I’ll start today with a list of some of my favorite money saving posts:

8 Ways to Save on Clothes

You Don’t Have to Pay for Cable TV

How to Use Coupons to Save Big on Groceries

10 Ways to Save on Date Night

Free (or nearly free) Things to Do

Get Free (or Deeply Discounted) Movie Tickets

Score Free Food with E-clubs

Sell Unwanted Gift Cards and Buy Cast Offs at a Discount

Buy Discounted Gift Cards – Sites like Plastic Jungle and Card Pool purchase gift cards from people who received them as gifts and can’t use them. Typically they pay slightly lower than the value of the card. Then they turn around and sell them at a discount while pocketing a small profit. It’s a good deal for people who want to get rid of gift cards they otherwise wouldn’t use. It’s an even better deal for consumers looking to save money.

Earn Fuel Points – Typically Kroger offers double fuel points for gift card purchases, but during the holiday season, you can typically earn 4 fuel points for every dollar you spend on gift cards. There are some restrictions and promos vary by location, so make sure to check your store for details.

Bonus Gift Cards – Every Christmas retailers and restaurants offer bonuses when you purchase gift cards. Most of these bonus cards are more like coupons than gift cards, they have restrictions and expiration dates, so make sure to check the fine print. Below are just some of the bonuses you can score this season.

Ruby Tuesday – Buy $50, get a $15 bonus.

McAlister’s Deli – Buy $25, get a $5 bonus.

Stir Crazy – Buy $100, get a $25 bonus.

Applebee’s – Buy $50, get a $10 bonus.

Bonefish Grill – Buy $100, get a $20 bonus.

Outback Steak House – Buy $100, get a $20 bonus.

On the Border – Buy $25, get a $5 bonus.

Max & Erma – Buy $25, get a $5 bonus.

Smokey Bones – Buy $50, get a $10 bonus.

Joe’s Crab Shack – Buy $25, get a $5 bonus.

Bravo! – Buy $100, get a $20 bonus.

The Cheesecake Factory – Get a free Slice of Joy card good for a slice of cheesecake for every $25 you spend on gift cards.

The Children’s Place – Purchase a $40 eGift card online and get a $10 eGift card.

DSW – Buy $50, get a $5 bonus.

Macaroni Grill – Buy $25, get a $5 bonus.

]]> http://www.averageparent.com/deals-and-steals/gift-card-savings/feed/ 0 http://www.averageparent.com/featured/8-ways-to-save-on-clothes/ http://www.averageparent.com/featured/8-ways-to-save-on-clothes/#comments Wed, 13 Jul 2011 05:38:41 +0000 rebeca http://averageparent.com/?p=6135 Originally Posted Nov. 2010

If you’re anything like me, you probably hate paying full price for anything. But, let’s face it, most of us live busy lives and don’t have the time (or inclination) to run all over town searching for the best deals. Personally, I don’t really like shopping at garage sales, but I still like a good deal. At the same time, I take great pride in dressing my children well (my oldest has the best sweater collection ever!). So, I’ve come up with these easy tips slash the cost of my kids’ wardrobe.

1. Take Inventory – Before you start shopping, take inventory of your child’s closet. Determine what can stay, what needs to go and what new items need to be purchased. Then consider what you can get for the castoffs. Here are a few ideas:

- Host a clothing swap with other families (or your local mom’s group) and sit back while your child finds new wardrobe staples without emptying your bank account. If you don’t have time to set up a swap, head online to exchange with virtual friends throughThredUP.com and pay only $5 for shipping.

- Exchange those lightly-worn clothes, shoes and bags for store credit or cash from resale stores like Once Upon a Child and Plato’s Closet.

2. Save with Gift Cards – Purchase gift cards for as much as 30% off from websites like CardPool and PlasticJungle.com, and pair them with a coupon for additional savings. For example, you can get a Gap gift card from CardPool for a 10% discount. You can then pair that with one of their many store coupons and a sale to save even more. Also, many grocery stores (like Kroger) sell gift cards while offering extra fuel savings through their loyalty programs. If you know you’re heading to Macy’s to buy a new winter coat, stop by Kroger and pick up a gift card and rack up fuel points.

