Be lazy and save money!?

Dinner time decisions...

Dr. H and I both have colds. Amazingly, this is the first time in our relationship that we're sneezy, snotty messes, at the same time (that's hot right?!). What this translated to last night, was two very lazy people, laying on the couch, unable to decide what to do about dinner. "I'll just eat soup" he says. "I had soup for lunch" I answer. "Dude, I'm ordering from the pizza place, you in?" And just like that, I abandoned my "it's the holiday season (of spending), avoid unnecessary expenses" resolve and allowed a calzone and meatball sub to come to the rescue.

But when the delivery guy came to our door and the whopping grand total of $15 (including tip) sunk in, I realized that it would be tough to buy ingredients for a dinner for two that amounted to less than that. Our chinese and mexican takeout bills are often similarly low. One of the most glorious things about NYC is that you can get almost any type of cuisine delivered to your doorstep, at any time, at any price point you choose. Though we usually pride ourselves on being Manhattanites that actually cook, it could be that Dr. H and I would be better off not making our own dinner if the end game is to cut cost. And it's waaaay easier to lounge on the couch in sweatpants waiting for a delivery guy than to slave over the stove. How many nights in a row is too many when it comes to take out? Depending on how long these colds last, we just might find out.

A bad good habit?

Not mentioned, SWEATY.

I recently started taking spin classes here in NYC. Four months post-op on my knee, I’m not quite strong enough to run which SUCKS for a girlie who uses running not just for fitness, but also for mental clarity. So I have taken up spinning, checking out classes at Pedal NYC (literally IN my apt bldg!) and at the awesomely awesome (and super trendy) Soul Cycle. So you’re all “she’s exercising, great what’s the big deal?” The big deal is that spin is no deal at all… at $30-34 per class, this is my worst “good” habit since discovering sashimi (how many $3 strips of raw fish does it take to fill YOU up!?)

Is there such a thing as a bad good habit? How do we pick which eco-friendly/healthy/fit expenses are worth the price!? I pay almost double for organic berries and who knows how much for bottled water and Brita filters, so why not round out my “healthy Meri monthly bill” by paying out the butt for an amazing workout that I really enjoy? I mean, I think my butt deserves a nice candle-lit bike ride every once in while! 

Looking for tips...

Does anyone else feel totally clueless about “the art” of tipping? For me, tipping is one of the most confusing and stressful transactions that I have to face on a regular basis. When to tip someone and how much is appropriate are mysteries which I have yet to solve and it makes me BONKERS! No matter how many manicures I go for, I always have a momentary panic as I stare at the bill and try to determine an adequate tip on the $8 service. And what about the guy who comes to fix your cable or the cab driver who got you to the airport ($50) in the same amount of time it took the last cabbie to get you downtown during rush hour ($15)? I’m grateful for set rules in places like restaurants because everything else seems like a discretionary free for all! I’m more than happy to tip well for exemplary service, but how do I figure out what “tipping well” is!?

Do you have any tricks (or tips!?) for determining when and how much when it comes to tipping? Do you agree with THESE suggestions? Until someone gives me a rule, the chick who washes my hair at the salon will continue making a mint off my visits… but honestly, those scalp massages might just be worth it :)

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