July 26, 2010
Get Your Caffeine Fix

We all need it, we all drink it and let’s face it, we all pay way too much for it. Why pay so much for just a cup of coffee? Here at Postabon, coffee is an essential part of our workday.  In fact, we may be on a first name basis with the employees at Starbucks - and don’t worry, every day when we make the trek to our local ‘bucks, we get a deal.

If you are an iced coffee fan, save your cup next time you order your venti coffee at Starbucks.  Bring your cup back in the next time, and ask for a refill.  Refills will cost only 54 cents, and you don’t have to worry about using your gross old cup - they’ll hand you a new one! 

If 54 cents seems a bit too pricey for you, how about free coffee!? On Wednesdays, Organique gives out free small cups of coffee all day, according to Postabon member caryndonohue. So be sure to stop by this Gramercy establishment and enjoy your free coffee.

Need a caffeine pick-me up in the afternoon?  Consider heading to ‘wichcraft. Everyday, from 3pm-6pm, ‘wichcraft offers a coffee happy hour, where coffee drinks are half-price. According to Postabon member sparky, this deal is only available at their store locations, not the kiosks.

A coffee Happy Hour is great, but what if you are hungry? Add some pastries to the coffee happy hour, and you got yourself quite a deal. From 4-7pm on Monday to Friday, Dean & Deluca offers half-off all coffee drinks and breakfast specials. Thanks to Postabon member lmerka for sharing this special with us!

To see the rest of our deals on coffee, or share your favorite special, visit Postabon!

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Filed under: Food & Drink NYC Coffee 
July 22, 2010
Show Those Toes and Fingers with Pride!

For us girls trying to keep up our appearance, it can cost not only a lot of time, but money.  From hair appointments, to eye brow waxes, there is always something that can be done.  

Luckily, maintaining your fingernails and toes doesn’t have to cost a fortune.  Thanks to these salon deals on manicures and pedicures, you’ll be able to show off your hands and toes with pride.

Live or work near the West Village?  Janna Beauty Spa offers a $25 manicure and pedicure deal, according to Postabon member ecolnon.  Better yet, the spa offers free coffee!  

A lot of spa deals on Postabon run Monday through Wednesday, so if you are looking to get your nails done on a Thursday, you may want to head to Nail 22 in Gramercy.  For $18, you can get a manicure and pedicure.  According to Postabon member KPM, this deal is only valid Monday - Thursday and Nail 22 has a huge selection of Essie polishes!

Instead of heading to Happy Hour with the girls, why not enjoy a martini while getting a manicure?  Postabon member Jelang shared with us this secret in Union Square.  At Beauty Bar, you can get a manicure and a beverage for $10.  This deal is valid every single day of the week! Swing by Monday through Friday from 6 - 11pm, or Saturday and Sunday from 7pm - 11pm.  Walk-ins are welcomed but for larger parties of 6 or more, you may want to make a reservation.

With these amazing prices, its easy to have well-polished fingers and toes this summer! Know a better deal? Let us know about it!

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Filed under: Etc. Etc. Salon Beauty NYC 
July 20, 2010
Cool Off With Frozen Treats

If you are looking to keep cool this week and want a delicious treat, you may want to take advantage of one of the many frozen yogurt or smoothie deals that are floating around this month.

Let’s start with the smoothies.  Frozen yogurt chain, Red Mango, is now offering smoothies and to celebrate, will be handing out $1 smoothies at the Union Square location today.  Swing over to the store between 11am and 3pm to snag this deal.  If you are one of the first thousand customers, you’ll also receive a passport that allows you to get one free smoothie every day between now and Friday. 

If you’d rather stick to eating frozen yogurt at Red Mango, consider trying their new flavor, key lime pie.  According to Postabon member jboyaval, Red mango is offering a coupon to get $1 off this new flavor.  This coupon expires August 31 so print out several coupons and use them over the next few weeks!

Key lime pie not your favorite flavor? If you’d prefer watermelon instead, Pinkberry’s fro-yo happy hour is still going on.  From 5-7 pm, swing by Pinkberry to get half-priced watermelon frozen yogurt.  Thanks to Postabon member sluglass for passing this deal along!   