3. Coupons, Coupons, Coupons – Before you shop, check RetailMeNot or Ebates for printable coupons and online discount codes. If you can’t find a coupon online, many retailers will send you one just for signing up for their e-club. (click here for a list of good ones to sign up for) Once you’re signed up, you’ll get regular emails with coupons and promotional information. If you want even more coupons, make sure to include your mailing address. Sign up for JCPRewards and get coupons good for $10 off when you spend $10. Hello, that’s FREE stuff! Finally, check out your Entertainment book, because it’s full of valuable coupons for many national retailers.

*Note: I recommend setting up a separate email account for e-clubs and online shopping…that way your primary email won’t get flooded with advertisements and potential SPAM.

4. Get Cash Back – When shopping online, sites like ShopatHome and Ebates allow you to earn 1-30% cash back for your internet purchases, while MyPoints rewards you with points that you can cash in for gift cards for nearly 100 different stores and restaurants. Membership is completely FREE and you’ll usually get a bonus just for signing up.

5. Join a Rewards Program – If you have a favorite retailer, inquire about a rewards program that will give you store credit for spending a specific amount in their stores.

6. Store Credit Cards – I only recommend store credit cards if you are extremely disciplined. A store card can save you as much as 10% off your purchases or an extra 5% off sales. But, it’s not worth it if you have to spend upwards of 20% interest. Also remember that each time you open a new credit account, your credit score takes a hit. So only use this option sparingly and with a plan to pay it off every month.

7. Hit up the Discount Retailers – When designers sell their merchandise to department stores and boutiques, there’s usually some left over. That’s where the frugal shopper can cash in. By hitting up overstock retailers such as Ross, Marshalls, Burlington Coat Factory, TJMaxx and Stein Mart, you can find great designer brands for a fraction of the price. However, keep in mind that discount retailers take some time to sort through. If you dread picking through racks, try hitting them up for shoes, bags and accessories, which are a little easier to sort through. These stores are also great for home décor!

8. Buy Second Hand – Every town has at least one consignment or resale shop where you can get great deals on name brand clothing. But if picking through the racks isn’t your style, eBay can be a super convenient resource. The site allows you to sort your search by size, brand, price and more. I like to narrow my search down to used clothing to get the best price. With this approach, I have been able to purchase many pants, shirts and sweaters from the Gap and Gymboree for $5 or less, including shipping.

At any rate, here is a breakdown of how I worked it. A lot of my tactics are super easy…and some take a wee bit of work. But take a look because I’m sure you’ll find a few ideas you can implement in your budget too. If you have a creative way to save, please leave me a comment!

Cut Cable – Saves $50

If it were up to me, we never would have had cable in the first place. But, tv is a big deal for hubby and he just wasn’t going to let go of it without a fight. However, when I read this article, I knew it was possible to ditch the dish, while still enjoying all of your favorite shows. All it takes is a step into the 21st century. We purchased a set of rabbit ears for about $20, which allows us to watch network TV without a problem. (if you have an older TV, you’ll have to purchase a digital converter as well.) We supplement that with a Netflix subscription for $10 a month and free DVDs from our local library. (I don’t mess around with $1 Redbox rentals because I can’t get them back in time.) Since making this move, I can honestly say that we really don’t miss cable. But I love the $500 annual savings!

Editors Note: We just had high-speed fios internet installed. So, we’ll be purchasing a roku box to stream TV shows and movies straight to our TV via Hulu Plus, Netflix and Amazon Instant Video. If you don’t have a Roku box, you can stream with many Blu-Ray and gaming systems as well. Also, paid Amazon Prime members get unlimited commercial-free streaming of more than 5,000 TV shows and movies.

Flex Spending – $125

A flexible spending account is a benefit that allows employees to set aside pre-tax money to pay for certain medical and/or child care expenses. Unfortunately, my family tallies up a lot of medical expenses, so we always take full advantage of this program by putting the maximum amount aside. Each time we go to the doctor, have a medical procedure or fill a prescription, our out of pocket expense is directly deposited to our checking account. (some programs require you to submit paperwork, which can be a hassle…but it’s worth it for the savings!) This is the first year we’ve taken advantage of the childcare program. It’s proven to be a bit of a hassle because we have to submit a new claim at the end of every month, rather than submitting one claim for the entire year…but still worth the $1,500 yearly savings!

