staying in the neighborhood in keeping it postive

There are three areas of Manhattan where I take care of most of my errands.

1 - I go to movies, cat food shopping, bank, Weight Watchers meeting, get my transit card refilled, go to TRADER JOE'S, near 72nd. There's also a great Chino/Latino restaurant there. I always get the same food: boneless chicken breast, streamed broccoli and salad - it's $10 with tax and tip and I often take 1/2 home with me. I also get shoes (when I have to) in a store on that block.

2- Around 96th and Broadway - I take my donated items to the thrift shop, I can also fill my transit card (both sites have the machines on street level (so there are no steps), go to the bank, but the biggie - CVS. I know that their standard prices are slightly higher than other places', but I get (at least monthly) coupons for 20, 25 or even 30% off EVERYTHING that's not already on sale. It adds up FAST. Plus, their price for the only cat food my cat will eat is the best around.

3- Saving the best for last - my own neighborhood. I go to the post office regularly - either mailing out or picking up packages. Yesterday, I went to the library - I was able to download 18 (!) books to the Kindle. (I only get free ones, and they pile up in the cloud.) There's a Hispanic restaurant I like to go to for their vegetable/cheese omelet - less than $5!!! I get to choose between two supermarkets - their prices have been rising lately, but they're sill good. One market has rotisserie chicken - 1/2 chicken with a baked potato!!! For $5!! When I am lucky I run into people I know. I had a long chat yesterday with a friend from high school (yes, I've seen him in between... we've known each other for almost 50 years!). There's a GREAT dollar store - it used to be a movie theater!. Their prices are not what they used to be, but there are certain items I know to get there. And the best: I don't have to pay the bus fare to get there!