The increase in travel fees, limited vacation time, and more conservative budgets can sometimes get in the way of a much desired vacation. However, oftentimes a simple change in scenery can provide the temporary escape that you may need.

Infected by the travel bug, I seize any and every opportunity for a new adventure. In this time when we have to be more creative with our time and finances, the “staycation” has quickly become popular. I’d like to share how you can give yourself the joy of a vacay within the boundaries of your hometown (and your budget).

Those of us in New York are fortunate enough to have an endless plethora of things to explore. However, in NY it is also easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the daily commute and the stress of the workday, not to mention overwhelmed by the daily demands of your personal life. With that hectic lifestyle one seldom takes advantage of the opportunity to admire the intricacy of the city that so many others come to witness.

I encourage you, for one whole day, to take a spectator’s perspective on a City Sights NY tour* **. For less than what you would spend on a roundtrip flight, you can view NYC from air (in a helicopter), water (on a Circle Line boat), and land (on a double-decker bus), granting you three unique views. Although you may already be familiar with the city, these tours open your eyes to things you may have never seen before, share information you may have never known, or simply just allow you a whole new perspective and appreciation for where you are.

This would be great for a family outing, a girls’ day out, when hosting out-of-towners, or as a solo adventure. This is also highly recommended for anyone visiting the Big Apple. It is nearly impossible to see NY in a short visit, but these tours do a great job of giving you a broad idea of what this city has to offer.

*City Sights NY offers a variety of tours, any of which are sure to be a great experience.

**If you are only interested in the helicopter tours, go directly to Liberty Tours to save $15.

Dear Bari,

I have a problem. I’m a single, young lady living in a large, urban city. I consider myself a social person and I enjoy meeting people. I have recently met several men, all who seem great and have potential, but I fear going out with them. Not because I’m scared of commitment or being happy or anything…it’s because…I’m broke. I overspent the past few months (bought way too many shoes!) and I have some upcoming financial commitments that make my discretionary income for the next few months limited…very limited.

I feel as though if I’m going to go out on a date with a man that I should have enough money to at least cover my half of the date plus a cab ride home just in case something goes horribly wrong or I need to excuse myself because he started acting the nut. Plus I feel that it’s just right for me to be able to do what he’s doing for me, especially in these early stages of dating.

So what should I do? Should I just fallback from the dating scene until I get my money together and let these potentially great guys walk on by? Should I say something to them about it? Or should I just say bump that and not worry about the money thing?

Help!
(Temporarily) Broke

*******************

Hi Broke,

Damn. That even hurt MY feelings to write your name, but I guess the recession is real. Congrats on the shoes, though!

First, allow me to say that I LOVE how smart your dating strategy is. Please go out and spread this gospel. It’s just good practice, and super safe, to plan ahead and keep your own stash to cover your portion of the date/meal and a cab.

Now…that said, when someone asks you out (and I apply this philosophy to both men and women), the person who is extending the invitation is in charge of covering the meal. I would go ahead and add transportation into the equation, but a lot of folks decide to meet someone at a venue for safety reasons. In that case, they are in charge of their own transportation costs. Besides, how tacky would it be to pick someone up, go out on a date and then drop them off at the end of the night with a request for gas money? It sounds ridiculous, but I have a friend who had this happen to her in 2000. Then again, I don’t advocate dating the bootleg tape man, but that’s me.

Honestly, I wouldn’t fall back from dating altogether. However, I would just tailor my date to my financial means for my own peace of mind. Example- if you are interested in getting to know someone and you like him, agree to meet him for a lunch date during the week. It’s low pressure, typically lower cost than dinner, and if you decide that he’s lame, you don’t have to spend more than that one hour with him. Worst case scenario, you spend most of your time listening to him jaws about his life while you eat a $15 salad that you have enough money in your pocket to pay for at a restaurant within walking distance from your office. Best case scenario, you like him, box your salad up because you’ve been talking and eat in your office and make plans with him for dinner at a later date. Or, you could arrange to meet for coffee on a Saturday, or at a street festival (depending upon your location and weather). These are all low cost, yet entertaining options.

Again, I can’t tell you how smart I think your rule is. Safety first. And you are living my tagline.

Have a good weekend folks! Date Responsibly.

Bari

If you have questions for Bari, please email them to askbari@gmail.com.