Making Baby Food – $150

I tried making my first son’s food, but I didn’t have the right equipment and I was just too sleep deprived to make it happen. But, when my second son came around, I set out to find the right tools. I decided on the magic bullet because of its compact design and ease of use. I made his food for about 4 months and I can say that it really wasn’t that difficult…though my bullet did eventually die. When I started out, I spent a few days making large batches of food to freeze and then I would replenish his stockpile with whatever we’re having for dinner. I loved it because my son got a wide variety of textures and he was being exposed to all the flavors that our family eats on a regular basis. There’s no sense getting him hooked on bland food when that’s not really what we eat. I’ve even found a few purees that the rest of the family is rather fond of. If you’re interested in making your own baby food, check out WholesomeBabyFood.com or Weelicious.com.

Editor’s Note: Because I was able to introduce him to such a variety of textures, we were able to make a smooth transition to table food when he was just 8 months old. This was a full two months ahead of his jar-fed older brother.

Grocery Couponing – $259

As you know, I’m new to the grocery couponing scene…but let me tell you, I am hooked. Every week I get such a rush when I see the amount I save on my bill. By paying closer attention to item prices, clipping coupons and pairing coupons with sales, I’ve cut my bill in half, while bringing home about 50% more in groceries. When it’s all said and done, I will save about $2,500 a year, with very little time investment. I spend about 2 hours a week preparing and 2 hours a week shopping. (I don’t mind the 2 hours it takes to shop because that’s when hubby has the kids and I can take my sweet time all by myself…it’s possible that I drag it out longer than I need to, but don’t tell him!) Check out my post to learn how you can EASILY make coupons work for you.

Other Couponing – $61

In addition to buying an Entertainment book and a local coupon book (Discover Indy for those in the Indianapolis area), I sign up for electronic newsletters and notifications for my favorite places so that I never miss a coupon. Or, if I’m headed to a particular restaurant, attraction or store, I sign up for their email alerts before I go to see if there is anything they’ll send me right away. (Many will send you a coupon just for signing up!). I am also on the snail mail list for a few particular retailers like JCPenneys Rewards and Kohl’s, which send great coupons for $10 off when you spend $10. That’s FREE STUFF…and they send those coupons all the time! Finally, if I don’t have a coupon in hand, I head to RetailMeNot.com to search for any online discount codes.

This month I used both $10 coupons for Penney’s and Kohl’s, a Discover Indy coupon for dinner, and online codes for Home Depot and The Children’s Place. (Home Depot offers free shipping on select purchases and I always pick up a free shipping code for The Children’s Place while I’m at the mall. There’s no sense paying for shipping when you can get it for free!)

Discounted Gift Cards – $80

When I know a sale is coming up (like around holidays) or when we have a large purchase to make, I head to CardPool.com to purchase a discounted gift card. Savings usually range around 10%, so it’s a great way to save a little extra money…especially when you pair it with a coupon and/or sale. (This has made Gap jeans a lot more affordable for my 3yo!) For regular purchases such as my Amazon diaper orders, I purchase my gift cards through eBillMe, which offers cash back for gift card purchases. (They offer double cash back on Tuesdays, so that’s when I buy my cards.) This month I purchased discounted gift cards from Home Depot to purchase a lawn mower and received $50 total cash back from eBillMe gift card purchases.

Cash Back and Points – $70

Other than eBillMe, I always earn cash back every opportunity I can. Any time I shop online, I start with eBates and was able to earn more than $175 on my last Big Fat Check. (the payment came after I finished my monthly calculations, so I haven’t included it in this tally.) I also use my rewards credit card for EVERY SINGLE PURCHASE I make. Of course, I pay it off every week so that I don’t run into unnecessary interest. So far this year it’s earned me a $50 Home Depot gift card and I’m half way toward earning my next $50 gift card. Finally, I belong to MyPoints, which awards you points for shopping online (similar to Ebates) and for clicking on emails they send to you. I typically just click the emails–which I have sent to a separate email address–so it takes a while to tally points. But I was able to earn two $10 gift cards to Target.

Daily Deals – $221

I’m in a unique position where I’m able to earn a decent amount of referral credits for daily deal sites. But you can still cash in on the daily deal sites too. I’ve been able to get a lot of great deals from Mamasource Daily Deals by Mamapedia.com, Groupon and Eversave…as well as a few from Living Social and Zulily. I also got a great printer deal from Amazon’s Gold Box Deals and a lawn service package from Angie’s List Big Deal.

I’m happy to report that after couponing for about three months, I’ve cut my bill by almost half, and I’m bringing home twice as much as I did before. And, it turns out that couponing really isn’t that difficult…as long as you get organized and stay focused. If you’re thinking of how you can put coupons to use, below are some tips and resources that have helped me along the way. If you have any questions, feel free to leave me a comment and I’ll be happy to find the answer for you!

