» Hanging Out

Parking Ticket Panic

Steph — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:31:32 +0000

by Stephanie Berenbaum – January 5, 2012

Avoid the Price of the Boot & Tow

It’s not even a week into the new year, and already our friend Samantha has broken one of her New Year’s resolutions! 2012 was the year she was finally going to get more organized, not let mail pile up, and stay on top of her bills. She had the best of intentions, really…

But her optimistic outlook on 2012 was already totally threatened by January 3rd when she looked out her window to see a big orange BOOT being placed on her car! To make matters worse, it turned out the boot was the least of her troubles. Because, as the Los Angeles City employee told her, the tow company was on their way…

Beware of Unpaid Parking Tickets..

SERIOUSLY! As Sam learned the hard way, the current rule in LA is if you have FIVE unpaid parking tickets, your car can be booted and towed – even if the ticket is just a month old. If you know anything about driving and living in Los Angeles – getting parking tickets should be a budgeted cost of living in this town. And it’s not just Los Angeles – if you live or work near any large city, chances are you’ve had to pay big bucks for a parking violation at some point or another.

What to Watch for…

So, it got us thinking, there are so many different types of parking violations that cities enforce because the profit margin for them is just so gigantic – what sort of parking rules and tips do you need to be aware of, aside from the obvious? Of course each city has its own special violation nuances, but here are things to think about wherever you drive!

The Broken Parking Meter

I always assumed that a broken parking meter meant you get a free pass – I mean, it’s not your fault it’s broken, right? But many of our friends have told tales of getting ticketed while parked at these broken meters! What gives? While rules differ by city, one thing we learned is that even if a meter is broken, you still have to adhere to the time limits – so be careful not to overstay your welcome.

How Many Tickets Before You Get the Boot & Tow?

This was our friend Samantha’s downfall. Apparently, many cities are reducing the number of unpaid tickets you’re allowed before you get towed. As we mentioned, Los Angeles will now boot and tow you if you have 5 unpaid parking tickets – and there is a movement to reduce the number of tickets even lower. SO – be sure to find out what your city’s limit is – and pay up before you hit it the limit!

How Many Days To Doubling?

If a ticket goes unpaid for a certain number of days – surprise – the fine DOUBLES. But you may not be aware that many cities are also reducing the number of days you have to pay before the add another fine. Make sure you know how quickly you need to pay in your town before your parking budget is completely busted!

Speak Up Or Shut Up

brandi — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:49:15 +0000

By Brandi Savitt – October 27, 2011

Paying More than Your Fair Share

Last week, after finishing a major project at the office, our dear friend Jo went out with a few work buddies to celebrate. Everyone ordered a cocktail and began chatting about how thrilled they all were with the outcome of the project. Jo, who was enjoying her time unwinding, was nursing a cold and decided to sit the next round of drinks out. As these things go, round two progressed to round three, and after a couple of bottles of wine and multiple tapas for the table, the gang finally called it quits for the night.

When the bill came the cards came out, and before Jo knew it, the waitress had split the bill equally on all of the cards. Embarrassed to speak up that she only had one drink and no food, yet upset she had to pay 4x what she owed, Jo didn’t want to complicate the situation. So, she did what so many of us do – she said nothing – and then called me the next day to complain….

Been There, Done That

I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been in awkward money situation with friends at one point or another. Whether it’s splitting the bill or getting reimbursed for fronting the money for something, it’s always tough to be the one asking to be paid back or having to announce you want to pay less than everyone else. Let’s face it, who wants to seem cheap? But on the other hand, the only person who can control your budget is you… So, how should you handle it?

Tactfully Speaking

Communication and managing expectations (yours and your friends) are key. In casual situations with friends, there is nothing wrong with letting your pals know that you would prefer to pay for your share only. This is true if someone owes you money as well. Whether we like it or not, people are not always as observant or mindful as we would hope. We all can be forgetful, and most of us actually appreciate a gentle reminder. In most cases, your friends are not looking to screw you, and if they are — they’re obviously not really your friends!

