Los Angeles - September 19, 2005

Learn to Deal

Ten Under $10

You have what’s known as a cash flow problem. It’s totally flowing — just in the wrong direction. Here are ten ways to make penny pinching more fun.

1. Marc by Marc Jacobs (8410 Melrose Avenue, at Orlando Avenue, Los Angeles; 323-653-0100) might be the antithesis of the neighborhood 99-cent store, but they do have some $1- $2 items. Pick up lighters, shoelaces, bumper stickers, rubber bracelets, and flowery plastic makeup bags — or try your luck at the gumball machines in the back for rubber eyeballs and voodoo finger puppets.

2. Just because they’re travel-size doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy Mistral’s (8318 ½ West 3rd Street, between Flores & Sweetzer Avenues; 323-782-9463) shea butter soaps at home sweet home. Scents like Orange Blossom Green Fig, Milk, South Seas, Lavender, Melon Pear, Vanilla Apricot Oatmeal, and Gardenia might get you to splurge on all eight.

3. From 4 to 7 p.m. Mon-Fri, drink $3 beers and eat free cheese and crackers at Cat & Fiddle (6530 West Sunset Boulevard, between  Seward Street and Cassil Place, Hollywood; 323-468-3800). The dog-friendly patio sweetens the deal.

4. Too big to be a cupcake but too small (and too delicious) to split with more than a couple of friends, the red velvet cake at Doughboys (8136 West 3rd Street, between Kilkea Drive & La Jolla Avenue; 323-651-4202) is worth putting your money ($4 to be exact) where your mouth is.

5. Leave the fancy family jewels at home and pick up dangly earrings from The Kids Are Alright (2201 West Sunset Boulevard, at Alvarado Street, Echo Park; 213-413-4014). They’ve got lots of flora and fauna designs as well as badass skulls for $5.

6. This season, black is the new black and headbands are the new brooch. Pick up a classic jersey/spandex or shiny Lycra number from American Apparel (1060 Westwood Boulevard, between Kinross and Weyburn Avenues, Westwood Village; 310-208-8292) and let your bargain prowess go to your head.

7. Dollar Chinese food is not the only way to eat cheap. For $7 get a big bowl of pho (beef, chicken, or veggie), stir fry, or Vietnamese chicken over rice at Absolutely Phobulous (350 North La Cienega Boulevard, between Beverly Place and Oakwood Avenue, West Hollywood; 310-360-3930). 

8. Skip scoring Santee Alley L.V. fakes and snap up fly flower coasters from Murakami at the MOCA Store (2447 Main Street, between Hollister Avenue and Norman Place, Santa Monica; 310-396-9833) — chic home improvement for only $7.50.

9. Let go of the broke-blues with a little guided relaxation and fresh air: Liberation Yoga’s (124 South La Brea Avenue, between 1st and 2nd Streets; 323-964-5222) outdoor garden yoga class is only $9 — 11 a.m. Tuesdays.

10. Hunting for hours through the enormous piles of designer overstock at Basement Clothing (1200 South Hope Street, at West 12th Street, Downtown; 213-748-4890)  is worth it when you find goods from Mazzie Gold and Lux for just $10 each.

Proof that all you need is a dollar and a dream.