Who doesn’t love a good date night?

The average American spends $102.32 on a date, but some can cost as much as $300 or more! Over the course of the year, that really adds up!

Now don’t get me wrong, date night is certainly one of my favorite things because it’s a time that we can connect with the ones we love, unwind, and simply enjoy each other’s company.

For my boyfriend, John, and I, that usually consists of margaritas and burritos at our favorite Mexican restaurant, but every now and then, we like to step outside of the box and try something different. 

The good news is, date night doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, some of my favorite date nights didn’t cost a penny. That’s right, they were free!

I put together some of my favorite frugal date nights because I want you to be able to enjoy some quality time together without worrying about your wallet. 

Now I’m not saying you can’t go out all of the time, because believe me I love margaritas and burritos, but opting for a cheaper date night every now and then can really help you save some cash.

Date Night Ideas on a Budget

1. Watch a Movie

Now I know this one sounds cliche since the average date is “dinner and a movie.” I get it. Plus if you’re at home, in your jammies, on the couch, watching a movie, are you really doing date night?

If you’re anything like John and I, you probably watch TV together all the time, and if you have kids they’re probably are right there with you too. That’s not the kind of date night I’m talking about.

I’m talking about when you get on Netflix or you go to the local video rental store (old school, I know), and going all out. Make snacks, turn the lights off, turn the sound up, and most importantly no kids!

This is just you time; the two of you. If not, then it’s probably family time, not date night.

Then snuggle up on the couch, get comfy, and enjoy the show. The best part is, you don’t even have to leave your house, so you don’t have to really spend any money and you can wear whatever you want!

2. Go to a Local Farm

There are so many fun experiences you can have at a farm! 

Whether it’s fruit picking, going to a pumpkin patch, learning about honey, or tasting homemade cheese, the opportunities are endless. There is just nothing like a day in the great outdoors supporting the local community.

These are dates that John and I do all of the time. One of our favorite things to do in the Fall is go to a local pumpkin patch in someone’s backyard farm and across the street is their apple orchard. We end up spending a whole day pumpkin and apple picking for only about $40, which is amazing!

Plus there’s just nothing like fresh picked fruit and vegetables or freshly made cheese and honey!

3. Get Outside

It doesn’t matter what you do, just go outside. Most of the time, you can do this for free at local parks or even in your own backyard! At most, you should really only have to pay a small park entrance fee or for parking, depending on where you live. 

• Take a hike
• Go to the beach
• Build a snowman
• Go skiing
• Have a snowball fight
• Take a bike ride
• Have a picnic in the park
• Go for a walk
• Watch the sunset

Now I realize that some of this is seasonal and it’s much more difficult to get outside during some seasons than others. 

In Western New York, we have brutally cold and snowy Winters so we are pent-up inside a lot. But that doesn’t stop John and I from getting our cross-country skis out for a day or having a snowball fight. Sometimes you just have to get outside and get some of that vitamin D!

There’s nothing like feeling like a kid again, except maybe doing it with your best friend. The two of you can relive your childhoods together and make new memories at the same, all while saving money!

3. Have a Game Night

Take time to play and be kids again. Whether it’s board games, video games, or something like a scavenger hunt around town, do something together to really bring out the best parts of one another.

There is nothing like some good, clean, fun and genuine laughter every now and then. And best of all, it’s free most of the time! 

You won’t have to spend one penny on this date night because you probably already have at least some games at home.

Even something as simple as Googling some trivia questions and playing some online trivia can do wonders. It’s also amazing on long road trips to help pass the time! 

John and I like to play Song Quiz on our Amazon Echo. We see who can beat the other and what songs we know from each decade. John is very competitive so I usually end up losing, but that’s okay because it’s still just fun to play together!

4. Take Relationship Quizzes

This is one of my personal favorites because it’s something that lets you get so intimate with one another, and it really lets you connect and get to know each other all over again. 

