Photo Credit: R. Birkel
Princeton can be expensive, but insiders know where to find a good deal. Here are 19 ways to obtain free goods or services, or get them cheaper.
FREE
- Art Gallery – The Arts Council of Princeton has wonderful art displayed, as well as periodical exhibitions
- Digital Audio Books and eBooks – Princeton Public Library card holders can borrow digital content through Overdrive
- eMagazines – Princeton Public Library card holders can read current digital magazines and the latest back issues via Zinio
- Free Weekly Dinner – Cornerstone Community Kitchen in the Princeton United Methodist Church offers free dinners to all every Wednesday, 5:00 – 6:30 PM, and kids get a complimentary breakfast bag for the next morning
- Free Programs – Princeton Public Library hosts a number of enrichment and technology programs for adults, teens, and kids
- Geocaching – There are quite a few of these free scavenger hunts in Princeton, that have clues hidden in boxes (cases) in various spots around town
- Girls Night Out – Palmer Square hosts this annual event in the spring, where merchants from the Square give out enough free food and drink samples to constitute a light dinner, plus free parking is provided and discounts given
- Newspapers – Town Topics offers free weekly delivery, and Princeton Public Library has copies of local, NYC, Philly, and international papers in the back of their main level
- Streaming Movies & TV – Princeton Public Library card holders can watch digital content using Hoopla
- Streaming Music – Princeton Public Library card holders can listen to digital music through Hoopla
- Tutoring – Princeton Public Library has volunteers to provide Homework Help, and also online tutoring via Brainfuse
Photo Courtesy of Redbox
GREAT DEALS
- All-You-Can-Eat Sushi – Japanese restaurants with this made-to-order format offering sushi and cooked items are popping up all over the place, including Sushi Palace in Kingston (the first and possibly still the best), Masa Sushi in Nassau Park Pavilion, and their sister location Mori Sushi in Skillman are convenient for south and north Princeton residents
- BluRay and DVD Movie Rentals – Princeton Public Library for $1/day, and the Redbox kiosk at McCaffrey’s for $1.50 for DVDs and $2.00 for Blu-Ray
- Community Auditing Program – Princeton residents can audit about 200 eligible courses at Princeton University for a nominal fee
- McCarter Theatre Center Young-at-Art Membership – $25/person per season for the membership, then tickets for most performances are only $20
- Movie Matinée – Princeton Garden Theatre shows family Saturday matinées during cooler months for $4.00
- One Table Café Community Dinner – They offer pay-what-you-can dinners the third Friday of every month (closed August and December) in Trinity Church and require reservations – (609) 924-2277 Ext. 352
- Princeton Nails – Inexpensive manicures and pedicures with discounts for students
- Princeton Recreation Department – Multiple activities are offered to residents for rock bottom prices, including pool membership, swimming and diving lessons, Recreation Camp, Teen Travel Camp, and various sports
A lot more tips can be read in the first edition of Princeton on the Cheap