The Budget Diet

A diet for your wallet...not your waistline!

Explore Topics

Category : Cheap Dates

Wedding Anniversary Coming Up? 5 Cheap Ways to Make it Special

by Kristl on July 19,  2011

cheap anniversary ideas

If you have been married for a few years now and are living on a budget, then your wedding anniversaries probably come and go without you or your spouse making a huge deal of it. After all it’s very expensive to do something grand for your wedding anniversary such as taking a trip. It’s even expensive to go out for dinner to a nice restaurant. Between the entrees, drinks and tip you’ll likely walk out of the restaurant nearly $100 poorer, if not more. However, wedding anniversaries are special and you should do something to celebrate. There are many ways you can make your anniversary special with spending little to no money; here are 5 ideas to get you started:

Relive Your First Date
Most first dates are relatively done on the cheap since you’re just getting to know someone. If you had an affordable first date, it would be fun and special to recreate the night as something to do on your wedding anniversary. If you live far away from where you had your first date, just do something similar in the area you now live.

Surprise Your Spouse And Cook Up Your Wedding Day Menu
Go to the grocery store and get the ingredients you need to cook up the entrée that was served on your wedding day. Go the extra mile and serve the same drinks and get a small white cake or cupcake for desert with the memory of your own wedding cake in mind.

Write A Love Letter
Here’s an idea that’s totally free. Take a couple of hours to sit down and really think about where you are in life with your spouse and what your married life has been like up to this anniversary. Then put all that thought and emotion down on paper and give it to your spouse. This makes a wonderful gift straight from the heart that your spouse will cherish for years to come.

Post It Notes
Most likely your anniversary will fall on a busy weekday, when normal daily hectic life ensues as usual. A fun way to surprise your spouse is to place post it notes around the house with cute, lovey messages that he or she will see throughout the day. For instance, you could put a note on your spouse’s toothbrush that reads “I adore your smile.” This makes for a break in routine and shows your spouse how much you appreciate the little things about them.

Watch Your Wedding Video
If all else fails, snuggle up on the couch together in the evening and watch your wedding video. It’s a great, free, romantic way to remember and relive the day.

~~~~~~~

written by: Jessica Drew

Jessica Drew is a freelance writer and editor who blogs about a variety of money making and frugal living topics such as credit cards.

~~~~~~~

Image courtesy of: Dynamite Imagery / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tell a Friend

Best Rainy Day Movies

by Kristl on April 14,  2011

written by: CupidsPulse.com
rainy day movies

It’s that time of year where snow becomes rain and budding connections can turn into blooming romances. But if the stormy weather—not to mention tax season—is putting a damper on your potential plans, just dust off the DVD player, pop some popcorn and make a cheap date with that special someone. It’s the rainy day you’ve been saving up for, and here are 10 suggestions of all movie types to get you started:
 
 

1. Singin’ In The Rain: This gallivanting Gene Kelly musical is guaranteed to lift your spirits and put you in the mood for dancing and romancing. Feel free to let loose and do what the title says—just don’t forget your umbrella.

2. Sleepless in Seattle: It may be cold and wet for most of the year in Seattle, but this tale of fated love will bring warmth into your home no matter where you live.

3. The Shawshank Redemption: This 1994 prison drama is an epic tale of ingenuity, determination, friendship, and especially hope—all things a successful relationship needs. It also features Tim Robbins as the happiest man to be out in a driving rainstorm since Gene Kelly.

4. Remember the Titans: This inspirational gridiron drama not only shows how people of any background or race can come together, but it also features “Fire and Rain” by James Taylor and “A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall” by Leon Russell, two of the best tunes ever penned about precipitation.

5. Spiderman: You know exactly why this 2002 superhero flick is on this list, and if you don’t, you’re missing out. Try doing some upside-down kissing of your own—it’s harder than it looks.

6. Breakfast at Tiffany’s: Long before Spidey and Mary Jane’s romantic rain scene, Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard had one of their own, which captured the hearts of millions of moviegoers in the early sixties and might just capture yours.

7. The Day After Tomorrow: If you or your significant other is the type of person that can’t stand the rain, this apocalyptic thriller is for you. Scenes of CGI-devastation will make you both thankful it’s only a rainstorm outside and not a new Ice Age.

8. The Birds: Close your eyes while watching this Hitchcock creep-fest and the raindrops hitting the roof might begin to sound like flapping wings. Good for couples that love to cling together during the scary parts.

9. Rain Man: So there’s not a lot of actual rain in the movie, but this Oscar-winning comedy-drama starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman can teach you and your partner about how differences between two people can bring them closer together.

