Valentines Day ideas that won't blow your budget

If  red roses, chocolates, expensive jewelery and five star restaurants isn't in your budget for this years Valentines Day, don't despair.  There are plenty of ways to show your love this Valentines Day without spending a thing.  Here are five romantic ideas that won't blow your budget.

1. Romantic Picnic

Picnics and romance go hand in hand, and picnic's don't always have to be at lunchtime.  Sunrise and Sunset Picnics are just as romantic, check out StarDate.Org for details on sunrise and sunset times in your city, dates of meteor showers, and a guide to star-gazing.  Pack your picnic hamper with some tasty food, champagne - and your loved ones favorite desert, and  don't forget to pack some candles, flowers and romantic music for an unforgettable Valentines Picnic.

2. Sight Seeing by Bicycle

If your looking for something fun and adventurous, consider a day of bike riding around the city, taking in the sites and sounds - and some inexpensive street food while your at it.  It will make for a lot of fun and laughter, and build a memory that you won't forget.

3. Pizza and a Movie

If your Valentine is more the homebody type, how about Pizza and a Movie - at home.  Rent a romantic comedy, or give your Valentine a romantic classic as a gift.  Order in a Pizza and spend a relaxing night on the couch.  

4. Cook a romantic dinner 

If dining out on Valentines Day isn't in your budget, you can recreate the romantic atmosphere at home.  Bring out the fine china, candles and flowers, and cook up your loved ones favorite dinner and desert.  Put on your favorite music, and make it an unforgettable night.

5. Champagne Sunset

Nothing is as romantic than sipping Champagne while watching the sunset.  Drive to a romantic location, such as the beach, park, or even a place of special significance to you both.  Spread out a blanket, pour the champagne, and watch the sunset together.  Pack some snacks and some music, and make an evening of it.

"Cash" Discounts on life's essentials

Via Investopedia's Bobby Dempsey

With retailers feeling the effects of customers who can't get credit, shoppers with cash in their wallets have the ultimate bargaining chip when it comes to getting good deals. Cash discounts may not be as plentiful as in the past, but there are still some places where cash is king. Here are some things you can often get cheaper with cash.

1. Gas
While many gas stations -- especially those in the large national chains -- offer one price no matter how you pay, some stations are still offering a deal for cash customers. Gate Petroleum, based in Florida, unveiled a program earlier this year that offers a discount of three cents per gallon to customers who pay with cash purchased fuel discount cards. In a recent survey by gas comparison site GasBuddy.com, 3% of the more than 15,000 respondents said more than half the stations in their area charged a lower price for cash, and the same percentage said nearly all of their local stations offered cash discounts.

2. Property Taxes
Many municipalities offer a discount (sometimes called a rebate price) to homeowners who pay their taxes by a certain date. In Florida's Miami-Dade County, for example, paying your taxes in November (within a few weeks after receiving the bill) will get you a discount of 4%. The discount decreased by 1% each month until March.

3. Gym Memberships
Many gyms and fitness centers offer special rates to customers who commit to a membership for a certain period of time (usually at least a year). You don't necessarily even need to pay it all upfront -- usually you can agree to an automatic monthly charge to your credit card or checking account. The downside: it can be difficult to get out of a gym membership once you've signed on the dotted line, as anyone who has ever attempted it can attest.

4. Cars
Walk onto a dealer's lot with cold hard cash and you are almost guaranteed to get a great deal. Bonus: You will save a fortune in interest. You would of course get similar savings -- on a much bigger scale -- if you can buy a house without financing, but that's something few people would be able to do these days.

5. Medical and Dental Procedures
Doctors and hospitals know that insurance companies will attempt not pay full price, so they will often inflate their prices to factor in that wiggle room. If you don't have insurance, ask if the doctor or hospital can adjust their charges. These providers spend a lot of time chasing down people with unpaid bills, so if you can pay right away, it's often worth it to them to knock the price down a bit. Discounts seem to be especially common when it comes to braces. For example, Central Florida Orthodontic Specialists offer an 8% discount to clients who pay in full within 30 days of the initial appointment when braces are put on.

6. Insurance
If you don't want to pay your insurance premiums in yearly or semi-annual chunks, many companies will now let you pay in monthly installments, although there is usually a "service fee" tacked on. It's generally only a few dollars each month, but that can add up at the end of the year. Some companies waive this fee if you agree to an automatic monthly electronic payment.

The Bottom Line
When shopping around for good deals, be sure to mention if you're paying in cash. In many cases, you might get rewarded with some nice savings. At the very least, you'll have the advantage of knowing you won't have to pay off a large credit card bill or loan.