New York on the not-so-cheap

Posts about New York have not gone well for me in the past, but I'm willing to hazard it again.

As everyone knows, it is impossible to go to NY and not spend a pile of dough. Well, actually it is possible, but's it's really not as much fun. Still, here are a few tips.

1. Stay at the Library Hotel. The rooms begin at about $300, but include twenty-four hour a day access to a fantastic roof terrace. The rate also includes a proper New York breakfast, an evening coffee hour, and round-the-clock snacks and cappucino. Breakfast, cocktails, and coffee in the city can easily run $100/day for two.

2. Dine at Balthazaar. Really. This trendy (well, not as trendy as it once was) eatery has Philly prices! Cocktails, wine, and dinner for under $150!

3. Shop for men's clothes. It seems that while we women have a hard time staying out of the stores even during bad economic times, men have stopped shopping. My husband picked up six great items for our upcoming move for about $100.

4. Window shop at Tiffany's, but purchase items from estate dealers in the diamond district.

The bandwagon

I just love seeing everyone go frugal as well. Seems like every day there's a new tip on yahoo or the like.

Right now we're selling our stuff like crazy trying to get ready for the move. A pair of maternity jeans I bought on ebay for $50 just sold for $58. Kind of warms my heart!

When you are selling something on ebay, it is helpful to have two user names so that you can drive bids up a little. I was somewhat disheartened to see two cashmere sweaters going for $1, so I drove it up to $10 - nothing unethical, considering that I spent close to $100 on them. Sigh.