Los Angeles - August 26, 2002

A Penny Saved

Cool Finds for 99 Cents

Boy, that economy’s a bear.

But let’s talk piggies. Piggy banks, actually. Bet yours is full to bursting, right? There’s plenty of stuff out there for less than a dollar. For just under a dollar. Ninety-nine cents, to be precise. (And no, we’re not talking about stuff in the 99-Cent Store.) You know what they say: Every penny counts. And in this market, that’s no bull.

Thrifty living is no excuse for a rumpled shirt. Celebrity Cleaners will wash and press three men’s dress shirts for 99 cents. (951 North La Cienega Boulevard, 310-659-0545.)

Dying for a pet but your busy work schedule and depleted resources won’t allow it? Three goldfish set you back just 75 cents. They’re soothing to look at, low-maintenance, and they eat a lot less than a Rottweiler. (Available at Petco, 1475 South Robertson Boulevard, 310-282-8166.)

Ah, facials. An indulgence of the boom years and a rapidly fading memory. For now, use Cabot’s Vitamin E Anti-Stress Face Pacs. They come in packets of honey-almond, avocado, and mud and aloe. Even your dermatologist would recommend them at 99 cents a pop. (Available at Longs Drugs, 8490 Beverly Boulevard, 323-653-0880.)

Hey, those weekly mani/pedis add up. Instead, do touch-ups with Wet ‘n’ Wild nail polish. It comes in great colors like fuchsia, purple, and metallic pink and costs — you got it — 99 cents. (Available at Longs Drugs, 11941 San Vicente Boulevard, 310-440-4160.)

One thing we’ll say for being broke: It makes you feel young again. Get your Hello Kitty fix for 85 cents with a Keroppi Mini Spiral Notebook.

And in case of emergency, a mini pocketknife will get you out of any pickle.

Can you ever get enough of things Japanese? Or enough candy? How about Japanese candy? Get your fill of Botan Rice candy for 99 cents at Y-Que. (1770 North Vermont Avenue, 323-664-0021.)

Okay, so it’s not exactly living high on the hog. (We like to think of it as living “low on the piggy.”) But if pinching pennies means feeling the pinch a little less, we’re all for it.