Own Your Silence

Sure, it sounds easy to just speak up, but we all know that there are those times when it’s not appropriate, or you’d still rather not say anything and just cough up the cash. And that’s fine, but that’s also your choice. You can’t expect other people to take the lead for you, and you can’t get upset in awkward money situations if they don’t. That’s not fair, either. The only person’s actions you can be responsible for are your own. So, if you choose to let things slide, you also need to accept that choice. Suck it up and don’t go talking about the situation to your other friends as if someone wronged you. Your only enemy is you….

Take Control of Your Wallet

The truth is, you will likely have to face many more awkward money moments in the years to come, and good communication can only go so far. You are the only one who really knows what’s in your bank account. If you can’t afford to take the risk that you might have to pay more than you planned, avoid putting yourself in that position in the first place. If you feel certain friends constantly take advantage of money situations, avoid big ticket nights with those friends. Choose activities that you can afford and enjoy doing. Finding that balance is not easy, but it’s absolutely worth it to your friendships – and your wallet – in the end!

Finding Cheap Thrills in a New City

admin — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:27:48 +0000

By Megan Segura – September 14, 2011

New With Nothing to Do

As someone who has moved around a bit, I can tell you that after each relocation I have found myself with a lot of lonely downtime left to fill. Once the stress and excitement dies down, finding some fun, fast – and affordable – ways to enjoy my new town is essential if I’m ever going to acclimate.

Sure, if you have all the money in the world, you can buy your way into a ton of exciting events, but that’s not always the case. Throughout my own travels and experiences, here are some tips that have helped me explore my new digs while keeping me entertained on a budget!

Get Into Your Hobby

Your personal hobby is the key to finding fun. For example, I love movies, so I started following a local film center on Twitter. Through this small act, I was able to find out about a small screening of a movie with a Q & A afterward with its star-studded cast. The best part? It was completely free!

Another idea would be joining a book club or another hobby-related organization. When I lived in Austin (pet-friendly capital of the world), I saw a group of 20 people gathering at a park. Each had a cute little pug in tow. Upon further investigation, I found out they met through a pug owner Meetup group. No matter how specific or absurd your personal interest may be, there is most definitely a group you.

Be A Tourist in Your Own City

It wasn’t until about 5 years after I left my hometown of Dallas, TX that I learned you can take a JFK Assassination Tour. Morbid? Yes. More surprising, however, was that I never knew that sort of thing existed! We tend to get into ruts and complain that we’re bored. So, when you find yourself looking for something to do, look up your city’s tourism sites. You might be surprised to find a cheap, fun activity to do on a Saturday afternoon that will take you to a part of you city you’ve never explored before!

Get Sporty

A couple of years ago in Texas, I joined a co-ed adult softball league. Trust me when I tell you I am not athletic in the least, but I was told it’s more about the drinking and socializing than the actual playing – and they were right! My husband and I just joined up with a team in NYC and have already met some great friends. Again, nobody cares if you can’t play – they’re in it to make friends and have fun, too.

Check Out the Blogs

I, myself, am no expert when it comes to finding amazing entertainment-oriented deals, but since my recent move to NYC, I’m learning fast. I have found that a simple search on Google can actually lead you to the real experts – people who make a living out of searching for fun, free things to do on the weekends. A great example of this is Daily Candy. Their newsletters are great for alerting residents of a new business or local happenings. Also, sign up for Groupon and Living Social. Their daily deals lead you to the new hot spots in town – all at a substantial discount!

What’s your favorite cheap & fun activity?

Vacation In Your Own City

admin — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 14:00:27 +0000

Contributed by LearnVest

When we’re looking to save on time and money, we become really tempted to skimp on our vacations. Thing is, it’s mentally important to take some time off, and you deserve to use your vacation days from work.

So, fine. Take that vacation locally (we call it a staycation) but make sure that it’s really a vacation rather than a random day on the couch. LearnVest brings you an awesome staycation itinerary, plus the top dos and don’ts to help you make the most of it:

Day One: Decompressing On The Home Front.

Make today all about enjoying your outdoor space.

Have coffee on the patio.
Get a “beach book” and relax.
Grill something for lunch. If that’s not your thing, then scramble some eggs or make a simple cooked meal.
Have friends come over in the late afternoon for a movie night.
Order in food or have each friend bring an ingredient for a quick meal to make together.

Day Two: Escape Town.

