Dating on a budget

13. August 2012 · 10 comments · Categories: Cheap activities, Dating, Dining out · Tags: , , ,

Yes, it is possible. And no, it doesn’t make you a cheapskate. If you’re worried someone won’t want to date you if you don’t take them out for a 3 course meal and a Broadway show, then you probably don’t want to date them at all.  While economic stability is nice in a mate,  it’s not fair to expect someone to break the bank just to take you out.

For a first date – keep it casual and not too long.  A full dinner and drinks afterwards at the bar can really add up. And it can often be so noisy that you can’t really here what the other person is saying.   Something like a casual coffee, or a nice stroll by the lake (weather permitting) can be a great first date.  In the nicer weather, a lot of cities offer free outdoor activities – movies, concerts, and plays. If you really feel you need to *go* to something –try cheap night at the movies, or at least skip dinner – just do a movie, and then for something light afterwards.   Mr. Canuck Buck’s and I first date was at the cheapie theatre. :)

For special occasions – going out is nice, but why not a home cooked meal? I’ve yet to meet a soul who said “So and so cooked me this amazing meal instead of going out – how dare they”. Trust me – both genders are a sucker for a good cook.  You can still get dressed up and go “the whole nine yards” – you just get to do it on your schedule in the peace and quiet of your own home.

Once you’ve been dating a while – hopefully, if you’re growing together as a couple, you’re in synch financially.  One of you doesn’t want to hit McDonalds all the time, while the other wants caviar and champagne.  If you really like to go out a lot, try something like the Entertainment Book or a group discount site such as Wagjag to get discounts on restaurants. If you’re more homebodies, like Mr. Canuck Buck and I are, a date can be as simple as picking up subs and putting on a movie.

If you really want to go all out – watch for special events in your town. In Toronto, there Summerlicious and Winterlicious, which offer 3 course “prix fixe” (add link) meals for a good deal – usually for 15-25 dollars, depending on the menu and whether you go for lunch or dinner.

What’s your best cheap date idea?

I don’t mind you wasting your money, but please don’t waste mine!

21. May 2012 · 7 comments · Categories: Entertainment, Wasting money · Tags: , , , , ,

I’m afraid today’s post is going to be a bit of a rant.  Thanks for listening. :)

The second last movie I went to see was “The Hunger Games”. I loved the book, and was interested in seeing how it would be on the big screen. I met a friend at the movies a week or two after it opened, and she decided she wanted to see it. And while I think they did a great job with the film, I’d forgotten how bad it can be on a Saturday afternoon at the movies. People are constantly turning on their phones (and the bright screens are really distracting), chatting with their buddies, and coming in 15 minutes after the movies starts – and then sitting on the stairs!  I guess this makes me sound old and cranky, but I just don’t get why you’d pay the ridiculous price a movie is nowadays, and then not arrive on time or pay attention.  I take some comfort in the fact I buy discount passes through CAA, but I’m still paying and want to enjoy the movie.

So after that, I swore off movies for a while. And I was just going to bypass “The Avengers” until everyone start raving about it. My boss. My co-workers. Mr. Canuck Buck (yes, he had my permission to go without me :) ). They were all in awe of how amazing it was and I just had to go so they didn’t ruin any more of it for me. So I finally caved and went on Friday afternoon after getting out of work early.

Big mistake. After having my seat kicked repeatedly during the “pre-show”, I moved to the very back corner. I was in heaven – til 15 minutes into the show. Then someone, who’d obviously dragged along their not very interested girlfriend, came in and sat right beside. She proceed to get out her phone on and off for the next hour. She’d even leave it out and on, and not use it. It drove me nuts, and came close to bringing out my inner Hulk. I finally said something (after sighing loudly and swearing under my breath), and she cut it down after that, but it really wrecked the movie for me. Do people not know how distracting their phones are? Or do they not care? Why would you pay good money if you have no interest in a movie?

So, I truly think that’ll be it for me at the movies for a while. I even ended up spending more money afterwards on some chocolate to help chill me out.

Have you ever had this happen to you? Any idea why people do this?

How to see a movie in the theatre for 2.50

23. April 2012 · 8 comments · Categories: Cheap activities, Entertainment, Kids · Tags: , , , ,

Over the years, movies prices have been steadily rising. To take family of four, it can costs at least 50 dollars just to get in.  If you add in snacks and drinks, you might as well take out a second mortgage to pay for your admittance.

However, there is now a way to a) see movies in the theatre for cheap b)support a good cause while you’re at it.

Cineplex is now running a series of movies on Saturday mornings, and listings are available from here until August.  Here’s a sample of some of the films running:

  • The Great Muppet Caper
  • Babe
  • Chicken Run
  • The Iron Giant (excellent movie, if you haven’t seen it!)
  • Big
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (I’m tempted to catch this one!)
  • Follow that Bird (I was forced to see this at the age of 10. I do not recommend it for the the 10 and up set. Smaller children may enjoy it)
  • Night at the Museum

Yes, you can probably get these for free on T.V or from the library, but I have to admit, there is nothing like seeing a movie on the big screen.  If you have young children who have never been to a movie, this might be a great way to introduce them. After all, if they can’t make it through the movie, then you haven’t wasted too much money.

As for the good cause I mentioned – it’s the Starlight Children’s Foundation, which helps provide support for family outing and activities, educational programming, and other great things like hospital playrooms for seriously ill children.

To find out more, check out the Family Favourites page at Cineplex.com.

And remember – you don’t have to be a kid or have a kid to go. You’re perfectly welcome to relive your childhood all on your own!

Are any of these movies ones you’d like to see on the big screen again? If not, what would you like to see?

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