Archive for February 2010
The same old routine – alarm clock goes off, go to class, then work, then gym, and then to hours at a library table pounding out the homework. If you’re not a student, I’m sure that’s not too far off minus the classes and studying. When you finally get home, you might be able to catch a couple minutes of your favorite reality shows. You’re itching to escape the monotony, thank goodness for peachy pleasure #3 — get outta town for the weekend!
This weekend I had an awesome opportunity to visit friends in Minneapolis. I didn’t spend much at all and had a fabulous time! So how then, you ask, can I have a weekend getaway on a budget?! Don’t fret I’ve got plenty of tips coming your way:
1) Public Transportation – namely, MegaBus. Book far enough ahead, and you could save yourself at least $20 instead of taking the train. Yes, this does mean a crowded, not nearly as comfortable as you’d hoped for, bus ride. But the money saved in the end, could be put toward your first meal on your night out! Another helpful hint that made my trip even cheaper – our tickets were free! Register your email address, and receive notifications of upcoming promos – and don’t delete them! We saved our ticket promotion for a few months, and applied it when we knew which weekend worked best.
Also, choose a destination that has easy access to restaurants, nightlife, and attractions, thus cutting out cab fares, gas prices, and parking tickets.
2) Where to stay? Well, I’d recommend crashing at a friend’s apartment for the ultimate cheap route, but if you’re really having a getaway, a living room floor and makeshift mattress just might not cut it. My suggestion for last minute deals, Hotwire. The site sells rooms the hotels couldn’t at discounted rates. When my parents come to Milwaukee to visit, they frequent the site and often get to stay at the Hilton for surprisingly cheap rates. The downside, you don’t know where you’re booking until after it has been confirmed. To calm your fears the site’s rating system weeds out the duds.
Student Universe is another site putting the world at students’ fingertips. It’s a great site to check out local hostels that by nature are pleasantly cheaper then the average hotel. Having stayed in many a hostel in Europe, this is an option I definitely enjoy at least looking over, but have yet to stay in an American version — any experience?
3) Reference Peachy Pleasure 2: Check out the campus events! While in Minneapolis, I had the absolute pleasure of going to a Hypnosis show at U of M for free! The show was fantastic, mainly because our friend was the entertainment for the night. Easily persuaded into hypnosis, he had no shame as he belly danced flirtatiously across the stage, chased after bandits in the Wild Wild West, and stole a flying car from an agitated alien. Now I can’t promise that your hypnosis show will be that entertaining, but it definitely proves campus events are worth checking out. What made it even better, free Jimmy Johns for those in attendance. A show + dinner = $0. Awesome.
4) Shop. In Minneapolis there is this great store, Opitz, that sells designer clothes at least 70 percent off. It’s absolutely fabulous! Wherever you go, you must check into the shopping. Plenty of traveler’s sites will list various vintage shops and bargain finds. A quick google search for Chicago led me to Chicago Mag. The author provides plenty of detail on bargain hunting in the city, and while many of these stores may not have unique charm, they certainly have unique prices and may be worth a look!
5) What to eat, what to eat. Well you’ve spent maybe $50 at this point, $30 
for your round-trip bus tickets, $20 on your shopping extravaganza – but all of this has left you hungry. My suggestion – hit the grocery store. This is certainly easier if you’re crashing with a friend, think taco night, spaghetti frenzy, or make your own pizzas. But, if you’re staying at a hotel you’re up to more of a challenge, or some may say sacrifice. Things you could go for: salad/soup bar, hot meals section, lunchables…you get where I’m going with this. I would recommend using this option for your lunch, and save your extra cash to get a real meal. Again do a little research to find quirky restaurants that offer affordable delicious meals before you go!
6) Research, research, research. It all comes down to a little digging around, and you’ll eventually come to the best deals in town. Take 15 minutes to do a quick google search of your next city, and you may just find some gems.
The final ticket of your weekend getaway may not be free or less than $30. However, if you’re in dire need of some R&R, a weekend out of town might just be worth spending a few extra dollars. After all, time away from the craziness of life has proven to increase productivitiy and motivation – so go on and reward yourself – have a fabulous weekend!
🙂
The weekend is over, and back to our desks it is. I hope you all had a chance to relax and enjoy some down time. Wanted to share my peachy pleasure #2, attend a thought provoking campus event.
Last week I had the absolute pleasure and honor of attending Marquette’s Pere Marquette Award Ceremony honoring the Little Rock 9.
Courtesy of Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
These are the brave men and women who attended Central High School in Arkansas in 1954 following public school integration. They endured months of badgering, bullying, and even some violence. Anything and everything was thrown their way. But in every single one of them was an endurance I had not seen before.
An hour and half of listening to these most courageous students, I questioned if I too would have volunteered myself to experience such horrible treatment. At the tender age of 16, would I walk with my head held high as an angry mob followed me through the streets? I can not say; I have had the privledge to live in a different world.
Had the award ceremony cost me $20 I may have paid to be able to participate in such a momentous and historic moment for Marquette. But, as peachy pleasures go, this event was free to students. Which got me thinking; it’s now my senior year and have I really taken advantage of all of the free events sponsored by MU?