Where to Find Coupons

How Couponing Works

Organizing Coupons

Tips for the Average Couponer

Additional Resources from Helpful Bloggers

Pair Coupons with Sales – The best way to maximize coupons is to match them with a sale. For example, let’s say that Colgate is marked down to $1.50 from $2. That’s a 50 cent savings. But, if you have a coupon that’s good for 50 cents off, that’s a dollar you’ve saved. If your store doubles coupons, you’d save a total of $1.50…bringing home a tube of toothpaste for 50 cents!

Let the Bloggers do all the Work – There’s no need to spend hours going through circulars and searching for coupons to match the sales. Instead, you can rely on your favorite blogger to tell you exactly where to find the best deals, which coupons to use and where to find them. Many bloggers will do a coupon matchup for national chains such as WalMart and Target. But, you can check the frugal map, or ask your friends where you can find a good blogger to cover your local stores.

Start a Stockpile – To maximize savings, you need to stock up when your favorite products hit rock-bottom prices. Some bloggers recommend stockpiling when a product price is reduced by 70% or more. I think 50% is a good goal for beginners or average couponers like me. It takes some time to learn the sale / coupon cycle. You’ll also want to take note of the prices for your favorite products so you know when to jump on a sale. Some people compile price books, but that’s just too much work for me. I just memorize mine (it’s surprisingly easy to remember the prices) and don’t over analyze too much. Your stockpile can be a small cabinet or a walk-in pantry. But, regardless of the size, successfully stockpiling means that you’ll never have to pay full price for your favorite products again.

Learn Money Makers – Some stores like CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid have rebates or coupons printed on your receipts that you can use on your next purchase. When paired with a sale and a manufacture coupon, you can actually come out ahead. (Personally, I don’t do these because it requires more work and an extra trip that I’m not willing to make. I stick to one or two major grocery stores and I’m happy with the savings I bring home. But there are definitely some huge deals to be had shopping these stores!)

Find Coupons with The Coupon Database – Once you find a blogger who covers coupon matchups, you’ll likely find that they host a coupon database as well. Using the database is easy…simply key in the item you’re looking for and a list will pop up telling you where to find that coupon.

Now that you know how discounted gift cards work, let me tell you how to put them to good use. Here’s how I’ve saved $133 in the last month:

Savings of $56 at The Gap: I needed to buy jeans for my son but I’m used to spending around $10 on pants. I couldn’t get it quite that cheap, but I was able to average just under $17 a pair. Here’s how: The Gap ran a special for 25% off. As soon as the code was released, I headed online to CardPool.com to get a gift card for a 10% discount. (If you purchase an electronic code it’s emailed to you instantly, so you can use it before the sale runs out.) I chose jeans that were already marked down so I ended up with 4 pairs of pants for $67.50…a savings $56.

Savings of $22.50 at 1-800 Flowers: Due to a death in the family, I needed to purchase some flowers stat. I checked all my favorite sites and found the perfect arrangement for $59.99. With tax and shipping, the total came to about $75. Again, I went to CardPool to purchase a gift card. They had 1-800 flowers for 30% off, which brought my expenditure down to just over $50.

Savings of $34.40 at Home Depot: Now that I’m couponing more at the grocery store, I need to get a freezer so I can stock up when I see a great deal. I found a freezer I wanted at Home Depot so I got to work. I haven’t made my purchase yet, but my plan is to use a 10% off coupon to save $20 off the top. Then I will use discounted gift cards I bought from Plastic Jungle (CardPool didn’t have the denomination I needed). The gift cards are at an 8% discount, bringing my total down to $165.60 (plus tax).

Savings of $20 at Penney’s: eBillMe is an internet payment service that allows you to make online purchases directly from your checking account. You make the purchase, they send you an invoice and you send a check from your online bill pay. They also offer a small percentage of cash back on purchases. And…in what seems to be an aggressive marketing promotion, they offer huge cash back incentives in their gift card mall. When you make your first purchase of a gift card, they give you 10% cash back. The bonus is that on Tuesdays and Thursdays, they offer double cash back. So, that’s when I gobbled up a $50 gift card to Penney’s…saving $10 right off the top. The cash back becomes available on the 15 of the month and can be used to purchase another gift card or you can get a check (if you meet the minimum balance). I plan on taking my gift card to the mall this week with a coupon good for $10 off any purchase of $50 or more…thus saving another $10 before I even enter the store. And, of course, I’ll be searching their abundantly-stocked sale racks for baby clothes.

