FYI for my fellow composters: collection is shifting from weekly to biweekly. The move should save the city around $700K and reduce truck traffic. And if you’re not composting yet, why not? It doesn’t stink up your kitchen, I promise.

You know what does stink? Paying for weekend plans when you could get them for free. We’ve got a pair of passes to Silver Scream Con up for grabs. Enter to win and get your horror fix on us.

JUST ANNOUNCED

• Apple Booze Bash is back on October 10th, which means cider season has begun. One of our favorite fall traditions brings spiked cider flights, apple fritters and live music, plus a book fair and drag show this year.

• Learn from chefs who know their way around a plant-based plate at Boston Veg Food Fest, October 17th-18th. Whether you’ve been vegan for years or just veggie-curious, you’ll find something worth sampling.

• Slipknot and Bring Me The Horizon are bringing pure mayhem to Fenway Park next summer. Catch them live July 31st after you grab tickets on Friday.

• Your presale hookup is here! Snag early access to these newly dropped shows before the rest of Boston catches on.

• See what else is coming to Boston →

WIN STUFF WEDNESDAY

If the cost of all your cozy fall plans is starting to stress you out, here’s one for free. We’ve got tickets to a Pumpkin & Pours cake decorating class, where you’ll turn a spice cake into an adorable buttercream pumpkin. Enter to win, then see what else we’re giving away this season.

• Fall into Boston Staycation

• Foster the People

• JIMBO the Drag Clown

• Candlebox

• CiderFeast Boston

• Sleeping With Sirens

• RuPaul’s Drag Race

WHENEVER

When Your Pet Needs to Borrow 10 Grand

It’s a good thing your pet is cute, because they’re destroying your stuff, one gnawed shoe at a time. That’s the expected cost of pet ownership — a surprise $10,000 emergency surgery is not. Pet insurance helps you handle those bills with up to 90% reimbursement for around $10 a month. Find a plan before your furry menace figures out a new way to bankrupt you.*

LOCALS ONLY

• Cheap thrills in Boston do exist. We rounded up the best free and wallet-friendly ways to have a life here without torching your bank account. Bookmark it and thank us later.

• Need a fall wardrobe refresh? Try thrifting first. We've rounded up our favorite local thrift stores where you can score great finds without fueling fast fashion.

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