With a little imagination, a PLRG can re-use anything!

We have so many tips for using items for a different purpose than they were intended (double duty usage is a great way to save money) that we wanted to start sharing them with you.

This week, we pulled together some of our fave tips involving your shoes and socks. Try out some of these tips and let us know how they work for you.

• If the bottoms of your Uggs are trashed from last winter, or if you know you’ll be over them come next cold weather season, then cut off the bottom “shoe” part and use the leftover strip as a pot holder or trivet.
• Speaking of fall and winter styles, how do you store your boots without them flopping over and losing their shape? Well, you know all that wine you’ve been drinking? Grab two empty, clean bottles and and shove them in your boots. It’ll keep them at attention until you’re ready to wear them this fall.
• If you’re taking any vacays this summer, then you’ll love this tip. Instead of buying fancy shoe bags to protect your shoes while you travel, grab a few pairs of old gym socks and slip your shoes into them. It will prevent scuffs and stains from mysterious items in your suitcase.
• Socks are always good to have on hand when you’re traveling. Another great way to use them is as a straightening or curling iron holder/protector (the bigger and fuzzier the sock the better). No need to worry about letting your curling iron cool down completely before you leave- if the iron’s still a little warm, the sock will prevent it from burning or scorching it’s cord and other items in your bag.
• If your shoes need polishing at work today, go grab yourself a double duty snack. A banana peel with the strings removed can be used to polish your shoes- afterwards buff with a paper towel or soft cloth.
• This one one is by far the most creative double duty item we’ve come across. If you have an old pair of Crocs, or if you were gifted them and they aren’t your style, then use them as planters this summer! It’s basically the same concept as the Topsy Turvey Tomato Planter. The shoes should be hung up by the heels and the holes in the shoes acts as drainage. Just  make sure to add some moss or something to the toes to avoid dirt spilling out the very bottom.

God made men a little coarser than women. Usually we don’t like to admit when we’re wrong, late or lost. Sometimes though ladies, you have to let the guy win!

Women tend to take advice from their girlfriends about men, just as guys get advice from their buddies. Usually what ends up happening is the guy gets slapped in the face for being inappropriate and the girl gets stupid advice like “let him make the first move.” (I’m willing to bet the entire male race prefers women to be the pursuer, just as women prefer to be pursued.) Rarely are people given advice from members of the opposite sex that they can actually take home with them. (Pun intended) Ladies, I feel it is my due diligence to break the male code and actually tell you what we men are thinking. Here is a sure-fire list to finding and keeping the stud of your dreams.

Every guy loves a woman with Smarts. Not a bossy kinda brain but someone who can hold a conversation, especially in social situations. We’re not asking for a know-it-all, but if you can impress my sports buddies with trivia about the White Sox, then you’ve got an instant win. If a guy does nothing but talk about himself, he’s not the right guy. A real man should be interested in everything you have to say. But don’t hog the conversation either. Let a man impress you with his knowledge of fine wines and where to get great 1am deep dish. And girls, you gotta be smart enough to figure out our needs without us having to ask. I know it sucks, and we complain when you do it to us, but you should be able to figure out what we’re thinking. (i.e. sex, food, boredom and last but not least when to let him have his time with the boys).

At least attempt to enjoy the things your mate enjoys...he would do the same for you!

Be involved in Interesting activities. You don’t want your relationship to become monotonous. It will bore your man if you do the same weekend ritual over and over again. It’s therefore helpful if you involve yourself in special activities once in a while. For example, if you go out to see a movie with your man every Friday night, give your relationship something new by changing it up with a twist. Check out a double feature at the Brew and View, go see a play at Steppenwolf, or invite other couples over to your joint for a game night. Game nights work great for getting to know more about each other - besides, being competitive with other couples is kind of a turn-on. Choose activities where you can have plenty of opportunities to let him teach you something new. Never played darts before? No problem, since he’s a pro. You only bowled at birthday parties in middle school? That’s ok, because he cut class to go bowling in high school.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Cooking is truly a way to a man’s heart. This shows him you’re creative and you care enough to cook for him. And trust me, we will definitely appreciate this. You don’t have to be Martha Stewart, just show effort. If you don’t know how to cook here are a couple easy recipes. Also, if you’re not that handy in front of a stove, there are plenty of places around town where the two of you can take cooking classes together. And don’t forget, there’s nothing sexier than dessert.

