So far in my life I have ran several 5k’s, 10k’s, 15k’s, 1 half marathon and 2 mud race obstacle courses; Warrior Dash (3 miles) & Tough Mudder (12 mles).

All of these things cost money. Half/Marathons and the mud races all cost ~$100, for an experience of course. Paying for competition. Paying for a challenge. Often times because we need that to push ourselves, for additional motivation. Or because it is a challenge we, ourselves, cannot recreate.

Warrior Dash

Simply put, the Warrior Dash, a 3 mile long obstacle course, is a party. It is something silly for a group of friends to do on a weekend. It is not all that challenging so even if you are not physically fit, you will not have a problem. The obstacles will make you feel like a kid again, climbing in tunnels, through mud, playing with fire and over rope nets.

But some of the obstacles aren’t really. Like walking along the shore in a lake for an eighth of a mile. Sure, it’s tiring, but it is not physically challenging. This “dash” is meant to be fun. Crawling through the mud is fun. Jumping over fire is fun. It is not difficult – all of that is just hype.

As someone who is physically fit, I would not pay $65 again to run this race alone. With a group of friends, maybe, but still it is a pretty high price tag for what comes out to be a 5k with a few speedbumps.

Fun Rating: 8 – good times!
Difficulty Rating: Mental & Physical – 3 – easy peasy
Cost: $$$ – $50-$100

Tough Mudder

The Tough Mudder is a 12 mile long obstacle course. The obstacles are not necessarily physically challenging, however, the course takes a lot of endurance and mental stamina to keep going. You may overcome a fear or two (like jumping off a 15′ platform or crawling through underground tunnels).

Really though, it is just long. If you are physically fit, the “obstacles” will not be a problem for you. But you will get tired. The energy it takes to run 12 miles plus throw your body over an 8′ wall, across a cargo net, on the ground, trudge through muddy water, etc, is a tremendous amount.

Was it fun? Not really. Am I glad I did it? Yes. Did I feel a sense of accomplishment after? Nah. Again, I feel like this would be more significant to a group of friends who aren’t the most physically fit folks and want to do a crazy insane challenge together.

Fun Rating: 2 – hell!
Difficulty Rating: Mental – 8 – overcome your fears; Physical – 5 – easy obstacles, just so many of them
Cost: $$$$ – $100-$126

Readers…

Can you justify paying for unenjoyable-at-the-time experiences/challenges that you know will be worth it later?

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I have long been a supporter of using Netflix or your local library to watch movies instead of paying full admission for a movie ticket. However, I will cough up the $13 here in NYC to see an indie or previously released film at one of the independent theaters.

Many theaters will do series over the course of a few months highlighting a director, composer, genre or theme. IFC Center offers late-night favorites, screening movies like Alien, Jaws and more at midnight on weekends.

If you go to a particular theater often, you can become a paying member to receive an admission discount (and feel good about supporting small theaters!)

Here is my hand-crafted list of independent theaters in NYC. It is by no means complete and I have not been to all of these, yet.

• Museum of the Moving Image: Astoria at 3601 35th Ave
• Brooklyn Heights Cinema: Brooklyn Heights at 70 Henry St (btwn Cranberry St & Orange St)
• Spectacle Theater: Williamsburg at 124 S 3rd St (btwn Berry St & Bedford Ave)
• ReRun Theater: DUMBO at 147 Front St (btwn Pearl St & Jay St)
• BAM: Fort Greene at 30 Lafayette Ave (btwn Ashland Pl & St Felix St)
• Angelika Film Center: SoHo at 18 W Houston St (btwn Broadway & Crosby St)
• Film Forum: SoHo at 209 W Houston St (btwn Avenue Of The Americas & Bedford St)
• IFC Center: West Village at 323 6th Ave
• Cinema Village: Greenwich Village at 22 E 12th St (btwn 5th Ave & University Pl)
• Quad Cinema: Greenwich Village at 34 W 13th St (btwn 5th Ave & Avenue Of The Americas)
• Sunshine Cinema: Lower East Side at 143 E Houston St (btwn Forsyth St & Eldridge St)
• Anthology Film Archives: East Village at 32 2nd Ave & 1st st

Readers…
Would you pay full admission to see an older movie or a movie you have already seen (and love) just to see it on the big screen?

Leave a comment below if I missed a theater!

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The Brooklyn Book Festival takes place this Sunday the 18th in downtown Brooklyn around Borough Hall. All events are free, some require (free) tickets, and this all takes place from 10a-6p.

