RENT. FOOD. BROKE.

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RENT. FOOD. BROKE. Resources for the unemployed and underemployed, and those who try to be frugal with their money. Check out info designed for especially for you—bum extraordinaire. Check out our articles on saving money and getting by, eating cheaply, finding work, and things to do in the meantime. Be sure to check out our calendar, exclusively for events that are free or under $10. Welcome to RFB. Here’s to not being Broke forever. http://rentfoodbroke.com/ 2010-09-08T23:27:08Z Joomla! 1.5 - Open Source Content Management Keep In Touch 2010-09-07T04:59:10Z 2010-09-07T04:59:10Z http://rentfoodbroke.com/bum-around/stay-in/keep-in-touch.html

<img style="margin-top: 3px; margin-bottom: 3px; float: left; margin-right: 10px;" src="images/stories/article_images/keep_in_touch_mailboxes.jpg" alt="keep_in_touch_mailboxes" width="201" height="142" />Friends are great for hanging out and mooching fries off of. Life is busy though, and even bums sometimes have trouble making time to keep in touch. You can't swipe your credit card for 'em, but friends are not free. We don’t mean you have to pay them to hang out (if you're currently doing so, please re-examine your social circle), we mean that you gotta put in some effort. Don't worry, it doesn't have to be hard or expensive. We've got you covered with tips to keep in touch whether your buddy is across the hall or halfway around the world.

<img style="margin-top: 3px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; float: left;" src="images/stories/article_images/back-to-school.jpg" alt="back-to-school" width="200" height="150" />It's that time of time of year, children! Tuition is up, classes are cut, making it tougher than ever to continue our education. Moreover, not only do we have to pay for tuition, books, an supplies, some of us even have to cover room, board, coffee, and the occasional drink. (We need to stay sane somehow). Lucky for you, I’ve got a little tip that may help you keep a bit more cash in your pockets: Community College. I know, most of you cringed when reading that, but please let me make my case before saying 'no thank you'. The community college experience does not have to be that of high school with ashtrays. Whether you are thinking about returning to school for the first time in a while,deciding that paying for a university right off the bat is just too much, or just at a crossroads in your life, community college could the answer you're looking for.

<img style="float: left; margin-top: 3px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px;" src="images/stories/article_images/showcase.jpg" alt="showcase" width="200" height="150" />You may be finding yourself with some downtime these days if you're one of the many without steady work. Or if you're stuck working somewhere you hate, you may need an outlet. A blog could fill this void, give you something to focus on that you enjoy, and bonus — it could even help you get a new and better job. Showing people what you can do is an essential part of the job search process, and a blog can be tailored to do just that. We know this isn't 2007, the days when "blogging" was the pastime of the hip and the term was used un-ironically. Think about it instead as an activity in discipline, articulation, and marketing. Here are some ways to use a blog to suit your needs, and hopefully get some good returns.

<img style="float: left; margin-top: 3px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 3px;" src="images/stories/article_images/be-our-guest.jpg" alt="be-our-guest" width="200" height="150" />Chances are that you’re not the only bum you know. Meaning, if you’d choose crashing at a friends over a hotel (mostly by choice), it's likely your friends would make the same choice. Thus, you need advice on the art of being a gracious host and a considerate guest. Consider this a Miss Manners style tip sheet on how to get four stars (for less of course) as an innkeeper and patron.

<img style="margin-top: 3px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 3px; float: left;" src="images/stories/article_images/money_talk.jpg" alt="money_talk" width="200" height="150" />There's a good reason we call our currency funny money and it's not because it usually makes us laugh. Like Eskimos and snow, we have many words for it because it's important in our culture. Moolah, dough, bread, Benjamins...however you stack your paper, chances are you have some mixed feelings about bean counting. In order to take control of your finances (and if you're broke like us, it's probably about time), you need to do a little bit of that head shrinking business. Whether on your own, with professional help, or with your support network, get to thinking hard about how you to relate the old smackaroos.

