Each week or so, our Dear Penny column investigates the answers to reader questions about saving money in Brooklyn. Send your stumpers to DearPenny@brokelyn.com.

On purely economical terms, yes, make the switch. The idea behind no-contract providers is that they offer unlimited talk, text and web for one flat monthly fee. Metro PCS ($40), Cricket ($40) and Sprint’s offshoot, Boost Mobile ($50), are three of the big names, and they constitute a real savings over both alternatives: pay-as-you-go phones, which have added charges for basic services; or annual contracts, with their hefty monthly fees. But the money’s not the whole deal in the contract/no-contract debate. A few equally important issues, like service area and phone quality, also should play a role in your decision. (more…)

Photo by Baptiste Franchina

Each week or so, our Dear Penny column investigates the answers to reader questions about saving money in Brooklyn. This week’s entry is written by Brokelyn associate editor Jonathan Berk.

If you ever listen to commercial radio (which you should, thanks to the newish 101.9 WRXP), you might hear a constant loop of ads from debt consolidators—companies like CareOne and DebtShield that claim to roll all of your bills into one monthly payment. If you’re awash in late fees and collection notices, you might be tempted by their promises to slash interest rates, lower your monthly payouts and get you debt-free in mere months. But are these offers a scam?

The answer: Some debt consolidators are legit, and others aren’t. And the practice is fraught with hidden fees, high interest rates on seemingly small payments (so you pay more in the end) and even fly-by-night consolidators who disappear with your money and social security number and leave your credit in shambles. (more…)

Beacon's Closet. Photo by Tokyo Hanna.

Each week (or thereabouts), our Dear Penny column investigates the answers to reader questions about saving money in Brooklyn. This week, Cody McBurnett asks how to get the most from her closet giveaways, and fellow Brokelyn reader Tina Robinson is our guest expert. Take it away, Tina…

The best way to maximize this situation is to divide and conquer. Start by separating your no-longer-wanted clothes into three categories: designer goods and/or one-of-a-kind vintage, trendy items with labels people have heard of, and finally, everything else. (more…)

Every so often, our Dear Penny column investigates the answers to reader questions about saving money in Brooklyn. This week’s entry is written by Brokelyn associate editor Jonathan Berk.

The official line: Eligibility is based mainly on income, household size, and in some cases, assets. There’s a six-page application and an interview (see below for all of that). Unofficially, go ahead and fill out the application, and bring in what they ask for, but don’t sweat your chances assuming you’re in the right ballpark of financial need. Assets, or resources, don’t matter as much toward eligibility as they used to. Even if your financial woes are pretty recent (you made a decent living last year or you just went off unemployment), you might still qualify for the benefit. (more…)

Each week, Dear Penny investigates the answers to reader questions about saving money in Brooklyn. Send your stumpers to DearPenny@Brokelyn.com.

Yes, it can be cheaper to brew your own beer—if you make enough of it. Let’s break down some numbers. According to the guys at Park Slope’s venerable Bierkraft, there are in fact no places in Brooklyn that sell brew equipment. They recommend ordering a kit online at northernbrewer.com; a basic starter kit will set you back $75. You will also need to buy one of their ingredients kits, which range between $20-$40. Finally, you’ll need a brew kettle—any pot 2.5 gallons or greater ($40 at northernbrewer), and 48 to 52 pry-off 12-ounce beer bottles (about $30).

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Important bulletin: Apparently, Brokelyn.com readers don’t care all that much about manners because we haven’t gotten any etiquette questions. But we’ve been overwhelmed with queries about whether making your own beer is cheaper than buying it, where to get the best hot dogs in Brooklyn, how to find a cheap, non-irritating dandruff shampoo (RiteAid?)  and now this one: about where to travel cheaply. So our nimble correspondent shall heretofore be dropping the Miss Manners racket and turning into the Brokelyn Answer Lady. We’re keeping the cute handle, though. Readers, fire away: DearPenny@Brokelyn.com.

If I were planning a trip this summer, I’d hightail it to Mexico. Specifically, Oaxaca. And I’m not just saying that because I grew up next to Mexico, or because I spent an excellent two weeks in Oaxaca a few summers ago. The dollar is doing well in Mexico. Post swine-flu flights will get you down to Mexico for less than $300, and you don’t have to worry about dying while you’re down there because the State Department has lifted its travel warning. (more…)

Each week, Brokelyn.com’s in-house etiquette expert, Dear Penny, tackles your recession-related stumpers. Send her questions at DearPenny@Brokelyn.com.

I’ve got three ideas for you. The first:  CB I Hate Perfume in Williamsburg sells small sampler sizes of elegant custom-made fragrance. And their scents are inspired. Take “Mr. Hulot’s Holiday,” named for the Jacques Tati film: “The salty breath of the breeze of the Mediterranean, driftwood, rocks covered with seaweed and the smell of old leather suitcases.” (more…)

Each week, Brokelyn.com’s in-house etiquette expert, Dear Penny, tackles your recession-related stumpers.

Make the Roman dish “Cacio y Pepe,” a classic in la cucina povera (often defined as “simple food using few ingredients”)—in other words, rustic Italian food. I once had a drummer from Rome staying with me (long story), and he made this a few times—said it was his grandmother’s recipe. (more…)

Each week, Brokelyn.com’s in-house etiquette expert, Dear Penny, tackles your recession-related stumpers.

I had an unemployed roommate once. Good god was it awkward. Never mind he was from San Francisco and took every opportunity to blame his joblessness on everything and everyone aside from himself (I should say here he was an “artist,” and refused to even look for a decent gig). As someone who’s had about ten million crummy day jobs, I had zero sympathy.  (more…)

Each week, Brokelyn.com’s in-house etiquette expert, Dear Penny, tackles your recession-related stumpers.

When I was little my mother went down to Tijuana a lot to buy cheap alcohol, tequila specifically, to give away as Xmas gifts. Occasionally, she would also buy medication from the over-the-counter pharmacies down there, then sneak it all back over the border in her purse. I think we can all learn something from my mother. (more…)