A few weeks ago, my namorado (trans. boyfriend) D and I had to face a long day of shopping --as usual, on a tight tight budget. The apartment needed several things and we kept putting it off.However, after the deeds were all done, we realized how much of a fun and cheap day we had together (how convenient!).
And from drunken laughter on the way home, here is a guide to...
...Turning tedious shopping for extremely needed household items into a fun, very New Yorker, even romantic day, without ever going over-budget!
To begin your day, just before lunchtime, take a stroll around the Upper West Side, the trendiest family-neighborhood in Manhattan. Along uptown Brodway, you'll find Barzinis. Stop and enjoy a delicious and surprising variety of crackers (even gluten-free ones!) and cheese, cheese, cheese (since it's really never enough)! You could also enjoy the stop to quickly shop for natural foods and fresh, organic produce.
Time to move. Now you go to South Ferry (by train), where you can ride a boat from Manhattan to Brooklyn (inside, with air conditioning; or outside, enjoying the sun and wind). The view, which includes the most famous skyline in the world, is amazing - take pictures!
Once you get there, it's time for lunch. We enjoyed Swedish meatballs with cream sauce, mashed potatoes and lingonberry preserves.
[You'd be surprised if I told how little we've spent so far, but I just can't spoil the end.]
We finally spent the afternoon doing all the necessary shopping. It was actually pleasant and D was still sane by dinnertime.
So dinnertime it is. We had stuffed salmon filet, smothered with a delicate chive and dill sauce, served with a side of steamed veggies and potato broccoli medallions. It was a lovely dinner --overlooking the Statue of Liberty!
We, then, sailed back to Manhattan. Upon arrival, D had a pint of Guinness; I had the usual Johnnie Red on the rocks. The perfect ending to a long day.
We jumped into a car and back home we went.
The day cost us, from top to bottom (excluding only the shopping we did): $ 48.98
Surprised at how affordable Manhattan can be?
Well, we were not actually even paying for everything we did...
Here's the info:
Cheese and crackers at Barzinis: Free --they're samples.
Ferry ride: Free --you are actually going to Scandinavian furniture mega store IKEA. It's always free on the weekends. On weekdays, it costs $10 dollars, but you get the money back when you shop there.
Meatballs lunch: $3.99 each, but we shared one!
Stuffed salmon dinner: $7.99 --buy one, get one!
Pint of Guinness: $8.00 (damn the price of alcohol in Manhattan)
Johnnie Walker: $9.00 (damn the price of alcohol in Manhattan)
Cab home: $20.00 (too many shopping bags to schlep around to the train, by bodies way too relaxed under the effect of a holy alcoholic beverage)
Really. It was fun, bonding, and cheap.
Broke people have assets too --that's what she said.
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