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Strapped for cash this holiday season? CitySaheli scoured the city and the web for some quick fixes to cut your spending during the holidays and into the new year. You can use these savings to splurge on holiday presents or score yourself a vacation early in 2010. Whether you love curling up with movies, books or music or enjoy drinking with your friends at the local watering hole, we’ve got you covered with free means to do all these things. Our tips and tricks will help you maintain your exciting lifestyle and help keep your money in your wallet.
Free Music
iTunes has embraced the spirit of giving by compiling a delightful ‘Holiday Sampler’ with old classics by new vocalists. The best part is that they are giving away this divine 21-song album away for free THIS week.
Every Tuesday, Starbucks gives away one free iTunes song. You don’t need to make a purchase to acquire the free song. The store usually has little cards at the register, and your kindly barista won’t judge you for grabbing one on the go. Make sure you redeem the code on the back before it expires—typically 3 months from the date of release. A great way to hear new music and step outside the comfort zone of your favorite genre – and at no cost!
Free Booze & Art
My Open Bar brings you weekly listings of free open bars in New York City. These deals are prone to time restrictions and usually don’t include top shelf alcohol, but it’s FREE.
One Art World provides a calendar of events in Chelsea and downtown art galleries that host receptions of new installations with free wine and/or beer. Typically, Thursday between 6-9pm is the hottest night to hit these events. You could fashion a gallery hop with your friends to see some art and sip some wine.
Free Food
Wined and Dined presents an extensive list of venues broken down by neighborhood to help you save big on tasty treats. Check the site frequently for savings on food and drinks in New York City.
Free Books, Movies & More
Remember when you had a library card? Well, log onto New York Public Library (NYPL) and get yourself one stat. There are multiple locations in Manhattan and the other boroughs. You can borrow DVDs, CDs, and books for free. Instead of spending a fortune at Barnes & Noble or on Amazon, take a walk to your local library branch to borrow books. Save space in your home and avoid the dust accumulating on your stacks of old paperbacks. You can renew DVD rentals at no charge as well. So cancel your blockbuster/Netflix membership and reallocate that cash to your Starbucks habit!
This deal isn’t limited to NYPL. No matter what city or town you call your own, they have a public library, so go get yourself a shiny new plastic card now. Just make sure you return materials on time or you will end up spending more than you saved.
Cheap Cultural Pursuits
Every museum has free hours of admission. Just check out the museum’s website before heading over to explore new art and marvel at old Masters. CitySaheli recommends Museo del Barrio which just reopened after a long reconstruction to peruse some terrific Puerto-Rican and Latin American art. The Met operates on a donation basis which means that the listed fee is a recommendation not a requirement for entry. Target sponsors ‘Free Saturdays’ at the Brooklyn Museum of Art.
Get Fit for Less
Fight holiday pounds before they pack on by securing a two-week membership to New York Sports Club for just $19.99. No strings. No commitment. If you’re not sure you will go often enough to make it worth your while, test out that theory with this short two-week commitment.
Yoga to the People wants to make the practice available to everyone. They operate by donation, so put what you can in and pass on the pot. Many other studios offer free first sessions or even a cheaper rate for a weekly pass. CitySaheli likes Laughing Lotus for their $20 unlimited yoga for a week for first-timers.
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