Five Fun--And Nearly Free--Ways to Celebrate Valentine's
This Valentine's Day, we're all looking for ways to save money. But remember, the best things in life are free and that includes ways to celebrate your love. Here are five ways to show your Valentine how much he means to you...without spending any more than you would on a typical night at home.
Prepare a special Valentine’s dessert for you and your Valentine. Focus your attention on your loved one’s favorite dessert. If he's a fan of chocolate, you can make a molten chocolate mini cake for each of you. Tiramisu is another easy dessert option. Not the baking type? Make a fruit parfait. Create layers with store-bought pound cake, vanilla pudding, and fresh fruit to make the parfait, crowned with whipped topping.
Spread a blanket on the floor of your living room to create a special dessert picnic for Valentine’s Day. Light candles around the room to set the mood. Place some pillows around the edge of the blanket. Turn on your favorite soft romantic music.
Watch a romantic movie on your picnic blanket after you have enjoyed your Valentine’s Day dessert. Open a bottle of wine and relax as you watch a movie--or a movie marathon--of romantic flicks.
Slow dance with your Valentine after the movie is over. This traditional way to celebrate Valentine’s Day is often forgotten. Who says you have to be at a fancy restaurant to slow dance with the one you love? Place a couple of slow romantic CDs on repeat so that you don't have to end your special slow dance.
Celebrate your romantic Valentine’s Day by giving each other a massage. Who needs a spa for this day of love?
Labels: Valentine's
posted by Paris & John /Click for permalink 12:45 PM
Low-Cost Dating Ideas
Whether you're taking about a night out on the town with a new boyfriend or date night with your husband, you've probably got one big thing on your mind you didn't just a while back: money. Dinner and a movie has taken on a whole new (expensive) turn in today's economy so many couples are looking for low-cost ways to have fun and save money at the same time.
You'll know that money, however, has nothing to do with romance if you've read books by Michael Webb, known as "The RoMANtic." This Oprah expert (who says that Valentine's can be the least romantic day of the year thanks to so many people's insistence on just buying some roses and candy without any romantic thought) offers creative, unique and fun dates in his book
300 Creative Dates.
You'll find an assortment of ideas in this guide. While many of the ideas are quite creative, others are only a good reminder of places that everyone knows about...but forgot or just never realized that they’d make an ideal place for a date. Thankfully the, "I would-have-NEVER-thought-of-that-in-a-million-years!" ideas DO outweigh the date idea refreshers.
The book includes touches such as 'dating coupons' you can give to your partner to redeem at a later date. Some examples?
- Redeem this for a fruit-picking day at an orchard or berry patch
- Redeem this for a one-hour bike ride
- Redeem this for an evening at a nearby drive-in theater
While there are 300 ideas, you'll get bleary-eyed if you try to digest more than a few dozen in one sitting and some descriptions are a little lengthy (although you'll also find a nice list of bullets with quick and to the point date ideas ready). All in all, it makes a good reference for those looking for date ideas that don't break the bank.
Labels: budget date ideas
posted by Paris & John /Click for permalink 9:07 AM
How to Save Money on Airfare
In these tough economic times, airlines are cutting back on giveaways and tacking on extra fees for everything from baggage to pets. If the two of you are creative in your thinking and willing to put in some time in research (and be flexible in your plans), you can save money and make that dream vacation or honeymoon a budget-friendly reality.
Be flexible. Can you be flexible about your travel dates? The airline you select? If so, you'll have more options that will be easier on your travel budget. Shop, compare then shop and compare some more. Airfares change constantly.
Purchase your tickets in advance. Buying in advance gives you the chance to compare fares and get in on the lowest fares; more often than not, they'll increase as you get closer to flight date.
Fly Off-Peak. Everyone travels on Mondays and Fridays so for the best deal, look at off-peak days.
When's off peak? That depends on your destination. If it's a business destination where business travelers might fill the plane, expect the planes to be packed and at their most expensive Monday morning and Friday afternoon. If it's a leisure destination where travelers often head for a long weekend, look for busy Thursday, Friday, and Sunday schedules. Is it a cruise destination? Expect Saturdays to be busy. If you can, change your schedule to take advantage of low-cost days. You'll also want to avoid holidays when there's peak demand (although you'll find good fares on Christmas Day itself.)
