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Showing posts with label save money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label save money. Show all posts

Monday, February 20, 2017

Small Shops help Fill Shopping Void in Cohoes

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'here's to your health!' Although at one time, there were many shopping options in Cohoes, in the last fifteen years or so, that no longer is the case. Known for being an ol' mill town, Cohoes boasted of it's men's and ladies clothing stores, bakery, shoe store, diner, movie theater, milliners, shoe repair, toy, children's clothing, department,stationery, stores, mini outlet mall,etc. With the birth of Walmarts and Sam's clubs, the landscapes of many a small town across the United States likeCohoes, changed drastically. Mom and Pop shops that had weathered many a storm through the years, fell in the face of outscourcing, corporate downsizing,alternate transportaion,vacation options and global warming. Now urban blight, empty strip malls and abandoned, ill maintained store fronts are the norm. What once was the train station, has been replaced by the current OTB. Former churches, once frequented by the faithful, are now either empty or being used for some other purpose, due to decline of parishioners. The library site is what used to be a church. The Venue is an art gallery space that was also a church. The bakery, which was a hub of activity where people went to catch up with the goings on as well as for a loaf of bread, has since burned to the ground in 2006. The family who ran it, didn't rebuild. All along Main street, one can find condemned, foreclosed on properties. Absentee landlords are the norm. Sidewalks are left covered in snow, ice with no salt or sand put down. As I walk my dog,I have fallen twice as slippery and dangerous. Is just a lawsuit waiting to happen as cheaper to maintain than pay in court. Landlords get away with it as is business as usual despite the promises of the new,ineffective mayor. Old Victorian burned, damaged home on Bridge street, stands teetering on the hill as one enters Cohoes. An eye sore if there ever was one. Empty store fronts line Remsen still despite alleged urban renewal claims. Many store owners have little incentive to invest in this troubled,dying town. Young people tend to leave once grown rather than reinvest in their community. The hardware store closed last year as owner retired. Noone bought the space so we have no hardware store now. Yes one can get a few screws and nails at Family Dollar but, selection is minimal. Table and Chairs furniture just went out a few months back. 30% poverty rate is a staggering statistic here well above the national average. Area is being called Appalachia now. There are some places to eat here though such as House of Pizza, Subway, Burger King and Dunkin Donuts. The Falls are a tourist attraction eventhough there is nowhere for visitors to stay what with the hotel being closed. In it's defunct space are plans for a high income high rise for the chosen few. The Mercantile next door to there is a gift shop with some clothes, hand made soap, cremes but most of it's items are pricey, from China and unecessary. Marras', drug store, that has more than a pharmacy has been around for ages. Family also owns the funeral home. Town has a florist, rug store, hair salon, jeweler, bike and antique shop too. Music Hall has live entertainment from time to time but few I know go as can't pay. Churches hold bazaars and sell items a couple of times a year. One can get books to read, DVDs to rent at the library. Vendors line the street selling their wares fall and winter too. Those willing to drive, go to malls in neighboring towns to shop or online as not much here anymore. History of town dates back to the revolution. Mastedon bones were found during the building of the dam even. Despite it's image being tarnished,Cohoes has held on. When walking down it's cobble stone streets, one can't help but fall in love with it's many brown stone beautiful buildings in the historic district. There remains still a charm here, if you take the time to look. Thankfully there are still some shops here that have listened to the consumer and have attempted to fill their needs. They have considered the demographic here, which consists downtown of a large population of people on the government rolls. Based on buying trends they have opted to sell low cost,new or gently used product, they can afford to buy. This increases local commerce and creates a vibrant, happier community, where all can buy and not just those with good jobs and money. Stores like Family Dollar, CVS and Rite Aid anchor the town, along the Mohawk and Hudson rivers, along the Erie canal. They supply cheap house hold items, clothing, shoes, food and of course medicine. They sell over the counter drugs too. The Peltier House has been restored to it's former glory, off White St amist smaller, newer homes. One can buy dollar used DVDs at A Little of This An That on Main and Columbia streets. At Faye's Fabulous Finds, one can find nice used furniture, clothes, shoes and hand bags, lots of bags! Barry's thrift on Remsen has collectibles and the odd item you didn't know you needed, for less like a cell phone speaker, requiring no wires! The Community Closet, also on Remsen, has used clothing for a steal. It is run by the local church and items are sold by donation. In fact it is not unheard of to get a coat for a buck there! Mimi's Elegance Boutique is the only real ladies clothing store in town. It has some nice new dresses,including designer for a very good price. One can get a marked down from $140. Calvin Klein dress for just $35! The dress sizes range fro 1 and up. When I was there I found some 16's but no 18's yet which is what I wear. In the back of the shop, is a hair salon. They split the space which saves them money. I saw handmade jewelry too. With the dresses were a few hand bags. In a city with so many social problems, it is refreshing to see some shops and their owners changing with the times so they don't become dinosaurs like their previous neighbors. Many are reselling used product for reuse, rather than using new resources, which is called upcycling. This cuts down on what ends up at exhausted landfills, so it helps the environment too, besides saving seller, buyer money. Is a win, win situation as seller makes money off what would end up being thrown away, other wise. Most people need to watch what they spend now a days so here they save money. This is why thrift stores have become so popular, as well as yard sales and flea markets. People are looking to save or get a bargain. Cohoes, now has become a part of this new trend, embracing the old. All I can say is , way to go guys! thanks for offering us some affordable, yet nice shopping in Cohoes once again!

