I keep my eye out for great deals in New York City in the area of healing and health. But sometimes it’s worth paying the big bucks for exceptional treatment. I’ve also got stuff listed here like affordable housing and cheap produce. A balanced budget is part of happiness too! (It is easier though, for me to go to yoga than it is to look at a bank statement. We all have things we’re working on here.)
“You are your best investment.”
—de la Vega
Acupuncture
City Acupuncture
The acupuncture here is done in a community setting, meaning many patients are treated at one time so that they can keep the price affordable. It’s a very calming environment, and my experience has been excellent here. The practitioners give wonderful personal attention and being in the room with other clients getting treatment is actually kinda cool. Pay what you can: $20-$40. No forms to fill out, no questions asked.
51 W. 14th St. @ 6th Ave.
551-574-1803
Pacific College of Acupuncture
Another option for affordable acupuncture is the Pacific College. You can get discounted treatment by an intern. It’s great to find an intern you like and to build a relationship with them. I’ve found that the interns here really know their stuff and are eager to work with patients on a regular basis. $42/session.
915 Broadway @ 21st St., 3rd Floor
212-982-4600
Alexander Technique
Career Coaching
Pamela Skillings, NYU adjunct professor
I’ve never worked with her, or met her, but I enjoy her blog: Escape from Corporate America
Grants
The Foundation Center has a huge database of grants available for artists, as well as classes, webinars, and more.
Gyms
New York Recreation Centers
These can tend to get a bit crowded, so you have to be creative with picking the right time to go, but for $50/$75 a year, it’s worth it. The $75/year facilities have indoor pools!
Locations throughout the five boroughs.
Health Insurance
Who says you need a job to have health insurance?
You have options!
Check out the Freelancers Union.
Housing
Common Ground Community
Common Ground is a great organization which offers affordable housing to a whole slew of folks, including artists and performers. It’s worthwhile to apply if you meet the income requirements. The application and necessary info is available on their web site.
Locations throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn.
The Aurora
The Aurora is another option for low-income actors. Applications and pertinent info available on their web site.
475 West 57th Street @ 10th Ave.
212.262.4502
Produce
Manhattan Fruit Exchange
I am always surprised when I get to the checkout at the Manhattan Fruit Exchange and I owe close to nothing for all the fruit, vegetables, nuts, and seeds I’ve bought.
Located in the Chelsea Market: 75 9th Ave. b/w 15th & 16th Sts.
Therapy
The T.R.R.C.
The Theodore Reik Clinic offers sliding scale psychotherapy and psychoanalsis. The first step is meeting with the Director of Referral, who will have a little mini-therapy session with you to get an idea of your needs and what brought you to therapy. She will work to pair you with one of their therapists and to figure out a fair fee.
150 W. 13th St. b/w 6th and 7th Aves.
212-262-5978
Blair Glaser
A truly gifted and compassionate psychotherapist. If you have a pressing issue you need some clarity on, she offers intuitive readings.
Yoga
Bikram Yoga NYC
The room is heated up and you go through a series of 90 poses. I have found that this is my favorite kind of yoga to do, because I like the heat! They offer a $23 intro special: one week of unlimited classes. They also offer a work study option. For three hours of work, you get three classes. It’s a great deal, considering classes are regularly $23 each. Also, they do their best to fit everyone in who is interested in being a workstudy.
Locations throughout Manhattan.
YOGAmazing blog and podcast
The different podcasts here target various physical and mental needs.
Yoga to the People
Cheapest yoga in the city: $10 suggested donation.
East Village & Harlem Locations.
Midtown Hot Yoga Studio: 1017 6th Ave., 3rd Floor (Entrance on 38th St.)
