My husband and I will be working on our son's Eagle Scout Project...doing family activities and just spending quality time together is cheaper and much more meaningful!
I've come to realize my hubby isn't the best gift giver and that's ok - I still love him. What he does need is lots of definite hints about what to buy and how much to spend so we stay in budget. I cut out pics with prices and store names and/or email him wishlists with suggestions of what I would like. This way he doesn't waste money on something I may not like and he knows what kind of budget we are on.
I've entered quite a few contests this year in hopes of winning something great for my sweetie for Valentines Day. Someone has to win, may as well be me!
Look around the internet for sites like this and newspaper articles on inexpensive Valentine's ideas. A few years ago, I saw an article that mentioned a pizza joint that made heart-shaped pizzas at no additional charge. Most locally-run places will do it for you. I don't know about the chains.
This year, I'm recommending a play at the theatre where I work. General admission tickets are only $8 each, the show has a romantic theme, and it's something a little different. Check with your local community theatres to see if they have anything special going on.
This post had some good links to some valuable ideas. However, had I been in a relationship for a long time with a chick leading up to this Valentine's day, I'd gather all the pictures of us (or a lot of the good ones, lol) and compile them into an awesome and decorative album/scrap book. And, to top it off, the first and last page would have the scent of her favourite cologne of mine ;)
This hits the head right on the head. Yes there is a proliferation of financial self-help gurus and books out there, but we gotta remember, as Jabulani says, that they are products. They are selling something to people who want to buy those "secrets." And I guess that's their real secret. Sell a product that others want.
Send an SMS message to Google (466493) with your flight number - the two letter airline code (capitalized) and flight number (for example, US1535.) You'll receive flight status via SMS from Google within 10-15 seconds. Standard texting fees apply, of course.
Do nothing! Yeah, that probably won't work. I think I would send the kids to stay with Grandma and get my husband to make a romantic dinner while I take a bubblebath. Cheap and a wonderful dream...
Everyone has some talents they can "trade" at little to no cost. My husband is a professional musician and for-the-fun-of-it cook. He's made deliciously special meals and played violin for me. I can't claim such in-demand talents. So in exchange, I've created little pieces of art / heartfelt momentos and offered some dedicated back massage time.
I'm pulling a couple of toys from storage that my 2 year old received for Christmas, I have a few more stored for Easter as well. She is young enough that they will seem brand new even though she opened them a few months ago! And her Mama and Daddy hope to win an iPod Touch for V-Day!
I first came across these books in college and haven't seen them in ages. The movie / event discounts always seemed to be great savings. Now, as new parents, we would love to have this book to help us afford "date nights" and a babysitter!
I save money by not paying full price for Valentine candy which because of packaging is higher priced than many regularly priced candy. I buy the less expensive candy and cut out pink hearts or use stickers to decorate these candy gifts for a fraction of the costs! Thanks!
I shop yard sales all year for the "perfect" vintage valentines day card. I like cards form my elementary school years - the early 1960's. I buuy a frame at the dollar store use a piece of DD's construction paper for a mat. Cute card and present all in one for around $1.50
I hate how retailers use valentines day to sell us on the idea that we need to buy expensive gifts for our special someones. Valentines day is about love and love isn't about gifts.
My husband and I use Valentines day to reconnect with each other. My friend babysits our 3 kids (for free, bless her heart) so we can spend a quiet romantic evening together. I read him a homemade card with a personal poem and we spend the evening talking and remembering why we fell in love with each other. We drink a glass of our homemade wine (each bottle costs less than a dollar to make) and snuggle up together.
Things get hectic with 3 kids running around and all the stuff in our lives sometimes gets us caught up in too many other things. This is a night we get to fall in love all over again and it doesn't cost us a dime.
Definitely have to go with the flowers delivered to work. My girlfriend is a waitress and she loves nothing more than to have her friends, customers see that someone loves her and sends a beautiful bouquet of red roses on that special day!
My frugal tip is to make a meal with your Valentine. My husband and I have been cooking together since we started dating. It is a great way to save money and a lot of fun to plan and prepare a meal together! We always plan on a yummy desert just in case the meal doesn't come out tasting all that great!
i have put together a list of 250 cheap valentines day surprises for my clients - mostly the men - I am a couples therapist - one of them that some love and others hate is to fill a bath with hot water - add several cans of cocoa mix and then float tiny marshmellows on top - I understand the shower after is the most fun - I for one have not tried this one!! - email me for the entire list if you woule like: cdrury@md.metrocast.net.
Never underestimate the value of nothing. My girl and I haven't exchanged gifts in probably 3 years now and it never matters. Times are hard, but we'll always have each other...until you come to terms with that, I dont think any relationship is complete.
We get a family member to babysit and pack a nice picnic!
Make chocolate covered strawberries at home.
txhottie_86 at yahoo dot com
My husband and I will be working on our son's Eagle Scout Project...doing family activities and just spending quality time together is cheaper and much more meaningful!
