If it's free, it's for me...

Every year I await the arrival of one of New York City's finest institutions - the Time Out New York Free Stuff issue! Most every season of the year TONY has an issue devoted to all the free stuff in and around the city to do. The summer Free Stuff issue is especially gratifying because it is chock full to the brim with giveaways and events without a cover. I've learned (with the oh-so-gentle persuasion of certain friends) to plan my summer around it. People who don't like NYC in the summertime (mainly because of the heat, the smells, etc.) do not know how to navigate the endless plethora of outdoorsy events that can only be found in the city that never sleeps (mostly due to power outages denying us our A/C).

This year I got myself a subscription to Time Out and awaited the Free Stuff with baited breath. What came in my mailbox was an issue calling itself Cheap Stuff. Whaaa?

While the newsstand price is only $0.99 to fit the theme of thriftiness, there is only a small section of free items and the rest is dedicated to things costing under $20. This is still a wonderful resource for people trapped in New York with little money who might want to have some out of the ordinary fun, but there was a time when it was a wonderful resource for those with no money, too. Don't quietly water-down a product and not expect people to notice, as if you worked for a Loews Theatre concessions stand. I was expecting a real Diet Coke here, people! At least they don't charge the same price, though.