Thriftster: January 7 - 10

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: Hit the Houston Boat show tonight at Reliant Center (8400 Kirby Dr.) to find the yacht of your dreams - or perhaps to find the man/woman of your dreams that can actually afford such nautical pleasures (did that sound dirty?). With tickets under $10, you can still afford Jager Monday at Sam's Boat (5720 Richmond Ave.) afterwards. Ahoy!

Tuesday: Starving artists are too skinny-looking, so get your fill of the Houston art scene at tonight's Artists Alive and Well art opening from 4-7pm at the downtown Continental Center (1600 Smith St.). Free dessert, live music and cool eye candy - you so want to quit your job and follow the artist's way don't you?

Wednesday: If you haven't been there to drool yet, be sure to hit the 'Much-to-consider' photo showing by local photog collaborators Traci Matlock and Ashley Maclean at Gallery 1724 (1724 Bissonnet) from 10am - 6pm. That'll get you out just in time for happy hour at the Lounge at Benjy's (2424 Dunstan) for cheap apple-tinis and crispy tuna rolls.

Thursday: Jones-ing for something random and artsy? Head over the the Houston Potter's Guild (2726 White Oak Dr.) for their 2nd Annual TX Teapot Tournament. From there you can soak your weary bones in a pot of oolong at Te House of Tea (1927 Fairview) and poetry reading at 8:30pm.