When checking out a frozen yogurt shop with a friend, you may want to consider going to Holey Cream in Hell’s Kitchen.  Postabon member RAR taught us that Holey Cream is offering buy one soft serve frozen yogurt, get one free, every Tuesday.  This deal is only good through July, so hurry!  While you are at Holey Cream, try not to get distracted by the doughnuts!

Have any other favorite frozen yogurt deals?  Share them with us at Postabon!

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Filed under: Food Smoothies Frozen Yogurt NYC 
July 16, 2010
Boogie Woogie

We can all bop around and dance whether we’re at a bar or a wedding, but most likely, we would fail miserably on a season of Dancing with the Stars.  If you’ve wanted to learn the proper way to salsa or tango, you may want to check out some of these dance lessons - for free. 

Every Sunday until August 8, you can participate in free swing, salsa and tango lessons.  Where you may ask? According to Postabon member pear724, classes are taught at Pier 54. Classes will begin at 6:30 PM, and the live music begins around 7PM. You don’t want to miss this.

If you couldn’t make it to the first set of free salsa lessons, don’t worry! Come to the gorgeous High Line Park for an evening of elevated salsa and mambo. Get there no later than 6:00 PM on August 12th and make sure your feet are ready to get loose! There will be live music provided by the Orlando Marin Orchestra and dance lessons by Lori Brizzi, according to Postabon member smash188. Once again this is FREE and there is no need for RSVP.

If Sundays or Thursdays don’t work for you, check out Dance Manhattan Studio on July 23 for a night of free dancing lessons. The free lessons will start at 8:00 PM, followed by a party at 9:30 PM and a free show at 10:30PM. According to Postabon member amogha1, all ages are welcome. Come out and find a new hobby in your life!

Know of any other free dancing lessons? Share them with us on Postabon!

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Filed under: Entertainment NYC Dancing 
July 14, 2010
We Tried It: Free Cologne with Foursquare Check-In

Deals on Foursquare in my experience have been a bit of an urban legend.  I’ve yet to experience free drinks for mayors (maybe because my mayorship history involves the M34 bus), but when one of our Postabon members, Yaelleah, told me about how you can get a free $75 bottle of cologne when you check-in on Foursquare, I may have screamed, “Pump the brakes.”  She explained the deal was at the Coach Men’s Store on Bleecker, and I decided I had to see it to believe it.

Before heading over to the Coach Men’s Store, I decided to look it up on Foursquare to see if this deal was still going on.  In the top right hand corner on Foursquare, it said there was a special here, and once I clicked on this message, it said to show it to a sales associate to receive an exclusive gift. 

We headed over to the store, checked in and asked the sales associates for our gift.  We were handed a short questionnaire to fill out, where we provided our names, email addresses and mailing addresses and then we received a 3.4 Fl Oz bottle of Coach for Men fragrance.  We asked how long the promo is going on, and they said it depends when Coach takes it off Foursquare.  Our advice - check your phone before you head over to see if the special offer box is in the top right hand corner.

Know of any other great Foursquare promotions?  Share them with us on Postabon!

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Filed under: Shopping Free Foursquare NYC 
July 13, 2010
Is Restaurant Week a Deal?

Last night marked the first night of summer Restaurant Week here in New York City.  For those unfamiliar with Restaurant Week, participating restaurants offer a three-course meal for lunch at the price of $24.07, or dinner for $35.

I find myself often going overboard when it comes to Restaurant Week, and end up making several reservations throughout the week.  Then the next month comes, I look at my credit card bill, and wonder why I thought I could afford five nights of 50+ dinners.  See, with Restaurant Week, dinner does come at $35, but add in tax, tip and one of those “discounted” glasses of wine at $7, and the next thing you know, you are paying $57 (case in point: my trip to Park Avenue Summer last night).

Still considering the prices of some of these entrees, you can sometimes get a great deal during Restaurant Week.  Here are our suggestions for getting the most bang for your buck!