Now, I’m not talking about some simple trivia questions. I’m talking about some deeper personal and relationship questions. 

John and I started doing this on date night after we got The Quiz Book for Couples as a Christmas present one year. We only did a few sections at a time, so it took us a full year to get through the entire book, but it was so much fun to learn things that we didn’t know about each other! 

Now, we’ve moved on to a new book, 101 Quizzes for Couples. I believe that taking some time to continue dating each other and connecting on a deeper level has really made our relationship stronger. 

Plus, you can save all the quizzes or books that are filled out. That will make such a cute momento when you get older and share them with your children, which is very sweet!

5. Camp Under the Stars (Even if it’s in the Backyard)

Depending on where you live, you may only be able to do this during certain times of the year, like Summertime. 

There is just something about being outdoors that brings a sense of peace. Plus, who doesn’t love a campfire and some s’mores? 

Taking time to unwind and having a night to yourselves can do wonders for your relationship!

Getting a tent setup and a fire going both require teamwork. You also get a chance to disconnect, eat some good food, and enjoy each other’s company without any of your normal distractions. 

I highly recommend the Ozark Trail 6-Person Instant Cabin Tent because it gives you enough room to stand up and move around, and have your kids in there also. You can also take the rain cover off and look up at the stars all night long through the screen roof.

You don’t need to go to the campground for this either! You can save money on a campsite, by just setting it up in your backyard. This way, you can have an amazing night together while still having access to the luxuries of home. Plus, you will have so much less packing to do, since everything is just a few steps away inside! 

6. Volunteer Together

Giving back feels great, but it feels even better when you are doing it with the one you love. 

Find a cause or charity that you both are passionate about and dedicate a few hours for your date night. You will love spending time together and helping others at the same time. 

John and I are huge animal lovers, so we like to volunteer at local animal shelters. We get to spend time together playing with dogs and taking them for walks. What could be better than that?!

Not only do we have a blast together, but we feel good knowing that we are helping the animals socialize and get exercise.  

It doesn’t only have to be volunteering at animal shelters though! There are so many causes, charities, and organizations that rely on volunteers, and any of them would make for a great date night. 

Feed the hungry, build homes for the homeless, help provide safe activities for children, the possibilities are endless. Just pick one, give back, and spend time together. 

7. Exercise

As someone who hates exercise, I have to say, this date is actually so much better than it sounds. 

There is something so motivating and subtly sexy about working out together. 

Not only do you get to push each other to be better, but you are getting an adrenaline rush and saving money at the same time. 

A lot of the time you can work out right at home outside, so you don’t even need a gym membership!

Believe me, there is no better feeling than achieving a new personal best with your best friend and biggest cheerleader by your side. Often times, John is the only reason I keep going when I want to quit! 

8. Get Nostalgic

This one is so much fun! You get to relive your glory days together and reminisce about all of the great things from your childhood.

Recreate your first date, look at your old yearbooks together, or even watch one of your favorite movies or TV shows from when you were younger. Do things to stir up memories and learn more about each other’s past. 

You might even come across of few surprises. I learned John’s never seen The Goonies before!

Best of all, you can usually do this for free, from the comfort of your own home! 

9. Watch for Deals

Groupon is a treasure trove of discounted activities that you and your partner can do together. 

Scroll through the deals every now and then and see if there is something that sounds fun or appealing to you. Whether it’s bowling, a cooking class, comedy tickets, or more local experiences (in WNY it’s usually winery/brewery tours and boat rides around Niagara Falls), there is something for everyone.

Often times, you can find deals for things that you might never tried otherwise, and those turn out to be some of the best dates. 

Spending a little one-on-one time during date night is important to any relationship. It gives you a chance to connect on a deeper level, have fun, and simply enjoy each other’s company. But it can get pricey! 

By getting a little creative, you can have an amazing date night on a budget. You don’t have to worry about your wallet, you simply need to spend some quality time together. 

