I just subscribed to the deals newsletter! I've been a Wisebread subscriber for a long time now. I'd like to see deals on electronics, home items, pet items. Thanks!
although a very small tip - it's more about the mindset than the actual savings involved.
When you buy vitamins, remove the cotton and save for cosmetic use. Why throw it away only to go and buy cotton balls? Besides the fact that the cotton stuffed in a vitamin jar is likely to have traces of good vitamin juju.
Again, not a huge money saver, but start thinking in a 'waste-not' mindset and the possibilities are endless.
Packing some inexpensive cheese & crackers, a cheap bottle of wine ("Two-Buck Chuck" will do :) and a blanket, and taking a short (for us) drive out to the country where we can lay on the blanket in the back of the truck and look at the stars. We often end up seeing a "shooting star", and we have a wonderful time talking, stress-free...
Stargazing in the middle of nowhere. Pack up on blankets and comforters. Lie back on the grass and trace the stars and planets. Share a spark in the midst of stars. Make a wish together.
My frugal date idea is taking a walk in our downtown area, window shopping. The changing scenery and people give my husband and I something to talk about other than work and kids (which is refreshing). The window shopping also lets us gauge each other's changing interests in things that might make good Christmas or birthday gifts. There is an old fashion drugstore where we will stop and each get a cup of coffee or a soda for $1 and enjoy watching the "regulars" come in.
Cooking date night. Even if you don't know how to cook you open up a recipe book and cook a romantic dinner together with wine to drink. To be followed by dvd and dessert.
Best frugel idea is to shop the sales all year for gifts especially for really neat novelty items that can be very expensive full price. Do this for 6 neices and newphews and they love all the really unique stuff I can give them when I save this way
Truly a wonder dug.... except that it is addictive and countries with socialized medicine (uk, australia etc) refuse to prescribe it for more than two months due to the addiction problems. In america.... well, I've known addicts who were prescribed it for decades by the quacks we have here. Only you can prevent your own addiction.
Recently, my boyfriend and I were visiting my parents in Miami and as a date we decided to explore a part of the city we had never been to. We paid $5 for parking and went window-shopping. It was during happy hour so we spent a total of $7.00 on drinks and had a really good time!
My girlfriend and I do not know how to cook as well as we would like. So once every two weeks we set up a "date" with a mutual friend who is an amateur chef and have her set an inexpensive menu for our date and we purchase the required ingredients from the grocery store. Our friend teaches us different cooking techniques and how to properly create the dish while we supply her with wine and share the food with her. It's a great way for us to learn how to cook and very inexpensive when compared to going out to dinner.
The Zoo in St. Louis is free (and world-class!). The hubs and I usually make a day of it in the spring, summer and fall, by packing a picnic to eat in Forest Park and go see the animals. The experience is always different because you never know which animals will be out and active. Also, it's a great way to get in some exercise by walking around!
My best frugal date idea, and yes my hubby and I have done this. We go to Costco (anytime w/o the kids is a date 2 us) and enjoy the free samples (appetizers) then head to the food court for a $1.50 hot dog/coke combo. On our way home its a stop at Redbox for a couple movie rentals( use a promo code) to save even more.
I use the "one week" rule. For every $100 something costs, I wait at least a week between thinking "I want that" and actually buying it. For example, if I see a $600 big screen TV in a Black Friday ad, I think "wait 6 weeks" before reaching for my cash card. I've found that by the time the waiting period is over the impulse to buy whatever it was is gone.
You can also use that time to save up the money. In the example above, if the TV was an impulse buy or unplanned budget item, I'd have to save $100 a week (minimum) before buying it. This forces you to decide where to get the $100 every week...what do you cut in order to get the surplus? You may end up thinking "a new TV isn't worth the sacrifice".
Even better, especially in the cases of technology and gadgets, by the time the waiting period is over the price has usually gone down even more or there's a comparable or even better deal on something with better features than the original item.
I just subscribed to the deals newsletter! I've been a Wisebread subscriber for a long time now. I'd like to see deals on electronics, home items, pet items. Thanks!
You can never miss with a trolley ride, lunch on the river and walking along the Harrahan bridge!
although a very small tip - it's more about the mindset than the actual savings involved.
When you buy vitamins, remove the cotton and save for cosmetic use. Why throw it away only to go and buy cotton balls? Besides the fact that the cotton stuffed in a vitamin jar is likely to have traces of good vitamin juju.
