Bloomberg's congestion fee plan dies behind closed doors in Albany

[kerewin21 2]

$5k ain't modest, brutha.

You go to a decent restaurant, there's $150 right there (for two people.)

You go for drinks afterwards, it's another $50-100.

Do it twice a week, and in one month you will have spent $2,000.

Go to a show or two, jazz club, whatever else.... more $$$.

Go Whole Foods once a week - another $1,000 (at least.)

How about other everyday expenses - clothes? gadgets? taxi fares?

Come on now.

Maybe it's time to realize that you have chosen this lifestyle and are paying for it.

I live in New York and go out to eat to GOOD restaurants a few times a month and have never spent more than $50 for two people. If I go out for drinks, I get ONE drink; even at a swank place downtown, that won't cost more than $35 (way less if you go for beer). If I want to go to a show, I go to TKTS and spend $30-$40. Sure, if I want to see Wicked or The Lion King I'll have to spend extra; so I wait a few months and save up money for it.

I shop for groceries for two in a nice gourmet grocery store. I stay away from the pre-made stuff and spend about $500 a month for the two of us.

I never take taxis, I take public transportation. If you live in Manhattan, you'll find the the subway and buses will take you just about anywhere. My only "gadget" is an iPod, which I spent $120 on a year ago and still works great.

Edited to add: I completely agree that those who choose to live in NJ or Westchester so they can have a bigger house, better schools, etc have also chosen this lifestyle and I don't think it's unreasonable to ask them to pay an additional $40 a week to support it.

Edited April 8, 2008 by kerewin21

[mawilson 2,133]

Maybe it's time to realize that you have chosen this lifestyle and are paying for it.

By "me", you mean the hypothetical city dweller "me", right?

Otherwise, it sounds like you have a problem with my lifestyle.

[kerewin21 2]

Maybe it's time to realize that you have chosen this lifestyle and are paying for it.

By "me", you mean the hypothetical city dweller "me", right?

Otherwise, it sounds like you have a problem with my lifestyle.

Sorry, didn't realize those numbers were "hypothetical." So yeah, I guess if there exists someone who spends this amount of money and feels they don't have enough left over at the end of the day, I would point out that one can live in NYC, spend much less money, and still enjoy it.

[mawilson 2,133]

Sorry, didn't realize those numbers were "hypothetical." So yeah, I guess if there exists someone who spends this amount of money and feels they don't have enough left over at the end of the day, I would point out that one can live in NYC, spend much less money, and still enjoy it.

The numbers were hypothetical - my own numbers are quite different. We don't have

a $10,000 mortgage (yet), so when we do spend $5k or more on food and entertainment

(which happens from time to time), it doesn't exactly make or break our budget.

[Amby 490]

Sorry, didn't realize those numbers were "hypothetical." So yeah, I guess if there exists someone who spends this amount of money and feels they don't have enough left over at the end of the day, I would point out that one can live in NYC, spend much less money, and still enjoy it.

The numbers were hypothetical - my own numbers are quite different. We don't have

a $10,000 mortgage (yet), so when we do spend $5k or more on food and entertainment

(which happens from time to time), it doesn't exactly make or break our budget.

hey wanna take me out for some food and entertainment with you then? sounds like fun!

[mawilson 2,133]

Sorry, didn't realize those numbers were "hypothetical." So yeah, I guess if there exists someone who spends this amount of money and feels they don't have enough left over at the end of the day, I would point out that one can live in NYC, spend much less money, and still enjoy it.

The numbers were hypothetical - my own numbers are quite different. We don't have

a $10,000 mortgage (yet), so when we do spend $5k or more on food and entertainment

(which happens from time to time), it doesn't exactly make or break our budget.

hey wanna take me out for some food and entertainment with you then? sounds like fun!

Are you anywhere near NYC?

[Amby 490]

Sorry, didn't realize those numbers were "hypothetical." So yeah, I guess if there exists someone who spends this amount of money and feels they don't have enough left over at the end of the day, I would point out that one can live in NYC, spend much less money, and still enjoy it.

The numbers were hypothetical - my own numbers are quite different. We don't have

a $10,000 mortgage (yet), so when we do spend $5k or more on food and entertainment

(which happens from time to time), it doesn't exactly make or break our budget.

hey wanna take me out for some food and entertainment with you then? sounds like fun!

Are you anywhere near NYC?

ummm...no BUT I will be visiting this summer with my friend. her sister's husband is going to columbia

[Alex+R 0]

You're going to be up here when?

You could help make an East Coast meet-up. It's not going to happen otherwise. Some of our most active members are in NYC or within a few hours: Troll, No. 6, me, Jenn, Pattu Rani, Kerewin, Mawilson, chnst, me, maybe by then Sereia... and so many more. Yet, they don't want to have a meet-up. Go figure.

[Amby 490]

You're going to be up here when?

You could help make an East Coast meet-up. It's not going to happen otherwise. Some of our most active members are in NYC or within a few hours: Troll, No. 6, me, Jenn, Pattu Rani, Kerewin, Mawilson, chnst, me, maybe by then Sereia... and so many more. Yet, they don't want to have a meet-up. Go figure.

I feel so special...maybe everyone will decide to show up because I'm so amazing and they love me so much

[mawilson 2,133]

You're going to be up here when?

You could help make an East Coast meet-up. It's not going to happen otherwise. Some of our most active members are in NYC or within a few hours: Troll, No. 6, me, Jenn, Pattu Rani, Kerewin, Mawilson, chnst, me, maybe by then Sereia... and so many more. Yet, they don't want to have a meet-up. Go figure.

There are two of you in NYC?

[Alex+R 0]

Hehe oops I noticed that but didn't change it

[Amby 490]

You're going to be up here when?

You could help make an East Coast meet-up. It's not going to happen otherwise. Some of our most active members are in NYC or within a few hours: Troll, No. 6, me, Jenn, Pattu Rani, Kerewin, Mawilson, chnst, me, maybe by then Sereia... and so many more. Yet, they don't want to have a meet-up. Go figure.

There are two of you in NYC?

I like alex so if there is two of her in nyc I'm happy!

[Alex+R 0]

Well there's me and then there's a Brazilian, tech-oriented, gruff, red-headed sarcastic version of me. But that one has a #######, FYI.

[Amby 490]

####### is ok!

[Alex+R 0]

Well I'm certainly grateful for it.