NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

What a terrible time to be an NYU student.  According to an article in Fox 28, New York is considering a new tax on alcohol products- everything from the hard stuff to beer and wine.

Currently, New York's alcohol taxes are among the lowest in the country- about 60 cents lower per gallon of wine than the national average, according to an opinion piece in The Buffalo News. But doesn't the $2.75 tax on a pack of cigarettes more than compensate?

Modern Day Hoovervilles?

Click here to read a sobering article by The New York Times about the rise of "shanty towns"- makeshift homeless communities- in California.  New York will be seeing it next...

Can't Afford Public Transportation? Ever Consider a Scooter?

My last post on the MTA's ridiculous fare hikes has me considering my options. If you're like me and the subway will no longer be a viable option after May 31st, here are some more cost effective ways to get around NYC: 

1. Walking

I know, I know, I'm not exactly reinventing the wheel here.  And it's no surprise that New Yorkers are pretty used to walking.  But we all slack off a little, and sometimes the walk from 14 and Lex to 31st and Broadway can be daunting. But come on- do you really need to take the L train from 8th Ave to First?  The entire island of manhattan is only 13.5 miles long and 2.5 miles wide (approximate). Suck it up. Plus, you won't have to feel guil

ty about drinking that iced grande latte later. You've earned it- the cost and the calories.

And for those of us who wear high heels- just carry a pair of Old Navy flip-flops in your bag. Trust me. You'll want them later.

2. Taxi

When it comes to getting from Point A to Point B, I think every

 budget conscious New Yorker considers taxis as the ultimate money waster.  But when you're in a group, that's not always the case, especially with the new fare hikes. After paying an initial fee of $2.50 ($3.50 during peak hours)  taxis have a flat rate of 40 cents per 1/5 of a mile, or every 60 seconds that the car is idle.  Check hop stop for an approximate cost, and as long as you're not going to Penn Station at 5:00 on Friday, go ahead and wave one down.  With a couple of friends in tow, you'll most likely break even- and get to your destination faster.

3. Scooter

If you have no qualms wearing a business suit while riding a scooter, you can save a ton of money on your daily commute. A $40-60 dollar investment on Amazon.com can get you a pretty sweet Razor Scooter, designed to carry up to 143 pounds.  Remember, they're called scooters for a reason: those things can move.  And if you get embarrassed riding it, hey, at least it's not a segway.

4. Roller Blades

These are a little more pricey, but consider them a long term investment. Most rollerblades run from around $60-100, but you can get a decent pair for $40 if you look hard enough.  Just make sure to try them out in Central Park before taking them to the streets- learning to brake is an art.

5.  Bikes. (Not.)

Please, don't ride a bike in New York. Dozens of bicyclists die every year in NYC from traffic related injuries, and I've heard horror stories from friends who own bikes here.  If you do decide to use a bike, PLEASE look up bicycle-friendly streets (such as 5th ave) and buy a helmet.

$2.50 For A Single Ride, and Be Prepared to Wait: The MTA Price Hikes

For those of us who wince at spending $4 to take a trip uptown, I've got some bad news: the oft whispered, dreaded fare hikes are officially coming to a public transport near you.

According to an article in today's New York Times, public transport on buses and subways will increase to $2.50 a ride, up from $2, beginning May 31st.  The hikes will also affect tolls.   

But that's not all, unfortunately.  In addition to the hikes, 35 bus routes will be eliminated, as well as the Z and W trains, which may cause overcrowding in the already often packed trains. Service will also be significantly cut on off-peak and weekend hours, while buses and commuter rail will also see a marked decrease.

And if you're thinking of saving by getting a monthly pass, think again: monthly passes will go to a staggering $103 per month, up from $81.

The changes were voted in this morning, with 12 in favor and one opposed.  The Times reports, 

"Before the vote, the board heard from a parade of M.T.A. employees, transit advocates and city officials who criticized the fare hikes and service cutbacks that would affect a system that covers two-thirds of all mass transit riders in the United States. A number complained about how the cuts would disproportionately affect the middle class, who were already struggling in the city’s economic downtown." 

But the board members were unmoved- all except sole dissenter Norman I. Seabrook.

One reader, identified only as Alex, commented, "'Let's decrease service and make it more expensive for the handful of people who still have jobs to get to work. Brilliant!'"

I couldn't have said it better myself, Alex. 

A Quick Note: Adding Ads

You may have noticed that there are now ads on Recession Obsessions. Some might call that selling out, but hey, this is a recession themed blog, after all. Help out a broke college student and click on a couple! Every time someone clicks on an ad, I get that much closer to graduate school, so don't be shy! Click away. You know you're secretly interested in hoodies with pockets designed for beer. Very interested.

Seriously, though.  Thanks for reading! And clicking!

Love,

Emily 

Cheap Food Causes Big Problems.

...and big waistlines.

Cheap, unhealthy food (such as the entirety of McDonald's dollar menu) has been on the rise in America since the recession hit, according to this great article in CBS news. It's nothing you haven't heard before, but that doesn't make it any less depressing. Read the article, then have a salad! Don't be a statistic!

Would You Pay $25 For a Vibrating Movie Theater Seat?

That's a rhetorical question.  But it's one that D-BOX Technologies is attempting to answer with their trademarked rumbling theater seats, as a new (and unique) method of attracting theatergoers. The seats, which are already being tested in select theaters in Los Angeles and Arizona, are designed to move along with the action in a film.

According to the company website,

"Our completely new D-BOX Motion Code™ system, conceived for use within commercial theatres, adds a new dimension to your experience. It allows moviegoers to Live the Action onscreen with an unmatched realism. In other terms, the D-BOX Motion Code™ system creates movements: pitch, roll, heave, and intelligent vibrations – perfectly synchronized with the onscreen action."

While it is true that going to the movies is becoming more and more pricey- I just paid $12 to go see I Love You, Man last Saturday- I really don't think a restless chair is going to attract the public.  Just the words they use to describe it turn me off.  Pitching, rolling, and heaving.  Kind of sounds like a late night bout with the flu to me, but hey, to each his own.

But just in case you're interested, here's an example of the chair. (Note: this one was designed for a home movie theater, not a commercial one.)

Just imagine trying to eat popcorn in that thing.