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December 2, 2020 by Holly

13 Easy Ways to Save Money on Gifts All Year Long

wrapping paper and wrapped package laying around with glitter strewn all over

There comes a time during the year when we need to buy someone a gift.

Maybe it’s a last minute birthday present, Christmas, Hanukah, or a just because gift.

One thing is certain all gift cost money, whether we have time to budget for them or DIY a gift, every gift will cost money.

How Can I Save Money on Gifts?

When it comes to saving money on gifts you can:

  1. Shop early in the year picking up gift items as the go on sale- my Grandma is the queen of this.
  2. Make a gift. There are many DIY and creative gifts that will wow your gift recipient. Make their favorite dish or dessert even.

DIY and Creative Gift Ideas

  • 17 Simple and Cheap Gifts You can Make Last Minute
  • Creative Gift Baskets Under $20
  • DIY Gift Idea: Sangria for Friends
  • How to Make a Little Somethin’ Somethin’ with Buttons
  • 10 Creative, Inexpensive, DIY Gifts for Mom
  • 28 Amazing DIY Christmas Gifts Your Friends and Family will Love

Show me the Money

happy birthday card surrounded by cookies and gifts

However, sometimes we don’t have the time or budget to shop early. I totally get it.

Whether you decide to purchase your next gift or you need to purchase items for your creative DIY present or homemade food, I have a way to help you save some cash on all those purchases.

I’ve come up with a list companies that help put cash back in your pocket while you do your gift and gift supply shopping.

3. Ratuken

Mobil app and browser extension

Ratuken- formerly Ebates- is know for its cash back on purchases online or instore.

But they don’t stop at just giving you cash back on your purchases; they also hook you up with coupons for the store or website you are shopping.

Ratuken offers an extensive list of categories to shop from: 

  • Clothing & Accessories
  • Travel & Vacations
  • Health & Beauty
  • Shoes & Handbags
  • Electronics & Office
  • Home, Auto & Pets
  • Baby, Kids & Toys
  • Sports & Outdoors
  • Food & Entertainment
  • Books & Media
  • Gifts, Flowers & Occasions
  • Subscription Boxes & Services

Whenever I need to shop for anything, kids’ clothes, house stuff, hotels- you name it- I head to Ratuken first.

You can save even more cash when you use Ratuken by signing up and by referring your friends!

Currently When you sign up for Ratuken you receive a $10 bonus and when you refer friends receive $40.

Site Navigation:

Not overwhelming, easy to navigate

Cash Back?

Big ol’ yes!

4. Honey

Mobil app and browser extension

Honey is mostly an advanced coupon discount sight with potential to earn money back.

Their site is easy to navigate and understand and their home page features the day’s biggest deals.

Honey has an amazing array of companies that they have coupon and discount codes for, about 30,000, including Apple and Udemy!

Honey is unique in two ways:

1. You add the browser extension and can shop as usual, then when you check out it will give you coupon and discount codes to use.

2. They have a drop feature. Looking for something, but don’t want to buy until the price drops- then the drop feature is your friend.

You can also shop through their site as, you would Ratuken, and find your discount codes and sale items that way.

Site Navigation:

Their site is easy to navigate and understand.

Cash Back?

They have a loyalty program called Honey Gold.

When you make purchases from their preferred partnered they will reward you with points that turn into gift cards.

You can also refer friends to Honey and both of you will receive Honey Gold bonuses.

5. dealnews

Mobil app and website

If you are hoping to get the lowest price on a gift or item, dealnews is the place to look.

Dealnews’s front page shows the days hottest deals and stores.

They offer an amazing number of categories including freebies, gift cards, and airfare.

Dealnews’s guarantees to “list products that are the lowest price available from reputable companies”. In business for 22 years, they must be doing something right.

Site Navigation:

A lot to see

Cash Back?

  No

6. Slickdeals               

No browser extension, Yes mobile ap

Slickdeals is a coupon and deal site known for having a strong community that submits and reviews the deals and coupons posted.

Slickdeals prides itself for having only the best deals on reputable brands and stores

They have a large number of categories from which you can find the deals you are looking for-like home improvement and credit cards.

On their home page they feature deals of the day. They have a large amount.

Site Navigation:

Slickdeals home page is a little visually over whelming at first, lots of deals.