Just a few of the plethora of events:

• The Phantom Tollbooth at 50: From the fantastic imagination of Norton Juster and the unforgettable sketch of Jules Feiffer, the classic children’s story The Phantom Tollbooth was created 50 years ago in Brooklyn Heights. Join the famed author/ illustrator pair in a conversation with Leonard Marcus.
  12p. – St. Francis Auditorium (180 Remsen Street) (tickets required)
• Comedy in Comics: Join and laugh with four artists of comics that are surreal, political, and hilarious: Eisner-nominated and cult-favorite Michael Kupperman (Mark Twain’s Autobiography: 1910-2010); Harvey, Glyph, and Inkpot Award-winning Keith Knight (The Knight Life: Chivalry Ain’t Dead); web-comics phenomenon Kate Beaton (Hark! A Vagrant); and newcomer Jennifer Hayden (Underwire). Moderated by Heidi MacDonald of The Beat and Publishers Weekly Comics World.
  1p – St. Francis Screening Room (180 Remsen Street)
• Moving Pictures: From B Movies to the Art House, film is possibly the most powerful broadcast medium of the past century—taking us on flights of fancy as often as it brings us face-to-face with the more unpleasant nature of the contemporary world. J. Hoberman (Army of Phantoms), Jason Zinoman (Shock Value), and Roberta Seret (World Affairs in Foreign Films) discuss the role of movies in understanding our world and ourselves. Moderated by film critic and Light Industry founder, Ed Halter.
  5p – St. Francis Screening Room (180 Remsen Street)
• Media Representations and Reality The debate continues over whether the media reflects reality or has a hand in shaping it. Like Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle, the act of presenting the news can very often alter it. No one knows this better than Brooke Gladstone of “On the Media,” whose new book The Influencing Machine with Josh Neufeld examines the role of the media in American society. Patrice Evans, (Negropedia), examines media representations of African-Americans, and Jennifer Pozner (Reality Bites Back) looks at the completely unreal world of reality television. Moderated by Juan Gonzalez (News for All the People).
  5p – Brooklyn Historical Society Main Hall (128 Pierrepont Street)

View All the festival events!

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Every Friday I will list personal recommendations of movies that are available on Netflix Instant Watch so you can enjoy a frugal weekend instead of buying that stupidly expensive movie ticket.

Weekend Picks: August 19-21 – Classic Early 90’s Edition

Reality Bites
Genre: Comedy, Coming of age
Mood: 90’s
94 mins; 1994
Leslie Rating: 4/5
Summary: 90’s love story involving post-grads trying to figure out what to do with themselves.

Benny & Joon
Genre: Quirky comedy
Mood: 90’s
98 mins; 1993
Leslie Rating: 3/5
Summary: 90’s love story involving Johnny Depp.

Mrs. Doubtfire
Genre: Comedy
Mood: 90’s
125 mins; 1993
Leslie Rating: 3/5
Summary: 90’s love story involving Robin Williams in drag.

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Every Friday I will list personal recommendations of movies that are available on Netflix Instant Watch so you can enjoy a frugal weekend instead of buying that stupidly expensive movie ticket.

Weekend Picks: August 12-14 – Goofy Movie Edition

Wet Hot American Summer
Genre: Teen Comedy
Mood: Goofy
97mins; 2001
Leslie Rating: 4/5
Summary: Hilarious summer camp comedy that balances perfectly between silly & stupid.

Spaceballs
Genre: Satire
Mood: Goofy
96 mins; 1987
Leslie Rating: 4/5
Summary: Mel Brooks satirical comedy of Star Wars

Earth Girls Are Easy
Genre: Comedy
Mood: Goofy
99 mins; 1989
Leslie Rating: 4/5
Summary: Jeff Goldblum, Jim Carrey and Damon Wayans are silly aliens trying to figure out Earth.

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I knew that groceries would be expensive in Manhattan. They were expensive in NJ so thought the difference would be negligible. It was not.

Here’s my first shopping trip on the upper west side:

Grated parm: $3.91
Grapes @ $2.69/lb: $5.33
100% whole grain bread: $3.99
Jarred Pesto: $3.59
Unsalted butter: $4.39
Cottage Cheese: $3.79
Strawberries: $3.99
Nellie’s Natural Eggs: $2.69
Chicken breasts: $6.01

Now, let’s compare this to the prices of some of these at a central New Jersey Wegman’s super market:

Cottage Cheese: $2.99
Unsalted Butter: $2.79
Strawberries: $2.49
Eggs: $3.69
Grapes @ $2.49/lb
Pesto: $2.49
Bread: $2.69

Shopping Around

Now, I am sure that the prices are cheaper in the outer boroughs and plan to experiment with that at some point. There might also be cheaper grocery stores 20-30 blocks away, but then convenience and time becomes a factor as well.