You may be surprised, but please Listen to us. What we have to say may not be the most interesting thing you have ever heard, but so what. Find out about our hobbies; learn about our friends, our job and in my case “da neighborhood”. I love to talk about what I do and I promise I can always tell if a woman is listening, so pay attention. If your man is a writer, brush up on your grammar and literature. If he is a swimmer, work on your back stroke. It all boils down to teamwork. Do you think we really like to go shopping with you? Nope, but we do it anyway. Because we hope one day you’ll come to one of our softball games, or let us watch the Family Guy Marathon for 6 straight hours.

Last but not least there is Time. Countless men, who are in serious relationships with women, are guilt-tripped into feeling that they must continually “check in.” There are guys that can’t go for more than a few hours without having to call their girlfriends and give them reports on their activities. As my cousin Joey “The biker” would say, “I want to date a girl, not a prison warden.” Give him his guy time and space. Hanging out with our friends is no reason to make you paranoid. We want you to hang out with your friends, now it’s our turn to hang with ours. Trust me, I know I can get annoying, and I would rather not hang with my girl if she’s had a pissy day. Sometimes we need to man up and just spend some time by ourselves even.

Men like me are over grown children who want to be loved but not smooched at the playground in front of his friends. We are a lot of work and like old dogs at times. We like to get our heads rubbed and get constantly told how good we are at everything (you know what I’m talking about ladies). My current girlfriend does everything on the list and tons more and I am a very happy man. In return that makes me try harder: I cook for her (which I love to do, because I’m friggin awesome), get her flowers for the hell of it and call her just to say hi. My heart skips a beat when she walks in the door and that makes every moment that I spend with her worthwhile.

Love is an amazing experience……

Have a question you want to ask Cousin Vinnie? Need a handsome guys point of view? Send him an email toVinnie@Chicago.com. When Vinnie is not scoping the streets for new threads and great deals or giving advice, Hhe is a business developer for Chicago.com. Also to read more from Vinnie check him out at www.chicago.com/blog.

Ok, so maybe you signed up for one too many credit cards....

New credit card rules took effect this February. They offer some relief from rising credit-card fees and tight payment deadlines-but on the flip side, credit card companies are already cooking up new ways to squeeze more money out of you. The May 2010 issue of ShopSmart magazine put together a list of the ways the new rules can help, hurt, and how you can avoid being hit by fine-print fees.

You no longer have to put up with . . .

• Jacked-up interest rates on an existing balance: Credit-card issuers can raise your rates on new balances only if you have a variable-rate card, your promotional rate has expired, or you are more than 60 days late making your minimum payment. They also can’t raise rates during the first year of an account.
• Penalty rates that never go away: If your rate goes up because you were more than 60 days late on a bill, your card company is required to restore your old rate if you make on-time payments for the first six months after the rate increase.
• Moving due dates that trick you into paying late: Your payment will now be due on the same day each month. As long as your payment is received by 5 p.m. at the bank’s location on that day, it can’t be considered late.
• Fees on transactions that exceed your credit limit: Unless you ask your card company to allow those transactions-not a good idea.

But you’ll still have to face these gotchas . . .

