Thriftster: October 29 - November 2

Spent all your cash on girlie drinks and shattered dreams again this weekend, didn't you? No worries - Thriftster gives you the lowdown on cheap stuff to do until Paycheck Friday.

Monday: If you're still in the Halloween mood, after all that blood red jell-o shot slurping and blacklight body paint application, hit the Lawndale Center's (4912 Main St.) retablo exhibit. Doors close at 5pm, which gives you plenty of time to nosh on some sushi at Tomo (1517 Westheimer) and pick up those last minute costume necessities at the Vintage Oasis (1512 Westheimer).

Tuesday: Graffiti lovers can get their (legal) kicks by attending the DiverseWorks and Aerosol Warfare unveiling of the 'This Old House' project (1625 Alabama) from 5-7pm. The 2-story technicolor Victorian home will serve as a satellite art space and also as a great excuse to hit Soul on the Bayeaux (3717 Dowling St.) down the road for catfish and ridiculously good gumbo.

Wednesday: Let's take a look at 2 different tracks your Halloween evening could take:

1. 'My boss will kick my face in if I'm too hung over to go to work tomorrow': Make it a movie night with your favorite ghoulie by hitting up a 3-D showing of The Nightmare Before Christmas. Then touch up that lip liner and grab your thigh highs for the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Alamo Drafthouse West Oaks at 10:30 with a live performance by the corseted Beautiful People and free fricking goodie bags.

2. 'I never liked my liver anyway, where's the booze and my Michael Jackson mask?': Oh yes, it's Montrose Crawl time - wear your costume for random prizes and, uh, because it's Halloween and it's more fun to be drunk in a wacko outfit. The action starts at Agora (1712 Westheimer) at 7pm. Or you could skip all that and just get sloshed with the Red Elvises at Mucky Duck (2425 Norfolk) at 8pm. Nothing like rocking out to surf music while wearing your Naughty Nurse Nancy outfit with a bunch of Russian Elvises. Unless you were at the Continental Club (3700 Main St.) for Wicked Wednesday eyeballing a burlesque dancer. So many alcohol-fueled choices...

Thursday: Happy Day of the Dead. Feeling morbid after downing those spooky cocktails last night? Take yourself on a Houston Press-guided tour of Houston's dead musician scene and then treat yourself to a $2 margarita at Aztecas (2207 Richmond) for all your trouble.