Leave at Off-Peak Times. Not only are off-peak days important, but off-peak departure times are budget savers. If you leave before sunrise or after sunset, you'll find some sunny savings.
Sign Up for Frequent Flyer Clubs. Always take advantage of frequent
flyer offers. You'll often get some bonus miles on
signup then you'll collect miles with each flight (and often have the option of getting more miles with a particular credit card.)
Labels: air travel
posted by Paris & John /Click for permalink 12:51 PM
Reader Tips on Budgeting, Saving On Your Wedding
Less is more! -- Diane
Most of the times getting chair covers with a matching sash for your wedding is not worth it. People are less likely to remember what type of chair they sat on. Hopefully your entertainment is so good that people won't even be sitting for most of the night. :) -- J.M.
Just don't buy things just to buy them! -- NikkiG
Choose what's really important to you - - great photos or beautiful flowers - - and put your money toward that, rather than trying to throw money at every aspect of the wedding! -- SB
To be sure you don't go over budget, budget 10% less than you really want to spend! -- PK
Write out a preliminary budget and make sure to get estimates from all vendors, -- smk
Having a wedding planner is such a MUST. -- Jules
Labels: Weddings
posted by Paris & John /Click for permalink 12:18 PM
Reader Tips on Saving on Wedding Flowers
Buy a bouquet at local supermarket florist. They usually will make it for you for a much cheaper price. -- Eileen T
You can make a beautiful center piece for tables by simply getting some small glass vases and filling with flowers from a local market. Place some petals around base of vase and you are done. Simple is sometimes better. -- Jenn
Labels: Reader Tips, Wedding flowers
posted by Paris & John /Click for permalink 12:16 PM
Reader Tips on Saving on Beach Weddings
In smaller beach towns, you can get away with a beach wedding without having to purchase a permit, particularly if the reception hall is on or near the beach.
Additionally, smaller beach towns are more willing to accommodate you because they don't have the traffic of the larger cities.
Call the local chamber of commerce to inquire as they are often the best source of this information. -- Katie
Labels: Beach weddings, Reader Tips, Wedding locations
posted by Paris & John /Click for permalink 12:14 PM
Reader Tips on Cutting Restaurant Costs
Go to upscale restaurant to eat lunch, not dinner. You'll get same food for much less. -- Alexander
My husband Howard and I share all our meals, including dessert. We save lots of money, lost weight and had more than enough to enjoy our dining pleasure. Really works great!
Take sandwiches instead of eating out. -- Pauline
When my husband and I go on a romantic beach vacation, we always find a fresh seafood store and buy shrimp, which we cook when we get back to our room. We light candles and have a very romantic dinner
nickname = SB
Bring a cooler for light meals like crackers and cheese, yogurt, fruit, pb & j sandwiches, etc. -- Audrey
Pack romantic meals instead of paying a lot at restaurants. -- Tammy
Share your meals. -- KC
Instead of going into a restaurant, we buy lunch and sometimes dinner from street vendors. -- Connie
Get a hotel with continental breakfast. -- Talya
Always pack snacks so you need not buy the expensive vending machine (food). -- Linda
Share desserts. -- smk
Take a cooler with pop and other drinks, much cheaper then buying as you go. -- Dawn
Money saving travel tip is to buy snacks, candy, and carry them in your travel bag. They so much cheaper than buying in a foreign country and within an airport. Kmart-WalMart beats the heck out of the other. -- SW
Always eat a hearty breakfast if one is provided as part of your accommodations. You can have an al fresco snack of local fruits, cheese, and bread for a light lunch and be able to splurge a bit for dinner. -- Nancy
At home, pack two sturdy plastic cups and packets of instant lemonade or tea mix. You can have a refreshing drink without paying an arm and a leg for it, plus it's a little familiar taste of home when you're far away. Enjoy! -- Nancy
Labels: Reader Tips, Restaurant Dining
posted by Paris & John /Click for permalink 11:46 AM
Reader Tips on Saving On Your Cruise
On a cruise or river trip take the cabin on a lower deck or with the smaller window. It saves money and does not compromise the pleasure of the trip at all. -- LSP
When going on that fun cruise, remember to take along an empty plastic water bottle for each of you. Why empty? This saves on weight at the airport and fill it in your room on the ship, this way when getting off the ship ports of call like Mexico you are safe rather than sorry and it will save on those stomach cramps and headache that the cruise ship charges for one bottle at $3.oo. -- Jo
