Ballerina Goes Thrifting

Today I'd like to share with you an interview I conducted with dancer and thrifting-extrordinare Carolina Marques. Read what the Alabama Ballet member (and former New Yorker) has to say about navigating the city's immense retail industry, without sacrificing the ability to pay rent.

Photo by Melissa Dooley

When I first became acquainted with Marques, I was struck by two immediate observations; one, that she has a deep respect for and knowledge of the art form—ballet—in which she excels, and two, that she has a wardrobe that could only be rivaled by the likes of Carrie Bradshaw. I suppose it should come as no surprise that someone so meticulous with her technique, so dedicated to the practice and performance of dance, would also harness that same creativity and care when compiling her closet.

Carolina has been dancing for eighteen years, and thrifting for seven. Shopping on a dancer's budget can be a daunting task (especially in NYC), but she approaches the challenge as she approaches her daily rehearsals: with great energy and thought.

1. You moved to NYC when you were 17 to join the Joffrey Ballet School. What was that first year like living and dancing in the city?
I just remember being really excited to be in the city. There's so much to do and to see, so much inspiration everywhere. I think every dancer wants to come to New York because it has two of the best dance companies in the world: American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet. It's unlike any other city in the world—if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.

2. Have you always been interested in fashion?
As dancers, we are always aware of what we put on our bodies. We always want to look our best. I think that's how it all started. In school, we usually have to wear a uniform, but we still get to wear beautiful costumes for performances. It's different when you are in a company and you can pretty much wear what you want. We never just grab the first leotard we find and rush to class. We cautiously choose our outfits for class, depending on the day and our moods. 
   
3. How did living in NYC influence your style?

I found people watching, window shopping and going to museums to be inspiring. Plus you can pretty much wear anything you want in New York and no one will really judge you!

4. Let's talk thrifting. What's your strategy upon entering an eclectic, often chaotic thrift store?
You have to be patient and really look through things—and it's always important to try things on. You can find some really awesome pieces for decent prices at thrift stores in New York that are most likely better quality than Forever 21. 

5. Top three thrift stores in NYC?
Beacon's Closet is definitely my favorite! Then Buffalo Exchange and Housing Works. 

6. Most important thing to keep in mind when thrifting?
Don't spend money on a piece that you don't really love, and probably aren't going to wear, just because it's Dolce and Gabbana or something. Don't worry too much about labels. Once I bought a pair of Miu Miu shoes that I loved but that were too small for me..I wore them once and hated myself! 
   
7. Besides shopping at thrift stores, what are some other ways you managed to enjoy the city on a dancer's budget? 
It's so easy to spend all of your money really quickly in the city. There are so many interesting restaurants and bars to explore that you never want to just stay home and cook dinner! Make a list of the restaurants that you really want to go to, and treat yourself to one of them every week or two. Many restaurants have lunch specials that are a much better deal than going out to dinner. Vanessa's Dumpling House has delicious dumplings that are super cheap. Georgetown Cupcake has a free cupcake flavor of the day, everyday. You can find out what the flavor is on their Twitter.

8. What made you decide to leave NYC? 

I learned so much at the Joffrey Ballet School and in the Joffrey Concert Group, but I wanted to have a full-time job as a ballet dancer. I was offered a contract with Alabama Ballet, so I moved to Birmingham. I do enjoy living in Alabama—it's definitely a nice change. I miss the city though, and I plan to come and visit when I have some free time. 

9. Any words of wisdom for young dancer's thinking of moving to NYC?
This should be the best time of your life! There are so many museums, expositions, Broadway shows, venues with live music, dance performances—there's always something exciting happening. Take advantage of being in a city that has so much to offer.

Photo by Melissa Dooley

From pirouettes to pumps, Carolina manifests a grace and sincerity that reveals itself both on and off the stage. The patience with which she shops is the same patience with which she works in the ballet studio, propelling herself into a future of classical and contemporary roles that we can all hope to witness. If you find yourself in Birmingham this month, look for Marques onstage in Roger Van Fleteren's "Romeo and Juliet". 

Growing Your Savings

Saving money is hard. Especially when saving money means vaguely reminding yourself to spend less, so that there's more money left over at the end of the month. Goals like 'save more' and 'spend less' are only effective if there are numbers attached to them, and today I'm going to share with you a way to find these numbers.