Pick up a rental car and get out of town. (See below for details on our favorite short-term rental services.)
Take a day trip somewhere nearby. This could even mean visiting somewhere on the random outskirts of town to provide a change of scenery.
Return rental car.

To read the rest of the Tips, go to LearnVest!

Follow LearnVest on Twitter @LearnVest! Follow Fab & Fru on Twitter@FabandFrugal!

Contests For Cash

admin — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:52:46 +0000

Turn Your Passion Into Pay!

Do you have a hobby or a talent that you wish to explore more seriously? Maybe even make a little extra cash? Well, you don’t have to audition for the next reality show to make yourself known to the world. If you’re the type that goes around with a professional grade camera around your neck or an inspired chef who invents cookies from scratch, listen up! Contests and competitions are an inexpensive way to put your talent to the test and, if you’re lucky, monetize something you already do for free. I know…it happened to me.

While my day job as an assistant pays the bills, writing is my passion. In fact, for a long time I made it a point write every day – I sort of viewed it as an unpaid second job. A few months ago I found myself feeling low and calling in sick all the time. Spending time with my boyfriend and friends seemed like a much better proposition than sitting in front of a computer feeling uninspired. I’d lost my motivation to write and I needed something to help me put in those extra hours towards MY personal goals.

My mom had told me about a writing contest sponsored by my hometown’s newspaper, which I’d shrugged off since I’d entered contests like that before and nothing had ever come of them. But a few weeks before the deadline, I looked into it again. The award was $3000 and publication of the winning story. With no submission fee, it seemed like a good bet. I decided to use this as my light at the end of the tunnel, a reason to stay in at night and explore my passion. Within a week the story unraveled like a poorly knitted sweater, was proofread, critiqued, polished and sent out three days before it was due at the offices of the newspaper. I never received the confirmation that it was received and forgot all about it.

Months later, seemingly out of nowhere, I received the phone call. My story had won, and with it an unexpected chunk of extra cash fell on my lap! I’d worked for it, I’d made it happen, but I hadn’t been counting on it. While the contest had definitely been my reason for writing that story, I didn’t actually think I would win…

After my unexpected twist of fate, I realized contests and competitions are very Fab & Fru motivators for getting your butt in gear, and, if the planets align, putting some extra money in the bank. While they’re not alternatives to a job or a career, they offer an exciting mental challenge, along with the potential for a cash payoff.

For me, that cash was particularly rewarding. I’d wanted so badly to go to Texas to meet my new niece. Since I didn’t have the travel budget for the trip, I had resigned myself to the fact that meeting little Alexie would just have to wait. But, with my cash windfall, I’ll be spending Thanksgiving in Texas and was even able to put some savings in the bank!

What About You?

Writing, cooking, photography, music, graphic design, whatever—there are contests for everything! Just a few things to keep in mind to get the most when searching for a competition that is appropriate for you:

Be wary of scams. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America have a great article (http://www.sfwa.org/for-authors/writer-beware/contests/) on how to identify writing contest scams that can apply to almost any contest. Just as a rule of thumb, read the fine print carefully and check up on the reputation of the organization sponsoring the contest or competition to make sure you’re not wasting your time or your money.

She’s Crafty! Leslie’s Last Minute Gift Ideas

admin — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:23:43 +0000

We had the good fortune to run into craft maven Leslie Robinson the other day. We just adore Leslie because she always has great ideas for making homemade treasures that won’t break the bank! Our burning question for her… What ideas does she have for frugal last minute gifts that look anything but rushed? If you have only a few hours and a few bucks to spare, read on. Added bonus: these crafts are also fun activities to do with kids if an adult is supervising!

Slam-Bam Stationary

Leslie loves giving handcrafted cards as gifts — Not only are they great for post-holiday thank you notes, but they are mini works of art!

Supply List

Blank Greeting Cards ($5.00-$10.00 per pack)
Magazines, photos, books for images
Clear Packing Tape ($5.00/roll)
Clear Scotch Tape
Scissors
Card Packaging Supplies (card sleeves cost around 10 cents)
Needle and Thread (optional)
Sequins, Buttons (optional)

Instructions

Choose images and cut them to fit front of card
Cover the image front and back with packing tape and trim excess
Layer images in pleasing manner to make a collage
Decorate (optional) before attaching images to card – tape on desired text or sew on buttons, etc.
Attach images to card using glue stick or tape
Sign and date the card back
Bundle with ribbon or string or place in card box
CONGRATULATE YOURSELF FOR BEING FABULOUSLY CRAFTY!