Wednesday, April 01, 2015

How to Save Money when Traveling

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Now that we are officially into Spring, the days are getting warmer and longer. People are beginning to think about the summer and vacations. Given the state of the economy and the fact that gasoline tends to go up in the summer months as many are traveling,one needs to be frugal. How to save money when traveling is the question. Well firstly if you belong to AARP, you can save money on motels,restaurants and park attractions. You can visit museums and get in by offering a donation like $2. eventhough suggested fee may be more, especially if elderly or disabled. Don't go to restarants too often if want to save. Instead buy cereal you can munch on in the car, jeep, van. Also bring a cooler. Stop at gas stations and buy dry ice. Next go to super market often and buy bread, lunch meat like ham,cheese,bologna,juice,milk,fruit,water,selzer and keep it cool in cooler. Can load cookies,crackers,chips in tote to keep bugs and mice away. Instead of staying in motels, you could sleep in the back of your van,jeep on sleeping bags,using your own pillows,throw comforters.,from home over selves at night. You could rest and freshen up at rest stops along highways. Bring a hibachi and charcoal with you as can often find camp sites that are cheaper than motels where can use shower,lavatory and cook. Veterans get cheaper rates. If need to do laundry, can stop at laundry mats along the way.

One can travel up north in the summer and down south in the winter this way. If live on west cost could go north to Washington in summer and south to California or Texas in the winter. Perhaps want to go to Canada or even Europe cheaply. Once have saved for airfare with discount frm AARP or if a senior show medicare card to get senior discount, one can travel the rail across Europe on the cheap. Also can stay at elder,youth hostels for $20 a night. Even have them in NYC! Just remember, the point of going on vacation is to do alot of sight seeing and be away from home and the usual ho hum existence, not to spend money at expensive hotels,eating out. Roughing it is How to Save Money When Traveling. You'll be glad you did when you get home as will have created some fond memories can look back on and won't be in debt.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

watch alot of tv...

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especially reality. a lot of time on hands as on disability and is included with rent so.. Is my entertainment. affordable.

Got another used guitar at second hand shop. need to fix string. bringing myother guitar in for repair,fix peg and get string for this one and return some clothes didn't fit to Target. All shops in Colonie.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Joined Meetup in albany ny..

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http://www.meetup.com/CRcrafts/events/159242122/

going to scrabble night Friday at 6pm at uncommon grounds café on western near my home,fun.

