Bad economy, great deals

BOSTON (FOX25, myfoxboston) - We all know we're knee-deep in a recession and everyone is scaling back.

But you gotta’ live, too -- have a little fun -- and if you look around, some things that you couldn't afford before are now downright bargains.

We looked at dining, travel, cars and family outings -- it is actually possible to get more for your money now, than you could last year.

"Saving money by cutting back on eating out? Several local high-end restaurants want to temp you with special offers," says Fox25’s Mark Ockerbloom.

Flemings steak house is offering a "5 for $6 'till 7" menu -- five different appetizers for only six dollars each until seven at night.

Da Vinci Ristoranti has special, small-plate tastes of their chef's signature creations for only five dollars.

And Olives restaurant is rolling back prices to 1989 levels to celebrate their 20th anniversary.

"Does the economy have you thinking of a ‘Staycation’ this year? You might want to reconsider -- some of the best travel bargains in years are available," says Ockerbloom.

Cruise lines are slashing prices. Leia Cardillo of Colpitts World Travel says now’s the time to sail to Aruba and the Caribbean.

"All inclusive vacation packages starting as low as $399 per person. All inclusive meaning your flights, your accommodations, all your meals," explains Cardillo.

Cruises from Boston to Bermuda on Norwegian Cruise Lines are going for short money as well.

"Right now as low as $489 per person -- seven nights Friday to Friday, it doesn't get any better than that,” adds Cardillo.

And seven night cruises to Alaska are going for just $400.

"I have never seen travel deals this low. 2009 is the year to travel," exclaims Cardillo.

“Not interested in a cruise to the Bahamas or Alaska? Maybe you'd like to cruise the local highways and byways in a new car -- dealers are playing let's make a deal like never before," says Ockerbloom.

With dealer lots crammed with too many cars, manufactures are making unprecedented offers.

"The ‘09 Prius is about $2,000 less in ‘09 compared to ‘08 and it's got 2.9% financing on it, they've never done that,” says Ernie Boch, Jr., interviewed at Boch Toyota

Other car manufactures are also slashing prices and many are offering financing as low as zero percent.

The bottom line, “Cars are less in ‘09 than they were in ’08," states Boch.

“And finally, taking the family to a Red Sox game just got a little cheaper, thanks to a promotion called the ‘Fenway Family Hour,’” says Ockerbloom.

For the first hour Fenway Park opens, you'll get half-off on hot dogs, pizza, burger bites, cotton candy and more.

"We have nine items, we call them our starting nine and those nine items are sold throughout the stadium," explains Kevin Haggerty, resident district manager and general manager for Aramark, the company that supplies food services to the Boston Red Sox.

And at the team store on Yawkey Way, you'll get five bucks off on any hat or Red Sox apparel.

"Okay, so you save five dollars on this because it's the family discount hour," says a store employee to a customer.

A day at the ballpark, enjoying some fine dining, buying a car or cruising the high seas -- this recession is giving everyone a chance to save some serious cash.

"It's the best time in years to get a deal on almost anything," adds Ernie Boch, Jr.