The Beatles were onto something when they sang “Money can’t buy me love”. But money can buy you romantic dinners for two and adventurous weekend getaways.
But sometimes when you get to the end-of-the-month Salticrax, there’s no such thing as luxury trips away or fancy restaurants. If you’re short on moolah but big on love, don’t fret. We’ve come up with 10 tips for date night.
Wacky Wednesday
They say a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and it doesn’t have to cost you the Earth. It doesn’t get better than Steers’ Wacky Wednesday special – buy two burgers for less than R50. Other restaurant franchises also have specials, like Spur has Free Steak Thursdays. Check out your local fast food outlet for their weekly specials – that way you can eat thrifty for every day of the week. How cool!
Cut-price movies on Box Office
Who needs to go out and spend bucks when you can stay on the couch the entire weekend and rent movies? DStv’s Box Office has discounted movie rentals, and they’re all new releases.
Walk on the beach
Take advantage of the last of the summer rays and head to the beach. Bring out your partner’s competitive spirit by holding a sandcastle competition. Have fun and go wild!
Night picnic in the garden and star gazing
What’s more romantic than sitting beneath a sky full of stars? And it doesn’t cost a thing. Just take a blanket, some snacks and a bottle of wine for a full-on stargazing date in the privacy of your own backyard. Who cares that you don’t know where the Big Dipper or Milky Way is? It’s the experience that counts.
Go to the theatre
Forget what you’ve heard about the theatre being just for rich or middle class folk. Now’s your chance to see big-budget Broadway shows at discounted rates. How, you ask? Ever heard of a matinee? Many theatres offer cut-price tickets for their afternoon shows. Check your local theatre listings for what’s on.
Happy campers
Scientists found that spending a couple of nights under canvas can reset our internal body clocks to help us go to sleep earlier.
The positive effects of camping have been documented extensively. For starters, it opens the lungs – when you spend more time among lots of trees, you take in more oxygen. If you or your partner suffers from insomnia, it does wonders for your sleeping problems. Scientists found that spending a couple of nights under canvas can reset our internal body clocks to help us go to sleep earlier.
Volunteer together
Volunteering at your local animal shelter brings out all kinds of happy feelings. It also gives you the chance to bond with your loved one in a different environment, and you get to see their caring side come out.
Visit the museum
Some museums even have night-time tours.
Most national museums in SA offer free entry at certain times of the week. Some of them even have night-time tours which can be quite a surreal experience.
Create a home spa
Who needs a fancy spa for couples’ massage sessions? Just turn your bathroom into a spa by lighting candles and filling your tub with luxurious bath scents and bubbles. It de-stresses and gives you an excuse to get “comfy” with your other half.
Hit the game arcade
Go old school by visiting a game arcade at your local mall. Those tokens jiggling in your pocket bring out your inner child, and who doesn’t like a game of Daytona?