You know when somebody’s birthday comes around that you never know what to get them?

Well I’ve come across a GREAT idea that’s not only fun but doesn’t break the bank (and could actually make the bank – but don’t count on it).

First start off at the dollar store or discount and get a funny card ( it’s hard to find in there sometimes through all the crap that’s left over in there but paying a buck vs paying up to $6) There’s a reason that all the card companies are going out of business these days….

Then write something funny and sentimental (don’t just sign it, when you’re toeing the line of cheap you have to make up for in in other ways like being a little sentimental) .

Last but not least go over to to gas station and buy a handful of lottery tickets. (less then $10  worth, half lotto / half scratchers ) …This is where the thrill part comes in.

Hopefully you’re birthday gift that comes in just under $10 will be a big hit.

IndyProv is holding Caffeinated Improv Comedy night at Talbol Street Nightclub. There will be live performers showing off there skills in improvisational comedy at this FREE show.

Here’s the Details:

WHEN: Friday, February 18th
TIME: 10:30 & 11:30pm
WHERE: Talbot Street Nightclub, 2145 North Talbot Street, Indianapolis, IN,46202
COST: FREE
official link HERE
club link HERE

There’s a free classical concert coming up this Saturday for all of you looking for a cheap or free date in the Raleigh / Durham area.

The event will be called Hopscotch and will occur from September 9th-11th in multiple indoor music venues in Downtown Raleigh as well as a big “main stage” presence in City Plaza on Fayetteville Street. .

Over the past 5-10 years music festivals have become very widespread throughout the country, most of which are outside on some large vacant land. Hopscotch will be different. It will be urban and celebrate Raleigh as an emerging metropolis and a center of musical buzz. The shift towards Raleigh as the center of this buzz seems to be solidified by the Indy’s choice to hold the fest in downtown. That or the fact that Raleigh as a metropolis will Vivaldi and Hayden Masterworks concert. Vivaldi Gloria and Hayden Symphony 101 ” The Clock” and other choral works. Local choristers join North Carolina School of Science and Math, Blacknall Church choirs and orchestra for an evening of classical favorites. Free concert open to all. Friday Feb 4th at 7.00 .m. NCSSM Durham Educational and Technology Center auditorium. Saturday Feb 5th 7.00 p.m. at Blacknall Church, 1902 Perry Street, Durham. Conductors Scott Laird and David Stuntz.

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WHEN:  Saturday, Feb 5 7:00pm
WHERE: Blacknall Presbyterian Church,Durham, NC
COST: FREE
OFFICIAL LINK: HERE

It’s that time of year again, when daters show their affection for each other in lavish displays of gifts and goodies.

We’re half-way through January and the red heart displays are out all over the various stores however if you look past the main pre-packed displays and shop at one or two places, then you can put together your own gift package for much less.

Now if you’re past the first or second date with the girl you’re seeing then a valentines day showering of love is a must. The worst part is that retailers know it and are ready for you to open up your wallet.

This is not the time for some hand made trinket however, you’re not a 3rd grader bringing home a paper heart to mom.

If she has been hinting at flowers…

• If there’s an Aldi’s near you, go there a few days beforehand, they usually have roses and they’re priced under $5.00 most of the time
  (You might have to get more then one if you’re going for a dozen roses)
• Costco has roses for under $20 (the last time I bought a bouquet of roses from Costco about a month and a half ago the price was $18.99)

Making the perfect gift

So if you’ve decided to be a little more creative then just flowers (or you’re thinking that the flowers might be all gone by the time you make it to the store on valentines day). Every valentines day gift  that I’ve been a part of seems to have 4 crucial elements:

1. Jewelry
2. Flowers
3. Candy
4. Stuffed animals
5. Balloons

If  you’re thinking the same thing then maybe you should make a gift basket / love basket using some of our tips below:

Jewelry

In order to plan this off right, this takes some hunting and planning – but there are lots of internet deals that will get you a pretty decent piece of sparkle to give without breaking the bank.

Jewelry Deal of the Day

Diamond Shark Deal of the Day

Balloons

I was surprised to find such a vast collection of valentines stuff already out for sale at one of the local dollar stores including foil helium balloons for just one dollar each.

Now compare that to the grocery store or the florist that sell each balloon for up to $6 bucks each (and the valentines day balloons around valentines usually start at $10) and you can have a whole floating bunch of balloons for the price of just one or two.

When I went to Dollar Tree I saw a ton of helium balloons for a dollar each, they were even taking pre-orders to be ready for valentines day pickup (this way your balloons weren’t flat by the time you pulled them out). They also had air filled aluminum smaller heart balloons that said I love you on a plastic stick for only a dollar as well.

Stuffed Animals

Girls love stuffed animals – period. You usually see them sitting on the hope chest of their room.

I found a few cute teddy bears at the Dollar Tree that would be about $5 anywhere else.

Target in the display right at their front had a few stuffed animals holding hearts for $2.50 each as well as big plush fuzzy hearts for the same $2.50.

Target also had cute little wild animals with little red hearts stitched on their chest for only a dollar.

Candy

Putting it all together

Now that you’ve gathered you’re stuff, you have to make some kind of presentation of it.

When I was at one of the dollar stores I picked up a valentines day gift bag for a buck and some foil shreds / stuffing for another buck.

With the bag and the red foil shreds and the card sticking out and the bear along with the balloons and one of the pieces of jewelry I ordered and I’ve made the perfect valentines present. Plus I still came in with just under a dollar to spare.

There seems to be a lot of visitors coming from the Charleston SC area looking for free and cheap things to do in that area. So we’ve set out to try to find more things that everyone is looking for this year.