10. BloodRayne: Last on this list for a good reason, German director Uwe Boll’s anemic vampire-video game disasterpiece is only recommended for couples that can appreciate how much fun bonding over a truly bad movie can be.

Written by Andrew Pryor for CupidsPulse.com.

Image: savit keawtavee / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tell a Friend

Parents Night Out…It’s FREE Babysitting!

by Kristl on August 20,  2010

I have 3 teen-age children, and the going rate for a babysitter is $7 – $10 an hour…YIKES, that will put a damper on date night!

Keep your date nights alive by organizing a Parents Night Out group with your friends. Parents Night Out is simply a cheap date night out for mom & dad because your friends will be the babysitter for your children while you go out on a date, and you’ll be the babysitter for their children when they go out on a date…no babysitting cost involved!

Here’s how it works…

    1. Start with a group of neighborhood friends or a playgroup.

      2.  

    2. Have an organizational meeting to determine which families are interested in Parents Night Out.

      3.  

    3. Choose set dates for Parents Night Out…you might consider every other Saturday night from 6:00 – 9:00.

      4.  

    4. When Parents Night Out rolls around, half of your members will enjoy a date night, and the other half of your members will be babysitting in their homes. If you have Parents Night Out twice a month, each couple will enjoy 1 date night in exchange for 1 babysitting night.

      5.  

    5. Set a few simple rules like…children should or should not eat dinner before Parents Night Out, all parents must fill out an informational sheet on their child including contact numbers, allergies, etc., how to handle last minute cancellations due to sickness, etc.

Now, go get your Parents Night Out group organized and enjoy date night for less!

Tell a Friend

8 Cheap Entertainment Ideas for the Summer

by Kristl on July 23,  2010

This is a guest post written by Tom Tessin. He runs FindCashBackCards, a cash back credit cards site helping those save with the best reward cards on the market today. Thanks for these summer fun ideas for fun on a budget!

~~~~~

The summer is generally the best time to get out and about for any type of entertainment. Whether you want to go on vacation, or hang around the neighborhood, if you’re like me, you probably want to save some money on your entertainment expenses and summer fun.

I wanted to list 8 things that I generally do during the summer that cost me next to nothing. The best thing about it is that I have a blast doing it and it’s not going to hurt the pocketbook!

Camping –
You just can’t go wrong with camping. It’s next to nothing to get all of your supplies and no matter where you go, the overnight fees aren’t going to be that much for you to handle. A campground near me only costs around $15 a night and it’s near the water!

Head to the beach –
No matter where you live, there is probably a beach somewhere nearby. Even if it is 2-3 hours a way, you can make a little road trip around it. Grab your towels, sand shovels, and pack a lunch. Enjoy the water and take it easy.

The park –
Every state has a park and if you haven’t been to one lately, research one near you that you can head to. Take a hike, have a picnic, or maybe even visit the museum if they have one on site. It’s not only an educational experience; it’s not going to break the bank.

Visit family and friends –
Everyone has family and friends, right? Set up a date in the future to visit them. It’s a great time to visit, chat, as well as hopefully stay there for free. Don’t overstay your welcome though!

Take a “home” vacation –
What I mean by this is to check out all of the destinations around your home. There have to be things that you overlook since they are nearby. Places like zoos, museums, tourist based things, and more are things to head out to.

Look for events –
Your newspaper, as well as sites such as Craigslist has a great free events section. There may be a fair, an expo or something else that may peak your interest. Keep your eyes peeled to see what’s happening in your town.

The library –
Sure, it sounds boring to some, but you will be surprised at how many things you can do at the library. Be sure to check out their events page to see what’s happening during the month. It’s also a great place to wind down and read or even surf the web.

Scour the web for deals –
There are a lot of deal based sites online such as Travelzoo, as well as others. If you want to spend a certain amount on a weekly, or even a weekend based vacation, see if you can find some deals there.

These are just a few of the fun on a budget ideas that you can use this summer or during any season. Be creative, know how much time you’re going to have on your hands, as well as how much you want to spend. When you have this information, let’s hope you can have some fun on a budget!

Tell a Friend

Simple Summer Pleasures!

by Kristl on July 16,  2010

Photo courtesy of Free Web Photos
 

It’s official…summer is halfway over!

Here’s a summer fun checklist to make sure you’re enjoying all the simple pleasures summer has to offer! Even better, most offer fun on a budget!

  1. backyard campout

    2.  

  2. lemonade stand

    3.  

  3. picnic in the park

    4.  

  4. reading a book by the pool

    5.  

  5. homemade ice cream

    6.  

  6. playing in the sprinklers

    7.  

  7. cookout

    8.  

  8. stargazing

    9.  

  9. a lazy summer day

    10.  

  10. a trip to the farmers market

    11.  

  11. berry picking

    12.  

  12. a walk on the beach

    13.  

  13. watching the sunset

    14.  

  14. playing croquet

    15.  

  15. eating watermelon

    16.  

  16. catching fireflies

    17.  

So…how many of summer’s simple pleasures have you taken advantage of? Go out and have some family fun this weekend!

Tell a Friend

Huge Savings On Fun Things To Do!

by Kristl on July 8,  2010

Looking for fun on a budget?

Groupon.com features awesome deals on fun things to do in your city! You’ll find great restaurants, spas, events, activities, classes, and more all at 50-90% off!

Find Today’s Daily Deal on Your City’s Best Things To Do!

A couple of the recent deals in Houston…

7 Ways To Go On A Frugal Date Without Looking Cheap

by Kristl on June 25,  2010

Thanks to Andrew Salmon for these cheap date ideas…keep them in mind for a first date, a fun date or a free date night!

