Archive for the ‘onShopping’ Category

College Savings Doesn’t Mean College Boredom

Thursday, August 30th, 2012

Being broke is not fun. Your friends are out having the time of your lives and you’re stuck at home due to lack of funds. Although a night out on the town doesn’t need to cost much, you can only get so far with a wallet full of hopes and dreams. With that being said, here are a couple of tips to help turn you into the thrifty man or woman you always knew you could be . . . I’m talking borderline parsimonious.

Saving and budgeting doesn’t just factor into one aspect of your life—it should greatly affect ALL aspects. College savings are important because you are on your own and you want to prove that you can live on your own. Managing your money is the first step to being able to do what you want when you want.

Transportation tends to be one of the biggest expenses in the city. Whether because of gas prices or MetroCards, a large amount of our money goes into getting from place to place. How can this be cut down? Skateboarding, rollerblading, and biking have gotten quite popular. Commuter cycling has doubled since 2005, and there are bike sharing programs around the city whose memberships are substantially cheaper than a monthly MetroCard.  Carpooling to class can be a great way to not only make friends but save money, and, if all else fails, you can walk.

Thrift stores are more popular than they have ever been.  Places such as the Salvation Army and Goodwill can provide you with basic t-shirts and jeans as low as $2. Venture to the nook and crannies of some of Manhattan’s shopping districts and you’re bound to find a Buffalo Exchange or a Beacon’s Closet. These thrift stores sell name brand clothing for ridiculously cheap prices. If you’re a fan of vintage styles and trendy clothing then these stores are for you.

Cheap dates are usually the next thing on your mind since you have the ability to actually make it and the clothes to step out in. Magazines such as <em>The L Magazine</em> and <em>Village Voice</em> are always advertising free movie screening and shows. MyFreeConcert.com is one of my favorite websites for not only concerts but also art exhibits and fun (and, more importantly, free) nights out.

After running around the city you’ve probably worked up quite the appetite. Luckily, the Campus Clipper is here to help. We offer deals across the city, helping students keep the green in their pockets while taming the growling in their stomachs. The $9.99 all-you-can-eat lunch buffet at Bombay Talkie is highly suggested, or if you and a friend need a caffeine boost, there’s a coupon for a free cappuccino or latte with a purchase from The Bean.

So there you have it: proof that you can have fun in the big city and keep a majority of your cash at the same time! Now go out, have fun and be frugal.

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Carlos L., Monroe College. Read my blog!!  Follow me on Twitter and Facebook :)

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If it Ain’t Broke, Why Go Broke Buying A New One?

Sunday, April 29th, 2012

I’m a person who eats, lives and breathes all things creative. Okay, maybe not eat because that’d be a bit odd but you get my point.
One of my creative indulgences has always been photography. Cameras, particularly the type I like to work with, aren’t exactly cheap. I currently own a Nikon D-60, which by 2012’s standards would be considered outdated. What are they up to now, the Nikon 25,000?
I’m joking of course, but Nikon has added a ton of new models to their line up since I first got my little D-60 about four years ago.

The little Nikon that could.

If you’re like me and enjoy the arts and photography in particular, you know that sometimes there is a need to keep up with the changing technology in photography, only if you’re a total tech head.

But if you indulge in the simple pleasure of creating art with a camera, there are tons of ways to tickle your every photographic whim while sticking to that college budget.

First, don’t go selling your car just to buy the latest camera model. You know for a fact that in another six months or so, the company is just going to release yet another, fancier version of the ‘latest’ model so don’t waste your money; it’ll only lead to heartbreak.

Instead of spending the money you originally planned on using to buy that new model, spend the money on pimping out the camera you currently have. For example, instead of buying a new camera for my little D-60, I instead opted to upgrade my lens. Now, my pictures are just as great as those that are taken with a D-5,000.

A new lens enhanced the quality of my photos for way less than the price of a new camera.

Another great way to further your endeavors in photography is to shop around vintage stores for old film cameras. If you have any knowledge of darkroom photography, this can be a great way to take your photography to the next level. In today’s tech savvy world, it’s rare to come across a photographer who actually knows how to work with film.

However, if you have no prior knowledge of film photography but have the time and patience to learn a new skill, buying a cheap, used film camera and learning on your own doesn’t hurt.
And what do you do if find yourself with a broken camera and face the temptation of filing for bankruptcy just to buy a fancy new camera?

Fix it! It’s way less expensive to fix a used camera then to buy a whole new one. However, if you truly want to buy a new camera, at least go through less expensive sellers like Ebay or Amazon rather than big name stores where they jack up the prices.

