Saving money is sexy-- as long as you master the art of how to cheap out without looking like a cheapskate! Here, just in time for Valentine's Day, are a few ideas on how to have an upscale, romantic date without the corresponding out-of-control price tag.
Simple and elegant: Romance doesn't require an overpriced French restaurant or a huge, expensive bouquet from a top florist. Under $30 can net you flowers (or, better yet, a flowering plant that will last!), an inexpensive bottle of wine, a baguette and a hunk of good cheese-- all that you need for a romantic picnic. If you need assistance picking out a great (but reasonably priced!) bottle of wine, visit a local store that specializes in wines and spirits rather than your local grocery store. Any inexpensive bottle of wine, even two-buck chuck from Trader Joe’s, will make an excellent base for sangria--just add lots of fresh fruit, such as apples, strawberries and citrus, some sugar and some ginger ale for an inexpensive and tasty treat.
Have a romantic night in: If it's too cold to picnic outside where you live, light the fireplace, lay out a blanket, put on some music and have an indoor picnic instead! Light candles, turn off the TV and have a quiet dinner, just the two of you-- even if it's a frozen lasagna, it will taste better by candlelight. Rent a movie for free from your local library or spend $1 to get one from your local Redbox or Blockbuster Express.Don't want to leave the house? Then download a movie from Amazon.com or even watch one for free on Hulu.com or on TV.
Go Local: Take advantage of your environment. If you're on the coast, pack a picnic and head to the beach for a stroll. If you're in the mountains, grab your skis or snowboard. Explore all that your area has to offer: museums, walking trails, picnic areas, amusement parks, strawberry picking and more. Even if you're in a high-priced locale, many attractions offer discounts to local residents.
Let's do lunch: If you want the restaurant experience but don't want to pay restaurant prices, go to lunch instead. Many high-end restaurants have very affordable lunch specials, and the ambiance and service are comparable to what you'll find in the evening. .
Score a discount! Sites like Groupon and LivingSocial offer deep discounts on local attractions, spas, salons and restaurants, usually 50% off or more.Restaurant.com offers $25 gift certificates for $10 and you can often find a code bringing your out-of- pocket cost down to as low as $2. Most restaurants do have some restrictions-- either minimum spending requirements, blackout dates or exclusions -- but as long as you can live within them, you're well on your way to a low-cost dinner!
Regardless of your budget, you can have a ton of fun without spending a ton. With just a little bit of ingenuity and smidgen of planning, you can have a hot date with your sweetie without souring your budget.
Jodi Furman’s site, LiveFabuLESS.com, is now teaching millions of readers a quick, easy, and simple way to live the upscale life without the price. In addition to her website, Jodi is a regular contributor to the Associated Press, CNN, USA Weekend, Wasabi Media Group, WGN and ABC. Jodi has an MBA in marketing from Columbia Business School and has worked for Bristol-Myers Squibb in both sales and marketing for the past nine years.
