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This is a picture of my apartment window from the inside:

That flag and sign above the air conditioner is more than just a political statement. Yep, even though I’m a strong supporter of equal rights, I must confess that this didn’t go up until someone offered to pay me $80-$160 a month to post it. If you live in a high traffic area, an opportunity like this might be out there for you. In my case, there’s a local scavenger hunt, and that sign is one of the clues. Why not post on Craigslist that you have advertising space available, and get some extra income each month to pay your astronomical rent. If you’re lucky, you might get to put up something that promotes your views while it fattens your wallet.

Feed the worms

New Yorkers generate more daily garbage per capita then any other people in the world. Not a contest we should be proud of winning. There are lots of ways to cut down, but one of the most efficient is to compost your food scraps. Nearly 20% of New York’s trash is food, and through composting, you can turn that garbage into rich, healthy soil. If you’re not lucky enough to have a yard for a compost bin, try putting your scraps in a bag in the freezer. That will keep them from smelling, and then you can take it every week to one of the locations on this handy Green Apple composting map. (The Union Square Greenmarket has drop bins available every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.)

Zagat’s for free

Well, the 2008 Zagat’s guide was released yesterday, which means I can expect my free copy in the mail any day. That’s because I participated in their restaurant and nightlife surveys, and they send free copies to anyone who votes. Good deal, huh? You only have to vote on one place to get a free guide, although I admit I do a bit more on the restaurant front. Once you get your guide, use it to find other bargains and deals that will help you live better, cheaper. With an average meal price of almost $40, that will come in handy. The NYC shopping survey is going on right now. So get to it!