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Saving money is sexy-- as long as you master the art of how to cheap out without looking like a cheapskate! Here 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 $50 can net you flowers from any of the online florists (you can get a bouquet for as low as $19.99, + delivery, plus get up to 20% cashback with Ebates!) plus 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, go to WineTasting.com and sort by price, rating or best selling. You can even order a gift basket which will contain everything you need for your picnic from Wine.com-- and both WineTasting.com and Wine.com offer cashback if you click through Ebates to make a great deal that much sweeter!
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! Don't have a sitter? Put the kids to bed early and either pick up dinner or order in. 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.
Go Local: Take advantage of your local environment. If you're on the coast, grab 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 local area has to offer: museums, walking trails, picnic areas, amusement parks, strawberry picking and more.
Let's do lunch: If you want the restaurant experience but don't want to pay elevated 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 such as Groupon offers deep discounts on local attractions, spas, salons and restaurants, usually 50% off or deeper-- be sure to click through Ebates to get an additional 3%. cashback at Groupon, too! 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, and click through Ebates for 15(!)% cashback-- most restaurants do have some restrictions-- either minimum spending requirements, black out dates or exclusions-- but as long as you can live within the restrictions, you're well on your way to a low cost dinner!
Babysitter Swap: If you can't afford to pay ransom rates for a sitter and don't have family either close or willing to watch your kids, consider a babysitting swap with some like minded friends. It can be as simple as you watch my kids this Saturday night and I'll watch yours next Saturday night, giving each family a much needed and well deserved break from parental duties.
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 is a blogger for LiveFabuLess. Be sure to check out all her money saving tips here.
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Love the owl invitations!! They are so cute! My daughter is a Chi-Omega and the owls were one of their symbols. Now she is pregnant and this would be a perfect choice for the invitations!!
There are too many cute baby shower favors to choose from!! My faves are the personalized lip balm, personalized hand sanitizer, personalized lollipops, custom fortune cookies, and brownie pals (I think the ladybug ones are absolutely adorable!!)
I have a friend who is quite the germ-phobe, so I would totally love to order the personalized hand sanitizers for her baby shower goody-bags - that way she knows that hands will be clean when we cuddle her new baby!
I like the Fortune Cookie Keepsake Boxes. Being of Chinese descent, I think that these are so adorable.
I like the Chinese Takeout Box Candle Holders.
I love the personalized Birthday Cupcake Mix favors.
I love Personalized "Little Notes" Notebook Favors! Very cute favors for a baby shower!
The coffee scoop was cute...mama of 3 that cannot live without coffee :)
i love the personalized lollipops
There are so many cute things, how can I pick one? I love the mini glass jar favors. You could fill with colorful candies, or little flowers or little trinkets. They would be a cute addition to place setting. I just love "cute" packaging ideas!
I love the Personalized Baby Shower Honey Jars - very cute!
Oh baby, I totally love the "cute as a button" soap! It's darling, it works well for a boy or a girl and it's practical!
I like the mini gumball machines and plan to use them as a favor for my son's next birthday.
I say these little honey pots!! Adorable and unique.
http://www.beau-coup.com/baby/sweet-as-can-bee-mini-honey-pot-favors.htm
I bookmarked the site, thank-you! =)
I love all the baby shower favors! My favorite is the set of Mini Jungle Animal Baby Shower Place Card Holders-- SOOO adorable!
Thank you for the giveaway!!
I love the Custom Baby Shower Cookies and Custom Fortune Cookies (yes, I admit, I have a sweet-tooth!)
Thanks for the giveaway.
Fortune cookies, button soaps & baby honey pots are my faves! Thank you. :-)
the lip balm ~ how wonderfully useful :)
I love the personalized baby shower lollipop favor!!!
I love the personalized lip balm!!!