This year we have the added motivation of working through the 'Financial Peace University' by Dave Ramsey (who I will sing the praises of in a future post). So instead of just trying to keep it 'not too crazy', we attached a dollar amount to our date night. We thought we were pretty successful and I thought I should share. Our challenge was to go to a fancy dinner and spend $100 for the whole night....that may sound like a lot or a little - but we thought it was a good number and it had been saved up for.
We decided to go th 333 Pacific in Oceanside - which is AWESOME, but not at all inexpensive (at least from where we sit)
1st tip - my husband went to Costco and purchased a $100 gift card for $80 - this gift card is not only good for 333 Pacific, but several other anniversary worthy restaurants.
2nd tip - We took advantage of their 'happy hour' - obviously it would have saved $$ to not have a drink at all, but we did save $2 off of each drink. We also treated ourselves to a DELICIOUS & healthy shrimp cocktail.
3rd tip - Monday's & Tuesday's 333 Pacific has a GREAT deal - a 3 course dinner for $33 each - we each had an amazing salad, steak with broccilini & potatoes, and the single most amazing chocolate dessert of all time.
Total bill ~ $100.60 - so with our $100 gift card (that only cost $80) & our 20% tip (server was great by the way =)) we went over our original plan by 60 cents - not too shabby.
Luckily the good people at ABC saved us the trouble of paying to go to a movie by bringing back LOST on our anniversary = FREE 'movie'
I'm not sure if this is blog worthy....but we took advantage of several money saving strategies at once and easily could have spent ALOT more money for the same date and felt it might be a helpful example.
Kate
I think those were great tips! I have been coming up with some thrifty tips of my own and a church in our area is doing that financial university which my husband and I we considering going too! Maybe we will have to now! :O)
ReplyDeleteWell not to sound like a "Valley Girl" but... OMG! Yesterday was our 25th Anniversary, so you and your husband picked a good solid date for marriage. My Bro's and Sis's got a Gift card for 333 Pacific for us. Love the Tips, very bolg worthy . thanks.
ReplyDeleteAs for financial info. We are in the same boat still 25 years later. I keep looking into the Dave Ramsy Univ. stuff. Is there a local workshop? and something afforable?. I have really enjoyed all your local tip. thanks for helping us all out.
Best wishes for another 8 wonderful years and many more.
thanks ladies! as for 'financial peace university' - there is a cost (we are taking a 13 week course & we get the whole workbook, dvds kit, envelope system & coaches for $125 - not free - but it is well worth it in my opinion - we are obviously thrifty already but i can safely say we have already 'saved' $125 in the 2 weeks - so TOTALLY worth it! if you check out www.daveramsey.com there is TONS of info there that is totally free & there is info about courses in your area - ours was offered at North Coast Church in Vista, but I know they offer it all over the US - check it out! Again, I will post something with links here once we are about half way through the course, so make sure to check back too!
ReplyDeletejeanette - congrats on your 25 years! awesome!! make sure to go the 333 pacific on a Mon or Tues to get the most out of your gift card =)