Why on Earth what I do without these stores? It really helps me whenever I’m in a crisis. I happen to live in downtown Manhattan and we have a lot of them. My favorite is Mr.Closeouts (the store name changed it’s name to Mr. Global Industries).  It has everything except the kitchen sink.  The products are either expired or people didn’t buy them enough in drug stores so companies resell these products for a fraction of the selling price.

The downside is that once you get attached to these products and buy more next time, they are gone. 99 cent stores are where miscalculated marketing products go to die. When there are companies that are selling that same product, it makes it a deadly competition because brand loyalty comes first. For example, tooth paste formula is the same for colgate, crest, arm & hammer, etc. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference, so cool packaging is the key. I once found a really expensive whitening teeth kit for, like, 3.99 (original price of 23.99).

I hope NY state doesn’t deregulate these stores and become extinct because there are alot of people who need these stores. I certainly need them

Some rappers have it all

Dear Space Invaders,

I can’t always speak on cleaning stuff, sometimes I want to talk about things like music, movies, and books. I wanted to talk about Nas, aka Nasir Jones – a hip-hop artist who some feel is the best rapper, like of all times (smirk). However, Nas, known as a recluse and aloof celebrity, is now stoking the fires of the media machine by discussing his failings as a father (Daughters) and his marriage to avant- garde R&B artist, Kelis Rogers, on his new album “Life is Good.” It’s apparent that he wants to sell his album and the buzz is generating that it’s the most acclaimed album of 2012.

The perplexity of Nas takes a weird turn when he weighed on certain issues in the media that did not pertain to him. There was some controversy about Gwynth Paltrow using the N- word on her twitter regards to Kanye West and Jay-z performance in Paris. Nas claims that it was ok for Gwyneth Paltrow to use it because she meant no malice and only repeating the title of the song. The hip-hop community looks up to Nas and respect his point of view, yet, when defending a white female celebrity who seems oblivious to race and class (ironically),  it really doesn’t give Nas a good look when coming to her defense. In one song on his “Street’s Disciple” album, he degrades Kobe Bryant with lyrics that say “Uh, Massa used to breed us to be bigger to go play/Athletes of today in the NBA/make me proud/But there’s somethin’ they don’t say… /From OJ to Kobe/uh let’s call him Tobe.” Although the song is stab at himself for not giving back to the community, in these same lyrics, he is talking about black athletes and celebrities who are more concerned with being accepted by the white culture and dating white women. The lyrics are very graphic, but the gist is that he is putting Kobe and other black celebrities down for not being true to themselves.

It really surprises me that Nas would come to Paltrow’s defense or is it that his marketing brand, by acting aloof and self-righteous, gives off that “Bryonic” vibe to sell records? If so, like reality t.v, it seems that lot of things we thought were real are really fake. It’s not Nasir’s fault, it’s ours.

Unfortunately, we only come in human sized form

Hi Space Invaders ,

Many people have emailed me about how to go about hiring a cleaner – I say hire “Rocket Maid,” but it goes a little deeper than that. People are too embarrassed to hire domestic workers because of the negative stigma attached – but don’t be – follow these rules and you will breeze through.

1. When hiring a cleaner, you can request the same person.

Of course you can do this! She/he will be part of your family and really, that is a person who will most likely have to trust. Trust is the factor, not price.

2. Don’t try to get same day service-

There are companies that will do it, but it will cost you – and watch out for the hidden fees.  I know there are emergencies but try to get at least three days in advance because then the cleaner will be better prepared and less nervous when they come to your house.

3. Ask around your friends and neighbors who they use.

Most of my customers came from a mixture of marketing and referrals – Word of mouth keeps most business alive

4. Smaller cleaning companies do it better!

I’m not trying to trample my competition but… Small cleaning companies are selective with their customers and value them once they take you in as a client – they do a way better job because they chose you like you chose them. The difference between a big cleaning company and a small cleaning company is that the cleaner from the small cleaning company wants to be there – she/he was hand picked by the owner and that cleaner cleaned solo for years before being hired – Most of us want to clean because we like the solitary atmosphere and feel accomplished when we get the job done – and yes, that makes us weird, but in a good way.

5. Tipping is sooooo appreciated!

If you tip your house cleaner, you are saying ” You are awesome, thanks for not judging me.” It’s not necessary, but it’s appreciated, especially in those big cleaning companies where they get paid $7-8 dollars an hour.

What house cleaners should never do

1. Steal

2. Take the money right away – She/he should take it after she/he is finished.

3. Be Late

4. Snoop

5. Be rude – If your cleaner is a big fat meany monster, then get someone else, pronto!

I hope you guys appreciate my tips,  don’t waste them on some other cleaning company – text, call, or email your Rocket Maid today!

- RM

Yes, throw me in music prison because I LOVE THIS SONG!

“Goin in” by J.lo and Flo-Rida.

My lord, even typing these words makes my eyes bleed – not so much for j.lo, but the rapper, Flo-Rida! He raps over disco beats and the beats are horrible. Yet Wikipedia has informed me that he makes a lot of gwap (ton of money) so he must be doing something right. The person who created this beat must be an Illuminati wizard of subliminal music mixing, the chorus kept going on and on, “I’m goin’ in… I’m goin’ in” like a seance chant… I put the music in my ipod and somehow i’m done with my cleaning in no time. Thanks J.lo!

What do you love?

Dear Space Invaders,
Cleaning is fundamental! Some of these cleaning services out and about in New York City are awesome but… I bet some of them don’t really want to clean forever. Me and my gang of grime fighters really love to obliterate the opposition, enemy dirt! I say this because a cleaning person that you invite into your home will be someone you cannot help but build a bond with.
The other day I met my client’s girlfriend, who never met me, and we hit it off right away. I realized, I like to be around people and I love to clean.

Signing out
RM