50 cent coffee!

Drinks are the social lubricant of the industry. But offering to meet over a beer might send the wrong message, especially to the person you're meeting (as in "Have you heard of AA?")

However, coffee is a safe bet but can have negative side effects with too muc. Aside from the jitters and causing chronic diarrhea, it can add up to a hefty sum over time. There is a way around this if you're willing to be a bit environmentally friendly and show up early.

Here's a little known secret: bring your Starbucks coffee cup back and they will refill it with Pike Place (aka the regular coffee) for only 50 cents! As long as you arrive before the person you're supposed to meet they have no way of knowing that you did this.

Of course, I don't recommend carrying around an old, moldy coffee cup as that's just gross and not worth the health risks. Not to mention it will be pretty obvious that you have an old cup. But if you are willing to keep it for a day or so, and possibly rinse it out, you will be fine - usually the baristas offer to change it for you anyway per store policy. If you want to not be a total cheapskate, you can buy a bagel for a dollar, or, better yet, leave the other 50 cents as a tip for the barista. That way they'll know that at least you're not ripping them off. Besides, you may end up having to work there one day, especially if you're trying to make it in the freelance world of acting/writing/directing/producing.