Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with inexpensive

Keeping it real (delicious)

theflash — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:45:44 -0800

Help me find a mid-priced restaurant in Brooklyn for New Years dinner! My friends and I (about 12 of us) want to have dinner in Brooklyn for New Year's eve. I would like to keep this to a reasonable price. I'm thinking $30-50/person, not including alcohol. Can it be done? Ideally we'd be in Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, or Cobble Hill. I think a prix fixe might break the bank. Bonus points for BYOBs. I haven't lived in New York in years and I'm stumped. Thanks, MeFi!

Sydney in 5 days.

semmi — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:43:23 -0800

Where to stay and eat inexpensively and safely for a young female passing through Sydney, and what to see there in 5 days.

Thanksgiving in a log cabin on a lake - but where?

jander03 — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:12:44 -0800

My girlfriend and I are looking to spend a few days in a cabin on a lake with a chance of snow (but not a blizzard!). We were thinking Lake Tahoe, but adding up the expenses puts it out of our price range. Any suggestions for how to have a peaceful vacation on the cheap?

Over-the-shoulder-boulder-holderFilter: help me find one for my boulders :)

Gonestarfishing — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:34:31 -0800

Bra help! I have big boobs and a small body, help me find inexpensive bras in size 32G, seemingly an oxymoron. Because of my odd bra size, 32G, my hesitation to buy bras online, and the rarity of finding this size in stores, I never seem to have more than 1-2 bras that fit me at any point in time. I've realized that I can't keep doing this to myself. I NEED more bras, but I've wasted so much money over the years on trial and error that I need some advice on which brands I should be looking at. I've decided that I need to order online from a place like figleaves.com, but I'm horrible about returning items I've ordered that don't fit, so I'm hoping that with your help, I can get it right the first time.

I've had luck with La Mystere bras, but damn are they expensive. I'm hoping to get some advice on specific brands that have worked for you in the past, come in my size, run true to size, are comfortable and/or durable, and are around the $50 range.

Bonus points for push-up bras, bras that allow for plunging necklines, or those with pretty designs. I also prefer non-lacy types that I could wear under t-shirts, and a cup shape that doesn't make me look like I have alien breasts. Dammit, i'm 23 years old and I'm sick of beige colored grandma bras.

Even more bonus points if you can recommend a shop in the D.C. metro area that would carry a bra that fits the criteria above, and is not Fredericks of Hollywood.

Please note - I've been fitted multiple times by the helpful folks at Neiman Marcus. I'm certain that 32G is my ideal size.

Tangent-filter: big breasted ladies, how do you combat boob sweat?

Cheapest flights from Hanoi to Siem Reap? Southeast Asia airline search aggregator?

pariser — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 09:11:03 -0800

What are the cheapest & quickest flights from Hanoi to Siem Reap; is there a southeast Asia flight aggregator (similar to Kayak in the US) that will search all the possible airlines and connections? The Vietnam Airlines direct flight is obvious, though I think I can do better than one way 260 USD per person.

[For example, HAN to SIN (Singapore) via Tiger and then SIN to REP cost $170 but these routes don't fly every day and it'd be too long of a layover in Singapore... I was so close to finding a good fare!]

I've already spent over an hour trying to manually check every airline that flies into Siem Reap and then every destination accessible cheaply from Hanoi, but I'm now at my wit's end trying to figure this out. Is there a search aggregator that does this cross checking on many airlines for me? ... something like Kayak for low cost Southeast Asia flights?

Help us have fun without The Almighty Cable

Gonestarfishing — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:15:48 -0800

Just moved my boyfriend into a new apartment, and he will be unable to afford cable tv for quite awhile. As admitted boob toob junkies, we are quickly running out of things to do when we just feel like being around the house. Suggestions of fun and relatively budget friendly (under $30 to accomplish, preferably with a re-usability factor) activities to do at home, without the magical box. I live about 5 minutes away in my parents house, and we are getting sick of hanging out there, or having to go out (and thus spending money) when we get sick of sitting in his technology free pad. He has: no internet, no cable for at least 3-4 months (but we will be getting a free 35" tv in the coming weeks), minimal cell phone service in the apartment, minimal kitchen (2 burners, a toaster oven, and 1 old cruddy microwave that I'm afraid will give me cancer if I use it), but a very large living space/bedroom. The apartment is in the basement of a house, and has a large walk out patio area as well.

