The Cheap Bastard's Guide to Chicago: Secrets of Living the Good Life - for Free!

by Nadia Oehlsen

Series Following in the tradition of the popular C heap Bastard's(tm) Guide to New York City , these wry, exhaustively researched books reveal secrets that even the cheapest city dwellers may not know about. From the obvious to the obscure, the sophisticated to the sophomoric, they catalog the endless opportunities for free goods and services, delighting skinflint visitors and natives alike. With attitude and humor, they tell how to obtain theater and museum admission, health care and yoga classes, free furniture and pets, and food and wine. While other guides list some of the goods and services available for free or for a pittance, The Cheap Bastard's(tm) Guides are comprehensive, delving into areas that are not even touched by the competition, such as.

>How to gain free entrance to plays, concerts, museums, and television tapings
>Where to find free classes in anything from belly dancing to wine appreciation
>How to land a low-cost apartment in a luxury building--without paying a broker's fee
>Where to find free food, including happy hours, free gourmet samples, and half-price meals
>How to get a free haircut or highlights at a leading salon

With the Cheap Bastard as a friend and guide, anyone can celebrate life on the cheap!
  Chicago Lont-time Chicagoan Nadia Oehlsen reveals her secrets for living the good life cheaply in the Windy City, including how to enjoy free concerts, movies, comedy acts, and magic shows, where to get free food and wine (including Sunday brunch on the house), information on free days at museums and the Shedd Aquarium, the lowdown on Chicago's TV tapings and live shows, and much more.

Genres: Reference, Travel

263 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2006

Reviews

[Dora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy-to-read lists of free and cheap activities and services in Chicago. Includes information about happy hours and buffets. Divided into sections focusing on entertainment, exploring and living in Chicago. Didn't use it for my last trip, but I'll take a look at it again before my next trip. (I had the 2007 edition.)

[Linnea McGowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

To say I live on a shoestring here in Chicago would be... CORRECT! I work for AmeriCorps, so honey, I ain't got no money! This book has some excellent suggestions, and I'm trying to put them to good use. Long live the cheap!