Since Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, and Twitter became mainstream social networks, I started looking for new ways to connect with people. That’s how I came across CouchSurfing.org, a community that allows its international users to develop networks by location, find free places to stay while traveling, and create a cultural dialogue.

The protocol is similar to Facebook:  Set up a profile, join groups, and add friends. But the purpose goes further than just stalking people from high school. CouchSurfing’s self-described premise is to “create deep and meaningful conversations that cross oceans, continents, and cultures.”

Here are five ways to make CouchSurfing a useful tool for you: (more…)

Talk of local and seasonal foods is all the rage these days. Still, it can be easier to choose familiar brand names while combing the grocery-store aisles–probably because you aren’t yet acquainted with local products. An educational way to begin the foray into the world of local and sustainable options is Whole Foods Cherry Creek’s “Meet a Local Monday.”

Each week, the store brings in a few local vendors, like Fort Collins-based Front Range Natural Foods, which will sample (for free) its all-natural and gluten-free Solterra sweet pepper relish tonight. Wash it down with a sip of Go Fast’s Denver-made preservative-free energy drink. And Lily Organics will be on hand to test out its certified-organic skincare line.

Tonight’s event starts at 5 p.m. and it’s free. Besides being an intimate way of getting to know Colorado products, it will make you think twice before reaching for Heinz or Red Bull on your next shopping trip.

With a holiday weekend upon us, you’re likely to be spending some time in the sun, and in Denver’s high elevation you’re also likely to experience some sunburn.

Rather than splurge on aloe vera gels, I discovered a somewhat strange solution for sunburn relief: white vinegar. Apply it with a towel, spritz it on, or just douse yourself to provide a cool, soothing effect on your lobster-colored skin.

I came across this remedy while I was searching for confirmation that I could use vinegar to help prevent swimmer’s ear. (I recently started swimming laps at the Wash Park rec center.) I first heard the idea at summer camp when I was a kid, and sure enough, some white vinegar mixed with an equal amount of rubbing alcohol can help eliminate bacteria growth in the ears.

These two quick fixes are just a few of the numerous and cost-effective ways you can put vinegar to good use. Besides its traditional cooking purpose, it also comes in handy for cleaning, health remedies, laundry, gardening, and pet care.

Plus, vinegar is easy on the wallet, especially when used as a substitute for pricey cleaning agents and supplies. A rather large bottle can generally be purchased for less than $10, and if you really want to stock up, check out grocery store bulk aisles to ensure you won’t run out any time soon.

A new two-for-one deal on tickets to Girls Only: The Secret Comedy of Women–a two-woman show that incorporates sketch comedy, improv, and even the audience in examining the finer and funnier aspects of being female–is a good excuse to get together with the ladies in your life and put the savings toward a girls’ night out.

The offer can be applied to performances, which take place at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, beginning tomorrow and lasts only through Sunday (no show on Saturday due to the holiday). Tickets are generally $29, and the trick to taking advantage of this offer is to select the “Promotions” link on the left side of the Denver Center’s “Ticket Office” page, then type in “JULY” once you’re prompted for a promotional code.

For pre-show libations stop by the Rialto Cafe, just a couple blocks northeast of the Performing Arts Complex, along the 16th Street Mall. Rialto’s happy hour runs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily, with $3 drafts, $4 wine and appetizers, and $5 specialty cocktails, like the Rialto pink diamond martini–perfect for getting into the girly mood of the evening. The combination of Stolichnaya vodka, peach schnapps, pineapple juice, and a splash of cranberry has a reputation for being a favorite among the ladies.

Unlike many Coloradans, I like to exercise indoors. So I’ve been shopping around for a gym membership, with price being an important factor and proximity to my Capitol Hill residence also a priority. I finally found an affordable option, but it means some sacrifices.

Forgoing some very tempting amenities at other gyms, I signed up for access to the Denver Recreation Centers, with my home base being the Wash Park facility. At $12.50 a month, it’s certainly the cheapest deal I encountered.