• Skyrocketing interest payments: Credit-card issuers can charge whatever rates they want. And they can raise them at any time for any reason on future purchases after the account’s first year. They’ll have to give 45 days’ notice before charging a new rate, but it will apply to all the stuff you buy starting 14 days after the notice is sent out.
• A bump up in your minimum payment: Credit-card issuers can now raise your minimum payment to the level required to pay off your balance in five years. But they can raise it to any level if they do so without raising your interest rate.
• Account closures: They can cancel your card without notice at any time.
• Tricky zero-interest-rate promotions: Unless you play by the rules perfectly, that zero interest rate can end up costing you big time in penalties.
• Surprise fees: Banks have been coming up with lots of new charges, including fees to receive paper statements and souped-up charges on foreign transactions, balance transfers, and cash advances.

What can you do?

TIP: If your rates or fees go up or your borrowing limit goes down, call the card company to see if you can get a reprieve. If you have a good track record and a decent credit score, you might be successful.

TIP: Don’t immediately cancel cards or sign up for new ones to boost your credit limit-those actions can ding your credit score.

TIP: In the event you do need a new card and want to make sure you’re getting a fair deal, research cards online at BillShrink or Bankrate.com. And be sure to check out credit unions and small banks, which might have better deals than major issuers offer.

Hi- I love your website and I thought you might be a helpful resource for my newest problem. I’m trying to plan a fun bachelorette party, and my biggest problem is finding a venue for our meal. Dinner is already a problem because many places won’t do separate checks for a group, and we need a place with the right “bachelorette party vibe.” Any suggestions? I’d appreciate any suggestions! Thanks so much.
- Lindsey

Hey Lindsey! So, the bachelorette party vibe is an easy one for us, but you had us stumped with the “separate checks for a group” thing. So, we did some digging around and found a couple of places that meet both your criteria for having fun, but also keeping arguments over the check to a minimum.

But first, we wanted to add in a few tips for making sure this all goes smoothly and does not devolve into a cat-fight with the guests or the restaurant. We would reccommend asking the guests in advance to bring cash if possible. According to this Tribune article, restaurants are a bit more forgiving if they don’t have to run 10 different credit cards and pay for 10 credit card fees, as opposed to one or two. Also, make sure to let the server or management know up front that you would like separate bills and make it clear what goes on whose tab when you are ordering. You may think you’re pulling a sneak attack move by waiting until the end of the meal, but trust us, this is not cool, as it slows down the server, which is not courteous to him or the other patrons. As PLRGs, we are always splitting checks, so if all of us make sure to practice proper bill-spliting etiquette, there will no longer be menus in Chicago that read “no itemizing checks.”

Now, on to the party. Here are our top picks:

What would a drag show be without disco balls?

If you’re going for the quintessential bachelorette party theme (drag queens, items shaped like penises and fruity martinis) then Kit Kat Lounge, with it’s modern/girly vibe, is the place to be. They have the b-party down to a science here, with dinner packages, already put together for you and your party. Packages range from $35-$55 person, and include everything from apps to entrees to desserts and martinis all with names like the Mae West (southern fried chicken) and the Ginger Rogers (alaskan halibut). So, you can collect money in advance and make paying the check at the end of the meal a breeze. You’ll be entertained by drag performers during your dinner (who will give even you lovely ladies a run for your money, we swear!) or you can book reservation for the special Sinzation male revue dinner show. It’s like a one stop shop for bachelorette party planning!

The Crescent Room at Tizi Melloul.

If you’re looking for something a little different that will really wow the guests, Tizi Melloul, downtown will score you major points. You’d do fine there with just a regular old reservation, but it’s worth it to call ahead and try to book the Crescent Room (seats 15-25ppl)- it’s super fancy, with low seating, inspired by traditional Moroccan decor. Whether you book the dining room or the crescent room, you can order from various “family style” menus ranging from $35-$50 per person, which include items like hummus, mussels, salmon skewers and even chocolate fondue with marshmallows for dessert! Bar packages can be added, starting at just $15/hour for beer and wine, as well as entertainment options such as belly dancers and tarot card readers for an additional charge. Once again, this package pricing makes it really simple to divide up what is owed, since everyone owes the same amount!

