Philadelphia - May 19, 2009

Perfect Ten

Ten Neat Things Under $10

Feeling too broke to have a gay time? Gather your spare change and hit the streets.

1. Two great reasons to go to happy hour (besides the obvious) are Ansill’s (Tuesday-Saturday, 6-8 p.m.; 627 South Third Street; 215-627-2485) braised pork belly and short rib Korean tacos. They’re spicy, sweet, and $5 each.

2. Lunch money running low? At Hummus (3931 Walnut Street; 215-222-5300) you can get a platter with hummus; rice; choice of two vegetables; pita; and falafel, schnitzel, or chicken kabob for $8-$10.

3. Don’t sit on pins and needles! Keep your sewing supplies safe with quirky needle cases from The Small Object — $6 at Art Star.

4. Cover up with Art in the Age’s (116 North Third Street; 215-922-2600) $10 T-shirts. Or satisfy your sweet tooth with Slapjack Candy, a Pennsylvania Dutch treat in flavors like anise, root beer, or wintergreen.

5. Show the world you love indie bookshop Juanita and Juan’s with an $8 tote. Makes carrying all your rare tomes much cooler.

6. Scrub away cash flow woes with Beekman’s COPA Soaps. The $4 handmade bars smell great, lather well, and leaving you feeling fresh.

7. Nothing to laugh about these days? Nonsense! Quirk Books offers Jokes Every Man Should Know for $9.95. And it’s actually funny.

8. Take notes on The Great Lakes Goods stationery at Vagabond (37 North Third Street; 267-671-0737). At just $4, putting pen to paper is more rewarding than e-mail.

9. Do cute for cheap with J. Karma’s (62 North Third Street; 215-627-9625) assorted coral and resin bangles for $10.

10. Last but not least, enjoy olde tymes with a Rum Shrub for $7.50 at City Tavern (138 South Second Street; 215-413-1443). The cocktail’s bubbly, not too sweet, and refreshing on hot days. Grab a small bottle of the fruity mix for $10 and booze it up at home.

Making penny pinching something to look forward to.