Frugal in New York City: FOOOOD

In one expensive city, yeah, good luck.  A city where we have $40 burgers and $1,000 omelets (who knew that was even possible!). So, you want some tips now??

• 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 virgin 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.

Road Trip Itinerary

Currently- Packing for an 11hr trip from New York to North Carolina.

July 17th
4:30am- Wake up!
5:00am- Pack up the car and drive away
5:00am-3:00pm approx- Arrive at North Carolina home.

July 23rd
Sometime early- Leave for 9hr road trip from North Carolina to Florida....aka Disneyworld!!
Arrive 9 hrs later- Eat and head for the parks?

July 31st?
Sometime early- Leave for 20hr road trip from Florida to Oklahoma....aka college
Arrive 20hrs later- See friends, unpack, get dorm set up.

These upcoming 2 weeks will be crazy. 4 different states.  40hrs in a car.  And all the weight I lost walking in New York will soon be gained.  Here we go.

Just a little bored?

So anyways, here's a pic of me now!

Throwback: Miracles Happen (aka the "Princess Diaries" song)

"Nothing should ever bring you down

Knowing what goes around will come around.

You showed me dreams come to life

That taking a chance on us was right

All things will come with a little time

When You believe."

I. Love. This. Song. It makes me :)

Here one year, gone the next? Okay, "best friend"

I hardly ever dedicate time into people unless they are "worth it".
.......
I can't stand people who are your best friends and naturally, distance comes between the both of you.  Well, that's not what I hate.  What I hate is that I actually reach out to people and either A) they don't even recognize it ex. I text you or perhaps facebook you and say "Hey, long time! How have you been! Let's chat sometime!" and I get no response....YET I know you are on your phone constantly and I see you respond to other people on facebook or B) Don't follow up or make any effort! ex. You don't bother to contact me....ever!! Argh!

It frustrates me because I can prove, time and time again, that I am the one always trying to reach out to lost friends.  So at some point, I'm just like "Forget it." But then, I think about how long I've know them, how close we once were, or how much "time I've dedicated into them".

This is why I just keep my circle of friends smaller and smaller.  If you are really worth it, then it'll be obvious.  But once I see that you mean more to me than I mean more to you, I'm done. You never contact me, and I'm only one to do so?  I'm done.  I'm not going to view you as a "close friend" when you view me as "a girl from school".

So, it sounds like isolation.  No, just not everyone is my "best friend" anymore, I suppose.  Actually consider me one as well....then we can work something out.

Frugal in New York City: Transportation

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. But risk getting caught. Be sly and have an excuse.  I've used "I AM going to school, we have rehearsal even though it is break" or "I'm using it for school purposes, since my teacher told us to use this day to visit the museum" Although it is not an excuse if it's the "truth", right..... *wink*
   -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....hey I could have been held back...)
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. 

Album Review- Big Sean, Finally Famous: The Album

One of my favorite "XXL Freshmen" or "Newbie" artists.  This is what I think of his first album:

Intro- 4/5 It has some good lyrics and the beat is very peaceful. Basically the perfect intro for the album, talking about his recent view on his fame.
I never made the crowd fans, I made them all fam.
I Do It- 4/5 At first, the beat seemed simple and his rhythm was typical for Big Sean. Then I listened to the lyrics; it's quite funny and clever. The beat is still simple, but I honestly laughed out loud a few times while listening. It definitely entertained me.
I split an O in half, and now it's a parentheses.
My Last- 3/5 Radio play. The beat is catchy and the chorus is memorable. Any song that gets in my head is successful in my book. Lyrics aren't anything special but it's a cute song.
....now she rockin' Sean john.
Don't Tell Me You Love Me- 5/5 Wow. This song is something real. The lyrics caught my eye and the record felt very personal. Very relatable and a nice switch up for Sean. The beat started off as a instrumental with soft piano and guitar which was nice to hear in a hip hop song with the later addition of violins. This song was completed to the "T".
What's the perfect girl if it's not the perfect time?
Wait For Me- 3/5 Lupe is such a lyrically talented artist and I thought both artists would shine. Instead, I feel like both of them didn't measure up. It's one of the songs that I forget how it goes and is definitely not memorable. Would get 2/5 if Lupe wasn't on it.
Too late for him to make it out the 'hood legally.
Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay- 5/5 LOVE the beat. Having Kanye on it was a great addition. Roscoe Dash was perfect for the chorus. Although it sounded more like Kanye feat. Big Sean, it is nevertheless a great song. Lyrics are something to sing along to because the flow is unique for the song.
She's so cool give___with her shades on (whoa). (Amber Rose diss?)
Dance (A$$)- 1/5 You have got to be kidding me.  This song was not unique or clever, and even annoying. It sounds rushed and is 5 different beats smushed together. It's a good stripper song....
And it got an attitude, no wonder why it's stuck up.
Get It- 3/5 Not too memorable. Beat is nice with the piano. Lyrics are "aight". Good album filler.
Living life like I found a check with no ink.
Memories, pt. 2- 5/5 I can't believe this is Sean. Pretty song. Smooth song. No aggressive cursing, but a positive message. John Legend dresses it up. Lyrics are real and it is a song everyone can agree that it is very, very good all the way around.
Are you willing to give up what you love for who you love?
High- 5/5 Well, I think I would be surprised if there wasn't a song like this on the album, let alone if Wiz wasn't included somehow. We all know what this is about...and for it's "purpose", it is perfect.  Relaxing beat to bop to and the lyrics fit the title of the song.  Here's to all you smokers...
You be up in the club, I be up in the clouds.
Live This Life- 3/5 Typical Dream song.  I feel like all of his songs sound the same. Big Sean did okay with it though.  Not bad.  Not good. Not special.
They ask where your outfit from? Plead the Saks 5th.
So Much More- 4/5 I really like this song.  The beat is nice and I like his rhythm.  Some lyrics are good, some are repetitive Big Sean, but some are personal as well.  Worth checking out and listening to.
She put up with too many games not to have a ring.
What Goes Around- 5/5 The second I heard the beat, I was pleasantly surprised!  Very refreshing. Lyrics fit the song. Chorus is amazing and the beat is one of a kind.  This song shows his range.  It's encouraging and uplifting...one of those "I can do anything" songs.
'Cause when it turns real, that's when everyone turns fake.
Celebrity- 2/5 The beat is fine and so are the lyrics, although I feel it has nothing to do with the song. This is a sleepy song for me and nothing special.
What happens when it all falls, and the success is all gone?
My House- 3/5 It sounds like a "Trap Muzik" beat, which isn't a bad thing.  It's a fine song to listen to. Won't get many plays on my iPhone though.
From the top, they all look the same size.
100 Keys- 4/5 The beat with the piano "keys" worked so well and was very clever.  It has Ross on it, which would be the perfect track to put him on.  It's like a "classy hustler song".  Lyrics? Perfect for the song. One of these songs is necessary on every album.
Keys open doors, but bricks open windows.

And that's it. Overall, 4/5. Worth listening to every song and definitely worth getting the whole album!