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