This morning I was reading an article on the website The Everygirl, called "Easy Ways to Start Saving More Money." The article's author, Brittney Castro, points out that spending what we'd like and saving what's left over doesn't work. She suggests a new method of saving called "Pay Yourself First".

With the Pay Yourself First plan, you calculate your income after taxes, and then subtract from that the money that you pay on bills, and the money that you'd like for your savings. The money that is left over is now the money that you can spend freely, and not the money that you try —or in my case fail— to save.

So how do you decide how much to save? If you have specific goals in mind (i.e. travel to Spain in September, buy a new car in March, etc.), a site like Mint is great for helping you calculate how much you need to save a month in order to reach these goals (check out my post on Mint). If your goals are less specific and you're looking instead to simply grow your savings, Castro suggests saving 10-20% of your income. She recommends starting small and working your way up to these percentages, if at first they seem too high.

I'm currently saving up for a trip to Brazil in December, to visit a friend. Using Mint I've calculated how much money I need to be subtracting from my income each month, in order to raise enough funds for the trip. I think that I'll begin next month by taking out in cash the amount of money that I have to spend freely; that way I won't be tempted to use the card and cut into my travel savings!

Please leave comments here if you have other strategies for growing your savings, or reaching your financial goals.

Chatting with Kelly Buwalda- Eating Well on a Budget

When you're living on a tight budget, one dollar pizza might seem like the solution to all of your financial problems; it's food, it's cheap, and it's fast. But how long can we survive off of cheap pizza, cheap hot dogs, etc., before we start to feel the affects of these less-than-healthy meals? Does eating affordably have to mean eating poorly?

Not according to Certified Health Coach, contemporary dancer, and healthy-eating-on-a-budget expert Kelly Buwalda.

Image provided by Kelly Buwalda

This weekend I had the pleasure of conducting an interview with Buwalda, in which she shared her experience living in NYC as a dancer, health coach, and teacher of both dance and nutrition. 

1. How long have you been living as an artist in NYC? A dozen years and counting! 

2. What do you love most about living in the city? I love the diversity of the people and the concentration of artists and art.

3. When you first moved here, what was it like trying to buy and prepare food on a smaller budget? Do you recognize now the things that you could have done differently in those initial years of eating in the city? When I first moved here I would do anything to survive (which included making a little nest on the floor instead of buying a mattress for over a year!). Survival for me meant rent and money for dance class. I remember one specific day where I realized I had enough money for class OR lunch—and I figured out a way to have both by making lunch one banana so I could take class. I give myself an A+ for survival and the pursuit of art, but a C- in nutrition. I survived too much on protein bars and the cheap coffee and bagels from the street vendors. "No sugar, please," I'd say. "Oh, sweet enough already!" they'd reply with a wink. At least flirting was free.

Though I wasn't getting the best nutrition I did make some good choices; I cut out processed food like cookies and chips because I knew it was waste of money and wouldn't nourish me. I spent money on real food instead. I also drank mostly water, cutting out soda and drinks that were expensive (no lattes, just regular cup of joe). Because "necessity is the mother of invention" I learned to cook a lot at home and combined my pantry leftovers in new ways.  

I did neglect myself at times and remember eyeing, but not buying, the salad greens which I thought were too pricey—I regret those days. The days of not listening to what my body was crying out for—I indulge more now that I take those messages seriously, whether it be buying a nice organic salad, wild fish rather than farmed, or local berries at the farmer's market. Needless to say, those vendors haven't seen me in a while. :)

4. What habits have you developed throughout your time living here that have made cooking and eating a pleasurable experience, and not a Penny-Pinching nightmare?

Image from The Kitchn

Be resourceful.  I would use my salsa jars as glasses when I was in my first apartment. They were free and didn't break like the cheap ones from Ikea. I still have clothes from high school that I mix up with new pieces—rocking my high school cut-off jean shorts allows me to spend more on food.  I've always thought that if you feel good in your own skin you look great in anything.  Being resourceful is like anything else—a muscle that gets stronger with practice, so think outside the box!  