There are speakers, plays, open mic nights, debate forums, and many other mind stimulating events. I for one enjoy learning and listening to others’ perspectives. It’s a nice departure from ordinary events like intramurals, movie nights, or contests.
If you are a MU student read the News Briefs for upcoming events, I’ve attended political debates and policy discussions I would not have heard of had I deleted these messages. You can also check out the MUSG site and departmental calendars. These events are generally free, or max $5. What do you really lose by checking them out? Especially when it’s an opportunity like the Little Rock 9 Ceremony.
This upcoming event sounds intriguing:
- February 17, 6 p.m AMU 254 At the Intersection: Culture and Segregation
- “At the Intersection” is a free dinner and dialogue series that addresses prominent diversity issues found within today’s society.
- “At the Intersection” is a free dinner and dialogue series that addresses prominent diversity issues found within today’s society.
For all those non-MU fans, follow your local universities’ calendars. Often admission is free to the public or, at the very least, frugal.
Have you had any on-campus peachy pleasures? Share them with us!
🙂
After writing this post, MU sent out this week’s News Briefs and there are several events that sound like they’re worth checking out:
February 23, AMU Ballrooms, 7: 15 a.m.: “Crisis Communication: Navigating AIG Through the Storm”
- Hosted by former AIG executive Nicholas Ashooh. Free public event, register online
February 24, Marquette Hall 200, 6:00p.m. – 9:00p.m: “Foreign Aid: Helping or Hurting?”
- Hosted by Les Aspin Center for Government Alumni Council
February 25, Helfaer Theater 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.: “Open minds: A day for contemplating the role of media and communication in a democratic society”
- Hosted by the authors of The Death and Life of American Journalism
February 25, AMU Monaghan Ballroom 4:30 p.m.: “Toward a New Conversation about the School Achievement of African American Students”
- Hosted by Dr. Theresa Perry, professor of Africana Studies at Simmons College
Hello world,
I hope this post finds you all enjoying the start of your week and anticipating the events this weekend might hold. For some of us, romantic dinners at the hottest restaurant, taking it to the snowy slopes, or perhaps renting a movie and getting take out. And still others will venture out to the crowded theaters to see about 15 of Hollywood’s stars take to the screen in the loveable romantic comedy, Valentine’s Day.
So it is, our first peachy pleasure for the world to enjoy – go see an advanced movie screening, for free! This is something I’ve actually done a few times before: Slumdog Millionaire, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, My Sister’s Keeper, The Hangover, and Last Chance Harvey. Tonight it was Valentine’s Day. Screenings are a fantastic option for the student or friend on a budget. Tickets are free, and if you don’t mind arriving an hour early for your movie to reserve seats, it’s a great experience! And do arrive an hour early, tonight we made it approximately 45 minutes prior to the show, and we were lucky enough to be in the fourth row all the way to the right of the auditorium. It was an interesting angle to watch from, everything seemed abnormally large being that close to the screen, and I can’t say my neck was entirely comfortable the whole evening. However the Majestic Theater in Brookfield, Wi, is really nice, the seats are super comfortable, and if you do get great seats the screen is fantastic.
Going to the movies is one of my favorite pastimes. There’s just something about sitting in a grand auditorium, chowing on popcorn, and the booming stereo that I find purely magical, it’s fabulous to get out and become absorbed into the action on screen. But, these days ticket prices are just too high. On the average, a prime time movie ticket could cost about $10: I can rent a movie at home for $1, get Qdoba for $6, watch the latest episode of Criminal Minds for free (student cable packages are the best!). Nevermind the cost of transportation to get to the theater, these days and with my budget it is just easier to wait for the movie to come out on DVD. But alas, you’re there anyway, have spent the $10 on the ticket, and now you’re greeted by the delicious aromas wafting from the snack bar: popcorn, pizza, nachos, chicken fingers, the list goes on. Tempted by any of these? Take a second look at those prices, we all know they are ripping us off for average popcorn covered in mounds of butter. So try out a more economical option – a movie screening.
Gofobo.com is the place to go for free screenings. You can search by zip code or movie title to find a showing nearest you. I should caution you that there are limited quantities available to the public and then to those with RSVP codes. These codes are made available through promotional media that appears on the radio, in local establishments, and on social media networks. I know this because I date someone who spent copious hours handing out flyers at the local restaurant, inviting me to a variety of events via Facebook, and now drinks out of plastic cups emblazoned with movie titles.
Tonight’s experience is valued at approximately $20 per person, $10/ticket, and give or take $10 for snacks and soda. By choosing to go to a screening instead, I was able to save that $20 that I could put towards another experience on the town or maybe towards my bills? Decisions, decisions.
As for the film, if you enjoy going to out to see movies, Valentine’s Day just might be worth spending the $20. It is the perfect mix of romance and comedy, and the all-star cast truly hit the ball out of the park. I would love to hear what you think so be sure to post your opinions and suggestions for our next budget-friendly peachy pleasure.
🙂
Peachy Pleasures 