Real Art, Real Cheap
Crush that monocle underfoot and ditch the all-black outfit. There"s art to be had, at amazingly affordable prices, and you don"t have to wear a beret, endure the glacial silence of white-walled galleries, or know what chiaroscuro means to get your hands on it. It"s yours for the buying at student exhibitions, held regularly at Moore College of Art & Design, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Fleisher Art Memorial, The Art Institute of Philadelphia, University of the Arts and many other colleges and universities throughout the region. Don"t be afraid to ask if the artist will take less than the listed price (or even create something similar to the work on display) if you fall in love with a piece that"s beyond your budget or has already been sold. Student shows are great places to find affordable and unique artwork to brighten your walls and spirits, and to give as gifts that will be remembered. In early December, the Annual Print Sale at the Pennsylvania Academy features student-created prints, all priced at $100 or below. Nothing says "I went out of my way to find a gift as unique and inspiring as you are" like a one-of-a kind piece of art. And who knows? The painting, photograph, print or sculpture that steals your little pink heart today may eventually be worth way more than you shelled out. For example, not a single one of the paintings that Pennsylvania Academy student Bo Bartlett (today a renowned painter) exhibited during his junior year sold, but the postgrad work he displayed at a subsequent student exhibition captured a gallery owner"s attention and sparked his first gallery show. Save: $100 or more.
— Trish Boppert

Dead Books Walking
This is recycling at its finest: rescuing donated books for one more reading. On the first and third Saturday of the month, Cedar Park recycles paper and plastic from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at 50th and Baltimore streets. Books Through Bars, which solicits used reading material to send to prisoners, often drops off donated books not needed for their clients and a recycling team separates the books into aisles for the public"s browsing pleasure. Folks who come to drop off paper and plastic to raise funds for the Cedar Park Neighbors Scholarship Fund often fill their carriers with books ranging from classics to last year"s law texts. Save: minimum $5, maximum who knows?
— Mary Armstrong

Cheap Seats
Philly"s already reasonably priced theater offerings get even cheaper when you opt for preview subscription packages. These pre-opening night shows are just as good as the real deal, and can cost more than 50 percent less. Once you"re at the show, cap off your economical outing with dinner or dessert from a neighboring restaurant partner that offers discounts with a ticket stub. Some companies, such as InterAct Theater, have long-standing relationships with set restaurants — always check the back of your playbill for deals. Save: anywhere from $44 to $190 per year for shows, depending on the theater company.
— Gabrielle Mosquera

Urbane Renewal
Schedule a regular library date to avoid overdue fines. If Mondays always mean library night, magically the materials return on time. Failing that, books can be renewed online or with a phone call to your branch. Save: from 50 cents (books) to $4 (movies) per day.
— Mary Armstrong

Standing Offer
Midweek entertainment is hard to score on a tight dime, unless you"re willing to provide it yourself. On the last Wednesday of the month, the Laff House comedy club on South Street stages its open-mic night, and you can avoid the $5 cover by signing up to perform. Five-minute sets are the standard, but audiences won"t mind if you exit before the "time"s-up" red light. The crowd is tough and the spotlights are bright, but if you manage to make it off stage without dropping any puns, knock-knocks, or horse-walks-into"s, you"ll laugh all the way to the bank. Otherwise, it"s free raspberries for you. Save: $5 per visit.
— Nick Norlen

Reel Deals
Ever skip seeing a movie because you anticipate using your popcorn money for parking? Fear no more: Both the Bridge and Ritz theater chains cut you a deal with a validated parking stub. A Ritz discount of $4.50 means you"re saving around $9.50 at the Bourse"s parking garage after 5 p.m., and around $5.50 at the Ritz Five or Ritz East. The Bridge does this one better with free four-hour parking anytime. Also, true cinephiles might consider buying a bulk ticket pack while they"re there; the Bridge"s Prestige package offers 50 tickets for $300--a $75 savings over full price. Save: $5.50 to $9.50 per trip (parking), $75 per year (if you see one movie a week).
— Gabrielle Mosquera

Get Bach in the High Life Again
Heard rumors that Philadelphia Orchestra tix at Verizon Hall are only for rich folk? Didja know that tickets actually start at 10 bucks each for many concerts? (Check www.philorch.org for pricing.) Don"t worry, you can still impress your date by buying the overpriced champagne at intermission. Save: about $100 over the best seats (prices vary by concert).
— Peter Burwasser

Re-shuffle the Stacks
Libraries receive donations by the boxful and really, how many copies of Thomas Pynchon"s V can one library stock? The Philly Free library, for one, sells its surplus cheap. Find a few interesting titles in good condition, shell out the two bits, bring them to your favorite used bookstore, and trade them for four bits. Earn: 25 cents per title.
— Char Vandermeer

No Rent
If you"re a music and movie junkie making the hardest of budget cuts (Brian Eno remasters are so expensive!), look no further than the Free Library for media relief. With 55 libraries to peruse, you can check out up to five CDs, burn them and return them within the three-week lending period, and you can rent up to five videos or DVDs for up to a week. Unless you"re like my Sam-Goody-two-shoes friend who refuses to copy CDs, you can save big on those Miles Davis albums you"ve been pretending to have or the VHS that Out-of-Stock-buster doesn"t carry. Save: $30 per month.
— Nick Norlen

Class Acts
Here"s an oldie but goldie; free concerts at the area music schools. Both Temple"s Esther Boyer School of Music and the Curtis Institute of Music offer extensive seasons of free concerts, mainly by the students, but also by the excellent faculties. The quality of the music is awesome. Save: $15 to $100 over single tickets elsewhere.
— Peter Burwasser