How to Be Romantic on a Budget

Showering your beloved with gifts of diamonds and roses or sports tickets and fishing rods is an easy way to show you care... if you can afford it. For those of us on a budget, romance takes a bit more thought and creativity. Want to impress your date or keep the romance alive in your marriage on a budget? It is possible. With some creativity you too can be a cupid to your special someone.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with internet access
• Printer and paper
• Dirt and seeds
• A beta or goldfish and all the accessories
• Recipe book

1. Make your own "love coupons." Love coupons are basically little cards you give your beloved that are like gift certificates for romance. You can create cards that are good for a massage, a picnic at the beach and a movie night. It doesn't take much time to type them up and print them on your computer and they are always good for a smile and laugh when presented to your mate. Leave them in lunch bags, purses or wallets or tape them to a bathroom mirror to make them a sweet surprise.

2. 
   photo by David Lat

   Bake a treat. If your honey has a sweet tooth, surprise them with a fresh batch of cookies or a special cake recipe you found online! Something more substantial needed? Surprise your mate with a lovely home-cooked meal. Make it extra special by creating a formal menu on your computer or even including an invitation for the event.

3. 
   photo by Alicia Jo McMahan

   Plant a seed. Does your mate love flowers? Plants and cut flowers can be expensive, but seeds and dirt are not. Spend a Saturday digging in the dirt together and watch the seeds grow each day. This is much more meaningful than purchasing a full grown plant, and makes for a fun day as well.

4. 
   photo by chickadee ~ sxc

   Buy a fish. Pets are another way people can bond, and purchasing a gold fish or beta will only cost a few dollars. You can get a small fish bowl and all the accessories for well under fifteen bucks and caring for your little fishie together can be fun! Surprise your significant other with the fish, name it together and then treat it like a part of your family. Whenever your loved one sees it, they will think of you.

Tips & Warnings

• Go online to find plenty of romantic clip art to use on your love coupons. Make a bunch at once so that you have them ready at a moments notice.