<img style="float: left; margin-top: 3px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px;" src="images/stories/article_images/staycation_kiddiepool.jpg" alt="staycation_kiddiepool" width="200" height="150" />It may not be a boiling hot August, but summer isn't quite over yet. For those in cubicles or <a href="de-bum-yourself/get-a-job/office-away-from-home.html" target="_blank">coffee shops</a>, dreams of a break should still have time for materialization. And, if a certain flight attendant is to be believed, a staycation may be just the ticket for your summer vacation time. It can save your wallet some groaning and introduce you to a whole other side of your city. Let your crackberry rest, put an away message on your work email, and get ready for a good ol' time. Right here at home.

<img style="margin-top: 3px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 3px; float: left;" src="images/stories/article_images/laptop_in_the_kitchen.jpg" alt="laptop_in_the_kitchen" width="200" height="150" />Many of us bums are doing freelance writing, working on our screen plays, or trying to take over the world from a corner of our bedrooms and living rooms. Though the commute is great and office attire is unbeatable, when physical space is multi-function it's a bit harder to differentiate work-time from down-time. Unless you have the money to move to a bigger home or add a floor, consider spending some time creating separate space for your work. When creating a plan for work/everything else separation, plan on organizing your private space and re-thinking the public. The space dilemma requires a bit of a mix-and-match-as-needed approach.

<img style="margin-top: 3px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 3px; float: left;" src="images/stories/article_images/cocktail_martini.jpg" alt="cocktail_martini" width="200" height="150" />Life offers many occasions to celebrate, commiserate, or get toasty just because. Although the solo drink is sometimes appropriate, in general it's way more fun to drink with friends. We know footing the booze bill for a group can be expensive, so we're here to give you some pointers for doing it up bum-style.

<img style="margin-top: 3px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 3px; float: left;" src="images/stories/article_images/fridge.jpg" alt="fridge" width="200" height="150" />Any real bum knows the midnight munchies hit...hard. And when that happens, you should know that there is something you can do. Diet be damned. It’s time to hit up the kitchen and let your meagerly stocked shelves provide you with a brokedown feast.

<img style="float: left; margin-top: 3px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px;" src="images/stories/article_images/date.jpg" alt="date" width="200" height="150" />Boy meets girl. Boy asks girl out (or vice versa; this is 2010 after all) and then freaks out about paying for impressive date(s). Hopefully not if he's been paying attention. You should know from earlier articles (kinda like the ones you can find <a href="bum-on-a-budget/cut-corners/cheap-date-round-one.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="bum-on-a-budget/cut-corners/cheap-date-round-two.html" target="_blank">here</a>) that there are plenty of cheap date options. And, if you're looking for even more, our lady friend over at <a href="http://365cheapdates.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">365 Cheap Dates</a> hooks it up with original, affordable venues for love. But, keep in mind that even the best big idea needs finishing touches.

<img style="float: left; margin-top: 3px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 3px;" src="images/stories/article_images/sun_baby.jpg" alt="sun_baby" width="200" height="150" />Turns out that the Malibu sun is pretty strong in the middle of a summer day. Who knew? Oh wait. Almost everyone. Most people know that the sun can cause nasty burns and unsightly wrinkles (later though, much later). Even with this knowledge, tanning beds and natural sunshine abound. Metal reflectors may not get busted out by the pool, but over-exposure is rampant. Cheap tips to save a lot later? We got 'em.

<img style="float: left; margin-top: 3px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px;" src="images/stories/article_images/stress.jpg" alt="stress" width="200" height="150" />Whether it's a 30 minute search for parking or a stack of overdue bills, life has a way of throwing you curve balls. Some of these moments require deep introspection and long-term<a href="http://www.rentfoodbroke.com/de-bum-yourself/get-help/i-get-by-with-a-little-help-from-my-mental-health-professional.html" target="_blank"> therapy</a> to handle calmly, but we've got a few tricks to help you fake zen. So, the next time you're faced with a "just shoot me (or the guy next to me)" moment, you can channel some RFB om and chill out.