Takes a moment to get acclimated.

After that it is fairly easy to navigate.

Cash Back?

No

7. Fetch Rewards

Mobil app

Fetch Rewards is a receipt scanning app which includes e-receipts for shopping online.

Shop as you normally would, including alcohol, scan receipt and you will receive points.

You receive bonus points when you purchase from the app’s featured products ex. Blue Moon, Fritos, Dove.

As you rack up points you can exchange them for gift cards to big name stores like Ulta, Amazon, Target, Home depot, even travel, massages and more.

Double the Savings

If you already use Ibotta you can still you Fetch Rewards. You’ll just scan the receipt separately to each app.

When you sign up earn 2,000 points.

Site Navigation:

App use only.

Very easy to understand.

Cash Back?

Sort of.  Purchases equal points which can be turned into gift cards.

white envolope with gold polka dots that has a $20 bill in it.

8. Ibotta

Mobile app and browser extension

Ibotta can be used two ways:

  • shop through the browser extension or app and ibotta will do the cash back work for you.
  • Scan receipts from your shopping trips with the app, get cash back.

 Ibotta is unique in that you can receive cash back for gift cards, food delivery, and grocery pick up in addition to cash back from many grocery stores, retailers, travel sites, and so much more.

Ibotta also has a community forum full of savings and coupon bundling tips.

Double the Savings

If you already use Fetch Rewards you can still use ibotta.

You’ll just scan the receipt separately to each app.

When you sign up with ibotta, earn a cash bonus as a thank you.

Site Navigation:

Both the app and browser extension are easy to navigate and understand.

Cash Back?

 Yes

9. TopCashback

 Mobil app, browser extension, or website.

TopCashback is a cash back site that boasts a higher percentage back than other sights.

They offer a wide array of categories to purchase through and receive cash back.

TopCashback is unique in that instead of receiving your cash back you have the option to have it donated to charity.

Site Navigation:

Easy to navigate

Cash Back?

 Yes

10. Paribus

Mobile App or sign up on web

Paribus is a Capital One company that is a very unique way to saving money on purchases.

When you sign up to Paribus, you give it permission to monitor your email shopping receipts.

When its algorithm detects that something you purchased had a price drop or another potential saving occurs, they will alert you and help you get the cash back.

Site Navigation:

 Easy peasy.

 Cash Back?

  Refund.

11. Dealspotr

No browser extension, no mobile app

Dealspotr bills itself as “being like the Wikipedia of deals with Google search capabilities”.

The key to their couponing success is that it is community driven.

On Dealspotr you will find coupons, discount codes, promos, and sales. 

They have an extensive number of categories to search:

  • Apparel
  • Beauty
  • Electronics
  • Health
  • Home
  • Money
  • Places & Travel
  • Software

Whatever you are doing or buying, they’ve probably got a coupon or discount code for that.

Site Navigation

Their site is easy to navigate and not overwhelming.

Cash Back?

 No

12. DontPayFull

No mobile app, no browser extension, go through website

DontPayFull is a unique promo code and coupon site with a discussion forum and blog.

The objective of DontPayFull is to help you save money on purchases and by using the forum you can trade money saving tips and hacks.

Their blog is also a wealth of money saving info.

Site Navigation:

Easy to navigate, can search by store or product.

Cash Back?

No

13. RetailMenot

Browser extension and mobile app

RetailMenot has been around since 2006.

They mostly help you to find deals and coupons, occasionally there will be a cash back offer, but unlike Rakuten, that is not their focus.

RetailMenot boasts over 70,000 brands and 200,000 offers of which 19,000 are instore coupons- this where your mobile app comes in handy.

They offer discounts and coupons for not just a variety of big box stores, clothing, and hardware stores, but also coupons on travel, hotel, and discounts on food, including instacart.

I also personally like their uncluttered layouts and ease of use.

Cash Back?

Maybe.

Save Cash Gift Giving

brown wrapped Christmas package tied with twine under a Christmas tree with cookies and milk

Do you have any tips or tricks that you use to save money on the gifts you give?

Do you like to make gifts for others?

