Everybody wins according to Spirit Airlines announcement today of $1 one-way fares from LAX to Las Vegas. The low-cost airline will fly five daily round trips between LAX and LAS starting May 5. Book today and fly for $1 each way between May 10 and June 15 (go on, there are still plenty available at $1 and more at $19). With taxes and fees the $2 round trip fare comes to about $39. more ›

What makes a dining experience more cult than culinary? According to the folks at PoorTaste, there are five key components to make a dining destination "cult," and they've compiled a pretty delicious list of the Top 100 such spots across the country. more ›

Do you have a date this weekend? KCET this month shared their list top 10 list of "10 Cheap Summer Dates," but we know there's so much more. Complete with a map, KCET's choices are a mix of the most talked-about activities -- Cinespia, Getty, a hike in Griffith Park -- and some ones not normally thought of like going geocaching (how nerdily awesomesauce!) or heading to Grand Performances in downtown. more ›

Echo Park blogger Jenny Burman points out a great event tomorrow, via her local librarian: "We'll be having a frugality forum at the Edendale Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library this weekend. It will be an open discussion on doing more with less. Bring your money-stretching tips, your challenges, and your questions to ask." It goes from 1 to 3 p.m. more ›

A Recession Obsession is, 1) a meal so great that it stays in your mind long after digestion's end, and, 2) plays nice with your sensitive wallet. Is there a better place than Los Angeles to eat a wide variety of amazing food that so happens to be inexpensive? Probably not. We're as lucky as we are well fed. Today, we obsess over this nine month-old column's locations. Just in case you missed something. What's your favorite Recession Obsession? Comment Below! more ›

Now that officials have been forced to raise fees at state parks in order to save some of them, a thrifty blogger at the Orange County Register's OC Deals blog makes a good observation. Looking into beachfront family campsites with hookups at Bolsa Chica State Beach, Doheny and San Clemente is running $60 to $65. "I recently bought a new tent and cot to go back to nature, and save money on vacations by camping, instead of staying in hotels. But the world’s gone topsy-turvy, folks. You can rent a room this week in the fancy Wyndham hotel in New Orleans for $58 a night, but you can’t camp in a state campground on the beach for that! Incredible." Still, we rather camp. more ›

Raise your hand if you've been a long time KCRW member who keeps on forgetting to use their Fringe Benefits card? Yeah, that's us, too. We keep on imagining the money that could have been saved--from airport parking to a plethora of restaurants and yoga studios--all over the region. After launching three iPhone apps earlier this summer, KCRW this week announced a free GPS-enabled Fringe Benefits app that lets you know where discounts are in relation to your current location. The application does, however, require you to be upgraded to 3.0 software. And speaking of discounts and good deals... did you read this week's Recession Obsession on breakfast sandwiches? more ›

When compared to New York City and Chicago, Angelenos score a cheaper price when buying organic, finds a study release by IBISWorld. "The study looked at three product categories: Private label or store brands, commercial brands, and organic items," explained Wallet Pop. The cost of groceries depends largely on what part of the country you live in. Chicagoans get a cheaper groceries than the next two bigger cities (but pay among the highest sales taxes), except for organic items. If you want to eat more naturally, you'll pay less in L.A. But organics in general will set you back more, about 18% more than branded products and 37.6 % more than store brands, according to the findings." more ›

Popovers, much like airplanes and radio waves, are kind of magic. There's no yeast or kneading or "resting" involved in the preparation, and these babies come out like fluffy little bread clouds just begging to be filled with butter or gravy or salad or berries or custard or whatever your hungry little heart desires. more ›

The Hungry Cat in Hollywood has always been a great spot to sidle up to the bar and order a plate full of oysters and a delicious specialty cocktail (and the restaurant's signature blue cheese burger & fries, if you're really hungry). But the deals are getting better by the day at their Hollywood location: they've extended their happy hour so that you can booze it up on half-price cocktails and draft beers from 12p-6p. more ›

With the economy in the dumps, two Fullerton college students have joined forces to save a buck or ten when it comes to beer. David Echanique (Cal State Fullerton) and Brandon McKenney (Orange Coast Community College) last week announced ThriftyBeer.com, a website where you input your city or neighborhood and it outputs the top ten locations that have cheap beer (with a Google Map, too). In Hollywood, for example, you can 30 Bud Lights for $16.99 at CVS. In Van Nuys, it's a dollar cheaper at Smart & Final. Originally, they thought of doing it just for Fullerton. “I saw the bigger picture,” Echanique told the OC Register. “We should do all of Southern California." However, they now hope to expand listings into Northern California and Arizona by summer’s end. Give it a whirl and see if it's truly the cheapest around your neighborhood (and let us know by commenting below) more ›

Who the hell is Allegiant Air? Whoever they are, they are making Southwest look expensive. In the latest of airfare wars, this company is offering $18 roundtrips between Los Angeles and Monterey. And all on larger jets that seat 130-150 people--no scary puddlejumpers, according to a travel tipster. So where's the catch? They only offer flights on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and this blogger found that despite the low advertised prices, all the add-ons and convenience fees add up to quite the bill. For fun, we test booked a flight in May for 2 adults: the total price, when all was said and done, was $110.40 to $140.40, depending if you chose "priority boarding" or not. Check what you're in for before you hit that "confirm purchase button." If you do make a trip up to the beautiful area, the airport is only a few minutes away from downtown Monterey, 15 minutes from Carmel and 45 minutes from Big Sur and Santa Cruz. Check out our recent road trip to there. (Via the BlogMonterey, the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau's blog) more ›