We do have my laptop, and have been subsisting largely on a dvd of 7 or 8 assembled Star Trek TNG episodes and season 1 of Flight of the Conchords. We have very few other dvds, but enjoy watching movies and would also appreciate suggestions of used dvd merchants or something of the like. When we eventually get sick of watching those, we have been known to just sit around and drink beer and talk, or just sit there in silence which is really pathetic.

We are both 23, and enjoy lots of off the wall kinds of activities but due to stress at my home and job, my usually creative brain is running on E. Please help us with some ideas of things to do on a budget with little to no technology...the crazier the better, we're up for anything and aren't afraid to act like children. To be specific, we are looking for at home/in the yard activities.

Need Googlepages replacement: free, no ads, javascript. Amazon S3?

nolnar — Sat, 02 May 2009 15:40:26 -0800

Googlepages webhosting shuts down in June. Help me find a replacement. Requirements: free/almost free, no ads, javascript, css, custom html upload, at least 50Mb storage. Would Amazon S3 work? Not needed features: mysql, php or similar server side scripting.

There are of course many commercial webhosts. But are there any reliable free (or almost free) services around similar to Googlepages (Google Page Creator)?

I've glanced at Amazon's S3. If I understand their prices then hosting a small site with very modest monthly data transfer would be very inexpensive. But I've also read claims on blogs that S3 can't autoload index.html and various other skeptical posts. However I find no clear info on the official S3 site regarding the index.html issue. So maybe it does work now. Or there might be some smart way around it. So I ask:

question 1: can S3 satisfy the requirements above?

I here hope for feedback from people with experience of S3, maybe even as a html web hosting solution.

question 2: if S3 doesn't satisfy the requirements above then suggest some other interesting free/almost free alternative that does.

I need a crash course in finding good prices in Melbourne.

mosessis — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:26:35 -0800

What shops should I go to in Melbourne, Australia, to buy inexpensive necessities (clothes, shoes, groceries, linens, electronics)? I'm in Melbourne and I need to find the cheap places to go shopping. I'll only need these goods for six months to a year and then I'll be giving them away or tossing them out, so price definitely wins out over long term quality.

The things I will need to buy are women's clothes (shops I often use in UK: H&M, Primark; in US: Target, Marshalls, Forever21), shoes, coats, groceries, toiletries, housewares, basic electronics (burnable dvd's, usb headset, etc.), or anything else you would normally shop for during the course of a year

I have this down to somewhat of a science in the US, where I know more or less where to look - and where to avoid - for the best deals on these basic categories of goods. But I know almost nothing about Australian stores and where, for example, it will be cheapest to buy deodorant. I went into a Target in the CBD yesterday, and it looks about the same as a Target in the US, with cheaper clothes and dishes and such, so that's a start. Where else should I be looking? Any Melbourne specific details, such as which Salvation Army location is best for kitchenware vs. best for clothing, or which specific shopping centers I should look at/avoid are much appreciated.

If you're a very price conscious shopper, please share your expertise or favorite web resources with me!

Inexpensive RCA-in, RCA-out, In-line DVR with no subscriptions?

Quarter Pincher — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 14:55:28 -0800

Inexpensive standalone (non-computer) DVR solution for in-line video game recording? Preferably RCA in, RCA out, with 10+hours record time uncompressed/highest quality. I'm looking for something that'll essentially perform like a "press record now" device akin to a VCR, that will record anything coming in through the RCA input, but with relatively uncompressed quality. I make a lot of video game YouTube videos, and most games do not have their own go-back-and-watch features.

I tried this with a VCR to "technical" success (but with hideous recording quality) and am considering digital options now. My father suggested a hard-drive-based digital video camera that has RCA ins and outs, but I wouldn't know where to begin.

Any suggestions for brands and models to start looking, or have similar experience to share?

ZBrush for Less?

watercarrier — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:11:52 -0800

Where can I find ZBrush at the lowest possible price? Ebay and Google have failed. Is there a buy and sell forum for this and other graphics programs that are legit and licensed?

Help brighten up my apartment.

tomcochrane — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 07:13:00 -0800

Where can I buy inexpensive art or other wall hangings in Toronto? I have a very bare apartment and the walls need some livening up. I'm a student and am living near York University, but I'm willing to go to pretty much anywhere in the city.

What are the best bargains at IKEA?

cucumberfresh — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:19:28 -0800

IKEA Filter: What are some cheap, yet surprisingly durable or high-quality items worth purchasing at IKEA? I'll be making my annual pilgrimage to IKEA soon and I would like some general tips on what to buy. Whether it's been a wobbly lamp or a chair that won't adjust, a lot of the cheap stuff I have gotten there in the past has been of really poor quality, so I am looking for things that are both inexpensive and durable. Of course, you get what you pay for, but what are the best bargains to be had at IKEA? What are some things to avoid? Thanks!