To save a bit of money getting that broken camera fixed, be sure to use this student discount and look for other student discounts when purchasing any electronic items. Remember, it never hurts to ask!

Janet, College of Saint Elizabeth, 2012

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Sale savvy

Friday, March 16th, 2012

I travel around 34th street a lot, mostly because of the many stores I can go through. I notice there are a lot of stores that say “sample sale” or “wholesale only”. Which brings me to the question: what is the difference between a whole sale and a sample sale?

Now, while these are no-brainers to many people, for the longest time I was completely unfamiliar with these terms.

Going into one of these stores, you see a small amount of several items along with tags on each. Some items are wrapped together in a plastic covering, others are hanging separately on a beam against the wall. There is no music and the place over all feels slightly dingy but gives you the sense that you might find a deal here.

Wholesale is when stores buy large quantities of items from manufacturers and sells it in smaller bulks to retail stores. This is mainly used for smaller retail stores to get good quality items for cheap. If you go to shop here and don’t plan to buy in bulk, you should probably go elsewhere. However, some stores will sell individual pieces. Chances are though if it says “only wholesale” don’t bother.

Claim what is rightfully yours!

Sample sale legally means:

“Any sample or model which is made part of the basis of the bargain creates an express warranty that the whole of the goods shall conform to the sample or model”. [UCC § 2-313(c)]

It used to be a term for when designers would sell pieces from their collection to show at retail stores at the end of a season. For the public, these items would sold at wholesale prices and would be limited in selection. However, now it has turned into more of a stock sale, where left over inventory is given to stores while being sold at a fraction of the price. Generally, there is only one type of size and they only take cash.

For a third type of sale (just to keep boggling your mind) there are warehouse sales. Recently, American Apparel had a warehouse sale, selling their items at crazy discounts. The main difference is that the items being sold are usually items that have been on the shelves and this event is similar to a final clearance. They usually, but not always, take credit or debit.

There has been an online movement for sample sales where there might be some membership authorization involved. Overall, the selection is less and items go very quick.

How to find one of these sales? Online you can do a search or if you know a friend/ family  member in the field who can clue you in. Some places you can subscribe to them to get emails of events.

As for shopping at a sample sale there are some helpful tips here: http://www.thebudgetfashionista.com/archive/sample-sale-shopping-tips/.

For those of you want more savings on clothing, here is a student discount for Hillary Boutiques.

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Super Shuttle is Super!

Thursday, December 15th, 2011

We’re all in a rush for the semester to be over. With the holidays around the corner, there’s nothing more exciting than the upcoming holiday spirits, with all the gifts and quality family time. Will Dad get you that Hermes scarf you’ve been nagging him about for the past year? What new delicious dishes will Grandma cook this year? Nonetheless, there are always things that are not so joyful about the holidays. How did you end up spending so much money on gifts when you were given the promise of sales by retailers? And how could we forget that annoying relative who fathoms at the fact that you couldn’t get into Harvard? Or Mom crying as to why  you’re still not in a relationship. But no matter the family dispute or the cheesy Holiday flicks, there is nothing more annoying than the chaotic airports. The frenzied traffic and airport security make you feel like you’re in Mission Impossible.

I remember the time that I was in such a rush to get to the airport in time that I forgot my passport at home, out of all the things one would forget (Murphy’s Law). I had no time to call a shuttle service and in desperation resorted to taking an unknown bus to JFK.  I made it to the airport in time, but my luggage didn’t. Turns out that the bus had accidentally replaced my bag in the bus going to LaGuardia. I missed my flight and had to beg JetBlue to place me on their next day’s flight. Following this experience, I now always anticipate ahead of time and call in Super Shuttle, the only reliable and affordable method of going to the airport. SuperShuttle will accommodate to your needs, and they even pick you up at home, and always ahead of time.

Campus Clipper is offering a 10% discount on SuperShuttle rides.  Campus Clipper knows students always travel and being so busy with the pressure of exams and grades, we can be forgetful. For this reason, call in SuperShuttle this holiday season.

 

 

Stephanie Kali, Marymount Manhattan College

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Bookstores with Grandma

Sunday, July 3rd, 2011

One of the things my grandmother and I have in common is that we both love to read.  Although the language each of us reads in primarily is different—my grandmother is Japanese and speaks no English, my own Japanese has certain gaps in it—at the heart of it, we both love stories.  My grandmother will read just about anything, from novels recommended by my aunt, to manga about pirates, to crime and suspense stories.  In Japanese, I tend to stick to manga, mostly because there are so many pictures. Not only do the pictures help enormously with comprehension, they also make reading more enjoyable and less frustrating for a painstakingly slow reader like me.

