Simple Single Purpose Online Services

“Keep things as simple as possible, but no simpler.” -Albert Einstein

There is a movement to simple and single purpose tools. Tools that do one thing and does it very well. I've come upon some of these useful single purpose website / services in the last several months. I think they are a very interesting concept and they put simplicity to practical use. This post will contain all such useful single purpose services I find. Check back often for additional interesting sites I come across or that you recommend!

NowDoThis - A very simple to do list, you can save a copy on your own computer!
UmbrellaToday - If you want to know whether you need an umbrella today. You enter your zip code and it tells you in HUGE LETTERS a YES or NO.
Goingtorain - This is even simpler than Umbrellatoday, it detects what city you are in based on your computer IP address (I assume), and gives you a YES or NO to the question - Is it going to rain?
Is Alternate Side Parking In Effect - This is for NYC only, it tells you if Alternate side parking is in effect today, so you can move your car and save yourself a parking ticket!
Twecipe - Tweet your ingredients and get a Great recipe. Very simple and single purpose minded site!

Of course there's the almighty Google, who pretty much started the simple web service concept. I'm sure there are many other services out there that are not listed here. If you know of any, please let us know so I can add to this list!

For additional links to frugal tips and tricks follow me on Twitter. If you would like to contribute to FrugalNYC in any way (guest posts, articles, ideas, interesting links, advice, financial assistance, or anything else), feel free to contact me via email. Click here to add FrugalNYC to your RSS reader or Subscribe to FrugalNYC by Email.

Photo by SATOBOY - VERSUS2009

Wrapping Up 2008 And Plans For 2009

I want to do two things on this post, wrap up 2008 and share my blog plans for 2009.

FrugalNYC 2008

I started blogging regularly in 2008. Much of my motivation had to do with changes in my perspectives and inspiration found from other blogs. I've made two changes to my FrugalNYC blog layout in 2008. The first time on August 19, 2008 and the current format took place on November 12, 2008. I've also joined Twitter, after some hesistation, I joined and have found it very useful (and also time consuming - as I thought). I added an additional blog, FrugalTech, to hold content for all tech related posts I write about.

I've found that the more I write about something the more I understand it. It's like teaching, the more you teach the more you will learn. I will continue to be a student of life and learn from every aspect of my life. I will share lessons I've learned on this blog. I've learned numerous lessons since I started blogging. I have gained a fair amount of readership on my blog along the way, Thank You!. I hope you will continue to spread word of FrugalNYC and what I write about. For an archival record, the most viewed FrugalNYC posts in 2008 are below.

FrugalNYC's Top 10 Popular Posts For 2008

1. Souvenir From The Big Apple
2. How to talk yourself out of any Purchase
3. 10 Free Blackberry Games
4. 10 Free Places To Visit In NYC Today
5. Our Visit To The Queens Zoo
6. Governor's Island
7. Symptoms Of Cold and Flu Season
8. Mandarin Radio
9. Life Lessons Learned From Digging Out A Car
10. Six Random Things About Me

FrugalNYC in 2009

Some of my goals for 2009 for this blog are listed below. Above all else, I want to make sure I provide content that you and my future audience will enjoy. Please continue to spread word about FrugalNYC and please continue to provide me great feedback for improvements and for what you would like to see. My goals for 2009 are:

1. Keep my posts short and to the point - focus on Simplicity.
2. Better utilize Twitter to spread word of FrugalNYC. Please Tweet about FrugalNYC!
   
3. Provide useful content on productivity, motivation, frugality, frugal living in NYC, frugal activities in NYC, and other interest to myself and my audience.
   
4. Continue writing and improve my Central Park Series posts, among other series I will be working on. Possible series include NYC libraries, zoos, NYC shops, restaurants and more.
5. Last but not least, turn pro, and make this income producing - so I can dedicate myself to providing you all with more interesting and helpful tips!
   

I have a lot of work ahead of me, thank you for coming along for the ride and for spreading word of my blog. For additional links to frugal tips and tricks follow me on Twitter. If you would like to contribute to FrugalNYC in any way (guest posts, articles, ideas, interesting links, advice, financial assistance, or anything else), feel free to contact me via email. Click here to add this to your RSS reader.

Frugal Friday Tip! Save $2 per call to 411 by using 1800-FREE411 for directory assistance. It will also give you MaqQuest directions to anywhere in the US for free. You just have to listen to a short 12 second ad.

Photo courtesy of ronnie44052