I've come to realize my hubby isn't the best gift giver and that's ok - I still love him. What he does need is lots of definite hints about what to buy and how much to spend so we stay in budget. I cut out pics with prices and store names and/or email him wishlists with suggestions of what I would like. This way he doesn't waste money on something I may not like and he knows what kind of budget we are on.
I've entered quite a few contests this year in hopes of winning something great for my sweetie for Valentines Day. Someone has to win, may as well be me!
Look around the internet for sites like this and newspaper articles on inexpensive Valentine's ideas. A few years ago, I saw an article that mentioned a pizza joint that made heart-shaped pizzas at no additional charge. Most locally-run places will do it for you. I don't know about the chains.
This year, I'm recommending a play at the theatre where I work. General admission tickets are only $8 each, the show has a romantic theme, and it's something a little different. Check with your local community theatres to see if they have anything special going on.
This post had some good links to some valuable ideas. However, had I been in a relationship for a long time with a chick leading up to this Valentine's day, I'd gather all the pictures of us (or a lot of the good ones, lol) and compile them into an awesome and decorative album/scrap book. And, to top it off, the first and last page would have the scent of her favourite cologne of mine ;)
The best in the book are two-for-one activities. We need to get out once in awhile and just don't have the money for a lot of activities.
This hits the head right on the head. Yes there is a proliferation of financial self-help gurus and books out there, but we gotta remember, as Jabulani says, that they are products. They are selling something to people who want to buy those "secrets." And I guess that's their real secret. Sell a product that others want.
Send an SMS message to Google (466493) with your flight number - the two letter airline code (capitalized) and flight number (for example, US1535.) You'll receive flight status via SMS from Google within 10-15 seconds. Standard texting fees apply, of course.
Do nothing! Yeah, that probably won't work. I think I would send the kids to stay with Grandma and get my husband to make a romantic dinner while I take a bubblebath. Cheap and a wonderful dream...
Everyone has some talents they can "trade" at little to no cost. My husband is a professional musician and for-the-fun-of-it cook. He's made deliciously special meals and played violin for me. I can't claim such in-demand talents. So in exchange, I've created little pieces of art / heartfelt momentos and offered some dedicated back massage time.
I personally just go to the airline homepage and input the flight number. It's simple and easy.
I'm pulling a couple of toys from storage that my 2 year old received for Christmas, I have a few more stored for Easter as well. She is young enough that they will seem brand new even though she opened them a few months ago! And her Mama and Daddy hope to win an iPod Touch for V-Day!
I first came across these books in college and haven't seen them in ages. The movie / event discounts always seemed to be great savings. Now, as new parents, we would love to have this book to help us afford "date nights" and a babysitter!
I save money by not paying full price for Valentine candy which because of packaging is higher priced than many regularly priced candy. I buy the less expensive candy and cut out pink hearts or use stickers to decorate these candy gifts for a fraction of the costs! Thanks!
I shop yard sales all year for the "perfect" vintage valentines day card. I like cards form my elementary school years - the early 1960's. I buuy a frame at the dollar store use a piece of DD's construction paper for a mat. Cute card and present all in one for around $1.50
my frugal v-day tip is to give a massage as a gift -- a really good one, not a wimpy one. i hope my husband is reading this :)
Flightstats.com is my favorite. Their delay information is often more up to date than the airlines' sites.
I hate how retailers use valentines day to sell us on the idea that we need to buy expensive gifts for our special someones. Valentines day is about love and love isn't about gifts.
My husband and I use Valentines day to reconnect with each other. My friend babysits our 3 kids (for free, bless her heart) so we can spend a quiet romantic evening together. I read him a homemade card with a personal poem and we spend the evening talking and remembering why we fell in love with each other. We drink a glass of our homemade wine (each bottle costs less than a dollar to make) and snuggle up together.
Things get hectic with 3 kids running around and all the stuff in our lives sometimes gets us caught up in too many other things. This is a night we get to fall in love all over again and it doesn't cost us a dime.
Definitely have to go with the flowers delivered to work. My girlfriend is a waitress and she loves nothing more than to have her friends, customers see that someone loves her and sends a beautiful bouquet of red roses on that special day!
My frugal tip is to make a meal with your Valentine. My husband and I have been cooking together since we started dating. It is a great way to save money and a lot of fun to plan and prepare a meal together! We always plan on a yummy desert just in case the meal doesn't come out tasting all that great!
i have put together a list of 250 cheap valentines day surprises for my clients - mostly the men - I am a couples therapist - one of them that some love and others hate is to fill a bath with hot water - add several cans of cocoa mix and then float tiny marshmellows on top - I understand the shower after is the most fun - I for one have not tried this one!! - email me for the entire list if you woule like: cdrury@md.metrocast.net.
Never underestimate the value of nothing. My girl and I haven't exchanged gifts in probably 3 years now and it never matters. Times are hard, but we'll always have each other...until you come to terms with that, I dont think any relationship is complete.
We really can't do much this year. Any extra $ goes for the kids.