Image credit: genjipress.com

So it was a perfect idea for the both of us to check out some of English-Japanese bookstores in Manhattan.  We started at Book-Off, on 45th Street.  Book-Off is a used bookstore, and customers can sell back books here as well.  The main floor contains English books, and although the selection isn’t endless—particularly being a medium-sized used bookstore—there is still a substantial amount of books in various categories.  There are also plenty of shelves that carry books for only a dollar!  This floor also has used CDs, primarily J-Pop and K-Pop, for any enthusiasts that are looking for a deal.

The basement floor mainly carries manga, as well as some instructional books.  There are both manga in English and Japanese, with English copies generally running for about six or seven dollars a volume. Price depends fairly heavily on the series, and this is especially apparent with the Japanese volumes.  Again, there are several shelves of books that are only a dollar, some series running for three, but the more popular series or the newer volumes cost about five or six dollars a volume.  I was however, able to find the first few volumes of a series I’d been meaning to start on the dollar shelves, and it’s finds like this that make Book-Off worth a visit.  The second floor carries Japanese novels, which I don’t know a lot about personally, but my grandmother seemed pleased with the selection!

Image credit: pwpbooks.blogspot.com

Books in hand, my grandmother and I then headed towards Kinokuniya Bookstore, which is located by Bryant Park.  Although a little more expensive, Kinokuniya has a generally wider selection than Book-Off.  The main floor and basement carry novels, textbooks, and other similar books, both in English and Japanese. Kinokuniya also sells Japanese stationary, T-shirts, figurines and other knick-knacks, many of which make great gifts for those who are interested in Japanese culture.  The second floor of Kinokuniya carries manga and anime, and the selection in both languages is impressive.  There is also a café facing the window on this floor that sells lunch foods and desserts.  The café is great, but on the small side, and quickly becomes crowded around lunch time.  My grandmother and I were there at around 4:30, though, and were able to find a table easily; I’d definitely recommend going at an hour between meals.  At times like this it’s totally acceptable to take your time with a book, which is part of what makes it so enjoyable.  Although it’s the great deals at Book-Off that make it one of my favorite bookstores, the café, the selection, and the other fun items at Kinokuniya make it definitely worth a look as well!

Anais DiCroce

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Choosing the Right Vegan Vitamins

Sunday, June 26th, 2011

Use this guide to make sure your vitamins are as cruelty-free as you are.

Since not everyone is perfect and eats balanced meals containing every single necessary nutrient required by the body for peak performance, once-daily multi-vitamins help fill in the nutritional gaps left by a diet of regular food. Unfortunately, most vitamin brands bind their pills together with animal ingredients like gelatin, and they also market certain nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids in the form of animal products like fish oil. However, there are plant-based sources for all necessary vitamins and minerals, and they are becoming more readily available in stores as they have already been on the Internet. Here is a guide to finding the right vitamins for your lifestyle.

1. Do more than read the label.

Labels are required to list ingredients but not their sources. Though gelatin is usually made from animal bones, it can also be made from plants, and some companies don’t bother specifying which kind is used on the bottle. Vegan brands usually indicate that they are vegan somewhere on the label, with or without the rabbit/V logo, but when in doubt, do some research on the Internet. Even if the company’s website doesn’t mention whether they are cruelty-free, chances are a fellow vegan has written a formal letter asking for information and posted the response on a forum.

2. Take (for starters) a multi-vitamin, and tailor the rest to your needs.

Downing a handful of vitamins every day can make anyone feel like a grandparent with a seven-day pill organizer. To start with, every person should take a once-daily multi-vitamin that includes a high percentage of the daily-recommended intake of major vitamins and minerals. Decide whether your normal diet contains a sufficient amount of iron before choosing between vitamins with or without iron added.

Other pills can be taken at your discretion. It’s advisable for women to take calcium supplements, and many people don’t get enough omega-3 fatty acids through their food. Analyze your diet and decide where you can supplement and where you can change your eating habits to avoid another pill.

3. Shop smart.

Vitamins have to be taken every day, so it’s a good idea not to spend a small fortune on them. This can be done while still avoiding dubiously labeled, cheap, bulk bottles. Vegetarianvitamins.com is a great source for affordable certified-vegan supplements by mail order. If you prefer to shop locally, you’ll have to utilize your online research on vitamin brands, but chances are you won’t even have to go to a specialty store to find what you need. Chain drug stores have extensive vitamin selections, or you can take advantage of coupons for independent drug stores like Whitney Chemists. Scroll down to find a Campus Clipper coupon for %10 off.

