On Have a Swipe Give a Swipe Need a Swipe Take a Swipe

Typically, I don't swipe people in because I want the MTA to get paid for every rider, so they can operate without constantly increasing fares (obviously free-swipers are not solely responsible for the financial troubles of the MTA). So I disagree that it's a simple good deed, but that's not to say that this isn't a good way to boycott the recent increase! And I like that Swipe Back is encouraging people to better understand the complex issues behind the fares, which I will definitely read up on more.

Posted on March 5, 2013 at 11:56 am 1

On I Rent My Apartment Out for $200 a Night, And I Feel Great About It

@littleoaks Yes! I would like to think that there was a meatier conversation with the girlfriend than was covered in this short interview but yes, YIKES.

Posted on October 2, 2012 at 4:20 pm 0

On Death by a Thousand Small Purchases?

@LizF Yeah, it's great! I have it down to each meal, so I budget $5 for breakfast, $10 for lunch, $15 for dinner - which is inflated on purpose so that I have leftovers to use for weekend drinking! Every time I put a $0 down for lunch I can basically buy myself 1-2 more beers that weekend.

Posted on October 2, 2012 at 4:16 pm 0

On I Rent My Apartment Out for $200 a Night, And I Feel Great About It

@NoReally Airbnb has an insurance policy that covers hosts from damage and theft up to a certain dollar amount. What I don't know is how they handle damage to the building's common spaces, or damage severe enough that you can't deal with it without involving the landlord. I rent out part of my apartment through Airbnb occasionally, but basically every comment here is the reason I am always there to supervise.

Posted on October 2, 2012 at 4:14 pm 1

On Death by a Thousand Small Purchases?

I keep track of all my purchases in excel, which I thought would be a really big pain in the ass but actually makes for a great thing to do during my wake-up coffee time when I first get to work. I basically have a super-detailed budget (which I know doesn't work for everyone) and then I write over it with the day's actuals. When something comes up, like needing a pen or whatever, I am so much more aware of what it does to my daily budget that I tend to rethink going to the store to buy something new. It just feels SO GOOD when I get through a day and can put down a big fat $0.

Posted on October 2, 2012 at 3:44 pm 1

On All About Burgers

Big Nick’s in the upper west side sometimes serves up interesting animals- I think Ostrich burgers are always on the menu.

Posted on July 3, 2012 at 10:19 am 0

On Really Great Stuff My Credit Card Reward Points Can Get Me

@stuffisthings It felt like picking out my prize from selling wrapping paper for school fundraisers. I got the minimum prize every time, which was a cardboard can of tootsie rolls (I have never liked tootsie rolls).

Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:11 pm 0