Culture me for cheap!

zoomorphic — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:21:03 -0800

Help me pick out the best play, opera, lecture and art exhibit to see this winter in NYC. I'm a lowly wage slave who can't shell out $300 to see every Broadway sensation that comes to town, so I'd like to attend one incredible event in each category with a high return-on-awesome factor so I can walk away cultured but not impoverished. My criteria for lectures is open-ended: I'll easily enjoy most anything aside from hard science data, so if you've got a lecture marked on your calendars that is truly, earth-shatteringly rad, share. No Nerd Nite stuff--it's a great concept that devolved into a meat market. I enjoy lots of concept art about social issues, as long as it's smart: more like Kara Walker at the Whitney, less like the frothy superhero costume exhibit at the Met. I've never seen an opera in the US, but I'm a sucker for decadent costumes and pageantry more than the quality of voices (which my philistine ears can't really distinguish from the understudies' performance, I'd imagine), and I have no idea how to judge the merits of the Met calendar based on subject and talent. Should I spring for a Mozart/Wagner staple or a more modern piece? As for plays, I lean towards lovely dialogue over experimental acting or camp, but I'm such a theater rookie that I'd rather not take my own advice on such matters. I hate hate hate most musicals, so advise with caution.

So what would you sleek New York MeFites attend if you rarely spend more than $80 on anything beyond a metro card? I'm going alone, so I've got only myself to worry about. Let's assume I can spare $25ish on the art exhibit, $100 on a play, $100 on an opera, and $50 on a lecture.

more bang for my meager buck

mustcatchmooseandsquirrel — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:35:50 -0800

I'm going to Rome for one week in February. How can I cheap out on lodging while there? I'm traveling with my boyfriend. The trip itself is only affordable to begin with because of the awesomeness of EasyJet. We're planning on trying to couchsurf but, if that doesn't work out, do you know of any hostels/hotels/monasteries where we can stay for less than 30euros/night total cost? (if you have any other advice on enjoying oneself in Rome while not spending much money, that's welcome too!)

free me from my free time

Anonymous — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:48:59 -0800

How should I use my copious amounts of free time while being poor in a country where nobody understands me? Background: I am working in a foreign country. I get paid but only enough to get by. I am not legally allowed to get another job. The nature of my work means that I work two or three full days a week but have the other days free. I am here with my partner who has the same type of job.

I want to go out (or stay in) and do fun things but, with my almost non-existent budget, it is difficult to find activities in my price range. I feel that on my free days, I end up sitting and refreshing metafilter and other webpages instead of actually doing anything.

I have investigated the expat community but most of them are into the bar and club scene which I really can't afford. I don't know the language well enough to communicate effectively (ie: not sounding like a five-year-old) with citizens of the country (and, considering the short period of time that I'll be here, am unlikely to learn a sufficient amount). My partner and I go out to explore the city but my partner has different days off (and , of course, I don't want to rely on my partner for all of my entertainment).

So, I feel totally lame because I am in this foreign country where I should be running around and having a good time but, instead, am inside refreshing the internet and moping. I'm sure there's culture shock going on here but I feel like if I had things to do to keep myself busy I'd be happier and more at ease.

Things that I already do: exercise 45 minutes a day, cook, force myself to get out of bed and walk down random streets and look at things.

Anon because I feel like a jackass being in a cool foreign country and being incapable of enjoying myself.

Paris Shopping on the Cheap?

odayoday — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 07:08:53 -0800

I'll be in Paris for a few days next month, and I'd like to check out some thrift stores. I'm not looking for anything fancy or designer, just maybe some cute skirts or sweaters. Most of the articles I've seen online talk about places where you can get couture for a fraction of the price, but that's not really my thing. Also, this might be silly, but I'm a size 8 US...would resale shops have things in my size? Any advice that can point me in the right direction is greatly appreciated!

bang for the buck

cookie googleman — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:11:53 -0800

Where are the cheapest places to live/travel in Latin America right now?

This coffee tastes positively Parman!

parmanparman — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 18:36:48 -0800

I need to be famous for other things. So I would like to make my own blend of coffee. At home and cheaply how can I get started? In terms of style, I would like to do something like a French Roast with the aroma of tilled farmland after a rainstorm.

I have heard you can use a popcorn popper to roast beans, but what else should I consider getting or trying in terms of tech and beans/spices/additives?