Was gonna start a meetup but not paying a monthly fee of @ $15. for people to not show up and pay dollar dues. Theme I had thought of was 'Frugalistas', saving money with sales, couponning, etc.

 

Wednesday, July 06, 2011

Flea Market was a Bust,Thanks for nothing Carol and Chamber of Commerce of Cairo,NY

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Attended flea market in Cairo, NY for the first and last time apparently this season. Carol from Chamber of Commerce here asked for $20 from me to sell at school lawn,when last year she said if there was space I didn't have to pay if space,as I said on disability. There was plenty of space as not many buy here so less vendors come. She said 'You pulled the same thing last year and don't come back next week'. I said she said could last year to which she said she didn't. I then said 'fine., not like make anything here anyway'. Maybe I'm crazy but isn't it the Chamber of Commerce's job to promote people,businesses and in my case artists who create jewelry and art here in the Hudson Valley so people can buy here to better the economy? Instead I was oppressed once again here and 'beaten down' and not encouraged,supported,praised for my work.(No one sells jewelry but me in Cairo) They charge a fee to join I can't pay. The 'youth fair' is $40 to sell there for one day. I only sold $ 40 last year and then fee had to be deducted from it so not worth my time. I sat in a hot tent for hours. Crazy! Then they wonder why many drink,drug,sell drugs in this town, when they don't support the poor to better selves creatively as am creative but infact look the other way,ignore them as if they will just go away, as not their problem when in fact is everyone's problem. Is a cold way to live not to care about your neighbor,especially when he or she has fallen beside you and yo can help in a small,simple way by giving a smile,a hello,not working against them but helping them get out of the pit of 'despair' they find selves in. At least I try and don't sit on butt watching soap operas feeding my face complaining about things and feeling sorry for myself.

I comfort self in knowing not all see things as I do so I can let anger and them go and move on. I work a 12 step program. I think everyone needs a program to 'deal' now a days with others so don't 'personalize' what do and say as is just them. Many are 'rude,crude and inconsiderate' now and just think of selves. The pathetic thing in this is that when you' think about self all the time,you don't think much of your self'. All they have is their bitterness as they are devoid of love and God. I pray i never get like this.

Today although had a straw hat on,bottled water and a portable fan,felt my body over heating due to the sun as was out in the open as was shady in morning when got there but then wasn't. I left as felt ill. Unlike many other vendors there, I had no awning and large table. Mine is home as can't carry it myself so walked there pushing a cart with chair,small table and product selling in a knapsack on my back. Do what have to do. everyone's situation is different.Can clearly see my situation is different than the rest there. She says 'others pay so can't just let me not or others won't want to either'.She seems miserable,angry and wants to make others feel the same. I will pray for her and the others in this town like her who don't have any sense of decency or 'heart'. They do nothing for you but work against you and talk about you within eAR SHOT. tHE MEN ARE LIKE 'WASH WOMEN' AND THE WOMEN BEHAVE LIKE 'OVERGROWN CATTY BRATS'. 'Some times your the wind shield sometimes your the bug' i don't have to do anything to her. God will take care of her. She doesn't know how 'lost' she is as it is by 'giving' and being 'kind' to those in need that you get blessed. 'You can't take it with you'. people wonder why they are depressed. It is how they live that makes them so.

My pets are 'my family',other than mom in home and I do my best for them and love them very much. When I ask for some help from those in community I live in,from people in better situations,working with friends,family and a car I get a slap in the face. No one does anything with me either as they are 'too good' to be my friend. All I can say is their loss.

Cairo is like many small towns in upstate NY. People came to and live here to be left alone and ran away from crime,pace and overpopulation of city. Sadly anything or anyone in a vacuum doesn't grow as humans were not made to be 'islands'. The 'townies' are ignorant,hostile,ultraconservative,narrow-minded and unfriendly. I say screw em. I walk with head phones on,do for self and amuse myself and do business else where. If you have a business,are looking for a nice community to live in, or looking to vacation in the 'Catskills' and shop,have lunch and chat some place with 'nice' people,,I'd say don't stop here.Why? The devil lurks here. He has many in bondage to sin and addiction. He is dancing leaping for joy in the streets of Cairo who has given up on itself and it's people within,especially those who make them look at themselves. They are deluded into thinking they are'good' and 'better than' the trashy people on welfare as they put it when they are worse as should know better than to act this way. 'If any man has strength let other light their candles to it'.