Next time you’re planning date night, try some of these! I’d love to hear how it goes and if you have other budget-friendly date ideas!

The post 7+ Killer Ideas for a Budget-Friendly Date Night appeared first on Simple Socialite.

Sick of paying all of your bills and barely having enough money left over for yourself? Yeah, me too!

What if instead of paying all of our bills first, we paid ourselves first and saved more money?

It’s a crazy idea that Mike Michalowicz came up with to help his business become more profitable. If we take those same ideas and apply them to our personal finances, it can completely change the game!

What is Profit First?

The long and short of it is that profit first means setting aside a designated amount to pay yourself (or save) before paying any bills.

Normally profit is calculated Income – Expenses = Profit. Typically, we follow that pretty much to a T. We pay all of our bills first and then whatever is left over is ours to keep; it’s our “profit”.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. We can flip the equation on its head and say Income – Profit = Expenses. Mathematically, it works out the same, but it’s a completely different mindset. We are putting ourselves first and setting aside what we need to reach our goals, then building a budget around that, instead of the other way around.

How To Save More Money With Profit First?

By paying yourself first you are taking control of your finances. You are deciding how much to save and what you’re going to use that money for, before you ever pay any bills.

Too often, we let our expenses take control of our lives and that leads to things like debt and hardship.

I started doing something similar to this, very young, before I ever knew what Profit First was. I began saving for my retirement at about 21, even when it felt like I couldn’t afford to. If I’m being honest, I did that because I absolutely refuse to work my life away.

Funny thing is, it ended up turning my entire financial situation around and now I’m in a pretty comfortable spot because of it.

Saving 20% of your income is a pretty common piece of financial advice (I can’t tell you how many lectures I got about this growing up), but if that number doesn’t work for you, feel free to change it.

The simple act of paying your bills last will help you know how much you have to work with to live within your means, and help you build wealth at the same time.

Gone will be the days of having too many bills and not enough income! You will finally be able to afford to save for your retirement!

By flipping the equation around and saving more money for yourself first, you are taking control of your financial situation. You are putting yourself, and your family’s needs, above everything else that life throws at you. And you are setting yourself up with a security net, should you need it.

You will be surprised how quickly that money adds up once you start putting your profit (savings) first. Eventually, it will get to the point where you don’t even think about it.

It will become routine, and then all of the sudden you will be able to pay down some debt, take more vacations, and you will be much more comfortable with your financial situation!

How To Implement Profit First And Save More Money?

I’m going to warn you. It might be a little bit difficult at first, especially, if you already have a significant amount of bills or debt that you’re trying to pay. But fear not; it can be done!

The first step should be to figure out what your goals are and how much you need to save (each month, each year, each paycheck, etc.) to achieve them.

For example, if your goal is to retire at a certain age (mine is 45), then perhaps you should save $500-$600 a month in a designated retirement account with tax benefits.

Don’t be afraid to set big goals because you can always break them down into smaller, more manageable chunks. Just make sure you add in a buffer to factor in recreational spending, because that’s important too and I would never want you to give up going out entirely!

The next step is to take inventory of your expenses. How many bills do you have? How much are they? Does your current income cover all of your bills?

Once you know how much money is going out, compared to what is coming in, you can look for ways to cut unnecessary expenses and reduce the others. Do you really need to pay for Netflix, Hulu, and cable, or can one of them go?

Really take stock in what you value and what you need. Try to reduce or cut things that don’t fall in line with that. Odds are, you probably aren’t using it that much anyway.

Unless it’s insurance. Please keep your insurance! Believe me, it’s so much better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it.

Once you do all that, it is smooth sailing until your next pay day. You simply set aside your “profit” amount into your desired accounts and use the rest of the budget you built.

From there, you can then pay your bills and if there is anything left over, that’s even better!

Putting yourself first is not selfish, and neither is paying yourself first!

