to brothers or sisters who might be in college when not using it (that's what my brother did for me!!! But I always carry my high school ID just in case....)
4. Put more on your metrocard
   Even though it is not a lot and the MTA keeps lowering it, you get extra on your metrocard when you add a large amount at one time.  $20 is good.  Not too high and enough to last you.  I think you get an extra $1.50 by doing that, so why not do it if you have the cash up front.
5. Only buy an unlimited (monthly, weekly) if you know you will use it!
   They can either be your "saving grace" or worst nightmare.  Sometimes I buy it because I think I'll use it enough, then it turns out I just gave the MTA an extra $20 because I didn't.  Although an unlimited metrocard sounds nice, you need to actually use it! Using a monthly at least twice a day puts you $22 ahead! So if you are going to use it, then USE it!
   EXTRA SAVINGS: Buy at least one monthly for the family. My parents go out in the day, use it a couple times.  Then naturally as a college student, I go out at night so when they are sleeping, I use it.  We get approx. 4x a day on it...which makes the whole family :)
6. Ask a local!
   Some neighborhoods have "Dollar Vans" or town cars that are called locally called "African Cabs".  These are privately owned but will get you to your destination for a lower price than a yellow city cab or sometimes just a little more than a subway.  Split it with your friends, and yes, it can be cheaper than a subway.
7. Own a car? Out-of-state insurance.
   For the select few that do, try and use another residence if you do have one outside of NYC. This cuts your insurance bill almost in half!  Plus other states allow you to tint your windows darker.... :) Just make sure your license plate is your "permanent" address.

Refer to post in blog "PointofView": Frugal in NYC: Transportation

How Do You Spend Your $$?

In order to learn how to save money, first think about what you spend your money on.
Generally, this consists of....

• Transportation
• Housing
• Food
• Taxes
• Entertainment
• Healthcare 
• Shopping
• Insurance

Right. Generally.  Now it's the little things that matter.  What do we spend our money on day to day that can be avoided?  These are things like....

• Coffee- in the morning and afternoon
• Lunch
• Various beverages and snacks
• Cigarettes 
• Alcohol  
• Impulse buying (i.e. "sales")
• Misc. fees
• Music, apps, tv shows, movies, etc.

These are things that can often be replaced for cheaper substitutes, or are things we can completely eliminate out of our lives in order to save a bit.  What are the things you spend on an average day?  Make a list and see what things are necessary and what things you avoid.  It's the little things that add up, so it's the little things that count the most.