I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

More like this:

  • 10 Easy Ways to Start Saving Money Today
  • 13 Creative Hostess Gifts, for $25 or Less
  • 10 Creative, Inexpensive, DIY Gifts for Mom
  • 21 Thoughtful Gifts that Moms will Love
  • 45 Best Christmas Gift Ideas that College Girls will Love in 2020
  • 51 Best Gifts for The Dad that has Everything

February 8, 2019 by Holly

12 Ways to Start Making Extra Money from Home Today

Make Money From Home, Side Hustles

Are you looking for a career change or maybe a side hustle? You have come to the right place!

Working from home doesn’t have to be boring. Side hustles and work from home opportunities can give us the chance to explore our creative side, meet new people, and set our own hours.

These are 12 legitimate ways to make money from home. This list is for a wide array of people and skill levels. Some of these can even been done while the kids are in bed. Allowing you to stay home with them but also earn the extra cash you need.

Customer Service:

Are you good with customers and solving problems? Do you have a quiet work space in your home?

A customer service or customer support could be the job for you. Some of these companies have night hours too.

Live Ops

Live Ops hires customer service and sales professionals as independent contractors.

Live Ops contracts with a variety of industries like retail, health care, road side assistance, in bound sales, customer service, insurance claims, insurance sales, food order taking, and payroll support.

When you click on the opportunities center; you will see the type of positions you can apply for and their peak hours, and how many hours per week you will work. The opportunity center also allows you to see the skills, experience, and personality that are thought to be right fit for that job.

Days, nights, and weekend work available.

Direct Interactions

Direct Interactions is an outsourced, home-based customer service company.

They employ independent contractors for their home-based customer service.

Direct Interactions encourages people with disabilities and deployed families to apply.

United Health Group

United Health Group is a health insurance company that posts loads of work from home jobs. Some of the jobs are completely work from home, some are partial, others will require a few office days.

United Health Group posts jobs for customer service positions, clinical jobs, medical coding, health care operations like actuaries and underwriters, corporate services like analyst and finance, consultants, sales, marketing, tech, and even project management.

When looking for telecommuting positions, on the right-hand side of the job search is a blue sort and filter. When you scroll down you will see the word Telecommuter Position, click Yes. Below that you can also narrow your search by shifts.

HR Services

Kelly Connect

Kelly Connect has been around a long time. Their focus is to help you find a job that fits your life and skills. They connect people with temp jobs, freelance gigs, various professional positions, teaching, substitute teaching positions, and work from home opportunities.

To find work from home opportunities, on the left-hand side, at the bottom, under Flexible Options click, and then click work from home.

Kelly Connect Global for seekers outside of the U.S.

Freelance writing money side hustles

Freelance:

Your words are worth something, like, cash. Thanks to the internet, the written word is just as in demand as ever. There are more opportunities than ever for someone who likes to write and can write for other people or businesses.

Freelance writing can be a side-hustle or a full-time job. In order to make it work, you need to be able meet client’s deadlines.

If you think a freelance writing gig might be the thing for you, I cannot recommend Elna Cain and Jorden Roper enough. Both women are encouraging and informative. These women have good, actionable advice that will help you decide if freelance writing is something you would like to do.

Elna Cain

Elna Cain has had her work published in the Huffington Post, Psych Central, and Entrepreneur, to name a few.

Elna’s namesake blog Elna Cain is her freelance writing informational blog. However, you may also know her from her other passion project, Twin’s Mommy, where she helps moms learn how to make money online.

Elna’s blog is going to help you learn how to create a portfolio, inform you as to where you can find writing gigs, improve your skills, and really so much more.

In addition to her blog, she has a YouTube channel where she continues to help freelance writers learn the skills they need to be marketable.

Jorden Roper

Jorden Roper of Creative Revolt is a firecracker and no-nonsense freelance writing dynamo.

Jorden’s big on helping her future freelance writers’ niche down and cold email. Cold emailing is something that she strongly believes in. Cold emailing took Jorden from jobless to making over $5000, four months after she had been fired.

Jordan has hustle and moxy. When you land on her blog, you are immediately greeted with her can do attitude. As a blogger, who dropped out of college three times and was fired from a call center job, she definitely tries to instill in her readers the sense of if-she-can-do-so-can-I. Jorden also has an equally informative YouTube channel that is worth checking out.