Even if you feel like you’re in great shape, taking a dietary supplement every day can increase your body and brain’s potential. Make the extra effort to ensure you’re performing the best you can, and take your vitamins!

-Avia Dell’Oste.

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Students and Their Baggages

Friday, June 24th, 2011

Being a student comes with a lot of baggage, literally. It is highly unlikely that students in a city like New York drive from place to place or even own a car. They take the train or the bus everywhere and that means carrying every possible thing that they might need while they are out, along with them, which, of course, leads us to the topic of bags.

If you are a student too, then you would know that there is almost a comically complex science as to what goes into a handbag as the number of items a student has to carry is not just limited to textbooks. Depending on the weather and their schedule students have to carry an umbrella, a jacket, sunglasses, snacks, ballet flats, cell phone chargers and laptops and the list goes on and on.

You also have to decide which textbooks you will need that day. And, using one notebook for all your classes might be good idea. You can also start carrying the pint sized bottles of water instead of the bigger ones and just fill them up from the campus’s drinking water fountains when you run out of water. It also involves making certain sacrifices, for me it was giving up my habit carrying around a book or a magazine with me.

The easiest way to carry the heavy load would be to start using a backpack. But that is easier said than done. Finding a non-hideous backpack that may go with most of your outfits and is affordable can be very difficult especially as the designer backpacks can be too expensive for most students. Using a large handbag with a cross body strap is helpful too.

Leather clip on cross body strap, $3.00

Leather clip on cross body strap, $3.00

If you are looking for a simple solution then you can just purchase a cross body shoulder strap separately and add it to your current handbag.

Happy Panda Tote Bag, $5.80

Happy Panda Tote Bag, $5.80

You can also carry some of your belongings separately in tote.

H&M Bag, $24.95

H&M Bag, $24.95

Le Pliage Backpack, $118.00

Le Pliage Backpack, $118.00

If you were thinking about buying the Longchamp tote for students that can be spotted on almost every other girl these days, you might want to consider buying the backpack version of it instead. It only costs a little more than the tote and are less common than the totes.

Black Leather Fringed Backpack,$80.00

Black Leather Fringed Backpack,$80.00

Blue Washed Oversized Rucksack, $75.00

Blue Washed Oversized Rucksack, $75.00

Distressed Leatherette, $32.80

Distressed Leatherette, $32.80

Glossy Embossed Faux Crocodile Handbag, $29.80

Glossy Embossed Faux Crocodile Handbag, $29.80

Over Shoulder Bag, $22.80

Over Shoulder Bag, $22.80

Thrift Stores

Thrift Stores

If you are looking for a handbag for just college, then you can consider buying a bag from a thrift store. It will be much cheaper than buying it brand new (unless you end up buying a knock off thinking it is genuine!). And, it will not hurt you too much when the bag starts fraying and falling apart due to regular use.

Chinatown

Chinatown

Chinatown: Handbags can be found there for around $20-$30. A little bit bargaining maybe required. But be careful of knock offs!

If you get tired of carrying around your heavy bags all week, you can relax your muscles by going to the Vada Spa where you can get a 20 minute body message for just $18 with a student discount.

Bushra Tawhid

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Two Left Feet

Friday, February 18th, 2011

Photo courtesy of njpacflickr

I’ll state it plainly—I don’t know how to dance. I discovered that I suffered from the disability of possessing two-left feet during elementary school gym class.

Our gym teacher, a formidable and muscular woman named Miss Bea, who had a graying mullet and graying Nike tennis shoes, gathered us together near the bleachers and declared that we would be square dancing today.

I had never heard the words “square” and “dancing” in the same sentence, so I had no idea what Miss Bea was talking about. The look of disconcertment on my face must have caused her to single me out.

“Megan!” she barked. “I want you to pick a partner. Ya’ll over six there, you partner up too. Everybody else’ll watch. This is a demonstration.”

Needless to say, our demonstration turned out to be a disaster, mainly due to my “disability.” The eight of us arranged ourselves in a square. My partner, Kyle, gave me a pleased but cheesy grin, a grin that quickly turned into a grimace as the demonstration wore on. Kyle’s red high tops were stepped on, his glasses were knocked askew, and he might have somehow got elbowed in the ribs. My partner probably suffered more injuries due to a square dancing demonstration than he would have if Miss Bea had sent us outside to play contact football.

Once class ended, I slunk away as quickly I could. Thankfully, next period was lunch, where I could lock myself in the girl’s bathroom and bemoan my lack of finesse on the dance/gym floor. Fast forward fourteen years and I’m still no Ginger Rogers, though I do know how to square dance!

