I was walking around downtown and found myself wanting a snack. A Dunkin Donuts was nearby, and it had a large window sign for “wake up wraps” for $.99. I went in and got one, it was an egg with cheese in a soft-taco like wrap. Total cost with tax was $1.04. It was a perfect size and price. Although not necessarily the healthiest thing one could eat (nutrition information below), it wasn’t bad (and it was way better than getting an order of fries at McD’s or a Frostee at Wendy’s). This snack was just enough at the time, and it kept me from going hog wild when I was eating later.
i saw an advertisement on craigslist looking for hair models in a salon. The stylist and I emailed back and forth and coordinated a convenient time. I showed up as scheduled and checked in. The stylist took me to a chair, did an initial consult over the style I wanted, washed, cut, and dried my hair. This was exactly like being a “paying” customer (”paying” customers were in fact seated next to me).
When it was done, someone from the salon “checked” the cut. Everyone was pleasant, and I really liked the cut. This was at a mid-range salon on Newbury Street, and except for the short “check” at the end, this was exactly like a regular salon visit.
There was no pressure whatsoever, but I gave the stylist a $10 tip (from what I could see, this place charges $50 for a haircut, so $10 seemed like a decent tip). Even after the tip, my trip to this Newbury Street salon was less than a trip to Supercuts (and much more pleasant). I took the stylist’s card, as I’d like to have her cut my hair again.
Look for these in craiglist in the beauty section. I personally would only go to a regular place of business, I would not do one of these deals in someone’s house, or where they come to your house. I always tip, given that I am getting the main service for free, and the stylist is probably not getting paid anything. (And, I made $45 the day before, so I took the $10 from that “fund”).
I saw a posting on craigslist looking for people to participate in a study about group decision making. I created an account, when to a page for available time, and signed up. The study itself took about 2.5 hours and I made $45. It involved watching clips from a football game and predicting whether the next play would be a pass or run. Very easy. Not much interaction with other participants (there were about 15 people there) as everyone sat in private carrels.
The only annoying thing was that the people running it seemed disorganized. The leader would start giving directions to one task, then stop, retract, and start talking about something new. But, I got paid!! They gave a voucher at the end of the group, which could be cashed nearby. I chatted with one of the other participants about how surprising it is that these opportunities still exist.
Go to http://mit.edu/brl/ for more information or to sign up.
A few theater chains have specials during the summer for family movies.
I didn’t find any actually in Boston, but if you are travelling to the suburbs anyway, maybe this will work for you..
Regal Cinemas offers FREE movies on at 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays through August. http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx (link below).
AMC Theaters has movies on Wednedays at 10 a.m. for $1. http://www.amctheatres.com/smc/
Not all theaters in the chain are participating, so check the website or call before going. However, either for free or $1 per person, this is a great deal.
Here’s what Regal Cinemas is offering for the summer:
REG’s Free Family Film Festival is Now Showing!
When school’s out, kids around the country visit selected Regal theatres for the Free Family Film Festival. It’s a fun-filled nine weeks of movies for kids and parents. Since 1991, Regal has provided this service to the community, and best of all it’s FREE!
Selected G & PG movies start at 10AM each Tuesday and Wednesday during the festival. First-come, first-served seating is limited to theatre capacity. The Free Family Film Festival is safe, lots of fun and a great way for kids to spend a weekday morning in the summer.
Tickets for our 2009 Free Family Film Festival are exclusively available at select theatres’ box office on the day of the show.
You can also select a state from the list below to find participating theatres in your area along with what films are playing each week!
I was going into stop&shop to buy creamer for coffee. Staff members were at the door, waving coupons and announcing that in exchange for a taste test, one would receive a $1 off coupon. I readily agreed.
I was escorted to an area near the front doors where laptop computers were set up. I was handed two small samples of yellow mustard, and asked to fill out a survey on the computer. It consisted of 5 short questions. I repeated the process with two olive samples. They gave me two coupons each worth $1 for the two surveys. It took less than five minutes.
The coupon was good for $1 stop&shop store brand products. There was no stop&shop brand creamer, so I got the usual brand, then got a stop&shop yogurt for $.50. The cashier took the whole dollar off the order.
For less than five minutes I made $2 (this would work out to $24 an hour), and had a small snack of olives (I won’t exaggerate and claim that a dab of mustard by itself is a snack). This is not something I would have sought out, but since it was as in front of me as possible, I was happy to participate. And, the people were really nice, they were trying to reach a quota with the olives and were grateful to those who participated.
I am taking some time off from work next week, and hunting around for some money makers.
One thing I plan to do next week is get my hair cut. I’ve been intrigued by the ads for hair models in craigslist (in the beauty section). It appears that salons need people to be hair models. I finally found a time that worked for me, and sent an email to the posting. Hopefully I will get my hair done for free.
I grabbed a posting in at the health club, a study looking for people to talk about health care and internet. It appears to provide a $25 gift certificate to stop and shop for 90 minutes. The location is not out of the way for me, so I will do it if I qualify and the time frame works (a gift certificate to a supermarket is just like cash to me, I can always buy food).
I also want to get a manicure, so I am hoping (perhaps unrealistically, although it happened before) to find a place to get it done for free. I need to buy a pair of sandals, and will use a gift card to a department store. All I need is a few more freebies and income opportunities and I will be able to get alot done for little cash.