Because of these prices, I have been a bit deterred from cooking at home. I did make a vodka sauce last week but the can of stewed tomatoes (14 oz) was $1.99.

Also, remember that storage space is extremely limited. Even if I could carry home a month’s worth of groceries, I have no place to put them! For this reason, I have begun buying groceries by meal, which creates added costs as well.

I have yet to figure out the most cost effective method of eating (groceries vs take out) and will have to visit some more near by markets for a better cost comparison.

Readers…

How have you handled higher-than-expected grocery costs?

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Every Friday I will list personal recommendations of movies that are available on Netflix Instant Watch so you can enjoy a frugal weekend instead of buying that stupidly expensive movie ticket.

Weekend Picks: August 5-7

The Fighter
Genre: Sports, Drama
Mood: Inspiring
115 mins; 2010
Leslie Rating: n/a
Summary: Heard it’s about boxing…

The Usual Suspects
Genre: Crime, Mystery
Mood: Intense
106 mins; 1995
Leslie Rating: 4/5
Summary: Who is Keyser Soze?

Ronin
Genre: Action/Adventure
Mood: Fun crime action
121 mins; 1998
Leslie Rating: 4/5
Summary: Terrorists, the mob and an ex-cia agent don’t get along.

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I have been living in Manhattan for officially a month now and have been out of the frugal loop lately. Every time I catch up on fellow frugal blogs and articles, I just don’t find anything I can relate to.

Urban Living

I no longer have a car so I don’t need gas saving tips. I have no storage space, so I can’t buy in bulk. I have access to a plethora of free events, so I don’t need ideas on cheap dates. I rent an apartment, so I don’t need homeowner’s tips. I live with roommates, so I don’t need information on co-habitation budgets. I have to carry my groceries home, so I can’t stock up on sale items. I don’t do my own laundry, so I don’t need homemade detergent. Groceries are exorbitantly expensive and eating out can be really really cheap.

Staying Frugal

However, even though I may not be doing all of these essential money-saving tips that don’t apply to my lifestyle, I am still saving money.

I am tracking my spending and keeping an eye on my monthly budget. I balance between free, cheap & expensive-but-worth it activities. And most importantly, I buy less.

I buy less because:

1. I don’t have space
2. Things are heavy
3. There are so many activities to do that I never go shopping because I’m “bored”.

Saving money might seem difficult living in an expensive city, but it really is balanced out by being forced to live a more minimalist lifestyle.

Readers…

How well does your life relate to essential frugal advice?

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I was looking through a friend’s pasta cookbook when I saw a recipe that used strawberries, balsamic vinegar & canned tomatoes to make a pasta sauce. I had never thought of strawberries being used in that way and was immediately intrigued.

Fast forward to several months later, I stumbled upon this article about the strawberry pasta sauce. After just buying some strawberries recently, I decided to have a kitchen experiment of my own and give it a shot.

Honestly, I had my doubts, but the result turned out much better than I expected!

Note: I didn’t measure anything.

Strawberry Pasta Sauce

1. Slice up strawberries (I cut them into thirds) and cook in olive oil over medium heat
2. Add balsamic vinegar. Reduce
3. Add 1 can of pureed tomatoes & a bit of pasta water. Simmer.
4. Season with salt & pepper to taste
5. Serve over pasta with parmesan

It really is that simple. I felt it didn’t need many other spices although kosher salt & ground pepper really did help.

This is a great, quick recipe when you’re in the mood for something different!

Readers

What surprising food combinations have you had success with?

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Every Friday I will list personal recommendations of movies that are available on Netflix Instant Watch so you can enjoy a frugal weekend instead of buying that $10 movie ticket.

Weekend Picks: July 8-10 (Last Year’s Movies edition)

Let Me In
Genre: Horror, Vampire
Mood: Suspense, Dark
116 mins; 2010
Leslie Rating: 4/5
Summary: Surprisingly good remake of a coming-of-age tale about a young girl who struggles with being a vampire.

Iron Man 2
Genre: Comic Book, Adventure
Mood: Silly action
124 mins; 2010
Leslie Rating: 2/5
Summary: Similar plot to the first but just… bad.

Kick-Ass
Genre: Comic Book
Mood: Silly Action
117 mins; 2010
Leslie Rating: 2/5
Summary: A kid wants to be a super hero but gets more than he can handle blah blah blah.

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