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A Bike Ride a Day to Keep Your Recession at Bay

December 17th, 2008 — Lifestyle

Be bold. Be cheap. Ride a bike.

Considering the ever looming threat of MTA fare hikes and the relatively recent installation of more accessible bike lanes throughout parts of the city, riding a two-wheeler could prove to be a great way to release liquid funds for you this holiday season and thereafter. Save your money. Ride a bike.

Aside from the initial purchase of a bike and city-proof, kryptonite lock, maintenance is generally cheap. RecessionGirl has provided a few links to bike shops, maps, clubs and most importantly co-ops. The DIY bike-fix is not only a cheap way to repair your ride, but also a neat way to meet cool, bike-minded peeps in BKNY. You can talk rims, chains, break-cables and seats till the cows come home, especially if you’re into beater bikes. A few of the shops also have classes to help you develop your bike repair-skills and further your integration into the biking community.

Fix your own bike for chicks only: Ladies Night bike fixin:
http://www.pedalpushersonline.com/index.php?CID=1107

Fix your own bike all genders:
http://www.recycleabicycle.com
http://times-up.org/index.php?page=bike-co-op

Buy a bike:
http://www.racycles.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/dixons-bicycle-shop-brooklyn

Bike really really really far:
http://www.5bbc.org/montauk/

Bike it like it’s hot – the map
http://www.nycbikemaps.com/links

Be in a bike club just like Lance:
http://www.kissena.info

Be bold. Be cheap. Ride a bike.

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Take the Money and Run – A Recession Reference Page

January 19th, 2008 — Lifestyle, Vacations

Be bold. Be cheap. Run away.

Use your severance pay and unemployment benefits for a triumphant experience. Create a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for yourself. “But RecessionGirl. How can I do that on these meager wages?”

Like this:

Sublet your apartment for 10% more than what you pay in rent and ensure that
utilities are an additional charge. This is legal, check it: http://www.housingnyc.com/html/resources/faq/subletting.html
Suspend your cell phone-service or pay a low fee to carry your plan while
you’re out of town.
Enact a forbearance on your school loan. You can arrange to pay quarterly
interest if you have the funds and are concerned about accrual.
Pay a holding fee to sustain your gym membership while you are away or
claim hardship, whichever works.
Sell some stuff you don’t use on ebay or make a Brooklyn-style stoop sale.
Mooch off of friends and family for storage space if needed.
Chuck your resume on monster.com or similar and let it work for you while
you’re chillin.
Take the little money you have and run. Go as far as you can. The economy
will be better soon, subjecting you to all kinds of work obligations. You’ve
been given a window of opportunity. Use it. Run.

Go to India. Go upstate. Meditate. Teach in Japan. Swim in Saipan. Drive an Airstream. Join a cross-country bike team. Write a book. Learn to cook. Volunteer, but don’t buy a souvenir. Save your money and hit-the-road. Here’s a few links to get started to help you lighten your load.

http://www.opc.org.nz

http://www.airstream.com

http://www.jobsabroad.com

http://www.discovermongolia.mn

http://www.jetprogramme.org

http://www.sivanandabahamas.org

http://www.airtreks.com

http://www.traveltomongolia.mn

http://www.moderncabana.com

http://www.lonelyplanet.com

http://www.volunteerabroad.com

http://www.teflcorp.com