Here’s how I came to my decision, and how a few other area gyms stack up to Denver’s rec centers: (more…)

When recession stress gets the best of me, I try to channel the frustration into a positive activity. Rather than opting for traditional yoga, I recently discovered free tai chi sessions, offered by the Tai Chi Project.

Rise early tomorrow morning and head out to City Park, on the west side of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. From 7 to 8:30 a.m. you’ll learn about and practice the Yang style of tai chi, as well as take a fitness walk, which focuses on the posture that makes walking more beneficial to your health.

Joining about 150 other people, participants break into groups depending on skill level, ranging from complete beginners to very advanced. (more…)

Last weekend, with decent weather seeming possible on Saturday morning, I ventured out for some bargain hunting, yard-sale style. I browsed Craigslist the day before to come up with a list of areas to hit, trying to spread my time through a variety of neighborhoods.

Here’s the breakdown of where I went, what I found, and my tips for efficient yard-sale hunting in the future. (more…)

I’ve never been big on tap water, so I often found myself schlepping a 24-pack of bottled water home from the grocery store. This would occur three to four times a month, and during one of those last struggles up the stairs to my apartment, I finally decided it should be avoided.

So I put a Brita water-filter pitcher on my Christmas list last year and haven’t looked back.

Since then, I’ve discovered three more good reasons for choosing a home water-filtration method over bottled water. (more…)

Rainy days have plagued the last few weekends, maybe even hampering your outdoor plans as summer begins. But regardless of the rain, National Get Outdoors Day is a go tomorrow, giving everyone a reason to take up a recreational activity. In Denver, mark the occasion at the City Park Pavilion between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. for free outdoor entertainment and prizes like ski passes and hiking gear.

Here are five activities that shouldn’t be missed: (more…)

With the Rockies on a winning streak, you may be inclined to head to the ballpark this weekend. And while you’re likely familiar with the $4 Rockpile ticket bargain, there’s a lesser-known offer, called the PowerTicket, which combines good seats and free food.

All the particulars of the deal are outlined here, but the gist is that if you purchase midfield ($40) or outfield ($38) box seats at the regular price, you get $10 in concession credit as a bonus. These tickets are available for most home games, including this weekend’s series against the Seattle Mariners (tomorrow, 7:10 p.m.; Saturday, 6:10 p.m.; and Sunday, 1:10 p.m.).

Sports fans know concessions can get pricey, so I’ve put together 5 combinations to help maximize those free 10 bucks. (more…)

As the recession wears on, most restaurants and bars are wise to the fact that customers are looking for a bargain. Run-of-the mill happy hours and specials have become the norm, but Lime on Larimer Square (1414 Larimer St.) is throwing in a little magic to sweeten the deal.

Here’s why you should hit up Lime tonight for your libations:  (more…)

Having taken dance classes when I was younger, I’ve been longing to get back into the rhythm, but haven’t wanted to commit myself to the cost of weekly lessons.

Then I discovered an affordable option I can swing: Tango Colorado’s classes in Argentine tango, which cost $10 for a single class and a practice session, or $32 for a four-week pass.

Here are some tips for making the most out of this deal: (more…)

Okay, so you’re not a rock star, Hollywood legend, or U.S. president, but you probably wouldn’t mind living like one. But with budgets tight, even going out to eat can feel lavish–and international jet-setting is out of the question. The solution? Live the rock-star life vicariously–starting Saturday at the Brown Palace. The famed Denver hotel conducts twice-weekly tours that put a life of fame and fortune just an arm’s length away. If you make it tomorrow, here are the high-rolling delights you can expect.

Name-dropping: On the tour, you’ll swing by rooms where The Beatles, Oprah, Steven Spielberg, and every U.S. president since Theodore Roosevelt (with the exception of Calvin Coolidge and Barack Obama) have stayed. That should rightfully give you permission to claim that you frequent the same hotel as these celebs. (more…)

School may be letting out for the summer, but it’s still in session at the Starz FilmCenter. Friday night at 6 p.m. the Denver Film Society offers its monthly Old School/New School film pairing, and on the roster are campus-themed flicks Grease and High School Musical 3.

