I am a bit of a creative spirit, and really enjoy getting the most bang for my buck, thanks to my extremely budget savvy mother (thanks, mom!).
Here are 10 amazingly cheap dates Daniel and I love, in no particular order:
The Discount Cinema
• Once a film has left the local Regal Cinema, the discount theater offers the feature for $3. This allows us to see our favorite multiple times (Hello, Aladdin!).
TJ Maxx Shopping
• Daniel and I like to pop in TJ Maxx together, as I don’t trust myself in that glorious store alone. Bonus with going in together: Daniel almost always buys me a gift - he loves accessories and can’t seem to help himself (I never complain about this trait!).
Dessert at a Local Restaurant
• The best bang for your buck with fine dining is stepping out for dessert after a warm dinner at home. Bonus: the more elegant you dress the better service you’ll receive. Never underestimate the power of a carefully chosen outfit for you or your man.
Appetizers at a Local Restaurant
• Perhaps we are finally “getting older” or just consume less volume in general, but we love to order appetizers in a restaurant. They are enough for one person, and cheaper than many entrees.
Dining at Olive Garden
• Olive Garden has been a favorite of ours since we were dating, as they offer $5.99 bottomless soup or salad. Tip: you can order a different soup as many times as you want. We like to being with Gnocchi Chicken, then order Minestrone before ending with Fagioli. Bonus: if you order another bowl of soup afternoon you’ve eaten your fill, they will allow you to take it home with you, so long as the soup was served to you before you requested a to-go container.
Star Gazing
• Many romantic gestures cost nothing, and this is no exception. Daniel most often asks me to star-gaze, and kindly sets up a waterproof layer, a cushion layer, complete with a soft throw and pillows before he carries me from the house to the lawn. He’s a dream!
A Candlelight Dinner at Home
• This requires extra planning, and is only budget-friendly when you’ve planned your meals well in order to accommodate more expensive dinner items. My favorite is filet mignon, mashed potatoes (with nutmeg), a green vegetable on the side served with sparkling juice or sparkling water. I like to keep my pantry and freezer stocked with romantic dinner essentials so I can indulge when the mood strikes. Complete the feel with two taper candles & a romantic diffuser blend puffing.
A Coffee Date
• A rendezvous at Starbucks for a tea or coffee together is a fast + simple way to connect in a new environment together. If you need to be even more savvy, opt for a cake pop over a drink; its fun, delicious, and sugary - perfect for a very inexpensive date.
An Ice Cream Date
• Whether we take a stroll downtown to our favorite ice cream parlor or pop through the McDonalds drive through, our sweet tooth and desire for a date are satiated. You can mix this up by bringing it home to enjoy while watching the sunset together.
Massages
• We enjoy the local massage school’s discounted prices and still benefit from a 60 or 90 minute massage. We pay $25 plus tip, but the price may vary depending on whether you opt for a student or an instructor, and the local economy.
I hope you and your loved one enjoy these ideas - leave me a comment on your experience if you choose to use one of these ideas.
Xoxo,
Mrs. P