Labels: Cruise, Reader Tips
posted by Paris & John /Click for permalink 11:44 AM
Reader Tips on Researching Your Trip
Recently we asked our readers for their favorite travel tips. We'll be running these by subject; today we look at ways to save money by doing your research before you make your plans. If you have a money-saving travel tip, send it to us! We've got a handy online form on the right side of this page.Check out Internet web sites for the town or region of your destination. Visit their travel websites for coupons and discounts for various attractions. Look for great deals as well on lodging and transportation. Save money by doing your honeymoon "homework"! -- Nancy
Always look for coupons for where you are traveling and do your homework, searching on the internet for deal. I have had some good ones. -- Linda
Well before your trip, use resource books at the public library to gather information on your destination. If your library doesn't have a book you want, use inter-library loan to get it. You can't get better than a free price tag! -- Nancy
Labels: Internet, Reader Tips
posted by Paris & John /Click for permalink 11:36 AM
Saving Money on Your Cruise
Cruises were once the vacation of the rich and famous...but no more. Cruises can be a very economical way for the two of you to travel.
Saving Money on Booking a Cruise- Book online.
- Buy directly from the cruise line.
- Ask your travel agent for the best deal he or she can obtain.
- Book early and save 10-40%.
- Pay in full when you make your reservation for savings.
- Consider traveling as a standby passenger. Standby passengers are usually notified if they made the list 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure.
- Ask for discounts or special packages when you book. Discounts are available for seniors 55 plus and if you’re a member of certain organizations like AAA or AARP.
- You might be eligible for a discount if you’re sailing with a group.
- Look for specials are often offered such as buy one get one free.
- Sign up for cruise newsletters to keep abreast of the latest deals.
Saving on Your Cabin- The cost of your cruise is largely determined by the cabin you select mainly determine the cost of the cruise. The size of your cabin and its location on the ship will greatly impact the price.
- Interior cabins are cheapest with no view; but, unless the two of you plan to spend a lot of time in the room, this won’t matter.
- Cabins with a window or a balcony are more expensive which could be worth the money if you’re sailing where scenery is abundant such as the Inside Passage.
Saving Money Based on the Time of Year - Travel in the off-peak season means the lowest rates. For example, save by sailing the Caribbean the first week in December before high season kicks in (or sign up for a low-cost summer Caribbean cruise.) Alaska cruises are cheaper in early May or late September.
- Repositioning cruises are a bargain if you like to spend most of your time at sea. Usually in the spring and fall, ships are moved from one part of the world to another depending on the sailing season. The only way to get ships to another location is to sail them and it’s more cost efficient to have revenue-paying passengers on board.
Other Ways to Save On Your Cruise- Be loyal. Just like frequent flyer clubs with the airlines, cruises have clubs to reward repeat trips. The more you sail with a line, the more discounts and perks you’re offered. You usually have an opportunity to book again while on the current cruise at a discount.
- Find out just what's included. Ask questions before you finalize your plans: are drinks included? sodas? what will the port charges be on this cruise?
Labels: Cruise
posted by Paris & John /Click for permalink 11:10 AM
Welcome to Recession-Proof Romance
Welcome to the newest section of Lovetripper.com: Recession-Proof Romance. This blog takes a look at how the two of you can enjoy romance on a grand scale...without a grand budget. In today's economic climate, we're all looking for ways to save money in every aspect of our life and that includes romance. Regardless of your romantic stage in life--whether you're looking for ways to save money on dates or a destination wedding--we'll have tips on how you can save money and have a more romantic experience at the same time. Whether you have tips on how you've saved money--or questions about how you can save on some aspect of your romantic life--drop us an email at editors@lovetripper.com. We'd love to hear from you!
posted by Paris & John /Click for permalink 9:11 AM
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