My husband and I have been married for almost 20 years and have not once exchanged a store-bought gifts for the Valentine's Day holiday. Some creative ideas that we've done:
Create a homemade coupon book - I received one for 12 car washes. My husband knew that I liked a clean car, but hated washing it. All I had to do was redeem and my husband made it sparkle.
Photo Books
Memory Boxes
Plan a Special Day of "favorites"
Gifts from the heart are more meaningful and cost less.
When I was in my high school, while everyone are buying roses in the gate of our school, I bought a Stargazer. It is big, white and really different. It's nice!
1 Long Stemmed Red Rose
1 Godiva Raspberry Cordial
A romantic poem copied by hand (I'm not that poetic)
Home cooked dinner by candlelight (I am a decent cook)
Another thought is to give gifts from the heart. As a fellow Frugal Gal, my husband and I have always marked the holiday with a thoughtful gift versus measuring our love based on material things. I wrote an article on Giving Gifts from the Heart. They cost less and mean more.
I tried using the air duster & dryer method. It didn't work I used the entire bottle. tried four times and nothing! Wasted my money & made me angry. p.s. whever came up with it should mention that if you live in a warm state it may work but if you live where it's cold...forget it.
Haha some really funny ones here. Great satire of some other "tips" that you see out there. Not sure about marrying someone frugal, they might be less frugal with your money than with theirs!!
I think you're getting spammed, you might want to do something about those comments....
Anyway here's another cool list of 50 more ways to save money:
Beware of the "cheap" itunes cards. They are purchased using stolen credit cards, and Apple will remove the value you bought when the card is reported stolen, or close down your account. Anything at face value or below is most likely stolen. I pay a little bit more, but I have never had a problem. I'm also using http://itunes-giftcards.com and have only good things to say about them.
I could not read Hibbert's article since the access is over from the link.
However, Mr. Brewer says that people who put things in the trash do so because they are trying to waste less; I would question that.
Many people put things in the trash because they do not want to take the time or effort to take it elsewhere, hand it down, repair, repurpose, recycle or reuse.
While I understand that not everybody is creative, almost any regular individual is able to find a way to reduce the waste.
When I discovered the things that people put out during "Spring/Fall Cleaning Day" in our city, I was always amazed of the "treasures" that I could find. I picked items for my personal use, others to give away, some were repurposed and became part of a "new" item, some others made it to my garage sales after some elbow grease and generated some dollars -that was almost free money!
Even at the thrift stores there is waste. They can not keep everything that comes in, and not too many have an effective way to send those articles out to be reused, repurposed, recycled or repaired.
Waste is waste, no matter how we generate it.
You can only buy Applecare within the first year after purchase... so I'm not sure how you managed to but one "A week before my regular applecare was about to run out".
I bought Applecare care on eBay very cheaply, registered online fine, and had 2 problems about a year later for which I took the machine in for repairs - no problem at all, no questions asked, no need to provide a receipt.
I make a delicious dinner complete with candlelight, tablecloth and cloth napkins. He does the dishes while I take a long soaking bath.
My husband and I have been married for almost 20 years and have not once exchanged a store-bought gifts for the Valentine's Day holiday. Some creative ideas that we've done:
Create a homemade coupon book - I received one for 12 car washes. My husband knew that I liked a clean car, but hated washing it. All I had to do was redeem and my husband made it sparkle.
Photo Books
Memory Boxes
Plan a Special Day of "favorites"
Gifts from the heart are more meaningful and cost less.
Lisa
Valentine's Day has become a retail racket.
If you need to spend $100 to display your love for your partner, maybe your relationship needs a little strengthening.
Just one man's opinion.
Great article! Nice roundup!
Nice article! Very interesting to read!
I haven't had any relocation lately. But if I do, then I will be transferring, and I will bring my family if ever I have one.
I just learned everything the article mentions several months ago and I already feel guilty for missing just one year.
:-(
Good tips! I know chocolates can melt one's heart but I will be honest: be yourself! Be sweet! Be kind! Be who you are! :-)
Yes of course! It doesn't matter whether it is 2nd hand or not. :-)
You guys are giving great points and tips. I am actually applying what you guys are saying since I did not knew this kind of things.
Really great article! Thanks for sharing the roundup!
This is a great post! I am now trying to process credit cards on my phone. Technology is changing fast.
Roses are too traditional and show a lack of creativity. Get out there and find something better!
When I was in my high school, while everyone are buying roses in the gate of our school, I bought a Stargazer. It is big, white and really different. It's nice!
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED, if your not satisfied call them and tell them and they'll make it up to you, THEY HAVE TO.
1 Long Stemmed Red Rose
1 Godiva Raspberry Cordial
A romantic poem copied by hand (I'm not that poetic)
Home cooked dinner by candlelight (I am a decent cook)
great link! thanks.
the Canadian Film Board also offers free videos, docs, etc. here: http://www.nfb.ca/
Another thought is to give gifts from the heart. As a fellow Frugal Gal, my husband and I have always marked the holiday with a thoughtful gift versus measuring our love based on material things. I wrote an article on Giving Gifts from the Heart. They cost less and mean more.
Thank you for sharing you thoughtful ideas.
Lisa
Yeah, skip the hype and celebrate Valentine's Day in a non-commercial way.
If you're a guy, cook a romantic dinner and clear away afterwards.
If you're a woman, buy some champagne and suggest an early night.
It's amazing how little romance can cost.
I tried using the air duster & dryer method. It didn't work I used the entire bottle. tried four times and nothing! Wasted my money & made me angry. p.s. whever came up with it should mention that if you live in a warm state it may work but if you live where it's cold...forget it.
Haha some really funny ones here. Great satire of some other "tips" that you see out there. Not sure about marrying someone frugal, they might be less frugal with your money than with theirs!!
I think you're getting spammed, you might want to do something about those comments....
Anyway here's another cool list of 50 more ways to save money:
http://www.money-while-you-sleep.biz/50-ways-to-save-money.html
Beware of the "cheap" itunes cards. They are purchased using stolen credit cards, and Apple will remove the value you bought when the card is reported stolen, or close down your account. Anything at face value or below is most likely stolen. I pay a little bit more, but I have never had a problem. I'm also using http://itunes-giftcards.com and have only good things to say about them.
I could not read Hibbert's article since the access is over from the link.
However, Mr. Brewer says that people who put things in the trash do so because they are trying to waste less; I would question that.
Many people put things in the trash because they do not want to take the time or effort to take it elsewhere, hand it down, repair, repurpose, recycle or reuse.
While I understand that not everybody is creative, almost any regular individual is able to find a way to reduce the waste.
When I discovered the things that people put out during "Spring/Fall Cleaning Day" in our city, I was always amazed of the "treasures" that I could find. I picked items for my personal use, others to give away, some were repurposed and became part of a "new" item, some others made it to my garage sales after some elbow grease and generated some dollars -that was almost free money!
Even at the thrift stores there is waste. They can not keep everything that comes in, and not too many have an effective way to send those articles out to be reused, repurposed, recycled or repaired.
Waste is waste, no matter how we generate it.
You can only buy Applecare within the first year after purchase... so I'm not sure how you managed to but one "A week before my regular applecare was about to run out".
I bought Applecare care on eBay very cheaply, registered online fine, and had 2 problems about a year later for which I took the machine in for repairs - no problem at all, no questions asked, no need to provide a receipt.
My best brown bag food is a really good vegetable salad plastic ware container with a little dressing on the side.