Lunch!  Many restaurants offer a great lunch menu during Restaurant Week.  If you work at a job that offers summer Fridays (read: you don’t work at Postabon) or you happen to have an afternoon off, consider going for lunch.  Often restaurants offer the same menu for both lunch and dinner.  For example, Ruth’s Chris offers the same menu at both lunch and dinner, so clearly it is a better deal to go for lunch and spend $11 less.  That being said, if going to dinner, look to find a restaurant that offers a unique dinner menu.

Get the Real Deal!  When deciding on a restaurant, compare the menu to the real menu at the restaurant.  I believe the point of Restaurant Week is to actually sample dishes from a restaurant, so if a restaurant offers “specialty” items during the week that they would never offer otherwise, I’m more likely to pass on that restaurant.

Check the Dates!  Before pressuring yourself to make a reservation sometime over the next two weeks, see if the restaurant offers an extended Restaurant Week menu.  For example, some restaurants are offering their Restaurant Week menu through summer.  Others may offer the same exact prix-fixe menu all year long, so there’s no reason to go out of your way now to dine there.

Get Out the Calculator! Before heading to dinner, determine what you would plan on ordering.  Then compare it to the regular menu to see if you are getting a deal.  Often, steakhouses are the best bet during Restaurant Week because a steak would cost close to $30 - nearly the price of the entire prix-fixe dinner.

Beware of the Side Dishes!  While steakhouses are a great deal, look for steakhouses that throw in a choice of side in the prix-fixe price.  One steakhouse I visited last year (cough cough Smith & Wollensky), just plopped down a piece of meat on the plate, and since I wanted mashed potatoes with my steak, I had to spend another $11 to get ONE side for the table.  See if the restaurants you’d like to visit include side dishes.  Parlour Steakhouse for example offers a choice of a side if you order a steak, as does Ruth’s Chris.

Have any other Restaurant Week tips?  Share them with us!

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Filed under: Food NYC Restaurant Week 
July 8, 2010
Fitness for Free!

New York is one of the most bustling cities, which means for many, the simple task of finding time to head to the gym can be as difficult as Lindsay Lohan staying away from alcohol. While many get away with calling the walk to the subway a high intensity workout, chances are you can benefit from a real workout.  

If you are worried that a gym membership will do some serious damage to your bank account, don’t worry - we have found some amazing ways for you to get fit for free!

  • After your one week at YogaWorks, you may be hooked! But don’t fret - you can still get your yoga fix for free at the Laughing Lotus every week day from 2:30-3:45 pm. While there is a suggested donation of $5.50, pay whatever your pocket allows - or nothing at all, according to Postabon member FreddyT.

These awesome deals will get you in tip-top shape in a flash, just in time to slip into that new bathing suit before the summer months melt into fall.  How do you save on fitness classes?  Tell us about it at Postabon! 

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Filed under: NYC Free Etc. Etc. Fitness 
July 7, 2010
Cool Down for Cheap

After walking only two blocks yesterday and saw everyone, including myself, dripping from head to toe, I realized there had to be some affordable way to stay cool during this heatwave that didn’t involve me simply blasting my AC.  

While the heat advisory may be lifted this evening, let’s face it - the temperature will be in the 90s the rest of the week and that is certainly hot!  Here are some ways you can cool down - besides cracking open that fire hydrant.

  • Often, all it takes is a cool drink to cool your body temperature.  According to Postabon member Jrubes77, Jamba Juice is offering a great promotion for you and a friend to take a break from the summer heat. Now through July 13, you can buy one smoothie, get one free with this coupon. With the weather this hot, you better take advantage of this deal!
  • If you are walking around Times Square this week, most likely you’ll be breaking a sweat. Rather than picking up a bottle of water at a street cart, why not sip on free orange juice?  According to Postabon member Lilys189, you can snag free juice from Simply Orange Juice.  They’ll have a booth in Times Square until the 11th, and recently were spotted in front of Broadway and 42nd Street.  
  • Sometimes there is nothing like a good frozen tasty treat on a warm summer day.  If you want a great sundae at an even better price, stop by Sweet Melissa’s in Brooklyn tonight, says Postabon member JudyA.  On Wednesdays, you’ll get two for one sundaes - a great way to cool off during this heatwave.  Just make sure to eat your ice cream before it melts!
  • If you need more than a cool drink or dessert to cool you down, then check out one of NYC’s 54 free outdoor pools. As the ultimate cool-down, this is a great way to spend the day with friends and family. Postabon member Pear724 says general hours of operation are 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Click on NYC’s free outdoor pools to find a pool near you.

