The Stupid Tax and other Stories

It's a gruesome tough world out there sometimes. A lot of times I feel a little victim-y--that I can't do what I want because I'm not rich. And then when I make a mistake and have to pay $ for it I feel even worse. Dave Ramsey who coined the term "Stupid Tax," meaning the things we waste money on because we don't plan ahead, we're thoughtless, we're lazy. Recently, I racked up $80 in stupid tax fines. Actually it was three parking tickets I had gotten in two days. Stupid, stupid, stupid. And geez, I need that money for so many other things. Then I did something I had never done before: I went to City Hall to fight them. I had never wanted to spend the time doing that. Plus, I was guilty and had no good excuses. Still I had to try.

I went and was the first one called to the bench in the morning. The judge, a real strict, old school kind of guy asked me what happened. I said I was busy at work (which was mostly true). In the end, the judge asked me to plead guilty and reduced my fines to $30 total. I left feeling so much better and a lot less hopeless about life.

(Now this was outside NYC. But if you get a parking ticket in NYC, I can't recommend this service enough: www.parkingticket.com. These professional ticket fighters get your fines reduced or dismissed for the half the cost of your fine.)

Wishing You a very Black Christmas!

Just because Santa is deep in red you don't have to be. This Christmas I'm doing my best to rein in my spending. It's difficult though because I truly want to embrace the spirit of giving and show my loved ones how much I appreciate them. In order to keep myself on task, I'm going to be blogging about my Christmas shopping experiences. My ideal is to actually GIVE more because I'll be on the lookout for the best ways to stretch my dollar allowing me to be creative and think BIG.

Gift #1: Groupon Gift certificate for $75 worth of wine purchased at $25. I am even more of a fan of Groupon now that the online deal delivery service offers even more through its holiday gift. A note about the fine print: shipping not included in the certificate value.

Out for a Deal

That's me ... I'm always looking for a ways to live largely--but cheaply. I still don't believe in clipping my wings, cramping my style--whatever you want to call it--just because I'm on a budget. Thank heavens for the online deals delivered to my e-mail inbox. Right now, I'm signed up for Groupon.com and KGBdeals.com. Lately, I've been designing my weekends on what deal comes to me. In this way, I can meet up with friends and even treat them to a round! Forgive me if I sound too enthusiastic but this is that good.

This weekend's destination is L'oubli Gourmet Bar in the East Village. On KGB, I paid $10 for $20 worth of food and drinks. The challenge, of course, is to not overdrink overspend! Salut!

Thoughts on the Anniversary

Today I feel happy, I feel reflective, wistful, and a little scared to go out into this bright blue day. But today I will be with friends and family so I will be at home. I can't help thinking about small moments I've had since 9/11/01.One of them happened a few years ago. It was late at night and I was taking a cab home. The driver seemed distressed and I asked him what was wrong. He was an Arab Muslim and he listening to a BBC news report about discrimination of his people. He was hurt and angry. And I did my best to assure him that there were still Americans who believed in peace and religious freedom and justice for all people. After we got to my block, he pulled over and we talked some more. We clasped hands and prayed for peace together and then parted ways. It was amazing because I asked and he answered and in this little moment we shared something so great.

On this anniversary, I offer that hope is free, love is free, friendship is free, forgiveness is free--and all these things are available to us whenever we need it.

Festivals and Festivals and Festivals

Beginning this weekend, NYC embraces its artsy self with festivals devoted to music, dance, and books.

First up, the Brooklyn Book Festival where you can go ogle famous authors, get acquainted with small presses, quote Proust, and pretend that you've already finished Jonathan Franzen's latest novel (but if you have, can I borrow?). I've been to the BBF before. It's fun and apparently it's gotten bigger in the past five years. Hello Salman Rushdie! (Sept. 10 to 12. at Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street, B-town, NYC)
PS. this morning I read and an interview with this BBF author who said Manhattan is the new Brooklyn. Huh? Someone please explain this to me.


Bryant Park Fall Festival (Sept. 13 to 20) When Fashion Week's Tents left for Lincoln Center they had to do something with Bryant Park. Find eight jazz, funk, opera and classical music, ballet and modern dance performances during the week that the likes of models, celebs, and designers once tread. 6 to 7:30 p.m. FREE (except for the whiskey hot chocolate you might need during the chilly evenings.)

NY City Center's Fall for Dance Festival (Sept. 28 to Oct. 9 tickets go on sale Sept. 12 at 11 a.m.) Tickets are a stunningly reasonable $10. And sure, it would be wonderful to partake in this international celebration of dance by renowned dance companies and choreographers. But you can also do it FREE. And though you might have to see the dancers via screen--a DJ, bar, and pretty damn artsy cool people will be your recompense. Read more about the Festival Lounge.