We’ve found a new FrugalDate idea that’s not free, but falls into our under $20 category and it’s the upcoming Boat show.

Keep reading for the rest of the details.
COST: $8 admission per adult
Location: The North Charleston Convention Center
Dates: Friday, January 21 2011 – Noon-6:00pm
Saturday, January 22, 2011 – 10:00am-6:00pm
Sunday, January 23, 2011 – 11:00am-5:00pm
Official Link: HERE

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As we continue our series of 10 dates for less then $10 we move on to another of my favorite cities  ~ Baltimore, MD.
There’s nothing like a stroll through Baltimore to get you in the mood for crabs.

	Hit the Harbor There’s more then 10 things to do at the harbor all by itself but we’re going to count it as just one. official link
	Be a tree hugger Visit the Cylburn Arboretum and walk around viewing the flowers and trees (cost ~ FREE) They even have a cell phone tour. official link
	Take your 4 legged friends along As we talked about in a previous post (found here) there’s lots of  free dog parks around Baltimore.
	Get Artsy Take a trip to the Walters Art Museum (cost Free ) official link
	Discover Little Italy Visit the authentic neighborhood of Little Italy, there’s even a colorful walking map available either by mail for $1.50 or for 1 buck at the souviner booth down at Little Italy official link (Cost FREE)
	See the Statues of Baltimore’s Sports Heroes Go downtown to M&T stadium and Camden Yards to go visit the larger then life statues of Johnny Unitas and Babe Ruth. (cost FREE)
	Explore The Hampton Mansion This 63 acre Georgian Mansion shows a historical perspective across 3 centuries (cost FREE) official link
	Feel like you’re traveling back in time at Fells Point Walk along the cobblestone streets in this neighborhood that was built in colonial times. (Cost FREE ) official link
	Take in the sounds and smells of Lexington Market Besides walking around and watching the Fish Mongers and Butchers at work, there’s constant events happening at the Market. Check their page and calendar for details. (cost ~Free) official link
	Get back to nature at Weber’s Cider Mill Farm (cost ~Free) official link

The secret to any date is to make a magic moment, something memorable.

With all the snow that’s come down in the north east in this winter, this presents the perfect opportunity to make one (or more) of those magic moments.

These moments can happen inside or outside and don’t take credit cards, but you might want to keep your digital camera or cellphone camera handy so that you can share your magic moment with all your facebook fans.

Chocolate Kisses With it being so cold outside then why not make some hot chocolate and snuggle up saving the warmth. Special skills needed? Only the ability to boil water. And if you really want to get creative then you can

	Build a fire If your apartment or house is lucky enough to have a fireplace then hopefully you have some wood laying around or have tested your gas connection if you have gas logs. Besides the heat that the fireplace puts out, there’s the whole romantic mood that the fireplace instantly produces.
	Pamper someone Looking around your place you can most likely find the items for a mini spa date – and if nothing else you can come up with a scented candle and some lotion for massages.
	Catch some snowflakes on your tongue Go outside and frowlick in the snow seeing if you can catch a few snowflakes on your tongue. Then see if you can pass it to your partner (no hands allowed) without it melting first.
	Put on an apron Turn on the oven and make a batch of cookies, or offer to be the baker’s helper.  There’s not many who don’t love a warm sweet treat.
	Throw a mini Tea Party Being stuck inside can give you the perfect chance to break out the cups and saucers and have your own tea party just like you did growing up – only this time for real.
	Make a batch of brownies There’s few who aren’t a sucker for chocolate. And store bought brownie mix is usually less then $5. Make a list, check it twice (including that you have a pan to cook them in) and go back and ger the oven heated up. Afterwards you can both share the rewards.
_	Create a little ambiance Gather up a bunch of candles and either draw up a bubble bath or circle them around the room for just the perfect mood. You’ll forget in almost no time how cold it is outside

Any of these things can create a magic moment that both of you will remember for a lifetime, all with things that are most likely lying around already. So go ahead make the most out of your snow day.

Want to breath a little better at night, especially with cold season on the horizon? Then sign up for some FREE BreatheRight strips and wake up more refreshed.

The link to the free sample is here

From their website:

• Nasal congestion relief due to the common cold or allergies
• Better breathing for people with a deviated septum
• Snoring relief to sleep better

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A free concert festival is coming up for in Raleigh called Hopscotch.

The event will be called Hopscotch and will occur from September 9th-11th in multiple indoor music venues in Downtown Raleigh as well as a big “main stage” presence in City Plaza on Fayetteville Street. .

Over the past 5-10 years music festivals have become very widespread throughout the country, most of which are outside on some large vacant land. Hopscotch will be different. It will be urban and celebrate Raleigh as an emerging metropolis and a center of musical buzz. The shift towards Raleigh as the center of this buzz seems to be solidified by the Indy’s choice to hold the fest in downtown. That or the fact that Raleigh as a metropolis will bring in more attendants.

WHEN:  September 9 – 11th
WHERE: Downtown Raleigh, NC
COST: FREE
OFFICIAL LINK: HERE

The Kansas City Symphony is holding a free concert – Pops in the Park – on labor day weekend.

Here’s the details:

The Kansas City Symphony’s free Labor Day weekend concert at The Theatre in the Park at Shawnee Mission Park celebrates American music – from West Side Story and South Pacific to Star Trek and Superman! Bring your family and friends, plus blankets and lawn chairs.

The parking lot opens at 4:30 p.m.; gates open at 5 p.m. Instrument
Petting Zoo begins at 5:30 p.m., with support from Swiss Re.

WHEN: September 9th gates open at 5pm
WHERE: Shawnee Mission Park
COST: FREE
OFFICIAL LINK: HERE