"Cook once, eat twice."  This was a big mantra at my nutrition school, the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Make a pot of rice for the week and continue to mix up different veggies and proteins each day, saving you time and energy.  

Prioritize.  While you can't go out for dinner every night, you should still enjoy sitting down now and then and experiencing the culinary pleasures New York has to offer with a friend. So budget in a weekly or monthly night out. Mine used to be Sunday brunch where I would enjoy a larger-than-normal meal amongst shared stories and laughter with my friends.  

Being healthy is only partially about food—it's also about feeding your soul. There is SOOO much to do and see in NYC without spending a lot of money. The summer is jam-packed with events like Shakespeare in the Park, Celebrate Brooklyn and Summerstage. Here are some more year-round ideas:

•                Galleries—enjoy a day of art for free by checking out galleries in Chelsea, Soho, or Williamsburg or visit MoMA for Target Fridays. [Penny-Pincher's note: See my post on MoMA.]

•                No need for a gym membership—make the outdoors your gym and enjoy running on the west side path, biking all over town, bouldering in Central Park, or skipping the subway for a long walk home. [Penny-Pincher's note: These are great ways to avoid paying for overpriced gym memberships. If you'd still prefer to work out in a gym, check out my post on the affordable Blink Fitness.]

•                Usher for events at your favorite venues (mine is BAM) or consider volunteering for companies you love. In my early days I interned for Doug Varone and Dancers and truly enjoyed being a part of their events, even if it just meant helping sell t-shirts in the lobby of the Joyce Theater. Seeing the company and getting to know new people was invaluable.

•                Watch the sunset—anywhere. This always fills me with gratitude, gives me peace amongst the stress of the city, and makes me feel abundant.

5. We often hear that eating healthy is ‘too expensive’, and that fast food places like McDonalds or Wendy’s are much more affordable. Do you feel that this is the case?

When you look at your life over the course of a long time and not just now, you see that while the meal is cheap, the cost to your health is really expensive. It's definitely a harder thing to do when you're a teenager or have a feeling of invincibility, but if you are recovering from being sick, from an injury, or noticing your body changing as you age, it's a more immediate connection. If you are an artist living without health insurance (which I was for nearly 10 years in NYC), you know that the cost of going to a doctor or having a medical condition will quickly squash the money you saved going to McDonald's instead of choosing a healthier option. 

When I'm in pinch, I hit up Pret (their hard-boiled eggs and spinach is only $1.99), grab a 2 for $5 salad, sesame tofu or quinoa pot at Whole Foods, or spot a mix like apricot and almonds at a deli. I still abide by my banana-in-a-bind snack, though I eat more than just that for lunch! This is my version of fast food.

6. Do you have a favorite grocery store that has both affordable and nutritious options? My work takes me all over Manhattan and back to Brooklyn so I can't just mention one! So here it goes:

WholeFoods is a solid choice. I prefer it to Trader Joe's because more of the produce is whole and fresh (meaning it hasn't been cut into pieces already or is frozen or canned). If you're on a budget look for their 365 brand.  

When I am teaching near Joffrey Ballet School, I go to LifeThyme to get energizing "green champagne" which is a blend of greens and ginger. Their "chunks of energy" also go a long way - they have several varieties including cacao with spirulina and as I recognize ALL of the ingredients I know these are more nutritious than most protein bars on the market.  

When I am in my own neighborhood, Williamsburg, I like to shop across the street—at KeyFoods. This might come as a surprise to most, but the KeyFoods in my neighborhood has great choices including organic lacitano kale, oatmeal that is usually on sale, and a great variety of organic beans, soups, and local fruit—I bought Jersey blueberries this week for under $3. 

7. Can you give us your top three tips on shopping and preparing healthy food, without breaking the bank?

 1. Rice and beans! They are so inexpensive and packed with nutrition (hello amino acids, fiber, and protein!)—just add in some fresh goodies so you don't feel like you're being cheap with yourself. With black beans and rice I add cilantro and avocado; with chickpeas I add curry, cumin or some spicy harissa or hot sauce. An easy and nutritious combination to remember is bean, green, and grain. There are so many combinations of these if you just add your own creative spirit, spice and sauce (turmeric tahini is a favorite of mine) you'll feel your kitchen is a 4-star restaurant.

2.  Shop in the bulk section of Whole Foods—no, I do not mean getting huge packages if "bulk" to you means getting large amounts (I'm from the midwest where our bulk products mean for a family of 10 and there is no room in NYC apartments for such supplies). I mean the aisle where you can get exactly how much rice, grain, trail mix, lentils, etc., you want. You weigh it by pound and eliminate paying for packaging so it's better for the environment and you're not swayed by marketing. It's great for beginners in the kitchen too—start with a small amount of oats or quinoa to experiment in small doses.

Image provided by Kelly Buwalda

3.  Shop at your local Greenmarket. Yes, some of the prices will blow your mind but I guarantee if you buy quality foods you will not waste one bite. Rather than buying salad in those plastic boxes and having half already be rotten, you can choose exactly how much you want. The farmers are often generous too, allowing you to sample, telling you how you can prepare what you are buying, and nearing the end of the market day there are often great deals as they want to sell the produce while it is fresh. 

8. Do you have a favorite budget-friendly recipe that you could share with us? Here are two of my favorites below- this salad is simple and delicious, anyone can make it. I have shared this stir-fry with clients and in a cooking class and there was not one bite of leftovers, even from someone who said he had never liked cabbage before he tasted this dish. For more recipes and tips, please join my Facebook page, Kelly Buwalda Nutrition & Wellness 

Favorite Simple Salad

Ingredients:  Arugula, Olive Oil (to your liking), a squeeze of lemon, a dash of high-quality salt and pine nuts

Directions:  Simply place arugula in a bowl and add olive oil and lemon.  Mix salad and sprinkle with a dash of salt and pine nuts.  

Ginger Tempeh Stir Fry (my very own recipe!)

Prep: 5 min             Cook: 7 min

 Ingredients: Package of tempeh, 1-2” of ginger, 3-4 carrots, 1 small head purple/red cabbage (or half of a larger cabbage), safflower/sunflower/sesame oil, tamari

Optional: bok choy, tumeric

1.     Wash all vegetables and chop carrots and cabbage into small pieces.

2.     Slice tempeh into rectangular pieces.

3.     Peel ginger and slice into fine strips.

4.     Place all ingredients in a bowl and combine 1 TBSP oil and stir (if you are adding tumeric, do so here).

5.     Heat pan on med-hi and place all ingredients in pan, ensuring the tempeh pieces are laying flat on the surface. If needed, add more oil to pan (or water).

6.     After a couple minutes, stir vegetables and flip tempeh to other side.

7.     When carrots and cabbage are slightly softened and tempeh is brown on both sides add a splash of tamari and remove from heat. Serve in a bowl.

9. What do you enjoy most about your line of work? My work is a melange of teaching, creating, and performing—but in all of it I love witnessing transformation. As a Teaching Artist for National Dance Institute I see young people become dancers that have never danced before—I love seeing the spark when they achieve a new step. As a Certified Health Coach, I get really excited when a client achieves a goal like quitting smoking, losing weight, or loving how they feel in their own skin. This summer I've been inspired by the dancers at Joffrey Ballet School whom I've been teaching "Nutrition for Dancers." Some have reduced coffee, soda and energy drinks and have been feeling much more energy as a result. As a dancer myself, I love feeling connected and strong in my body and enjoy the transformation that comes with each performance experience.

Image provided by Kelly Buwalda

A big thank you to Kelly for this thorough advice on taking care of yourself and your wallet! Check out her Facebook and website for more information on eating well and caring for your body. 

Kelly Buwalda is a Certified Health Coach (American Association of Drugless Practitioners), Nutrition Teacher (Joffrey Ballet School), Teaching Artist (National Dance Institute) and contemporary dancer. She combines her knowledge from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Hope College (B.A.'s Dance & Psychology), and her personal experiences as an artist and athlete to support dancers, clients, friends, and family. 

DIY Reusable Grocery Bags

There are many reasons why bringing your own bags to the grocery store is beneficial; they are good for the environment, easier to carry than plastic bags, and often allow you to save a few pennies (several stores, like Whole Foods, offer discounts to customers who bring their own bags). The other day I stumbled upon an entry in the blog Delia Creates, explaining how to make your own reusable bags. The process is easy and cheap (the bag is made out of an old T-shirt), and produces machine-washable bags that are perfect for produce. The design was inspired by the cotton tote bags that you may have seen sold at select grocery stores.