The dining room at Mercadito.

The next two spots would really depend on your guests taste in food. Coast Sushi in Bucktown is able to accommodate big groups, will split checks and it’s BYOB, so you can coordinate wine/alcohol purchasing before hand,eliminating the awkwardness when the bill comes. Their menu prices range from $5-$20, so there is something for every budget. Mercadito in River North is also a great spot for large groups, and actually requires that you order off of a prix fixe menu for groups of seven or more. The menu options range in price from $30-$45 per person and includes top notch Mexican cuisine like mango guacamole and rosemary marinated steak tacos.

Do any of you PLRGs out there have any other suggestions for Lindsey?

Originally published March 19, 2010.

A few months back, on January 20th, over 50 guests enjoyed champagne cocktails, passed hors d’oeuvres and macaroons, while receiving coveted tips from a few Chicago wedding experts at whiteCHICAGO in River North. Sponsored by CS Brides, FIG Catering, Binny’s and Fritz Pastry, whiteCHICAGO owner Ursula Guyer emceed the seminar, which featured panelists answering bride’s questions on how to save money, how to plan a wedding in today’s economy and overall, how to be a resourceful, recessionista bride! For our Wedding Issue, we’d thought we’d share what we learned with our PLRGs who are planning weddings!

Expert Panelists (from l to r): whiteCHICAGO gown expert Kyra Fitzgerald, financial planner Stephanie Schranz, CS Brides editor Elise Hofer, emcee/whiteCHICAGO owner Ursula Guyer, wedding planner Anthony Navarro of Liven It Up events, DIY expert/blogger Danielle Perrino of Sugar & Spice Ink and personal stylist Erin Carpenter.

Our top 6 takeaway tips were:

Smoked Salmon on a Corn-Scallion Waffle with Maple Mascarpone courtesy of FIG catering.

1. Don’t feel like you have to buy a different dress for each “bride” event you go to. Restyle the same dress with different jewelry, hairstyles or shoes for the various showers and brunches. Use these restyling tips when purchasing your wedding gown as well. If you find a steal but don’t love everything about the dress, remember you can add lace, tulle, sleeves, brooches, the possibilities are endless.

2. If you want to save money in the flower department and buy silk flowers, the best way to showcase them is to submerge them in water. It’s free and a lot of times you can use the vases from the reception venue.

3. Although planners are an additional cost, they often times have negotiating power with the various vendors and can get you deals you wouldn’t otherwise have. Plus, a day of coordinator will take off the stress and that is invaluable on the big day!

The crowd enjoys the panelists tips for the Recessionista Bride.

4. If you want to be a “DIY” bride, don’t take on every aspect of the wedding. Pick one or two things that you want to DIY so it isn’t as overwhelming and make sure that you have a good team of workers and helpers behind you.

5. If you choose to use an iPod at your reception, music selection is key. Make sure that you leave room for some slow songs and play for the crowd that you invited.

6. Discuss finances before you start planning away. Find out what is most important to the two of you and then budget around that. Talking about how you are going to manage your money after the big day is also an important step to take earlier rather than later.

The advice that seemed to really float above everything else that was being discussed, especially when it came to figuring out how to stay within your means and still produce that perfect, magical evening, is to relax and enjoy yourself. If you look happy and content, everyone else will enjoy themselves that much more. All in all, remember that the day is really about the two of you becoming a couple and starting the rest of your lives together!

“Hey Sal, All of my single friends have recently paired off, and I’m left alone more and more often as they spend nights in with their boyfriends/man friends/whatever you want to call them. I don’t want to throw a pity party, so I need a strategy to ensure I don’t lose my friends and that I’m still out having fun - even if it’s without my best buds.”
- Tawnie, Andersonville

Don't be jealous, Little Suzy. I'm sure he has a cute friend for you!

Oh Tawnie, girl you know it’s true. Every winter the men bed down and snuggle up- much more interested in a bottle of wine and a movie than bar hopping in the freezing cold. But you also know what’s true come Cubs season- spring cleaning! And that means those same dudes are back to their old ways and rounding the bases all over town. Thaaaaaat’s neither here nor there; let’s move on to your problem.

It’s tough when your friends find someone special. Of course you’re happy for them and wish them all the best in their newly initiated relationship, but you suddenly feel very alone. Their bored CTA riding fingers are texting their guy- instead of you- telling him how packed the 22 bus is that morning. And rather than a night of red wine, girl talk, and bad TV, your friend is now cooking dinner with this guy and you’re chatting on the sofa. It can be a tough adjustment, but it’s not impossible or without advantages.

#1. Winter can mean getting in a rut and this is the perfect opportunity to cartwheel right out of it. Explore new places with old friends that you might have not seen in a while. Start packing your day planner with dinners and catch-up drinks. Chances are, you’ll be a busy bee and focus less on your non-buzzing home hive.

#2. Your friend shouldn’t be the only one getting benefits from this new man- you should too. A new guy means new friends, and new friends mean new introductions for you. While you’re getting to know him it’s also a chance for you to get to know his circle of possibly single buds. Go out with them on the weekends. Suggest you all meet up after dinner. Don’t be afraid to 3rd wheel into a new social network.

#3. Call it like it is and keep the rose colored glasses in check. Meaning, when you’re in a new relationship it’s easy to let old relationships fall to the side. Suddenly you’re a ‘we’ and you can’t remember how you ever went grocery shopping alone. So it’s important to- without annoying or playing the ‘poor me’ card- let your friend know that your relationship with her is still important to you, and should be to her too. Keep plans on the books, stay on her radar, and don’t let the fact that you’re spending less time with her hurt what’s been a long and fruitful friendship.

Good luck Tawnie! I think you’ll surprise yourself by just how many great things can come from this. Come Cubs season you’ll be playing the field with a full roster, and some on the bench. Network, explore new things, and keep your chin up!

This advice column is brought to you by the ever graceful, polished and in-the-know, Sally Jackson. Sally is happy to offer her tips and guidance on everything from relationships to fashion to saving money. If you have a question for Sally, go ahead and send your question to Info@PoorLittleRichGirls.com with subject “Hey Sal”

Originally published, March 12, 2010

"Sure you can stay here! I mean you're already here...with your bag packed, so...sure..."

Hey Sal,

Around the holidays I have a lot of friends that come back “home” to the burbs, but end up spending much of their time going out in the city, bar hopping, seeing old friends/etc. The problem is, they use my place to crash. Leaving a mess in their wake, they eat what little food I have, and all around put a cramp in my style since I end up feeling as if I have to entertain them. What can I do to remedy this?
- Lauren, Gold Coast

Lauren,

‘I have a second bedroom because I love to have overnights guests.’ If you ever said that, chances are you’ve long since stopped. The trail of late-night Cheeto crumbs, mascara stains on your hand towels, and new ‘plus one’ status are enough to make you want to push your holiday guests into Michigan Avenue traffic. Since when did your home become ground zero for your old friends’ holiday party circuit?

When they got to your place it looked like this.

Let’s stop and think about what is really irritating you. The first thing is that these guests are uninvited and unexpected. So, invite them and expect them. Try planning a ‘night in the city’ and get yourself - and your apartment - ready to entertain. Invite your friends down for dinner and bar hopping, have provisions out for them (towels, food, bedding, etc.) and have a plan for the next day. Make it something you want to do so you don’t feel so out of control. And then, send them on their way. Not only have you done your due diligence as a hostess, but you were ready for it and removed stress from the situation.

Next thing - split the work load. If you have your friends over and take them out during the day, ensure that you pass them off to another friend for the evening. There is no reason you should be the lone holiday work horse in the not-so-OK Corall. Good lines to make this happen are, “I already have plans that night but would love to meet you for brunch the next day,” or “If you’re up for an early night we could grab dinner and then you’re welcome to stay the night.” Take just a piece of their time downtown.

When they left it looked like this.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to flat out say no. If someone wants to crash last minute - unless it’s an emergency (i.e. I came down to stay with a friend and we got in a huge fight and now I’ve missed the last train back to the burbs and am stranded [sob, sob, sob]) - say no. You’ve got a lot going on and you wish you could, but you’re ‘having your boyfriend over for a speeeeecial evening.’ Not comfortable saying something that might stretch the truth - then lay out the options. Yes they’re welcome to stay, but you’re going to bed early and have plans all the next day. The majority of people will pick up on you’re GO SOMEWHERE ELSE vibe.

Happy Holiday Hosting!

(This advice column is brought to you by the ever graceful, polished and in-the-know, Sally Jackson. Sally is happy to offer her tips and guidance on everything from relationships to fashion to saving money. If you have a question for Sally, go ahead and send your question to Info@PoorLittleRichGirls.com with subject “Hey Sal”)

Papa Who warned Cindy Lou not to open a charge just to save 20% on that giant ornament. Now she's riddled with debt!

Doorbuster savings! HUGE in-store sales! Prices of the century! Life-changing discounts that resemble utopia and flatten your abs!

Giddy up.

We’ve just turned the proverbial Christmahanukwanzukah corner on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. And, as PoorLittleRichGirls the world over have been preparing for the busiest shopping season of the year, credit card companies have too. They’re the big city perverts your dad warned you about after helping you move in to your dorm room.

So think twice before you sign up for promotional credit cards at the retail counter. Resist those siren calls of “Would you like to save 20% on your purchase today?” The rates, rewards, your credit score: they’ll likely change for the worse after the holidays.

Here are some tips to help you check yo’self before you wreck yo’self, brought to you by the good people at BillShrink.com:

1. Resist the Temptation of the 0% Interest Rate: Beware of in-store promotional cards that offer an initial store discount. An introductory 0% interest rate can quickly leap to over 20% with just one late payment. Also, when you apply for a new card, an inquiry is made to the credit bureau, which may slightly lower your credit score.

2. Watch Out for Sky-High Interest Rates: Some card rates have gone up more than 20% this year! With additional consumer protection laws going into effect in February 2010 that will impact issuer’s profits, we’re likely to see unstable variable interest rates continue to rise. Make sure you have a careful look at the fine print now to see how high those variables can go.

3. Enjoy Return Policies: Around the holidays, many credit cards offer “return protection” which means your issuer will take back most items that the retailer will no longer accept, up until 90 days of the original purchase. This is great for early shoppers who may want to make returns after a store’s standard 14-30 day return policy expires.

4. Take Advantage of Post-Holiday Price Adjustments: Surprise! Some credit cards actually have price adjustment policies for 60 days, so if your favorite store slashed prices after the holidays, you could be eligible for a refund of the difference in cost.

5. Know how much you are spending on your credit card: You’ll save yourself money and a major headache if you make sure you’ve got enough cash in the bank to cover your credit card spending. Go online to get the latest amount in your checking account, and subtract the amount you spent on your credit cards on those holiday gifts. This will give you a good sense of whether or not you have enough to pay your bill on time.

(Jinna Yun)

I am fascinated by the way men and women relate, and if that doesn’t make me an expert, it may make me a kind of student teacher. Hopefully this column will help share a little of what I’ve learned, and maybe shed some light on the way men think, from one man’s perspective.

My BF always gets on my case about purchases I make with my own money. For example, he asks why I waste so much money on getting my nails done and last week went through a shopping bag of mine, only to find out the shoes I bought cost over $100. He flipped a lid and told me that was so extravagant and he can’t believe I could be so impractical. We do live together, so we split the bills and rent, but since I bought this with my own money, I’m not sure why he cares so much. I make a very good living (actually more than him) so I think if I want to buy something it’s my business. Am I wrong? Why does this upset him so much?
- Rich & Pretty, 29

Sounds like your boyfriend is a nice combination of controlling and insecure. Next time he flips a lid, call him out on it. Do you bother him about what he chooses to do with his money? What would he rather you do with yours? Focus on why he feels he has the right to interrogate and snoop, and how it makes you feel. Maybe he has a valid concern, or maybe he’s just an asshole. Based on what he says, you’ll know what to do.

I love my boyfriend and I think he always looks great, but every year around football season, he starts to gain a little weight- like 10-15 lbs. It’s not the weight that really bothers me, it’s the fact that everything he and his buddies eat and drink is totally unhealthy (cheez whiz nachos, full calorie beer, tons of red meat). The stuff is not only making him squishy, but also killing his heart slowly but surely. Is there anyway I can bring this up to him without coming off as mean?
- Cushion for the Pushin’, 28

I’m not sure there’s a great way to bring up your boyfriend’s “squishiness” without sounding bossy or like a nag. Things I’m sure most girls would like to avoid. Rather than worry about what he eats while watching football, why not focus on what he eats and does the rest of the week? If you concentrate on eating healthy and staying active as a couple all week, you probably won’t mind giving him a pass on game day.

What is the point of having cheerleaders at professional football games? At home, you see them for 10 seconds before they go to commercial and I imagine if you are actually at the stadium you probably see even less of them. So, I thought maybe a guy could explain this for me.
- Fed Up Fem, 25

Because without them grown men in tight outfits wrestling over a ball would be a little too gay.

This is the first official installment of Jerrod Melman’s column, “Advice from a Jerrk.” If you have relationship or guy-related questions for Jerrod, just send an email to AskJerrod@PoorlittleRichGirls.com. When he’s not working on his advice column, Jerrod is a managing partner of Hub 51, River North’s hottest dining, nightlife and social establishment created by him and his brother, R.J.

Hey Sal,
Normally I’m a very generous tipper (15-20% on everything from meals to spa treatments). But, when I order food to “pick up” am I supposed to tip? I usually don’t (because I pay in cash), but last week I used a credit card to pick up a pizza and there was the tip line on the bottom of the receipt staring me in the face. Do the take-out people expect a tip or not? If so, the same 15-20%? Help!
- Karen (Wrigleyville)

Is this worth a tip? Sal says it depends...

Karen,

Shame tipping- you’ve been a victim. It’s everywhere these days, in fact, it’s on a killing spree! Looming at you just above your required signature. Suddenly it’s there at Starbucks, room service (where 18% gratuity is already included)and even pick-up windows. This sort of “if you put a strike through the tip line you’re a bad person” bullying has got to stop. Put your foot, or rather your pen, down!

On issues of gratuity I think it’s best to turn to the benchmark, Emily Post. The woman might have had her heyday in the 20s, but she remains the gold standard for all things etiquette. And what does Ms. Post prescribe for pick-up? No obligation. If so inclined, 0-10% if the person went above normal service.

What this means for you Karen is that no, you are not expected to tip when you order take-out. If someone is especially kind, toss them a dollar. If it’s a regular spot for you and you want to garner some neighborhood rapport, have at it. But do not feel as if you must.

*One exception for me would be if a restaurant is not in the habit of offering take-out and this is a special request (meaning the hostess or bartender has to stop what they’re doing in order to help you). Here I would be sure to leave some dough behind.

Bon appétit!

(This advice column is brought to you by the ever graceful, polished and in-the-know, Sally Jackson. Sally is happy to offer her tips and guidance on everything from relationships to fashion to saving money. If you have a question for Sally, go ahead and send your question to Info@PoorLittleRichGirls.com with subject “Hey Sal”)