Valentine’s Day has gained a reputation among some for being less about love and more about getting couples to shell out cash. We’re here to change your mind.

All the fun,
none of the spending

You don’t have to break the bank to have a fun and flirty Valentine’s Day date. We’ve got a few ideas for pocketbook-friendly dates this Valentine’s Day.

Serve yourselves

Who says a romantic candle-lit dinner has to be at the most expensive restaurant? Not us! Pack a picnic with your honey and hit a romantic spot with just the two of you. Scout out the prettiest view of your hometown and serve yourself dinner. You avoid the expensive bill, and more important, you avoid the crowds so you and your date can focus on each other.

Get creative

It’s our opinion that if it’s good enough for Jack and Rose, it’s good enough for us. Recreate the sexy scene in Titanic and draw a portrait of one another. You don’t have to spend any money and you get a personalized gift at the end! If neither of you have the same sketching skills as Jack, you can paint an abstract piece — or even paint each other’s bodies. It might get a little messy, but with that much fun and skin touching, it will be a great time.

Have some friendly competition

Gather all the board games you can find for a game night with your Valentine’s Day date. It’s an easy way to spend hours with your sweetie without spending any extra cash. To make it extra-sexy for the two of you, raise the stakes with stripping rules. In a game where the loser takes off an article of clothing, both of you win.

Plan ahead

If you’re more of a traditionalist, with your heart set on a romantic night at a delicious restaurant, start planning early. Plenty of websites offer great specials for Valentine’s Day. Check out the major sites, like Groupon, for the best deals on a perfect Valentine’s Day date. Signing up early usually means the most savings for you and your sweetheart.

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5 Budget-friendly Valentine’s Day date ideas