I should warn you, before you hit that play button on Jorden’s channel, that she does use the occasional cuss word. I just wanted to give you a heads up in case you have little ones around or those aren’t words you are a fan of either. 😊

Dog Care Side hustles work from home

Must Love Dogs and Cats

Walking dogs and taking care of other people’s pets can be a fun way to make extra money. There are places in the US where a dog walker/care taker is a full-time job. Dog walking isn’t just fun, and flexible, it’s also like get paid to exercise. Bonus in my opinion!

Wag

If walking dogs sounds like a fun way to earn some extra cash, then head to Wag and start the application process. References are strongly encouraged.

Once approved as a Wag dog walker, the Wag app will show you the available dog walks being requested in your area. Dog walking is flexible. It is your choice if you would like to take up the walking request. Wag is kind of like Uber or Lyft, in that respect.

Rover

Rover is a dog or cat sitting website although they do offer do walking services as well. To get started with Rover you will need to fill out a profile by taping Become A Sitter at the top of their page. Even if you would only like to walk dogs. In a way your profile is your application. If you are hired this becomes your Rover profile.

In your profile you will include your rates, the size of dogs you are willing to watch/ walk, list your own pets, and the space the boarded dog or cat would be staying. Although some clients may ask you to sit at their residence.

The jobs you choose to take through Rover are up to you.

Teaching English:

No need to travel any further than the comfort of your own home for this teaching opportunity. Teaching English to people in China can be a rewarding experience.

The ages of the children and skill level can vary. At times, you the teacher, maybe be there to, primarily, help correct the student’s pronunciation, context, and to help work on their accent.

The lessons are booked in 30-minute time slots. You choose your hours.

Two things to keep in mind with this kind of gig:

  • You will be teaching during Beijing hours, so that may mean starting very early in the morning your time.
  • Secondly you will need a quiet space to teach from.

VIPKIDS

VIPKIDS is based in China. The students are between the ages of 4-12 years old.

VIPKIDs requires at least a bachelor’s degree (University degree). They also have an application process that involves a live video interview, which will be done with their time zone.

It is highly recommended that you have some experience working with children, such as helping in a Sunday school class, babysitting, volunteer at some point with children, mentoring, or homeschooling, to name a few.

VIPKIDS also encourages applicants to study their VIPKID Teacher Applicant Performance Indicator online handbook prior to their interview. It’s a 5-page pdf.

Once approved, you do not have to make a lesson plan. They provide it for you. VIPKIDS also recommends that you be available to work 7.5 hours a week. They encourage their teachers to be available during their peak hours, which are M-F 6-10 pm and Saturday-Sunday 9am-10pm, all Beijing time.

Qkids

Qkids is another popular Beijing based English teaching company. Like VIPKIDS, the children you will be working with will be between the ages of 4-12 years old.

Qkids hires North American teachers only. They require their teachers to have a college degree.

It is highly recommended that you have some experience working with children, such as helping in a Sunday school class, babysitting, volunteer at some point with children, mentoring, or homeschooling, to name a few.

If you have a TESOL, TEFL, CELTA certificate it is seen as a bonus, but not necessary.

When you apply to Qkids submit a resume. Then, they will also have you record an intro video of yourself.  

Once you are approved, they offer paid training. As a teacher, like VIPKIDS, Qkids requires no lesson planning. Simply review your lessons before teaching, so that you are familiar with the material. Unlike VIPKIDS, Qkids classes consist between 1 to 4 students.

Qkids suggest that you be available to teach 6 hours a week.

Make Money Creative Side Hustles

Resell

Got stuff laying around your house, that still has some life left? Why not sell it!

No computer? No problem. Download the apps and list your items from your phone or tablet.

There are four popular sites to help you resell your unwanted items:

  • Ebay
  • Mecardi
  • Poshmark
  • Facebook groups- these are local to you.

The tricks to reselling:

  • Clean up the item. If clothing: iron or steam them.
  • Good pictures- natural lighting. Today’s cell phones take great pictures. If a flat lay, lay the item on a white sheet (or something like it. No patterns, too distracting) Todays cell phones take great pictures.
  • Honest, accurate descriptions. If you are a non-smoking home, tell them. Pet free home, add that too.
  • Measurements- include them in your listing. Especially for clothing!

Creative

Are you artsy? Do you doodle or dabble in design? Maybe you have an eye for good puns.

Selling print on demand shirts, totes, stickers, and other fun bobbles might be the side hustle for you.