How To Make Your Own Produce Bag

You'll need:

scissors

old T-shirt

needle and thread

sharpie

ruler 

1. Lay out the T-shirt, and outline the shape of your bag with a sharpie.

2. Cut along the outline.

3. Sew the bottom and sides to create seams. I used a basic needle and thread so mine doesn't look very pretty, but a sewing machine would probably do a better job!

4. Trace the lines for where your holes will be, as well as a rectangle for the handle. Note: I made my handle too big, so I recommend starting smaller!

5. Cut out the holes and handle. 

6. Stretch out the bag to make sure the holes are to your liking. Then you're done!

Testing out the bag with bananas

You can play with different sizes and colors. If you don't have any old T-shirts, you can visit your nearest Goodwill (don't forget to show your student ID for a discount) and buy a $1 or $2 T-shirt. The price of a used T-shirt is certainly cheaper than the price of a brand new bag!

Put Down the Candy Bar, the Packet of Gum, and the Copy of US Weekly

Even the most dedicated of Penny-Pinchers can find themselves succumbing to the magnetic pull of impulse purchases. The magazine shelves by the check-out line in Whole Foods? A problem. The chocolate on display right before the registers in Trader Joe's? A bigger problem. Let's not even mention those sale items that seem to come home with you after a day of 'window shopping'...

I recently stumbled upon a blog post by Meg Favreau, a senior editor and blogger for the website wisebread.com, about resisting these impulse purchases.

In her post 9 Simple Ways to Stop Impulse Buying, Favreau points out the reasons why these spur-of-the-moment purchases are so tempting, and how to best avoid them. I have listed her nine tips below.

1. "Follow the Time Rule" 
2. "Don't Shop When Upset"
3. "Consider Changing How and Where You Shop"
4. "Don't Shop With the Wrong People"
5. "Give Yourself a Splurge Budget"
6. "Only Buy Things You Can Return"
7. "Remember to Not Be Fooled by Sales"
8. "Keep a List of Things You Really Want or Need"
9. "Don't Give Yourself Access to Your Money"

Favreau goes into more detail about each tip on her post, but I'll discuss a few that I like to keep in mind. For starters, I've found that the "Time Rule" really affects whether or not I buy those shoes that 'would go so great with that one dress'. The idea behind this rule is that you set a minimum time frame for yourself between when you decide you like the item, and when you decide to buy the item. If I am still obsessing over those shoes a week or two later, then I'll go back and take a second look. Usually when I wait to buy something, though, I end up realizing that I don't want or need that item after all. 

"Remember to Not Be Fooled by Sales" is another important one for me. Sales are a tempting time to buy something that you don't need, simply because it's on sale. Favreau distinguishes between things that you've always wanted (that finally go on sale) and things that you think you could find useful (because they're on sale). Stay away from the latter! Sales are an opportunity for us to get what we need for cheaper, not a chance to be tricked into spending more money. 

"Don't Give Yourself Access to Your Money" is the ninth tip, in which Favreau suggests leaving your credit cards at home, or keeping only a small amount of cash in your wallet. If you don't have money with you, it's pretty much guaranteed that you won't spend it. I know that I spend far less money when I take out cash at the beginning of each week, and allow myself to only spend as much as I have in my wallet. I prefer to pay with cash because I can see exactly how much money I have, and I can feel (literally) when my wallet's been emptied. If I plan to spend the day window shopping, then I bring nothing more than seven dollars (for a subway card, just in case). 

Wise Bread is a great resource for readers trying to get the most out of a tiny budget. The site's  'Frugal Living' section offers countless articles about managing your income, cooking cheaper recipes, clothing deals, etc. Various writers contribute to the blog, making the site a self-described "community of bloggers here to hep you live large on a small budget." Wise Bread does not revolve around a particular city, but instead provides general information for Penny-Pinchers nationwide. For those of you looking for specific NYC deals, that's what I'm here for. 

Don't worry, I've got your back.