~~~~~~~

These days when you open your wallet you might hear it scream in distress. Yes, money is tight and we’re all feeling the pinch. But that doesn’t mean we have to skimp on the fun! There’s a whole world out there that doesn’t cost a fortune to enjoy. Here are seven cheap date ideas, and you won’t look cheap.

1. Bicycling Meant For Two

If you’re someone who normally drives when you need to speak to your next door neighbor, then this affordable date idea is for you. Seeing your town from a bicycle is a wonderful experience and it doesn’t cost a thing! Bicycling with a date is a great way to get to know each other or rekindle past romance. With the endorphins putting you in a good mood and a fresh perspective on your hometown, you’ll have a lot of fun exploring, shopping and soaking up the fresh air. It’s a free date idea!

2. Dinner Chez Vous

Eating at home doesn’t sound too exciting but it can be. Instead of taking out a frozen steak, either with your date, or before they arrive, go to town whipping up a hearty dinner to share. Take it out to the patio, the dining room table – heck, eat on the windowsill. You’re guaranteed a meal you’ll remember.

3. Walk And Roll

Going for long walks is a great way to have a date without breaking the bank. Observe the world going by, talk and plan your future or just shoot the breeze. In the end, it will bring you and your date closer together…another free date idea!

4. Let The Games Begin

People used to play board games. They really did. And a lot of the games were fun. They really were. So why not haul out some old favorites and have at it. If you haven’t played them in years, this will be something of a new experience or at least your perspective on the games will have changed. Regardless, they can be a fun way to spend a rainy afternoon, and it’s FREE!

5. Home Theater

This can be a fun competition, and you’ll need to start early. Each of you selects a movie you really want your partner to see. It can be merely a personal favorite of yours or something equally meaningful. The fun here is to try and figure out why your date picked it. Sounds like a fun date idea!

6. Park It Here

A lot of parks sit empty these days. Why not do something about it? Be a kid again! Swing those swings, dig that sand, spin that carousel. You and your date can have a lot of fun remembering the wonderful days of childhood. How about the park for a first date idea?

7. Fleas Please

Who doesn’t love to shop? And shopping loves company. So you and your date should head out to your town’s flea market. Hunt for treasures together or split up for an hour to rustle up that special oddity you can compare when you meet up later. Who knows you might just get lucky and find a real treasure to go with the treasured memories. Flea markets = cheap dates!

This article written by Andrew Salmon from LifeCover.ca – a Canadian life insurance site.

Tell a Friend

Museum FREE Admission Days

by Kristl on June 18,  2010

Did you know that most museums offer FREE museum days?

Check your local museums for their free admission days & keep those dates in mind for FREE FUN for the family or a cheap date!

Tell a Friend
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

  • Follow Me

  • Google Search

    Custom Search
  • Ebates Coupons & Cash Back
  • Ebates Coupons and Cash Back
  • Free shipping on Contact Lenses
  • 1-800-PetMeds Chalkboard/300x250.gif
  • Get paid instantly with PayPal

  • Coupon Codes

  • Frugal

A program for serious savings! $29 includes:

  1. A series of 4 challenges which can be completed in 8 weeks, but they may take longer depending on your situation.
  2. Personalized feedback after you complete each challenge
  3. Personalized e-book of Shape Up Tips to slim your budget for life!
  4. I'm ready to shape up...enlist me now!
Copyright 2009 - The Budget Diet
All Logos Copyright of their Respective Owners