The great thing about print on demand is that you come up with the designs. You decide what apparel, note-books, totes, mugs, merch, ect. you would like it to appear on. They handle everything else!

It goes like this: Someone purchases one of your products and the company you are working with, Amazon or Redbubble in this case, handle the printing, shipping, and collection of money for you.

Tee Shirts Only

Merch by Amazon

Merch by Amazon is a very popular medium for selling independently designed t-shirts. Amazon’s reach is insane. Being the power house that it is, Amazon can afford to have a few rules such as being invitation only.

While Merch by Amazon is invitation only, DO NOT let that deterred you. Amazon offers an invitation on their site, which I have linked. Before you fill out your application, you will need to have 10 designs ready.

Go to Merch Informer blog and read his post: Merch by Amazon Signup Page – How To Sign Up And Get Accepted. Neil walks you through the process, complete with screen shots.

Another helpful post, by Neil, is Finding Trends and Unsaturated Niches Is EASY – Over the Shoulder Merch Research. It’s a 35-minute video but he walks you through the whole research process. I would recommend it even if you don’t sell on Merch by Amazon. He gives good research information that could be used for other print on demand business.

Redbubble

Redbubble does not limit itself, or you, to just t-shirts. Your designs can be placed on leggings, notebooks, home decor, baby one-pieces, wall art, card, totes, phone cases, lap-top skins, stickers, mugs, the list goes on and on. Don’t be intimidated if you do not have any design experience. Redbubble’s help page shows you how you can “start designing like a pro”. They list graphic software they recommend (GIMP is free), design dimensions and formats. Redbubble explains design terminology and they have videos too.

Redbubble is a great place to let your imagination run wild while also making some extra cash.

work from home side hustles money

All You

Every year there seem to be more opportunities to make money from home. More companies and entrepreneurs are taking notice of the amount of people who are willing to give up the commute and work from home.  The latest statistics say that 56% of jobs in the U.S. are telecommute compatible.

Those of us working from home or working side hustles are not alone. It looks like we are part of the future.

Do you have any work from home or side hustle tip? Why do you hustle?

January 26, 2019 by Holly

10 Easy Ways to Start Saving Money Today

Easy Ways to Save Money

On this blog I try to focus on ways to live a full, healthy life affordably. I don’t feel that our health and happiness need to be sacrificed because our budgets might be a little on the tight side. There is always a way. In my book, being frugal makes you creative.

I’ve put together 10 ways that you can start saving money today, some of them from the comfort of your own couch. Saving money doesn’t need to be painful. Hopefully some of these savings hacks will be fun, like the workouts and crockpot meals.

Whether your getting your budget in shape so you can save up for a vacation or you just need the extra cash for necessities, these money saving tips will help.

The biggest way to start saving money is to know your families budget. I’m talking not just eye-balling it but knowing it like-you-know-the-back-of-your-hand know your budget. Once you pick apart that budget, you’ll be more aware of the little things here, and there that may be eroding your funds.

Budget

If you are more an app person, Intuit Mint will keep track of your budget, bills, and goals helping you to analyze your expenses even further.

If you are looking for actionable budgeting advice, Rosemary over at the Busy Budgeter is your gal. As the name suggests, she has many posts on budgeting. If you read none of her posts, please read Budgeting for People that Suck at Budgets. She walks you through how to start a budget. As of this post (1/26/19), she also has a free 90 day budget boot camp that you can sign up for.

Cut the cable cord

While this may not be a new suggestion, the amount of cable substitute options is growing. Now is a better time than ever to look into the saving power of going cutting the cord. Current streaming options like Hulu, Netflix, Youtube tv, Amazon, and more, have your favorite cable channels. Many of these streaming channels are also rolling out their own award-winning content. Some of these have a free trial period too. I personally cut the cord several months ago and I am saving soooooo much money!

Food

Planning is the key to saving money on food. Make a menu plan for the week ahead include prep time. If you are busy, like so many of us, crock pots can be a real-life saver.

Jamie at Totally the Bomb has 33 3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Recipes. None of them are boring either. On Nicole’s blog House of Hermens she has a delicious list of 1 week of crock pot meals that clock in at $50! You just make them ahead, throw them in the freezer, then thaw before throwing in the crock pot. Saving money on food doesn’t have to be bland.