Isn't it ironic that Cairo got it's name from Cairo,Egypt, a city that enslaved many Jews. Cairo,NY is a reflection of this. Many of it's people are shackled in chains. Some are free but they are secret Christians too afraid to share their faith with others. God made this world,Jesus was born of Mary and died for us so we could be saved. He was the son of God and rose again. The Holy Spirit lives in each Christian so whom shall we fear?! No man or woman. 'greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world'. Today is a modern day version of Sodom and Gomora. People are doing what want and what feels good,ignoring the Bible and paying the ultimate price as they are growing further and further from God and his plan for them and following Satan instead. They might not be devil worshipers but a leapord has many spots and the devil can assume many forms in the prettiest and handsomest of faces and sweetest of voices saying what you want to hear. By reading the Bible,keeping in the word,applying it to your life,sharing it with others by attraction not promotion as Jesus did(if people didn't want it He moved on),you are obeying God. I am 'in the world but not of it'. Is why am not popular as am sharing something people don't want as they don't want to do what's best for them in the long run but rather pursue their selfish,carnal natures.

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Monday, May 16, 2011

Hi. I am Back

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Well alot has been going on since I blogged last. Yes I found housing. Is ok. Not great but I manage. I have 1 1/2 bed room cottage. I moved in in July. Is unweatherized so rough in winter but I managed as I put plastic over windows,have rugs on floors,heavy curtain over door at night. January and February heat bill high as use propane.

I did not have internet and just used library pc where got booted off in a half hour so didn't write here. I also needed space and time as a 15 year relationship was in ended. We still chat on line occasionally by email and he gives cat support as two of his cats here. We had had eight. One was adopted,one at no kill shelter sadly,two he had at lace we shared and supposedly they were put in shelter. Pray they are well. All can do. Other four with me and my dog. We are well. We had a codependent relationship as we both have some addictions and some emotional challenges.

I did flea markets during summer for money with jewelry I make and will again this summer. Memorial day right around the corner.

My mom was ill since December of last year again until recently. I put her in nursing home. Now she is in a better one near me and I visit her weekly. She is mentally well tho mostly in wheel chair sadly. She is 91 though and I am grateful still have her. I am able to give back to her what did for me.

I joined a church and have become born again Christian. They have been very supportive of me especially when mom took ill. Pet sat even. I have some new sisters in Christ now as not close to one have.

Well that's about it. If care to comment on anything I mentioned please do. Maybe about relationships,faith,aging parents,how you save money and are surviving in this bad economy,
Mental Health Hope Chat

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Oprah & the Big Chicken..


No I did not say Oprah and the Mad Cow! Remember when she went on the war path against cows and their meat from England? Threw her fat butt in a lot of hot water and right into court! Now she's platforming that we all eat fat-free unfried chicken by giving away some chicken at KFC. Apparently alot of people are coming to get something for nothing! Go figure..who would have thought! (smirk) Well she's apparently also concerned about all the people unemployed due to layoffs as a result of our poor economy so she wans them to get a good meal..aw! Isn't that special? No KFC's near me so will wait til I visit my mom in Westchester,NY next week and get mine there. I can't pass up a bargain. lol..(will need a rain check as not honoring coupons due to all the buzz,now) cluck..cluck..I'm sill waiting for her to run for public office! How about you? Apparently Dr. Oz will be leaving the show. Maybe he doesn't like chicken.

Raise Mental Health Awareness Today (May=Mental Health Month)

Raise Mental Health Awareness Today (May=Mental Health Month)
Why are there no runs for Mental Health?!

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Mail me FREE stuff to Review!

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New Book on China

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