A Fortunate Finding

Every once in a while I take a break from my whining to share with you what I like to call a "fortunate finding". These gems are what I've found while exploring the Upper West Side and are what I believe worth your time.

Last night I stumbled across a truly delicious meal, which automatically I have to share with everyone I know. The culprit? Blondies' Wings, located on 79th street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue.

A massive sports bar, I stopped by Blondies' on my way out for a quick beer with a friend. Never able to refuse food, I took a look at the menu when the waitress offered it to me. Being a bit of a buffalo wing snob, I didn't have high expectations but decided to give them a try anyways. What I found was one of the most delicious orders of wings I have ever eaten. Perfectly crispy, ample but not excessive meat, and a spicy yet flavorful sauce, these wings were definitely worth writing home about. The waffle fries (I split them, I swear) were equally delicious, perfectly golden and when paired with the buffalo sauce, a real surprise.

The only real downside here ( and it's a bit of a big one) is the price-- at just shy of $10 for 10 wings, this place isn't offering any bargains. But the fact that I am recommending this place despite the high prices should speak volumes about the quality of the meal: I, a cheap college student, would gladly drop another $10 for these wings again. Trust me, they're worth it.

With wings this good,  I'd be hard pressed not to deem Blondies' a Fortunate Find.

Unfortunate Fact #5.5- STILL THE DAMN PRICES!!

Went out with a friend last night who also moved into his first "real apartment" this year and got to talking about saving some money. He agreed with my sentiments and admitted that once bills are paid, there isn't too much spending money to go around. (Hence the dive bar we were sitting at, drinking the cheapest beer on tap.)

I asked him how he saves a few dollars and he gave me some tips. So, without further ado, I give you some guest tips on how to save some serious cash.

1- Buy an Unlimited Metrocard.

My friend rides the train to school three days per week and quickly realized that the unlimited Metrocard is the way to go. "It pays for itself after a few weeks. I was refilling my Metrocard twice per week before I realized how much money I was wasting. Even if you only ride the train 3 or 4 days a week, it's well worth it."

2- Generics, generics, generics

For as long as I've known my friend, he has always been a faithful Duane Reade worshiper. So, it was no surprise when he told me that he tries to buy strictly Duane Reade brand essentials. "There are always store brand items that are at least $2-$3 cheaper than the name brand. From dental floss to paper towels, Duane Reade has all the essentials in their own brand. Stick to them, and any store brand items you come across, and you'll easily shave 15 dollars off your total bill."

3- Forget cable

This one might be a stretch for some readers, but my friend swears (and I agree) that there are ways to stay entertained without cable television. "Netflix is only $9 per month. Compare it to over $70 per month for cable, it's worth it."

My two cents: catch your favorite shows on the internet. Look hard enough, and most of them are there!


Glad to know I'm not the only one trying to pinch some pennies!

Unfortunate Fact #5- THE DAMN PRICES!!

Before I start ranting, let me first say that I am NOT one of those New Yorkers who are always complaining about how expensive this city is. However, I do appreciate saving a few dollars-- who doesn't?

Living on your own brings with it a whole host of new expenses. Rent, electricity, cable, and internet can break the bank, leaving not much "spending money." There are ways, however, to save a few dollars without feeling so miserly. You'll thank me when you have some cash to blow at the bar on Friday night.

Here are 5 ways to save $50 a week:

1- Brew your own coffee
If you're a coffee drinker, it is all too tempting to stop at one of the ten billion Starbucks on your way to work/class in the morning and drop four to five dollars. Do the math and you'll realize that every work week you are spending nearly $25 dollars on caffeine.

On the other hand, a container of Folgers coffee lasts nearly two weeks and costs roughly $6. (Check the  CVS weekly circular before you buy- coffee is ALWAYS on sale).

Total savings per week: $22

2- Make your own lunch


My biggest expense of the week is food. As you know I love eating takeout and going to restaurants rather than cooking. But when it comes to lunch, it is so simple to save a ton of money.

An average salad or sandwich costs nearly $8. Eating lunch every day adds up to nearly $40 dollars. A homemade sandwich (meat, cheese, bread and vegetables), can be bought at the beginning of the week for about $20 at Fairway. Take some time in the morning (while you're brewing your own coffee!) to make your day's lunch. It pays off.

Total savings per week: $20

3- Always do your own laundry

How tempting is it when you see those signs in the laundromat that say for 99 cents per pound, your laundry can be washed, dried, and folded without lifting a finger? Well, here's a tip: stop being lazy. On average, your weekly laundry adds up to about 15 pounds-- that's 15 dollars every week just to get your clothes clean.

To do your laundry yourself takes about an hour's worth of time but, on average, costs a mere $7 (two washes for $2.50, two dryers for $2). Doesn't seem like much savings, but $8= 8 one-dollar drafts at your favorite happy hour spot.

Total savings per week: $8

Grand total savings per week:  $50


Now nobody can tell me that they wouldn't want an extra $50 per week. And after rent and bills are paid for, you quickly realize that $50 is well worth three small sacrifices.

Unfortunate Fact #4- Killing Time

This week has seen the first of what will be many cold days in New York City. Last year, I never let the cold get me down, as it was easy to avoid. Between classes, residents of McMahon Hall can scurry through the hall from Lowenstein to McMahon without ever facing the brisk weather.

Commuters, on the other hand, don't have that luxury.  I found this one out the hard way. Faced with a 2 hour break between my classes, and 40 degree weather outside, I realized that there was no easy way to hop home for a quick lunch, or even better, a nap. I was forced to find a way to kill time in Lowenstein. What a challenge it was.