Here are the top three reasons to check out the double feature:

1. Dinner-and-a-Movie: At $14 each, tickets to Old School/New School are a bargain (especially considering prices at the multiplex). Not only do you get to see two movies, but between the showings you can stretch your legs, munch on pizza from Basil Doc’s, and sip a free soda.

2. Family Bonding: After watching tomorrow’s films, parents and kids can bond over their movie-star crushes. Who swoons for Grease’s John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John? And who likes High School Musical 3’s Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens?

3. Learn Cinema Speak: Take part in a moderated discussion between the screenings and debate whether you’re more likely to sing along to ”Summer Nights” from Grease or High School Musical 3’s “Right Here, Right Now.”

With a recession going on, worrying about money may have become second nature. But what about taking care of yourself? Sometimes it’s hard to squeeze in a little pampering, but if you’re stressed out (as many of us tend to become when times are tight), you probably don’t want it to show on your face.

Luckily, Whole Foods Cherry Creek (2375 E. 1st Ave.) is hosting free skincare evaluations in its Whole Body department today. A representative from Nude Skincare will be on hand each Wednesday from noon to 5 p.m. to provide consultations, so you can find out what type of skin you have (oily, dry, etc.) and what products will work best for you.

Get tips on cleansers, moisturizers, anti-wrinkle creams, and maybe even score some free samples. Those will come in handy, because if you decide to spring for some Nude products, expect to fork over some pretty pennies.

Mondays generally don’t offer much cause for celebration, but they do bring a “bowl your butts off” deal at Elitch Lanes (3825 Tennyson St.). Pick any three hours to bowl, and pay just $7 for the shoes and lane time. If tonight’s Nuggets game can’t be interrupted by the crushing of some pins, Elitch’s has deals throughout the week.

Tuesdays and Thursdays bring “quarter mania.” The entry fee is $5, then shoe rentals, games, and even hot dogs are just 25 cents a piece.

Wednesday night is “college night,” but don’t let the name mislead you. Anyone can take advantage of this deal, which happens to be my favorite since it involves a beer bargain. Pay $3.50 for shoes and $1 per game. It’s also just $1 for drafts of Bud and Bud Light or $1.75 for Stella Artois.

All of the weeknight deals are good until closing time, which is 2 a.m. every night except Sunday (when Elitch’s closes at midnight). So if you’re feeling like a night owl, grab a group of friends and work on your spares and strikes all night long. Just remember to bring some socks.

In a financial fix, many of us resort to the old standby dinner of pasta–mainly, spaghetti. It’s certainly an economical choice, but if you’re like me and just can’t give up dining out on occasion, Lala’s Wine Bar + Pizzeria, at 410 E. 7th Ave., has an affordable (and more upscale) alternative to Chef Boyardee.

Lala’s Sunday Supper offers up a four-course, family-style meal for $9.95 per person (not including tax and tip). Enjoy bruschetta drizzled with a balsamic glaze, caesar salad, spaghetti with traditional tomato sauce (it’s $2 more per person to add meatballs), and quattro stagioni pizza divvied into four toppings sections of cheese, mushrooms, black and Greek olives, and pepperoni. The best part? Feasting endlessly on extra helpings.

The deal is offered from 3 p.m. to midnight on Sundays. Try to coincide your meal with one of Lala’s two daily happy hours (3-7 p.m. and 10 p.m.-midnight) in order to take advantage of $3 wells and Peroni drafts, $5 glasses of wine, and half-off glasses of wine over $10.

Colorado’s state Capitol building is a daily site for many Denverites, but unless you work in a politically related field–or were forced to take a field trip as a student–the chances that you’ve been inside are slim.

Now’s the time to let your recession-minded tourist out to mine the gold-domed beauty for some entertainment–sans the high-school lesson in local government.

There are a couple options for exploring the Capitol–and both are free. (more…)