Some additional notes: The stock of gift cards changes regularly according to supply and demand…so if you don’t see what you’re looking for, make sure to check back. Best times for buying gift cards are right after major holidays like Christmas, Mothers Day, etc. While Plastic Jungle has a considerably larger selection than CardPool, their customer service is lacking. Additionally, CardPool sends electronic gift cards instantly, which Plastic Jungle can take up to to one business day. Therefore, if you buy a card on Friday, you might not get the code till Monday. Finally, eBillMe only offers large cash back bonuses on your first gift card purchase. So, if you go this rout, buy the biggest one you can afford, to maximize your return.

Some other great options for discounted gift cards include restaurants and movie tickets. To maximize your savings, pair a discounted gift card with a restaurant coupon by signing up for email alerts from your favorite eatery. Click here for a list of restaurants that send coupons. For movie tickets, make sure you’re getting a discounted gift card and not actual tickets. Then you can check out this post for a complete list of movie deals.

Plastic Jungle – Sell an unwanted gift card for as much as 92% of the value (numbers vary depending on the retailer) and buy cards for as much as 30% off. Get paid instantly via PayPal, or Amazon Gift card.

CardPool – Sell an unwanted gift cards for as much as 92% of the value (numbers vary depending on the retailer) and buy cards for as much as 30% off. Get paid via check or instantly through PayPal, Facebook Credits or Amazon Gift card. CardPool also allows you to sell your gift cards electronically – no mailing required, or mail your gift cards using their FREE SHIPPING LABEL. (This site is my preferred choice for buying because they send electronic gift cards instantly.)

eBillme – this free site has partnered with top brand merchants to sell their gift cards with INCREDIBLE discounts. For example, you can get 10% Cash Back on retailers such as Zappos, Home Depot, JCPenney’s and more. The best part is that if you shop their gift card mall on Tuesdays, they’ll double your cash back…that’s 20% cash back on gift cards. Pair that with some coupons, and you’re saving big! NOTE: eBillme has changed their cash back policy on gift cards, allowing 10% on FIRST TIME BUYERS ONLY. As a result, I no longer recommend this site for saving on gift cards.

Cyber Monday is just around the corner! With counterfeit products and unscrupulous websites everywhere, it is more important than ever to know how to protect yourself when shopping online. We know Cyber Monday is a great time for busy parents to do much of their holiday shopping online and receive amazing deals…but you wouldn’t want to buy a potentially harmful counterfeit toy for your child or fake fragrance for your significant other. Counterfeit toys can be especially harmful as they are created without regards for safety standards and may even contain lead based paint or toxic substances that could harm your child.

Harper’s Bazaar’s Fakes Are Never In Fashion™ initiative has been working for years to expose the criminal activities connected to the sales of counterfeit pro

ducts, especially those sold online. This is why Fakes Are Never In Fashion™ thinks it is important for you to know how to spot a fake website and counterfeit goods online in order to avoid being scammed this Cyber Monday.

Tips to shop online safely this Cyber Monday:

• Only buy from authentic websites, even when you’re tempted to go for the best deals. Proceed with caution if there are spelling and grammar mistakes, unprofessional looking designs or a contact form without a legitimate address, email and/or phone number. You can even take it a step further and call them before you make your purchase to make sure it is legitimate.

• Don’t trust the seal: It’s easy for anybody to throw up a website and grab a thumbnail image from the BBB, Good Housekeeping or other reputable site to legitimize itself. That doesn’t mean it’s actually endorsed by these organizations.

• Do your homework: Learn about the brand or product you wish to purchase. With regards to apparel and accessories, study the logo placement, stitching, country of origin and hardware. This way you will be prepared to spot a fake.

• If the price is too good to be true, it probably is.

• Be wary of online auction sites: If the seller is only showing a stock image of the product and no actual photos they have taken, it is most likely a scam. Also look out for the words “factory seconds.” For many designers, factory seconds don’t exist because the products that don’t live up to the brand’s standards are destroyed. With regards to toys, look for close-ups of the product, sloppy detailing and poor look in quality.

• Make sure to use protection: Before conducting any business online, make sure to use an updated browser and have an updated anti-virus program installed on your computer. Not only will it keep your machine save from vicious attacks, but it will keep your personal information and credit card number out of the hands of thieves.