Mike Michalowicz’s  concept of Profit First, where you set aside a portion of your income for yourself, or your profit, before paying any expenses puts you in charge of your own finances. By figuring out how much you need to save each month in order to achieve your financial goals, taking inventory of what expenses you have, and looking for ways you can reduce, you are able to build a better budget and plan.

Remember, Income – Profit = Expenses. Set aside money for yourself first, then build your budget and pay expenses from the remaining amount.

It’s fairly easy to do, and if I’m being honest, it takes a lot of stress out of looking at your bank account. Plus, it’s very easily to tell what you can and can’t afford.

I mean hey, if it can work for businesses and people like Mike Michalowicz, it can work for you too!

The post How Being Selfish Can Change Your Finances appeared first on Simple Socialite.

Approximately $1,036 billion is spent on travel each year in the US according to the US Travel Association. That doesn’t even begin to include how much money is spent by Americans internationally. The moral of the story is, travel is expensive!

Everyone likes to get away (and everyone should!), but sadly not everyone has the resources to do so. Travel is good for both your soul and your health, so it is crucial to carve out whatever time you can to experience the world around you. Of course, that is easier said than done, but the good news is, there are a few things you can do to make travel easier when you’re living on a budget.

How To Travel On A Budget

1. Make Your Credit Cards Work For You

Rewards credit cards are one of the greatest things ever invented. More likely than not, you are going to be spending money anyways, so you might as well be racking up rewards for it. That is, as long as you can trust yourself not to go into debt. Personally, I’m a fan of the cash rewards cards because you get back a percentage of what you spent and you can use it any way you want. That said, there are a bunch of other great cards with benefits like frequent flyer miles, hotel stays, and much more. By putting your everyday purchases on one of these cards (and paying it off each month!) you can build rewards very quickly and you might even be able to travel for free! Just make sure to keep an eye on interest rates, annual fees, and foreign transaction fees.

Here are some of my favorite cards:

• Bank Americard Cash Rewards
• Capital One Venture Card
• Southwest Airlines Card
• Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

2. Be Flexible

Finding the time to travel is never easy. You usually have to get vacation time approved by your boss and then you’re subjected to flight schedules, check -in times, and the like. If you have kids, don’t even get me started on having to work around their schedules as well. But if you find a little room for flexibility in your travel plans, it can pay off big time!

Booking flights with flexible dates is usually a much cheaper option because it helps the airlines fill less popular flights. Less popular flights tend to coincide with a slower time for hotels, as well, and slow means better rates. Traveling on a Tuesday does not cost the same as traveling on a Saturday or Sunday. That said, traveling in September or October is much less expensive than traveling during peak times in February and April. A little flexibility can go a long way when it comes to stretching your wallet.

3. Go Off The Beaten Path

It is no secret that some countries are cheaper than others. Places like Thailand or Peru might not be the most popular travel destinations, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have the trip of a lifetime. The beauty of these places is they come with the added benefit of not busting the bank! There are so many inexpensive places to travel, you just have to research to find what you’re looking for.

No matter what destination you choose, you will want to steer clear of tourist traps. When you’re in a foreign place, it’s easy to fall victim to it and end up spending more than you should. Avoiding high traffic tourist areas and opting for different experiences can really pay off. Simply put, taking the road less traveled will save you some moola and give you a more unique experience!

4. Ask For Discounts

This is one of my favorite ways to save! It’s super simple and requires almost zero work. You might be thinking, “this is too good to be true” and honestly, it could be. The truth is you never know until you ask. They might say no, but even better, they might say yes! That’s even more true if they’re trying to fill flights or rooms at the last minute. You will be surprised how far you can get just by asking. Some of my favorite advice that I’ve ever been given is what’s the harm in asking when the worst they can say is no?

