How To Be A Cheap Date

I will be this first to admit, I am a thrifty person. But this time of year, my "off" season, it is even more important to pinch those pennies. You see, I do arts and crafts shows for a living and between January and April, they are few and far between.
So this is a tutorial on how to have a great night out with your significant other for around $20.

Movies 10 was the best thing to ever happen to the budgeted night out. And on Tuesdays, your admittance is a mere $1. Craig and I went and saw Cloud Atlas. (it was a pretty decent movie, but in my opinion, one that you have to see many times in order to get from it all that it has to give. Oh, and you need the attention span of a Saint, let your mind wander for even a moment and you will miss something) But for just a dollar, we were entertained for about three hours!

our Movies 10 in Henrietta,NY 

After a three hour movie, you know we are famished. So we head out for some Indian food.

It's a little known fact, that at most buffets, you can get take-out by paying by the pound. Tandoor of India  is one of our faves and is located right in Henrietta. (Less than 2 miles from the theater) And it just so happens that on Tuesday nights they have a dinner buffet. 

The picture below is one of three large buffet tables filled with the most scrumptious Indian food. You know as well as I do, that when you eat at a buffet, because you want to try at least one helping of everything, you end up feeling like you should be rolled out of the joint, or possibly fork lifted for that matter. Craig and I get the best of three worlds when we fill a to-go container instead of sitting down to eat.  We get to sample a little of everything, we don't get uncomfortably full because of the unlimited food, and we pay a lot less. 

I'm getting hungry just looking at their spread! 

To sit down at Tandoor and enjoy the buffet costs about $12 per person. "To go" costs $5.99/pound. We ended up spending only $11 on almost 2 pounds of food! Now our total for "Date Night" has come to $13 so far. 

I admit, I prepared for our outing with the intention of spending as little as possible, so I brought a can of soda from home to enjoy with our dinner. We ate a lovely dinner in the car while listening to our favorite tunes and having nice conversation. Normally we might have driven home and eaten our dinner in front of the TV, but Date Night was not over yet, we had $7 to burn!! 

So after dinner, we decided to take a stroll around the plaza. It just so happens that this particular plaza has three different thrift shops in it. So we spent about an hour walking to each one and looking for treasures. 

always on the lookout for spoons

I found some spoons and a new pair of jeans. Craig also found a nice pair of pants. Bringing our Date Night total to just a little over $20.

So, if you put your mind to it, you and your date can go see a blockbuster movie, eat a gourmet meal and buy whole new outfits  for just over $20. 

Do you have a thrifty tips to contribute? Feel free to comment below and share them with us!

This non-breeder

I'm a 33 year old woman who has been in a stable relationship with the love of her life for close to seven years. What's missing from that sentence? Kids. My boyfriend and I have talked it over numerous times and we both agree that it is just not our cup of tea.

Why?

There are many reasons why. But for me, I think that it's because I'm too selfish. I can't imaging giving up any part the life I worked so hard for, in order to raise a child. I am super happy in my life, and isn't that what it's all about? I feel like I have already won, why complicate things.

My handsome nephew Landon

I have heard many people tell me that I wont know true love until the moment a child is born to me, and that may be true, but love is just the beginning, cue the hard work...for the rest of your life!  I believe that raising a child is a very complex and serious matter. Hell, I don't  want to be the one responsible for having any sort of negative impact a human being's life, let alone my own flesh and blood. (and you know most people blame the parents for one shortcoming or another) And from what I remember as being a child and what I see as my sister raises her's, it's the hardest job in the world. From diapers and tantrums to teenage rebellion and beyond. Like they say, kids are not born with an owner's manual so you are constantly having to learn to be a parent through all of the different moments of their life. I'm not sure I will ever be up to the task.

And don't get me started on the paranoia I would have of my child getting hurt or sick in any way. I would definitely be one of those moms with their kid on a leash.

Yeah, I know it looks ridiculous. (P.S. the original caption
on this Tumblr pic was "only white people put their
children on leashes") Kind of made me snicker. 

I'm very content being the fun Aunt. I love playing made-up games with my nephew and running around outside. There is something totally freeing about having fun with a child. You can be as silly and goofy as you want, because it only makes it more enjoyable. I love teaching him things and asking him questions. Children are so smart and amusing, and some of the things they do and say are priceless! But then I get to go home, to my sanctuary with no toys scattered about and most importantly, peace and quiet.

My other nephew Miles! (or SMiles, as we call him)

In the end, do I feel like I am missing out on incalculable life experiences? Sure, but most of you parents out there are missing out on the life of absolute freedom that I cherish. My life is just filled with a different kind of precious life experiences. 

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