Okay, so it's not Nobu -- but who has the bank account to handle $200 sushi fests nowadays? Wokcano offers good happy hour prices in convenient locations for your after-work bitch fests -- the menu will make even the sushi-shy happy. And hey, if you don't have a job, then you can get to happy hour that much earlier! From 4-7pm, sneak in a cocktail or two and some creative rolls like The Black Pearl and the Late Night Party Roll (crabmeat, avocado, scallops, and lobster). Yeah, maybe you sushi purists should show yourselves the door, but who's going to argue with lychee martinis and Asian bloody Marys? Not this girl. more ›

It's not unemployment, it's funemployment, right? Sure! But try telling that to the newly created legions of recession victims who spend their days trolling the internet for job leads and nervously rechecking their bank account balance. When you're out of work and trying to save money, it's hard to get out and have fun -- gym memberships, drinks with friends, movies, and restaurant dinners all have to go. But even the brokest asses still need sustenance -- mental and physical. What can you do in this city with a handful of Georges and some pocket change? more ›

December is The Official Recession's first birthday month. There's no need not to enjoy it on the cheap. We last had some great Mexican food, and bargain massages. Today's inexpensive adventure is sure to please in a different way. more ›

Who needs roses? To celebrate their 60th year, Canter's Deli will be offering their famous corned beef sandwich on rye, pickle, "taste" of potato salad and a chocolate rugelach for only 60 cents! It is one per customer, but that's OK. You can just bring us a couple of black & white cookies. more ›

Silver Lake's Pazzo Gelato is promoting its newly expanded hours (they used to open at 11 a.m.) with 2-for-1 coffee and tea items from 7-11 a.m. While you're there, sample the homemade treats -- it's never too early for gelato. Pazzo Gelato / Sunset & Hyperion / 90026 | photo by e-ta-i via flickr. more ›

It was speculated last month that 99 Cent Only stores might have to raise their prices due to the economy, possibly breaking the one-dollar price point. However, they've finagled their prices by raising them almost one-penny still keeping the highest price in the store under $1. $99.99 cents is the new 99 cents. Seems kind of silly, but hey, if you can swing it. The changes will take place in the stores later this month. more ›

LAist Featured Photos contributor Marshall Astor titled this photo "Holy Fuck Part Deux! Thrifty Gas in San Pedro Goes for Broke." more ›

Julia Scott at the Daily News' Bargain Hunter blog investigated to see if it was worth the out-of-the-way drive to a gas station with cheaper prices rather than staying the course with convenient locations. She found a calculator/chart that tells you if the distance you go for gas ends up saving you or costing you (if you bike, it costs nothing... hey now!) more ›

Hey, you know what's great? Hot dogs! You know what's even better? A new hot dog stand in a college neighborhood! Encino favorite The Stand has just opened a new location in Westwood, bringing a new flavor to UCLA's backyard. more ›

Fie upon those who wish downfall upon the Westside! We shall smite thee with our flaming elven sword. (That's how we talk to LAist staffers who aren't behaving; nothing whips a writing team into shape like a little dangerous elf talk.) We will now stop being nerds and give you incentive to visit the Westside. Here are some more happy hour specials that'll make you wish you lived on the beachier side of life. Smell that fresh air? Feel that breeze? That's called the ocean. It's why you live in California. Westsiders know that -- why don't you drink to it? more ›

Devoted LAist reader Ashley requested a Westside version of Deacon Booze -- and as a former long-time resident of the Westsiiiiiiiiide, I'm more than happy to oblige. Here are some of my top spots for drinks in West LA -- (and trust me when I say I have TESTED these places more than a few times). Why not email me your picks for when you find yourself west of the 405? carrie@laist.com. Did I tell you love email? I sure do. Sigh. [Hits refresh.] Siiiiigh. [Refresh. Refresh.] SIIIIIIIIGGHHHH. more ›

Have you had enough of $5 coffee? $99 burgers? $125 martinis? I know I am -- doesn't anybody in this city want to find the cheapest drinks, meals, and booze? Los Angeles Magazine comes through this month with a feature on great deals and bargain finds on everything from martinis to furniture to underpants. We went straight for the food section, of course -- and here are our top food bargain picks from the February issue. What are your picks for best foodie bargains in the city? more ›

Dudes, it's raining, I know, but that doesn't mean there's still not cheap booze to be found in this city tonight! Here's a few more we managed to dig up this week -- send your secret spots and recommendations my way at carrie@laist.com. more ›

Dudes, it's become clear to me that just by walking about whatever fine neighborhood you happen to reside in (NoHo, WeHo, SilLake, DnTn, SanMo, KTown, HanPark, CulCity, etc), you're bound to happen upon a great little bar with great happy hour deals. Fer instance: this week I was walking around Downtown and ran into some friends, who happily guided me to the Redwood Bar & Grill, a fun and surprisingly classy little pirate bar near Disney Hall. Do they have an awesome happy hour? You betcha. more ›

A London vacation for $900 -- airfare and hotel? Cancun for $500? I got an email alert this morning about big after-holiday airfare sales -- and as a frequent traveler who is often frustrated by the price of airline tickets, I jumped at the chance to research some sweet mid-winter vacations. more ›

I'm still waiting for all your hot happy hour tips, Los Angeles! We'll be posting happy hour listings at least a few times weekly in 2008; send your secret spots and recommendations my way at carrie@laist.com. more ›