Again, not a huge money saver, but start thinking in a 'waste-not' mindset and the possibilities are endless.
Packing some inexpensive cheese & crackers, a cheap bottle of wine ("Two-Buck Chuck" will do :) and a blanket, and taking a short (for us) drive out to the country where we can lay on the blanket in the back of the truck and look at the stars. We often end up seeing a "shooting star", and we have a wonderful time talking, stress-free...
I haven't dated in a really long time ( married 100 yrs), but outdoor activities are frugal. Play tennis, go for a hike, etc.
Stargazing in the middle of nowhere. Pack up on blankets and comforters. Lie back on the grass and trace the stars and planets. Share a spark in the midst of stars. Make a wish together.
My frugal date idea is taking a walk in our downtown area, window shopping. The changing scenery and people give my husband and I something to talk about other than work and kids (which is refreshing). The window shopping also lets us gauge each other's changing interests in things that might make good Christmas or birthday gifts. There is an old fashion drugstore where we will stop and each get a cup of coffee or a soda for $1 and enjoy watching the "regulars" come in.
Cooking date night. Even if you don't know how to cook you open up a recipe book and cook a romantic dinner together with wine to drink. To be followed by dvd and dessert.
Best frugel idea is to shop the sales all year for gifts especially for really neat novelty items that can be very expensive full price. Do this for 6 neices and newphews and they love all the really unique stuff I can give them when I save this way
There is nothing better than getting a bottle of wine, making dinner together and watching a movie.
Truly a wonder dug.... except that it is addictive and countries with socialized medicine (uk, australia etc) refuse to prescribe it for more than two months due to the addiction problems. In america.... well, I've known addicts who were prescribed it for decades by the quacks we have here. Only you can prevent your own addiction.
Recently, my boyfriend and I were visiting my parents in Miami and as a date we decided to explore a part of the city we had never been to. We paid $5 for parking and went window-shopping. It was during happy hour so we spent a total of $7.00 on drinks and had a really good time!
Pack homemade foods meet in a park, hot or cold you can still have a great time!
For Christmas, Make some homemade hot chocolate and cookies . Drive around looking at christmas lights.
My girlfriend and I do not know how to cook as well as we would like. So once every two weeks we set up a "date" with a mutual friend who is an amateur chef and have her set an inexpensive menu for our date and we purchase the required ingredients from the grocery store. Our friend teaches us different cooking techniques and how to properly create the dish while we supply her with wine and share the food with her. It's a great way for us to learn how to cook and very inexpensive when compared to going out to dinner.
Riding bikes to a neighborhood festival
The Zoo in St. Louis is free (and world-class!). The hubs and I usually make a day of it in the spring, summer and fall, by packing a picnic to eat in Forest Park and go see the animals. The experience is always different because you never know which animals will be out and active. Also, it's a great way to get in some exercise by walking around!
My best frugal date idea, and yes my hubby and I have done this. We go to Costco (anytime w/o the kids is a date 2 us) and enjoy the free samples (appetizers) then head to the food court for a $1.50 hot dog/coke combo. On our way home its a stop at Redbox for a couple movie rentals( use a promo code) to save even more.
I use the "one week" rule. For every $100 something costs, I wait at least a week between thinking "I want that" and actually buying it. For example, if I see a $600 big screen TV in a Black Friday ad, I think "wait 6 weeks" before reaching for my cash card. I've found that by the time the waiting period is over the impulse to buy whatever it was is gone.
You can also use that time to save up the money. In the example above, if the TV was an impulse buy or unplanned budget item, I'd have to save $100 a week (minimum) before buying it. This forces you to decide where to get the $100 every week...what do you cut in order to get the surplus? You may end up thinking "a new TV isn't worth the sacrifice".
Even better, especially in the cases of technology and gadgets, by the time the waiting period is over the price has usually gone down even more or there's a comparable or even better deal on something with better features than the original item.
I'm a current subscriber and would like to see more deals on food, both for groceries and dining out.
We like to go to the dollar theater movies, motorcycle rides, and use groupons.
My best frugal date idea was when I took a girl on a first date (meeting) to a salad bar for lunch.
I had her pay for her meal and I paid for mine.
Never saw her after that though.
What's more romantic (and frugal) than a picnic? That's my fave frugal date.
I like going to an art museum, which is free in my area.
You can also read the moneyless manifesto by mark boyle (online for free) that maybe inspire you to do it longer for a week :)