5. Seek Cheaper Accommodations

Aside from flights, lodging is probably the biggest expense when it comes to travel. Let’s face it, hotels aren’t cheap, especially if you’re staying for an extended period of time. That doesn’t mean you can’t find good deals on hotels though. There are plenty of discounted travel sites that can help reduce your costs. Renting from a local, staying in a hostel, camping, or couchsurfing are some other great options for saving some dough. A few of my favorites include: 

• Booking.com
• Airbnb
• Agoda
• Hostelword
• VRBO
• Homeaway.com

6. Go Grocery Shopping

One of my favorite things about traveling is trying all the different foods. There’s just nothing like enjoying some authentic, local cuisine. But eating out all of time gets expensive, especially when you’re traveling and need to buy three meals a day. While I don’t think you should completely give up going out to eat and experiencing amazing restaurants, one simple way you can save money is to go grocery shopping and make some of your own meals as well. As a general rule of thumb, I try to stick to going out for one meal a day when traveling. This way I can enjoy the local cuisine, but also save some money by relying on groceries or free hotel food (depending on where I’m staying) for the rest of my meals.

7. Save On Transportation

There are so many different ways to get around today that it makes no sense to pay more than you need to. Taxis are expensive and they add up quickly. Public transportation is a great way to get around if you can figure out how it works and where you need to get on and off. It’s also a great way to meet the locals and see what they recommend doing while you’re in town.

I come from a rather rural area with no public transportation and I’m terrible with directions, so I usually have no idea what I’m doing or where I’m going to end up. If you’re anything like me, you might want to look into ridesharing options like Uber or Lyft. It is super easy to get a ride and they tend to be less expensive than getting a cab. You can even save money if you sign up with my links! 

Renting a bike or choosing alternative transportation like a rickshaw can also be a great way to get around.

8. Know How To Pack

Packing can make or break your trip. Over-packing leads to extra baggage fees, while under-packing can mean you have to buy clothes or supplies during your travels. Neither of these are ideal. Packing light, but making sure you have all of the necessities to get you through your trip, is essential. I try to get away with only using a carry-on or travel backpack [affiliate link], but sometimes I have to bring a large purse along for extra storage. Packing light usually means you have less room to bring souvenirs or other mementos back. Instead of purchasing little knick-knacks that will ultimately end up collecting dust, you can save money and usually have a much better experience if you focus on making lasting memories over buying things. If you need some tips on how to pack light, Becoming Minimalist has some great advice!

While the amount you pack matters, so does what you pack. You need to make sure you have the appropriate clothing and footwear for the climate you are going to. Nothing stinks more than being under-dressed for the weather. You will want to make sure you are strapped with everything you need so you don’t come across any surprise expenses while you’re traveling. It’s tough, I know. I’m from Western New York, so often I find myself traveling from a winter wonderland to a much warmer climate, and I need to have clothing for both. It certainly makes packing, especially packing light, a bit more challenging, but trust me, you and your wallet will be glad you came prepared from the start.

9. Make Money While You Travel

Perhaps the best way to travel while you’re on a budget is to actually make money in the process. I always advocate starting your own business or having a side hustle, and this is just one of the reasons why. Setting up your own income is great, but it is a lot of work and can take a while to pay off. If you don’t have that kind of time, there are plenty of other options for you. You can actually work while you are traveling, even if you are overseas. Here are just a few options:

• House sit
• Seasonal work (beach or ski resorts)
• Farm work
• Au pair
• Teach English
• Work remotely
• Tend bar or serve

10. Embrace Local & Free Experiences

Experience is everything when it comes to travel. Instead of relying on paid excursions, you should embrace the free and local experiences around you. Free walking tours are a great way to see the city and usually you stumble upon things you would never would have thought of. There is just nothing like experiencing a city the way the locals do.

You don’t want to take your destination for granted. It’s filled with hidden (and not so hidden) gems. Head to the beach, go for hike, see a local landmark, or even swing by a park. There are so many things you can do without spending a dime. Who knows, they might even be some of the best adventures you’ve ever had.