Boston Harborfest runs June 30-July 5th. It’s a bunch of mostly historical activities (revolutionary war era, to tie in with Independence Day), some activities are free, some not, probably alot of folks in colonial garb wandering around downtown. One of the main draws in chowderfest on city hall plaza on Sunday, July 5th from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. (chowderfest is $7-10, all you can eat). Many activities for kids and adults who like history.
If you go, I’d plan an itinerary (some of the demonstrations are at particular times) and coordinate bringing food and drink, or strategically plan where I would get my next diet coke (its cheaper to get snacks at CVS than at Fanueil Hall). Wear sunscreen, and bring rain gear if it looks iffy.
go to www.bostonharborfest.com for more information.
I got a post card in the mail today from the City Election Department. They are looking for folks to work the polls on city election day (in Boston, 9/22/2009 preliminary election & 11/3/2009 final election). I won’t have time to do it this year, but this is a way to make money (I was a poll worker a few years ago, it is a very long day, but i am glad to be able to add this experience to my collection of odd jobs).
You need to live in Massachusetts to work at the polls here.
If you are in Boston, go to cityofboston.gov and follow the link to the elections department
Complete an application
If you are selected, there may be a training a few days before the polls open
You’ll be assigned to a polling place, the tasks usually involve checking off voter names and getting folks situated. You have some say in where you end up, depending on how many poll workers are scheduled to work.
The pay is $135-$175 for a looonngg day (often 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
You can’t wear pins, buttons, political stuff for any candidate
some of the voters are really annoying, but they are usually only there for a few minutes
At some polling places, no one shows up to vote, so poll workers sit around all day. It gets boring.
Usually you get to sit down, but depending on the place and who shows up, you might be on your feet most of the day.
From the City website:
*** Please note: These are ONE-DAY positions. It is preferred that you be available to work the ENTIRE Election Day (6AM-9PM, 15 hours). ***
2009 Election Dates
May 19, 2009 (Tues) - Special State Primary
June 16, 2009 (Tues) - Special State Election
Sept. 22, 2009 (Tues) - Preliminary Municipal Election
Nov. 3, 2009 (Tues) - Municipal Election
The Boston Election Department is recruiting Poll Workers to assist in the important work of staffing the City’s 254 precincts for all the upcoming Elections.
In order to guide voters through the electoral process smoothly and speedily and to ensure that all the polling locations are adequately staffed, the Election Department requires a full complement of Poll Workers. There is also a critical need for bilingual individuals to serve in all the Poll Worker roles: Wardens, Clerks, Inspectors and Interpreters. Bilingual speakers of Spanish, Cape Verdean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Russian, Portuguese, and Somali are strongly encouraged to apply.
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited, to the following: assist with preparing the voting location for opening; hang signs in accordance with legal requirements; count ballots; check in voters; maintain a record of the Election Day’s activities; check handicap access; assist in removing signage; pack up election materials; and help check counts at the end of the day.
There are stipends ranging from $135-$175 for Poll Workers. While it is encouraged that all Poll Workers be available from 6AM to the closing of the polls (9PM), those workers serving as Inspectors or Interpreters may opt for a half-day shift: 6AM to 2PM or 1PM to 9PM (prorated pay rate of $9/hour). All prospective Poll Workers will be required to attend a mandatory 2-hour training session prior to the Elections.
Poll Workers must be registered voters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; however, the guidelines for Interpreters are more flexible (i.e., voter status not required). All Poll Workers must exhibit a professional and helpful demeanor, and must be respectful and mindful of the ethnic and cultural diversity of Boston’s voters.
i’ve always been curious about homemade bread, but skeptical of my ability to make it correctly (expecting it will be a big mess and a waste of the ingredients).
About two years ago I went to craigslist and bought a breadmaker for $20. The machine was practically new. i’ve used the breadmaker alot (more than got my $20 out of it, and I am sure i can resell it for $20 if I decide I don’t need it anymore). Goodwill is another great place to get a new-ish breadmaker.
To make the bread, the ingredients are piled into the machine in the order listed (the only “skill” is measuring carefully, you don’t even stir the stuff). Turn it on, four hours later it has turned into a loaf of bread. I usually slice the bread and freeze it.
The cost is amazing for the quality:
one envelope of yeast: $.25
2 tablespoons olive oil: $.25(?)
9 oz. water: free
2 Tbsp sugar: $.05
1 1/4 Tbsp salt: $.05
3 cups bread flour: $.75
I’m guessing a bit high with these price estimates, but it comes out to no more than $1.35 for a large loaf of preservative free fresh bread (it’s really good hot, so good I end up eating way too much). It takes about four hours total, and the machine has a timer so it can be ready when you get home (I have not done this yet).
The big cost is getting the bread machine. Ask around, you might find someone getting rid of one (these used to be a popular wedding gift that rarely got used). Or get one at a yard sale, goodwill, or craigslist. Then make some bread! I use the heels to make croutons for caesar salad, these too are very tasty.
I needed eggs at the supermarket. All I needed was eggs. I had a $20 bill, and if I broke that bill I would end up buying more than eggs.
Fortunately, I had returnable bottles in the car. I returned the deposit bottles and got $1.35. The eggs were $1.19 for a six pack. Basically, I got the eggs for free (and I did not break the $20 bill).
And, in the deposit bottle area, I found a bunch of mycokerewards codes (box flaps from 12 packs were lying around).
