Big Cities March 6, 2007January 8, 2017 Yes, I know the market’s been weak – do you think I live under a rock? And, yes, I know it may get weaker (all those chickens I keep worrying about) – which is why you have invested only long-term funds. Money you expect to need in the next few years you have earning 5%, pre-tax, safely in the bank, or some other such esoteric place. But that’s always true. Today, a travel montage: NEW YORK Wonderful photos from a century ago. (Thanks, Roger!) PENNY POSTCARDS Ah, the innocent Americana. Tell me this one, from 1908, wasn’t worth a penny. THE MAYORS OF LONDON, PARIS, BERLIN, AND MOSCOW Two are gay, one is gay-friendly, the fourth was gently chided for his intolerance by the first three. NEW YORK ON, WHAT, MAYBE $250 A DAY? Doug: ‘Your ‘per-diem-with-allowable-exceptions’ correspondent writes, ‘But when going to let us say New York, I can still expense those NYC-priced dinners.’ Just as a small personal finance hint to your loyal readers, I thought I’d share some hints about enjoying a visit to NYC without breaking yourself on $250 hotels and $50 dinners: Stay in New Jersey and commute in by bus or PATH each day. Get an Unofficial Guide to New York and a Zagat guide to choose medium and lower-priced dining. Get theater tickets at TKTS. The Staten Island Ferry goes right past the Statue of Liberty for free. Most museums are only $10-15; the Metropolitan never charges extra for special exhibits. An MTA day pass is $7 for the whole city all day. Visiting NYC ain’t cheap; but doesn’t have to be expensive. Eight million residents aren’t all millionaires.’ ☞ But we all hope to be.