• Check reviews: Whenever I find a new deal, I do an internet search for the website’s name plus the word “scam”. That will usually turn up any negative reviews it might have received. You can also check the Better Business Bureau to confirm a vendor’s reputation

For the best way to shop safe this Cyber Monday, only buy from authorized, authentic websites. For more information regarding Harper’s Bazaar’s Fakes Are Never In Fashion™ initiative or for more ways to protect yourself this Cyber Monday, visit www.fakesareneverinfashion.com.

1. Day Time Dating – Average parent Alison Kenney says she and her husband move their dates to the daytime to change things up and save a bit of money. With the kids in school, they can catch a light lunch or enjoy a movie at the matinee rate. The advantage is that they don’t have to pay for a sitter and can often check out a hot new restaurant without paying the full price for a dinner entrée.

2. Save on babysitter fees by setting up a swap with friends or your local moms group. If that doesn’t work for you, many local churches and community organizations offer a parents’ night out certain nights during the month. For around $5-10 a child, you can drop the little ones off with a sack dinner and they can enjoy an evening of games, movies and other fun activities.

3. Sign up for e-mail alerts from your favorite restaurants to get regular coupons and promos sent straight to your inbox. Most places will give you something just for signing up, so I recommend spacing them out so you always have a coupon. Click here for a list of restaurants worth signing up for.

4. Score discounted meal deals from sites like Groupon, Eversave, Plum District and Restaurant.com. Groupon, Eversave and Plum District are a daily deal sites that give a new local deal every day. Restaurant.com provides certificates for thousands of restaurants across the country at significant discounts. Typically, a $25 certificate sells for just $10. But, if you sign up for their email reminder program, you can reap even higher discounts. It’s a great way to visit an old favorite, or try a new restaurant for little financial investment. However, there are some things to remember:

• You can only use one certificate per month, per restaurant.

• The certificates cannot be combined with any other offer.

• Only one certificate per party can be use even if there are separate checks.

• The Certificate usually does not include alcohol.

• A minimum purchase must be made and an 18% gratuity is typically added to the pre-discounted check amount.

• Typically your bill must equal at least $50, and many of the restaurants featured are higher end. So, while you can save $25, your out of pocket expense will still total at least $25 and could end up being much higher.

5. Pay with discounted gift cards - CardPool.com and PlasticJungle.com are a couple of sites I like to use for discounted gift cards. You can find gift cards for both restaurants and movie theaters.

6. The Entertainment book is a great source for restaurant and attraction tickets. For a low price ranging from $30-45, the book gives you premium 50% off and 2-for-1 coupons for just about anything you can imagine. My favorites are the coupons for museums, the opera and other major attractions because those events often suck your wallet dry. *Note these books are usually marked down at least 50% by March and if you shop through Ebates, you can get as much as 15% cash back*

7. Find theater discounts – Lots of movie theaters are offering discounts just to get people in the door. I make it a rule to never pay more than $6 for a movie ticket. Click here for a complete list of movie deals.

8. Take advantage of museum memberships. If you’re like me, on more than one occasion, your kids have forced you to move from an exhibit you wanted to check out at the children’s museum, the zoo or other local attraction. On your next date night, take advantage of your membership to check out all the things you can see with kids in tow.

9. Set up an inexpensive date night with one of these idea:

• take in a local art exhibit (college campuses are a great option)

• visit a local park and take a long stroll together

• hit up your local dive for a few beers and a game of pool

• shop a flea market

• visit a street fair

• tour a winery, brewery or chocolatier

• take a class together (check out a community college or adult education department at a local university)

• visit a local museum (Almost all museums have one day a week/month where you can get in for free or for a small suggested donation.)

• partake in campus events

• site see in your own city

• take in a play or musical performance at your local community theater, high school or college.

• hit up an amateur night or open mic performance

• for more ideas, just Google “cheap date ideas”

10. Score free drinks – John Buchanan, Co-Founder of Signpost, the Community-Powered Deals Site, suggests looking for a lounge, wine shop, brewery or winery that offers complimentary tastings to start your night.

11. Stay in – When all else fails, plan a fun evening at home. Cook dinner together, play cards, watch a movie or sample a new wine. Whatever you do, just make sure to do it together.

Related Posts: 8 Ways to Save on Clothes
5 Tips to Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half
Free (or nearly free) Things to Do