Then Rosemary, The Busy Budgeter, has a post of 3 Weeks of Cheap Dinners Ready in Under 15 Minutes. She preaches keeping things simple and easy. These recipes while being affordable, and easy, are big on flavor!

  • 13 Easy, Budget Friendly Whole30 Snacks That can Travel

Shopping

Shopping is an area where it can be easy to spend too much money. Next time you need to shop for clothing, accessories, food, or whatever I have some hacks to help.

Make a list and stick to it. I know it can be hard when there is shiny new thing on sale. Just remember you are saving money for a bigger purpose.

Ebates whether shopping in store or online, use Ebates. You get a percent of your purchase back! It’s simple to use. I especially like to use it when it is back to school time. I’m buying things I already need, sometimes on sale, AND receiving money back. Winning!

Ibotta app is another way to get money back for the shopping you were going to do anyway. You scan your receipt and Ibotta gives you money back.

Allowance

I know many adults with an allowance. An allowance isn’t kids’ stuff. I like to think of it like a diet cheat day. You have your cheat day in hopes that you’ll be able to stick to your diet on all the other days.

For instance, maybe, you REALLY LOVE peppermint mochas from Starbucks. You’ve looked at your budget and you’ve seen you purchase one most days of the week. Give your self an allowance. Maybe budget one day a week you can treat yourself. After a month of once a week mochas, see about taking it a step further, budget for one every other week. This little example can lead to $80 a month in savings!

Save Money Saving Today

Automatic Savings

After each paycheck have a portion automatically put in your savings account.

Honestly, it doesn’t have to be a lot. About 10 years ago I could barley afford to put back $10. I had the automatic withdraw set up and forgot about it. Out of sight, out of mind my saving began to go. Eventually I was able to move it up to $25 a month. Every little bit counts. Do not worry about it being too small. Put away what you can, try to forget about it, and it will grow!

Banking

Checkout your local credit Unions and banks.

Compare them to your current bank to see if you are getting the best deal when it comes to ATM fees, over draft protection, checks (yes, I said it), and savings account thresh holds. Some banks will penalize your if your savings dips below a certain level, no thanks.

See if any are offering money back offers if you should transfer your money to their institution.

  • 13 Apps to Help You Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

The House

Wasted electricity can eat away at a budget. Make sure lights and Televisions are off when not in use. Turn off computers and tablets at night. They continue to pull energy when they are on and you aren’t using them. Plus, these periodic rests can help them to last longer, says my husband the tech junkie.

Another easy way to save money is by taking shorter showers.

  • 28 Eco-Hacks You can do on any Budget

Cut the Gym

If you aren’t using it, or you can’t afford it anymore, cut the Gym membership.

You can workout at home. YouTube and POPSUGAR Fitness are two places that could replace your membership for free.

I would suggest start with POPSUGAR. They have a variety of workouts, yoga, barre, ect.. They also have an assortment of instructors with workouts starting at 5 minutes all the way up to 60 minutes. Like this 10 Minutes No-Equipment, At Home Cardio Workout.

Entertainment

If you are a movie buff or you are just itching to see the latest “it “movie, start going to matinees.

Movie discount days and matinees. Check your local theater. Many have matinees on the weekends as well as weekdays. While you’re at it see if those theaters have one day a week where they offer all movies at a steep discount all day long.

Groupon and Living social are great places to check out if you want affordable fun. They have local eats, concerts, massages, tours, all kinds of fun stuff.

Library is often over looked. Take a trip to your local library for DVDs. Not only are they cheaper than renting or streaming, you get to keep them longer too!

Parks and Rec centers often have free or low-cost entertainment options.

  • Spring Date Ideas for any Budget

Healthy Habit

Living on a budget and saving doesn’t have to hurt. These 10 savings hacks can be started right away and can become healthy habits for the long term.

What have you done that was a savings game changer?

March 16, 2018 by Holly

Spring Date Ideas for Any Budget

Spring Date ideas any budget

Spring is almost here! The days are getting longer and warmer. What better way to take advantage of the nice spring weather than to head outside with your partner.

We’ve compiled a list of 13 unique spring date ideas for any budget.

These creative spring dates will help you both reconnect while you enjoying the beginning of the spring season.

Coffee class spring date

Java

Java brewing has become an art form. The drip coffeemaker is no longer the only game in town.

