Our Cheap Anniversary

**itsahumanzoo** · 03-27-2011, 03:29 PM

My DH and I don't get to go out very often. And when we do it's usually not in a romantic-type setting. Going out to dinner usually means going to Chick-fil-A with the kids, with a coupon of course.

Our anniversary was this past Friday night, and I wanted to have a nice evening with him, but I didn't want to spend more money than we could afford. I also wanted to go out to a nice restaurant, one where you normally maybe wouldn't bring your kids.

I spent a few days searching resturant.com for the perfect restaurant. I checked out reviews and asked friends and everything. I ended up choosing a really nice italian restaurant/wine bar not too far away. I paid $3 for a $25 gift certificate. The limitations on the certificate were that you had to spend at least $35 before discount, and pay with cash only. I also had a Fandango code for two movie tickets that I bought on Livingsocial.com for $9. (One ticket is $12, so $9 for 2 is a steal!)

We took $40 cash with us to spend on our date. We went to dinner, shared an appetizer, shared a side salad, and each ordered an entree. We drank water. Entrees were $15-$18 each normally! After our certificate we paid $30. (Including tax and tip, of course.) At the movie theater, we were kind of full, so we didn't get ice cream (next to the theater) or popcorn. I did have a coupon in my wallet for a free small drink, which I upgraded to a large for $1. Way better than the normal price of $5.75 for a large drink.

Total cost for our date:
Babysitter: Family = free
Dinner: $30, plus $3 for certificate = $33
Movies: $9 for tickets, $1 drink = $10
Grand total: $43

I think we did pretty well. I'd love to have a date night with him more often, and if you have your own tips to add please do!

**Maine Girl** · 03-27-2011, 03:33 PM

That is awesome with a little research you got a night out under $50.00!!

**shoiji** · 03-27-2011, 07:05 PM

Date night can also be date day. Look for any free festivals that might be going on geared more for adults. Take a back pack filled with bottled water.

**Palooka** · 03-27-2011, 11:41 PM

You did good and I'm glad you enjoyed yourselves.

**itsahumanzoo** · 03-28-2011, 12:51 PM

Thank you! Normally we wouldn't go to a restaurant like that and order whatever we wanted, but it was nice to be able to do that and not break the bank.