Shrinky – Dink Ornaments

Everything old is new again! The fun of shrinky-dinks is back – this time with a sophisticated twist sure to bring a smile to all your friend’s faces. A couple hours is all you need to make some fantastic plastic!

Supply List

Clear shrink plastic (available at craft stores or www.shrinkydinks.com — under $5 for pack of 10)
Source material to trace – Or just use your imagination!
Permanent markers
Scissors, Scotch Tape
Hole Punch
Oven and baking sheet

Instructions

Choose image for your ornament. Lightly tape corners of plastic to image, for stability. Use black marker to trace image outline. Use a smaller black marker for detailing. Remember that things will shrink SIGNIFICANTLY, so choose something large – see product instructions for guidance.
Let ink dry so it doesn’t smear. Flip plastic over and color image as desired.
Trim around image, leaving ¼ inch border – use caution around curves to avoid the plastic splitting. Punch hole in top for hanger.
Preheat oven according to instructions – make sure to leave the light on so you can look inside and watch them melt!
Place ‘rough’ (color) side up on clean baking sheet. Follow baking instructions included in shrink plastic pack.
Remove from oven and let cool on flat surface.
Decorate ornament with ribbon to hang from tree and GIVE YOURSELF PROPS!

Leslie Robinson is a crafter from way back. She is a fan of public transportation – even in L.A.! Not only is PT Fab & Fru, it offers Lesile extra time to knit, purl and dream… Leslie hangs out a lot on Facebook, where she is happy to meet new friends. She can also be contacted via email athooray4lala@aol.com. If you are interested in commissioning Lesile to make special things for special people, give her a shout out!

She’s Crafty

admin — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:30:50 +0000

Leslie’s Last Minute Gift Ideas

Slam-Bam Stationary

Leslie loves giving handcrafted cards as gifts — Not only are they great for post-holiday thank you notes, but they are mini works of art!

Supply List

Blank Greeting Cards ($5.00-$10.00 per pack)
Magazines, photos, books for images
Clear Packing Tape ($5.00/roll)
Clear Scotch Tape
Scissors
Card Packaging Supplies (card sleeves cost around 10 cents)
Needle and Thread (optional)
Sequins, Buttons (optional)

Instructions

Choose images and cut them to fit front of card
Cover the image front and back with packing tape and trim excess
Layer images in pleasing manner to make a collage
Decorate (optional) before attaching images to card – tape on desired text or sew on buttons, etc.
Attach images to card using glue stick or tape
Sign and date the card back
Bundle with ribbon or string or place in card box
CONGRATULATE YOURSELF FOR BEING FABULOUSLY CRAFTY!

Shrinky – Dink Ornaments

Supply List

Clear shrink plastic (available at craft stores or www.shrinkydinks.com — under $5 for pack of 10)
Source material to trace – Or just use your imagination!
Permanent markers
Scissors, Scotch Tape
Hole Punch
Oven and baking sheet

Instructions

Choose image for your ornament. Lightly tape corners of plastic to image, for stability. Use black marker to trace image outline. Use a smaller black marker for detailing. Remember that things will shrink SIGNIFICANTLY, so choose something large – see product instructions for guidance.
Let ink dry so it doesn’t smear. Flip plastic over and color image as desired.
Trim around image, leaving ¼ inch border – use caution around curves to avoid the plastic splitting. Punch hole in top for hanger.
Preheat oven according to instructions – make sure to leave the light on so you can look inside and watch them melt!
Place ‘rough’ (color) side up on clean baking sheet. Follow baking instructions included in shrink plastic pack.
Remove from oven and let cool on flat surface.
Decorate ornament with ribbon to hang from tree and GIVE YOURSELF PROPS!

Leslie Robinson is a crafter from way back. She is a fan of public transportation – even in L.A.! Not only is PT Fab & Fru, it offers Lesile extra time to knit, purl and dream… Leslie hangs out a lot on Facebook, where she is happy to meet new friends. She can also be contacted via email at hooray4lala@aol.com. If you are interested in commissioning Lesile to make special things for special people, give her a shout out!