How do you cool off without spending a ton of money?  Share it with us at Postabon! 

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Filed under: Food Etc. Etc. Free Coupon NYC 
July 6, 2010
Free Summer Movies!

One of the best parts of being in New York during the summer time is free movies. These free screenings are the perfect free treat for everyone.  Whether you use the free screenings as a date night excuse with your significant other, a place to entertain your children or just a reason for your friends to get together, there are plenty of movies to choose from over the next few weeks.  

The Hangover: Last summer’s hit movie is back! Enjoy watching one of the wildest nights in Vegas for free on Wednesday, July 7.  The movie will start around dusk (8:30 pm) at Hudson River Park, but we recommend getting there early to get a great spot. Free popcorn will be available and other snacks and beverages can be purchased. Remember The Hangover is rated R, so while this may be a great place to gather for a relaxing night with friends, you may want to leave the little ones at home.

Bolt: This July 15th event sounds more like a seven-year-old’s birthday party rather than a movie screening!  Grab your children or nieces and nephews, head to Brooklyn’s East River State Park and start off the night with free arts and crafts at 6 pm, presented by the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. The night continues with a live performance by the “Click Clack Boom”. Once sunset comes around, the big screen turns on and John Travolta and Miley Cyrus take over with the screening of Bolt at dusk.

Dream Girls: For all the ladies out there (or those who love musicals), this one goes out to you. Come watch your favorite divas from Dream Girls (for free!) at the Brooklyn Bridge Park on August 12th. There will be a DJ spinning from 6 till sunset, and then the movie will start. So put on your boogie shoes, come dance and then relax and watch a great movie.

Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaurs: River Flicks for kids presents Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaurs on August 13th.  Grab the little ones, head to this free screening and explain how this screening reminds you of something from your childhood - drive-in movies! Screening begins around 8:30 pm at the Hudson River Park.

The Proposal: A romantic comedy is great for two groups of people.  Ladies, grab your girlfriends and head to Hudson River Park on July 21 for this free screening of The Proposal.  Guys, this is an inexpensive date night activity, so ask your leading lady if she’d like to go.  You may want to bring some tissues in case those romantic scenes tear at the heartstrings.

For more free screenings this summer or to post some movie deals of your own, visit Postabon!

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Filed under: Entertainment Free NYC 
July 2, 2010
Drink Deals to Kick-off the Weekend!

So, it’s Friday night and chances are you are exhausted from the grueling work week.  That means the only thing on your mind is gathering up your best buds and going out for a couple of drinks.

Since you worked so hard during the week, it wouldn’t make sense to go spend all of your hard-earned cash at some over-priced bar where you have to give an arm and a leg just to get a taste of your favorite drink. Here are some places where you can start your weekend off right and make the wise decision of not spending a ton of money before inebriation clouds your judgment.

  • Fourth of July weekend means drinking, drinking and more drinking.  Turtle Bay in Midtown East is offering a $20 open bar on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night from 10pm - 1am.  When the open bar is over, Turtle Bay will be offering $3 Coors lights for the rest of the night, according to Postabon member BBBBQ. 
  • If you’re on a budget and want to drink for free, hit up an open bar at Crash Mansion on the Lower East Side. Postabon member pkieferp says be sure to RSVP to RSVP@newyorkunderbelly.com to snag as many free flowing drinks as you can from 9-10pm! We bet you’ll be double-fisting. 
  • Looking for a casual Happy Hour?  Head over to the Tribeca Tavern to enjoy $3 well drinks, house wine, domestic beer, and pints of PBR and Yuengling from 4-7pm. Thanks to Postabon member cmonohan for sharing this deal!

Now hurry and pick one, a few, or all of these places to guarantee a happy, yet economical, night. If you come across any other great drink deals, share them with Postabon!

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Filed under: Drinks NYC Free