Your time is incredibly valuable. It’s the one thing you can never get more of, so when you decide to step back and take time for yourself it becomes all the more priceless. That doesn’t mean you need to break the bank though. It’s pretty simple to travel on a budget.

Using rewards credit cards, being flexible with your dates, traveling to cheaper destinations, asking for discounts, staying at less expensive accommodations, cooking instead of eating out, saving on transportation, packing light and packing right, earning money, and opting for free experiences are just some ways that you can travel on a budget.

Try them out on your next trip and let me know what your favorite travel tips are!

The post 10 Ways To Travel On A Budget appeared first on Simple Socialite.

What’s the benefit of meal planning you ask? Why should you dedicate some of your valuable time just to plan what you are going to eat? It’s simple, the answer is, it can completely change your life!

How often have you come home after a long day only to be faced with the inevitable question, “What’s for dinner?” If you’re anything like me, that happens A LOT. You end up digging through the cupboards hoping you find something resembling a meal, you settle on take out, or even better yet, you break down and decide everyone is having cereal for dinner. Believe me, I get it. Dinner is hard work!

The good news is, I have a simple solution for you. Meal planning takes the guesswork out of things and lets you breathe a little easier. I have never been much of a “planner” but once I discovered the benefit of meal planning, my world changed and I know yours will too!

Benefit of Meal Planning #1: You Will Save Money

Gone are the days of wandering the grocery store aimlessly, buying whatever looks good. The biggest benefit of meal planning is that you actually have a plan and know what you need. By adding only the ingredients you need to your shopping list, you can avoid buying the things you don’t need.

Once you start cutting back on the unnecessary groceries, you will also start to realize that you throw away a lot less food. This is because you don’t have as much anymore, so a lot less goes bad before you have the chance to eat it.

What’s the point of having a lot of food if it’s only going to end up in the trash? That is literally throwing money away!

Meal planning alone is responsible for saving me about 25 percent, on average, on my grocery bill. When I started meal planning, I never thought I was overspending on groceries or throwing money in the trash until I saw how it affected my bank account. If you give meal planning a shot, I promise you will see some savings, just like I did!

Benefit of Meal Planning #2: You Will Eat Better

Meal planning lets you visualize exactly what you’re eating before you eat it. That’s something most food journals and fitness apps can’t do

When your week starts to look like, “tacos, burgers, pizza“, you know you need to break it up with a healthy meal or two. Soups and salads are some of my personal favorites when I’m in need of a healthier option. Not to mention, they are so quick and easy!

There will be no more of those inevitable nights where you come home, starving, and one of two things happen: you eat as much as possible of whatever you can get your hands on or you make the fastest possible dinner.

You can kiss the days of binge eating and cereal for dinner goodbye and say hello to a wholesome and balanced diet.

Although I can’t attribute any weight loss directly to meal planning, I can honestly say that my diet has improved, I eat less, and I feel significantly better. I bet you will too if you give it a shot!

Benefit of Meal Planning #3: You Will Relax More

Having more money and a better diet can make anyone feel great, but the peace of mind you get from having dinner pre-planned when you get home after a long day is priceless! It is utterly life-changing!

You never realize how much stress that one little decision of what to have for dinner weighs on you, until you don’t have to do it anymore. Life is all about enjoying the things that makes you happy, so having one less annoying little thing to worry about every day is definitely worth the extra five to ten minutes it takes to plan for the week!

If you haven’t guessed it by now, meal planning is very important and I highly suggest giving it a try. Who knows! You might just find even more benefits than saving money, eating better, and having more time to relax.

I know meal planning can change your life, because it changed mine too! If you need some ideas to get started with meal planning, I highly recommend rotating a six-week meal plan the way Elizabeth at Balancing The Bless suggests.

If all else fails, I promise you won’t miss hoping you have all of the ingredients only to find out that you don’t, and having to find something else to make, that’s for sure!

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