If you and your partner love a good cup of joe why not take a coffee class at one of your local coffee houses/ roasters.

Learn together the various ways to brew coffee, make a latte, and the process behind roasting coffee beans.

Explore Your City in a New Way

Explore your city in a new way by taking a Bike Taxi. Bike Taxis are also known as Pedicabs or Rickshaws.

Slip in the back of the bike taxi while your driver peddles you and your date around town.

This eco-friendly transportation will allow you to hold hands, sight see, relax, and enjoy the spring air together.

Couples Massage or Pedicure

A couple massage or pedicure is an indulgent and relaxing way to spend time as a couple.

Pedicures are for everyone, even dudes. Your guy may feel a little weird about it at first, but I promise he won’t be the first guy who has had his feet pampered at the nail salon.

In my experience the pedicure is modified a bit for guys, more exfoliation and cuticle trimming.

Visit Groupon to save a little money on your massage and pedicure. Heck, with Groupon deals you might be able to do both! Talk about relaxation!

Spring dates budget progressive meal friends

Progressive Dinner or Brunch

A progressive meal is a great way to have a date night with friends without the need to commit to hosting all night long.

One couple will make and host the appetizer portion of the meal at their house.

Another couple will be designated to host and serve the main course, then a third couple will serve dessert at their home.

For a little extra bring some games to share, like Catch Phrase, Pictionary, or Cards Against Humanity.

Embrace the Green

Enjoy the emerging green of spring at your local Arboretum or Botanical Garden.

Arboretum and Botanical gardens are also great places to exercise, take a class together, or just hangout.

Pack a picnic lunch or breakfast and use the gardens as a backdrop for beautiful selfies.

Don’t know if there are any gardens close to you? Don’t worry, the American Public Gardens Association will help you find a garden or arboretum close to you.

Spring Bicycle budget dates

Bicycle Goals

Spring is here and along with it good biking weather.

Get some fresh air while you and your date bike to a nearby restaurant, bakery, or have a picnic at a park.

State and Local Parks

State and local parks are the hidden gems of so many communities. They can also be a great place for a spring date.

While yes, you can picnic there and walk along the paths and trails, switch it up by signing up for one of their programs or guided hikes.

Some parks have guided evening and night hikes where you will learn about nocturnal animals or the stars.

Become a Connoisseur

It seems that breweries and distilleries are popping up everywhere these days.

Tasting tours of a local distilleries or breweries are a way to sample new adult beverages while also receiving an education on the process.

Taking a tour with your favorite person is an opportunity to compare tasting notes. For instance, did the tour guide just say to look for hints of shoe leather?! (True story.)

Spring dates budget stars observatory

Star Gazing

Watching the stars together at your local observatory or planetarium is an educational, romantic, and budget friendly date.

In the case of the observatory a clear night is a must.

If clouds are an issue or your evening isn’t free, visit a planetarium for an indoor, seated, celestial program.

Visit Go-Astronomy to find planetariums and observatories near you.

Make the World a Better Place

Volunteering your time as a couple is a great way to spread kindness and joy.

Volunteering is perfect for any budget, it does not cost a dime but it does pay dividends.

Winston Churchill said, “You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.”

If you aren’t sure where to get started Volunteer Match can help you out.

Feel the Wind in your Hair

Spring weather is here and it’s a perfect time to rent a convertible or your dream car.

Rent the car for the day or for several hours.

Pack a picnic and head somewhere special.

Got a bigger date night budget? Go for lunch or dinner at an out of town destination.

Food Truck tour spring dates budget

DIY Food Truck Tour

A food truck tour allows you to enjoy new food and great weather all at once.

For this date, try food trucks you have not been too.

Some ideas, appetizers at one truck, main course at another, dessert at a third.

Another thought you could, make it a theme tour such as south American food only, Asian food only, ect.

Not sure what is cooking hear you? Roaming Hunger can help you locate food trucks in your area.

Try Something Completely New

Visit Groupon or Living Social with the intention of trying something you have never tried before.

Maybe that is golfing, driving a sports car, trying a new food, touring a place you have never been, possibly taking a kick boxing class together?

Groupon and Living Social are full of new experiences for any budget.

How about you?

Do you and your favorite person have seasonal date that you look forward too? Do you have any unique date ideas that you enjoy?

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