My Broke Ass goes Out

After paying my bills this week, I have exactly $21.45 to spend on entertainment over the weekend. If I weren't so used to being broke, this might alarm me. But there are so many things to do in NYC that don't have to break the bank. Here's how $21.45 got me through the weekend:
I saw a Matinee in the city. If you go to any AMC theater on Friday, Saturday or Sunday and see a show before noon, you only have to pay $6.00. Most of the times, I see shows that start between 11:45 and 11:55... I never was the early bird. Refreshments are for those with a pocket full of cash. I have breakfast before I leave my house. If I find I'm still in the mood for a snack, I purchase one at a normal price in a regular store and bring it with me (thank God for handbags). I get a $0.50 bag of French Onion sun chips (yum!) spend $1.00 on a can of coke.

After my movie, I'm down to $13.95. I decide to go for a stroll. There are so many parks in the city, that I decide to pick one and go there. Washington Square park is so much fun, what with all of the NYU students who constantly seem to be providing entertainment. I bring a book with me (because let's face it, I'm a nerd), just in case I'm not fond of the entertainment. I watch some guys with drums perform and even dance a little. I get some reading done and before I know it, 2 more hours have passed. I start to get hungry, so I know exactly where to go.

I go to China Town and get Vietnamese food - yes Vietnamese food. There are 3 Vietnamese restaurants on Baxter Street just off of Canal... All three of them are inexpensive and very very good. For $5.00 I can get a very decent meal. If I'm in the mood for soup, it's even cheaper. So I spend my $5.00 and tip the waiter $1.00, and leave very satisfied. I'm now down to $7.95 and the day is almost through.

If you read AM New York (a free newspaper), there are listings in the entertainment section of cool, free things to do. Often there are art shows at galleries that anyone and everyone is welcome to attend. That's the last bit of entertainment in my day. On my way home, I find a penny on the floor... those add up. I get home and have $7.96 left over. I decide to put it in my piggy bank (which is really an empty pickle jar), and I cook dinner. I don't have to worry about the rest of the weekend because I have errands to run and cleaning to do.

All in all, being broke can be tolerable and even a little amusing.