Inexpensive awesome in Copenhagen?

jrb223 — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:29:29 -0800

Inexpensive awesome in Copenhagen? I'm headed to Copenhagen for two weeks, and I have heard that the city can be quite expensive. To that end I was looking for recommendations of things to do, see, eat and drink that won't break the bank. Any recommendations of can't-miss spots that are easy on the pocketbook and might not be in the guidebooks?

Cooking on the cheap

odi.et.amo — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 07:21:42 -0800

Cheap home-made food for a group of people? What sorts of inexpensive meals could my friends and I make that are also reasonably healthy? This would be for 5-8 people. We've already done a big batch of scrambled eggs and toast one day, spaghetti and home-made meat sauce another.

I'm considering a stirfry and rice next time. What other cheap meals can we make that can either be prepared in advance or won't take a lot of time to make that night?

Difficulty: It should also be filling (no ramen...). We do have access to Costco and Super H Mart as well as Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and normal grocery stores.

Cheap NYC fun

HotPatatta — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:43:20 -0800

The Staten Island Ferry is said to be "one of the best values in New York City" because it's free and offers great views of the city. What are other "best values" in NYC, including shopping, food, activities, and anything else that's surprisingly inexpensive. I'll be moving to the City later this summer I need to not blow my nestegg.

It's like Sex in the City, without the sex and in Chicago

desjardins — Fri, 16 May 2008 05:54:19 -0800

[ChicagoFilter] What are some inexpensive things for two 30-something, childless women to do in Chicago this Sunday, May 18? She lives near Belmont & Sheridan (don't know the name of the neighborhood). I will be traveling there, since I live in a boring-ass suburb. So, firstly, should I drive or take the train (I'd pick it up in Fox Lake or Barrington)?

Then, what to do? Shopping is out because we're both semi-broke. I don't know the area at all except for Boystown, and although we're both very LGBT-friendly, I don't think she'd want to hang out there. (Plus I don't want the guy at Leather Sport saying "Hey, welcome back! Are you enjoying those restraints?") She's into music and theatre, and I'm into art, so anything cultural is good, except it has to be cheap. Evening/night stuff is fine because we don't have to work early on Monday.

Headache-free travel between Croatia and Germany?

freudenschade — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:28:48 -0800

Planning a trip to Europe in September: the plan is to visit my girlfriend's family in Dubrovnik (Croatia) and Sarajevo (Bosnia & Herzegovina) for about a week, and then head up to Berlin for another week. What's the best way configure our travel plans? I was thinking we should fly Toronto > Berlin, and then immediately fly out to Dubrovnik (we'll have family to get us around while in Croatia and Bosnia). After a week, we'd fly back to Berlin, hang out there for seven days or so, and then fly back to Toronto. Easy, right? Not really.

It seems like there aren't that many airlines that fly from Berlin to Dubrovnik or anywhere close to there, and the ones that do (Germanwings was the only one I could nail down online) are pretty expensive. Taking the train would also be expensive, not to mention long. We were also considering flying to Italy and taking the ferry from Bari > Dubrovnik, but that seems complicated when combined with the rest of the travel. Now I'm starting to think about multi-city air tickets, although those get very expensive also (especially when flying with Air Canada).

Sorry that was so long-winded. Suggestions for part or all of the trip? Bonus points for anyone who can figure out how we can do it all efficiently while flying Air Canada to Europe and back (so I can buy one of the tickets on Aeroplan points). Oh, and suggestions about what to see/do while in Croatia and Bosnia would be cool, too. Thanks!

Where can I find an inexpensive turntable and amplifier?

punchdrunkhistory — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 19:07:12 -0800

Help my family find a decent turntable + amp in the $100-$300 range. We just want to listen to records! We have a good set of speakers, but an amplifier and turntable that date back to the 1970s and desperately need replacing. Given our small budget, is it possible to buy a new turntable with a built-in amp (that would connect directly to the speakers) or a turntable AND amp that would fall within the price range? Price is the biggest issue - we're certainly not hardcore audiophiles. It would be nice to have a USB output or similar CD-converting options, but those aren't necessary.

(I've seen this question, which was helpful, but didn't specifically answer my amplifier question.)

How do I hang my posters with inexpensive materials?

Schuby — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:13:12 -0800

How can I hang movie / music posters cheap, effectively, and in a stylish way? I recently bought about eight posters that I want to put in my room. My original plan was to use poster putty but it gets messy and needs constant readjusting.

So instead of buying expensive frames for my posters, does anyone know a cheap alternate way to hang posters around my room in a neat way?

Keyword here is cheap, I need to afford rent next month :P