NY City Center: West 55th Street (between 6th and 7th avenues). All performances are at 8 p.m., except for the Sunday, October 3 performance, which is a 3 p.m. matinee.

NEWSFLASH-$4 movie tickets

I'd write more about this really awesome deal but they're running out fast. When I just purchased mine, there were only 103 $4 AMC movie tickets left. Good luck!

***OPEN TO NYC, THE FIVE BOROUGHS, WESTCHESTER, ROCKLAND, PUTNAM COUNTIES ...


***Update, I scored my ticket--actually one ticket per person allowed--and learned about a new site for great discounts kgbdeals.com. I'll definitely be featuring them again soon. Oh and by the way, 76 tickets lefts as of last count.

Sniff ... Sniff... Goodbye Summer 2010

I'm trying to handle the end of our relationship with grace and dignity. But as a summer girl I only want to cry at the thought of our parting. To the sun, the sand, the sea, and to the many, many free (and almost free) events--I'll miss you. Here's to our last dance together!

Movies Take Manhattan

The Central Park Conservancy presents its annual film festival tonight and every night through Saturday (Aug. 24-28). The theme, of course, is Manhattan. Well, no one ever said the city wasn't in love with itself.

The Rundown:
Tuesday, August 24: Fame (1980)
Wednesday, August 25: The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009)
Thursday, August 26: Saturday Night Fever (1977)
Friday, August 27: King Kong (1933)
Saturday, August 28: Manhattan (1979)

Films start at 8 p.m., gates open at 6:30. Enter at 72nd street, continue north of Sheep Meadow. Bring a picnic (the fine print says sober, my friends).

Cost: free Payoff: cultural references to throw around at cocktail parties or at your freshman film class (and maybe a few bug bites for the trouble)

Aw Shucks, It's Happy Hour

When it comes to oysters and many other treasures of the sea, there are not many things I wouldn't do to get my claws on them. So when I was at the East Village Mermaid Inn with only about 20 minutes to go before its $1 Oyster Special ended I knew had to get serious. The bar was packed with patrons slurping with abandon and I had no seat. Could I stand there and balance a plate on one arm? Sure, I'm not proud. I put in an order. Praise be to Neptune, I got a seat and heartily enjoyed $6 worth of oysters and a cold glass of Sauvignon Blanc. Next time, I get there at opening time. (the doors that is)

Cost: $1 per yummy Blue Point Oyster Payoff: A pearl of an evening in a pearl of a place

Mermaid Inn: 96 Second Ave. Between 5th and 6th streets. Happy Hour is 5:30 to 7 Monday through Saturday and 5 to 7 on Sundays. More locations.

My Empire State of Mind

I created Nearly Free in NYC to offer readers opportunities to enjoy and participate in events and activities around Gotham. Beyond the obvious merits of free (and almost) free things to do, there's a deeper benefit to be had. There's the inner contentment of peace of knowing: I HAVE ALL THAT I NEED RIGHT HERE AND NOW. MY LIFE I RICH AND FULL AS IT IS.

Trust me, I struggle with this concept DAILY. Working for a couple handfuls of peanuts, trying to undo past debt mistakes, and just plainly, trying to have fun once in a while makes it difficult to feel that I HAVE. Sometime after moving to New York City four years ago, I had the revelation that this very-expensive-city also makes me feel rich in spirit if not in pocket.

It's beautiful here. The architecture for one. The many shades of people that I meet. The museums. The restaurants. The parks. There is so much to be had--the question is how do you take advantage of your own backyard? And how do you make choices that promote financial and spiritual freedom in the mean time?

What about living in New York City (or other place) makes you feel rich?

Hey Mr. Tax Man

My short history: I have debts to clear. Student loans, some to the IRS, and a little more to credit cards. How I got here is boring. But how I get out of this will not be. With faith and resilience and a lot of creativity, I know that I can overcome my debts and find the financial and emotional freedom that I'm looking for.

I get wrapped up in paralyzing fear sometimes. Money and I are not the best of friends. In fact, when money tries to talk to me I usually turn away. You don't have to be Suze Orman or Dave Ramsey to know that this needs to change.

So there I was on the eve of the unholiest of American days, April 15. I alternated between wanting to get it over with and putting it off some more. Sure I could've filed an extension but that wouldn't have helped my need to face my finances head on. I need to get rid of these things that dangle around me all the time to use the mental space for more creative projects. I managed to take a deep breath and then go to IRS.gov. And there I saw the link to free file. The program was a little clunky and outdated but I had done my own taxes enough on TurboTax and H&R Block to know how to fill in the forms. What's more, I only paid $10 for the state portion while in the past I've paid $30. And last year, I also waited til the last minute and ended up having to pay $30 to file my federal.

Cost: federal=FREE, state=$10 Savings (over last year): $50 Payoff: a HUGE sense of relief for getting things done