FCLC is in large part a commuter campus, but, in my opinion, lacks a lot of amenities for said commuters. Sure there are the three Ls (Lounges, Labs, and the Library), but there isn't really a place to kick back and relax.

The computer labs on the third floor of Lowenstein are often crowded with scurrying students trying to finish last minute homework. For someone looking to kill time, the labs are pretty useless. With an unsaid rule of "do work or get out", I find myself pretty uncomfortable in the computer lab browsing Facebook while others are waiting to finish a last-minute assignment.

Sure, the lounges are nice and airy, but they are often too crowded to even get a seat. The second floor soft-lounge offers comfortable seating and a laid-back atmosphere, but who really wants to sit that close to the financial aid office? You are really taking your life into your own hands, as there are hourly verbal disagreements and often threats of violence between dejected students trying to pay their bill and often clueless financial aid staff. (Maybe I exaggerated about the threats of violence. Maybe that one's just me...)

And don't get me started on the library. For anyone not cramming at 12 a.m. for a final or midterm, this place is the pits. Dark, cold, and totally uninviting, "relaxing" is a non-option.

So, here's my plea. To the people at Fordham who can make things happen: on behalf of all commuters here at FCLC, PLEASE give us somewhere comfortable to relax. We're not asking for much. Some comfortable chairs and a judgement-free zone shouldn't be that hard to provide. Can't we check our Facebooks and drink a cup of coffee in peace? Without braving the elements?

Until then, I guess I will have to suffer in the cafeteria. While it's loud, echoing, and downright uncomfortable, at least I can sit for a few hours without being chased.

Unfortunate Fact #3- Grocery Shopping

I am one of those people that do not mind spending a ton of cash on food. While some people ask why, I say "why not?" Sure, nice clothes are fun to buy, and a new car would be pretty sweet, but instant gratification in the form of an awesome meal can't be beat. In step with this mindset, I am obsessed with takeout. I think nothing of it to come home and order a $20 meal that will be at my door in 30 minutes or less.

That was until, of course, I had bills to pay. Now, $20 dinners are more of a luxury than they were before I had to pay for cable. With my bank account hemorrhaging funds, I am forced to face a grim reality: I am officially a grocery shopper. Yeah yeah yeah, I finally admit it. You DO save money by cooking your own food. But you all mark my words: this is a temporary situation. I WILL return to my takeout ways once I am no longer a poor college student. So watch out.

Until then, I suggest to you a way to counteract the horrors of grocery shopping.  Fairway Supermarket located on Broadway and 74th really lives up to its reputation. As much as I wanted to hate it, it really is an experience you have to try at least once in your life. The prices are obscenely cheap,the selection is unmatched, and the place is like a lawless society. People turn into absolutely savages when they walk through the doors. Trying to avoid being run down by a shopping cart (I like to call them "hell on wheels") really spices up having to grocery shop. Plus, I secretly admit that sometimes I cheat and buy the prepared meals. I SWEAR IT'S STILL CHEAPER THAN TAKEOUT!

Check it out. It's truly an adventure. We might as well make the best out of things until we're rich enough to own our own delivery man. Dare I say, it takes the unfortunate out of grocery shopping?

Unfortunate Fact #2: Bedbugs along my commute

It was widely reported this week that the Manhattan Bedbug Epidemic of 2010 has reached Lincoln Center, an unsettling revelation for someone who passes by every day. What is a commuter to do? The natural answer would be "nothing, don't be a hypochondriac." But for me, altering my commute is the only option.

Since the news hit, I have tried to avoid passing by Lincoln Center at all costs, which means that West End and Amsterdam Avenues have become my new routes. Funny thing though: the happy bookstores, restaurants, and cupcake shops that litter Columbus don't translate to this new western route. Instead, West End is scattered with nursing homes and high rise condos in a scene that looks downright apocalyptic. And don't get me started on Amsterdam: the only thing exciting on the whole avenue is the sleeping  (often open-mouthed) security guard at the front desk of the public library.



No thanks. I miss my street food vendors and 30-something yuppies eating Magnolia too damn much to trade it in for the barren wasteland that is "East New Jersey." Do you know they actually have car dealerships on West End? Nope. Not for me. I guess I'll take my chances with the bed bugs. At least they are self-respecting New Yorkers.

Unfortunate Fact #1: The consequences of a fussy alarm clock.

Here's a little nugget I never considered: the mad rush to class when you've overslept your alarm. While living in the dorms, this phenomenon was a regular part of the week. I never batted an eye at running through the halls, in my pajamas, to my 8:30 class. "Just another stupid freshman" was never a title I avoided.


But you know what's unfortunate about living off-campus? The faulty alarm clock (I swear I didn't screw up A.M. and P.M.) is a lot more dangerous now. Found this one out my first week of classes. (Don't start-- I'm a senior.) As I fast walked like some crippled bank robber down West End avenue, I suddenly realized that living off-campus isn't really as cool as it seems. I mean, I had my first doubts when I caught myself talking with my coffee-pot because I was becoming bored with talking to myself, but this was the first real re-consideration that carried with it tangible consequences. 


It wasn't until I got to school that I realized that the gig was up. I was 45 minutes late, and I officially accepted defeat. It was then, at that sad moment, that I admitted to myself that living off-campus comes with the responsibility of being punctual. Guess living on my own requires a reliable alarm clock. 


And that's pretty unfortunate.