<img style="float: left; margin-top: 3px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 3px;" src="images/stories/article_images/dream.jpg" alt="dream" width="200" height="150" />The new movie <a href="http://inceptionmovie.warnerbros.com/" target="_blank">Inception</a> has sparked a lot of interest in dreams. Dreams can actually help plug you in to a deeper level of clarity about yourself. But sometimes dreams seem like they’re written in code that only the CIA could decipher. They're a lot like poetry in the sense that the language or imagery of dreams can be about metaphor, symbols for your life. Another view of dreams is that there is a type of medicine in the dream experience itself. There are a lot of ways to approach dreams and in my view, there is no right or wrong way. It's all about what works for you. Here are some simple ways to mine some of those riches and have a good time in the process.

<img style="float: left; margin-top: 3px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px;" src="images/stories/article_images/loud.jpg" alt="loud" width="200" height="150" />Public speaking can be daunting. It may seem impossible to get over those shaking knees and cold sweats, but getting over trepidation can be extremely useful for goals like, say, getting a job. So, here’s your bum tip sheet for speaking up and not having a heart attack in the process.

<img style="float: left; margin-top: 3px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px;" src="images/stories/article_images/reading.jpg" alt="reading" width="200" height="150" />The school of life usually teaches you a lot, but it’s not always appropriate for cocktail parties or nerd-tastic meet-ups. There’s quite a lot of information out there, so it’s easier to focus on one area at a time. Thus, if you want to hang with the English professors or just sound like the most well-educated kid on the block (and community college just didn’t quite prepare you), check out these ways to expand your knowledge base.

<img style="float: left; margin-top: 3px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px;" src="images/stories/article_images/credit-card.jpg" alt="credit-card" width="200" height="150" />Life can be expensive. Every bum has those months where just a bit (or a whole lot) more cash goes out than comes in. Lately, it might even have happened somewhat regularly. Oops. It may seem easy to get through those times by swiping the old plastic, but be very aware of how much action that magnetic strip is getting. Spending a hundred dollars on a credit card is an easy feat. Sometimes, charging things can be a saving grace or just not a big deal. Other times it can be a disaster. Of course, you want your plastic to be fantastic. Do you know what you're doing?

<img style="float: left; margin-top: 3px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px;" src="images/stories/article_images/joshua_tree.jpg" alt="joshua tree" width="200" height="150" />Everyone you know is taking these great big vacations to exotic locales and you're feeling left out because you don't get paid days off. We know how you feel. Conveniently, we have one of America's treasures right here: <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=joshua+tree+national+park&;oe=utf-8&;rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&;client=firefox-a&;um=1&;ie=UTF-8&;hq=&;gl=us&;ei=k2Q1TNy6LZPQsAPS--HWAQ&;sa=X&;oi=geocode_result&;ct=title&;resnum=1&;ved=0CCkQ8gEwAA&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl" target="_blank">Joshua Tree</a>. It's close, it's cheap, and you can come back and tell your friends that you, too, went on vacation. And when you tell them where you went they'll be jealous. For real, they'll be jealous. And isn't that real point of vacations? Read on for the skinny on visiting Joshua Tree.

<img style="margin: 3px 10px 3px 0px; float: left;" src="images/stories/article_images/early_flag.jpg" alt="early_flag" width="200" height="141" />You may have slept in late this morning, but did you stop to wonder why? What is this whole Independence Day celebration about? Sure, throwing out "1776" and "Constitution" and "former British colony" may win you some points at a cocktail party, but what is America (and specifically the United States) all about? Here are our selections for a quick brush up on the roots of the land of the free and the home of the brave.

<img style="float: left; margin-top: 3px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px;" src="images/stories/article_images/fireworks.jpg" alt="fireworks" width="200" height="150" />Nothing says 4th of July like barbeques, parades, and, of course, fireworks! LA has a plethora of options and so many are free! Consider this your cheat sheet on where to celebrate your love for the red, white, and blue.

<img style="float: left; margin-top: 3px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px;" src="images/stories/article_images/ferret-stuck.jpg" alt="ferret-stuck" width="200" height="150" />Most people have experienced it at one point or another. The slow, painful realization that you have absolutely nothing to say and a whopper of a deadline coming up. Ah! Attack of writer's block! What's a bum to do to get those juices flowing? Staring at a computer screen for endless hours hasn’t helped yet, so here're a few suggestions: