MEHOO? : Entertainment

MEHOO?'s Saving Money as a Student in Boston

Money-saving Service or Great Deal

How to Get There by "T" (MBTA)

Details
Arnold Arboretum Forest Hills Station
  • Orange Line
  • Bus #39 (from Brookline Village / Back Bay)
  • Other buses
  • Commuter rail
    		•  A masterpiece of nineteenth-century American landscape architecture, designed largely by Frederick Law Olmstead.  The garden boasts excellent collections of lilacs, azaleas, rhododendrons and species (wild) roses.  There's always something in full bloom in May and June.  Don't miss the Bonzai house!  Entry is by voluntary $1 donation.
    Boston University Bookstore (Collegiate Coupon Book) Kenmore Station
  • Green Line "B", "C", "D"
  • Bus #57 (from Allston / Brighton / Watertown)
  • Other Buses
    		•  You may not find many great deals at this store, but at the beginning of each semester they have stacks of collegiate coupon books!  In the past, these coupons have included bargains at JP Licks, City Sports, hair salons, and more.  The coupons are normally located near the academic book checkout area.
    Community Boating Charles/MGH Station
  • Red Line
    • Arlington Station
  • Green Line
    		•  If you are interested in learning to sail, these people will take you on the river in a boat and show you what it is like.
    Coolidge Corner Theatre Coolidge Corner
  • Green Line "C" Branch
  • Bus #66 (from Allston / Harvard Square / Brookline Village / Roxbury)
    		•  The Coolidge, a nonprofit movie theater at Harvard Ave. and Beacon St. in Brookline, offers a 1-year student membership for $25. This entitles students to see all regular Coolidge features at a reduced price ($3 off) and includes a few other theater-related perks. Moreover, the Coolidge card gets you member discounts at Brookline Booksmith and other businesses.

    I would appreciate information about whether Videosmith stores still offer 2-for-1 video rentals for Coolidge members Monday through Thursday.  If you know, please email me at bshock@cns.bu.edu.
    Filene's Basement Downtown Crossing Station
  • Green Line (use subterranean passage from Park Station)
  • Red Line
  • Orange Line
  • Bus #501 (from Brighton Center / Newton Corner)
  • Other Buses
    		•  The original bargain basement, Filene's Basement offers new department store merchandise at reduced prices.
    The Hatch Shell Charles/MGH Station
  • Red Line
    • Arlington Station
  • Green Line
    		•  Free concerts and Friday night movies during the summer months.
    Jennifer Leather Arlington Station
  • Green Line
    		•  The cheapest way to get a sofa is to pick a discarded one up off the sidewalk around September 1st.  But if these sofas just won't do for your expensive tastes, check out the clearance section (downstairs) at Jennifer Leather.  Some of the furniture is visibly flawed (typically $200-$400) while some is merely discontinued floor models at well less than half the original price ($300 and up).
    Mr. Cheap's Boston   The definitive guide to living inexpensively and well in the Boston area. Available at most fine bookstores, including Brookline Booksmith.
    Museum of Fine Arts Museum of Fine Arts
  • Green Line "E" Branch
  • Bus #47 (from Central Square)
  • Bus #CT2 (from Kendall Square)
    • Ruggles Station
  • Orange Line
  • Buses
  • Commuter Rail
    • Walkable from Kenmore Station.    		 Chances are, you get in for free here, although this is dependent on which college or university you attend. If not, Wednesday evening (after 4 p.m.) admission is by voluntary donation.
    Pizzeria Uno Kenmore Station
  • Green Line "B", "C", "D"
  • Bus #57 (from Allston / Brighton / Watertown)

    • Other Buses
    Other locations include Harvard & Comm. Ave. (Allston).    		 Why Uno's?  The salads, of course.  Unless you make your own salads, it's unlikely that you will find a better deal.  Where else would a salad qualify as a large meal?  For students on a tight budget, the meatless salads start at $3.49.  Other salads cost more, but they're still a relatively good deal.
    Prepaid Telephone Cards   With the demise of Conexus, I currently have no recommendation for this category.  Prepaid telephone cards are typically the least expensive way of dialing from any telephone other than your own residential line.  I recommend that you buy the smallest denomination that will serve your needs.  Keep in mind that if the company decides to stop offering the service, you are stuck with a worthless piece of paperboard.
    Student Advantage   Typically a 10% discount at selected businesses. Economy Hardware is a member of the Student Advantage program.  It appears that Staples has withdrawn.

    There is a membership fee for the card, which can make this a tough call.  It's best to do the math.  Which businesses that you frequent accept the card, and how much do you expect to save by using the card?  If it's more than the membership fee ($22.50), it's a good idea to get the card.  However, unless you do a lot of this sort of shopping, you may find it hard to get your money's worth even with the participation of many area businesses in Boston, Brookline, and Cambridge.

    Comments?  Submissions?  Please contact:
    Byron Shock
    bshock@cns.bu.edu
    B.U. Department of Cognitive and Neural Systems
    677 Beacon St.
    Boston, MA 02215