I’ve considered taking a dancing class to improve my skills, but have never been able to muster up the courage. What if the instructor declares me hopeless? What if, through some twist of fate, Kyle reappears from my past as a dance student? However, the Sandra Cameron Dance Center has me reconsidering my hesitation.

Located down in trendy SoHo, the Sandra Cameron Dance Center offers instruction for Tango, Salsa, Ballroom, and Swing. The staff is awesome, the classes are fun, and instruction is offered on all levels, whether you’re a beginner like me, or a virtuoso who wants to hone his skills. Sandra Cameron offers classes every weekday, so you’re sure to be able to fit it into your hectic school schedule. But best of all, the classes are affordable! A single month-long course costs only $80! And with this awesome student discount, you’ll be saving even more. Save $25 off any course with your student ID.

I know I could benefit from taking a class at the Sandra Cameron Dance Center. If I ever happen to run into Kyle again, he’ll be glad I did! This time, I’ll sweep him off his feet amidst the hay-bales at our local square-dancin’ barn.

–Written by Megan Soyars, Campus Clipper Blogger

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JAZZING UP YOUR STAY IN NYC

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011

When I arrived in NYC over a year ago, I experienced a brief stint with homelessness. I needed a cheap place to stay the night so I wouldn’t end up on the streets or down below in the subway station. I certainly couldn’t afford a hotel, so I was forced to resort to a hostel. I’d had experiences with hostels before–pervvy old men snoring in a bed only two feet away from me–and it hadn’t been enjoyable. So my spirits were low as I caught the train to Jazz on the Park Hostel, surrounded by my luggage. I got off at my stop and began the ardous task of lugging my suitcases down the street. As I looked around me, I noticed that the neighborhood was quite nice. The hostel was located on the Upper West Side, only steps away from Central Park. I paused briefly and sat down on a bench right outside the park. The park looked grassy and inviting, and I longed to explore it. But I had to drop my luggage off at the Hostel first. Standing up with my spirits revived, I walked into Jazz Hostel. 

What a hip place! was my first thought. I had stepped directly into a little lobby with funky, bright paint splashed across the walls. Rihanna was playing over the speakers. A friendly young guy behind the counter helped me with my luggage and gave me my room key. His smile already made me feel welcome. Then I stepped into the next room, which was an even hipper lounge.  Young kids were sprawled on the comfy chairs, talking, laughing, surfing their laptops, or watching the action movie that was playing on the wide-screen TV. I almost felt like I was back in my old college dorm. In other words, I felt like I was at home. Upstairs in my room, I met my new roommates, two friendly Japanese girls, and one woman from Argentina. They were all very excited about their vacations, and their excitement rubbed off on me. We actually became good friends during my short stay at Jazz.

Due to my great experiences at Jazz hostel, I stayed there again this year with several of my friends. Once again, it was an awesome experience. The staff and hostel-stayers are all friendly, the price is affordable, and they provide a great pancake breakfast!

I recommend Jazz Hostels to anyone staying in the City. The great things about Jazz is that they cater directly to college students. Not only do they have cheap rates, they also hold great events, such as bar and pub crawls, movie nights, dance nights, and tours of the city. They’ve also got three convienent locations throughout Manhattan. Check out their website at www.jazzhostels.com to get more information or to book a room! Jazz is currently offering a student discount to make their rates even more affordable.       

 

Written by Megan Soyars, Campus Clipper Blogger

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A SWEET TREAT

Monday, February 7th, 2011

During my jaunts around the block these past two days, I noticed something different in the air. That sort of sweet, light, coolness that you associate with the coming of spring. It’s still a couple of months away, yes, but the hint of happier, more pleasant times is in the air! One thing I love and cherish during the warmer months is ice cream. Down in the south, Blue Bell Ice Cream is a family favorite. I haven’t been able to find the brand on the mean streets of New York, but I’ve found something’s that just as good: Haagen-Dazs ice cream. I love the variety of flavors they have! And not only can you enjoy ice cream, you can also enjoy their sorbet and frozen yogurt.

And if you’re a student, you can also enjoy this great coupon! Get a free scoop of ice cream with the purchase of any regular or large ice cream. Now you’ve got just the right creamy flavor to usher in the spring months! Let’s say you love ice cream, but you don’t love the calories. Never fear, you can make the “right” choice for your diet at The Lite Choice. Their flavors are low on fat and calories, but not low on taste. You can get a soft serve cup or cone, shakes, or cakes. The Lite Choice is also offering a great student discount–check it out here

Written by Megan Soyars, Campus Clipper Blogger

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