A Romantic Valentine's Day for $10-$15

Short on cash this Valentine's Day? That should not stop you from having a romantic night with your loved one. I am going to tell you how you can plan a Valentine's Day for the low cost of $10 to $15. This plan includes dinner, desert, two romantic activities, and two gifts for that special person in your life.

Dinner

You should keep your Valentine's Day dinner light. You don't want to have that overly full feeling that leaves you miserable for the rest of the evening. Here is a menu you could use.

Grill Salmon with Butter

• 1 lemon, zest and juice
• 2 TBS butter, lightly softened
• dash of salt and pepper
• 1 TBS olive oil or vegetable oil
• Salmon Fillets (about ½ lb each)

Method:

Place half the zest and lemon juice in a bowl with the lightly softened butter and the salt and pepper, beat together until smooth, cover and chill until required.

Mix the remaining lime juice with the olive oil and set aside.

Preheat the grill to medium heat. Wash and pat dry the salmon fillets using absorbent kitchen paper. Brush both sides of the fillets with the oil and lime juice mixture. Place on the preheated grill and cook for 4-5 minutes until lightly golden, turn the fillets over and cook for a further 2-3 minutes until cooked through. You can also do this indoors on an indoor grill.

To serve: Place each fillet on a warm serving plate, dot each with herb butter, sprinkle with the remaining lime zest. Cook rice according to directions on package and steam broccoli.

Night Total

Salmon- $6.00 lb

Lemon-$0.50

Butter-$.50

Rice-$1.00 or less

Broccoli- $2.00

Total- $10.00

Dessert:

Yes, homemade is from the heart, but you will have to purchase eggs and milk if those things are not already in your cubboards. Then there is the process of cleaning up after baking. Save yourself the trouble! For $2.50 you can buy a frozen Pepperage Farm Cake in the freezer section of your local grocery store. These cakes come in chocolate and vanilla with coconut frosting. Simply store the cake in the refridgerator to thaw, open, and serve. You will be shocked at how good these cakes are. Go for the chocolate for Valentine's Day!

Night Total

Salmon- $6.00 lb

Lemon-$0.50

Butter-$.50

Rice-$1.00 or less

Broccoli- $2.00

Frozen Chocolate Cake- $2.50

Total- $12.50

Activity One

Star Watching is a romantic activity that is provided for free by Mother Nature. Take advantage if the night sky is clear. All you need for this activity is a blanket and flashlight already in your home! If you don't have a flashlight, it isn't important. Print a free star chart off internet in case you really get into it and want to identify stars. Go outside, wrap up in the blanket, and stare up at the sky. This is a very romantic way to spend your night together. If you do have a flashlight you can use the beam of light to point out stars. It is much easier than just pointing with your finger.

Night Total

Salmon- $6.00 lb

Lemon-$0.50

Butter-$.50

Rice-$1.00 or less

Broccoli- $2.00

Frozen Chocolate Cake- $2.50

Star Watching-$0

Total- $12.50

Activity 2

A massage is a great way to say I love you. While I call this an activity, it could also be considered a gift. Take a look online and you can find a lot of information about how to give a proper massage. You don't need fancy massage oil to do so. Lotion and talcum powder are also good things to use for a massage. You can even use vegetable oil right from your kitchen. It works great for giving massages! The point is you do not have to buy anything to give a massage. To really set the mood, light and old candle and download some peaceful music from Limewire.

Night Total

Salmon- $6.00 lb

Lemon-$0.50

Butter-$.50

Rice-$1.00 or less

Broccoli- $2.00

Frozen Chocolate Cake- $2.50

Star Watching-$0

Massage- $0

Total- $12.50

Gift 1

At Whodoyoulove.com you can print off free 'love coupons' and give these to your loved one. They have so many different coupons you can print off. You are sure to find some that you can give to your loved one. Actions speak much louder than words and love coupons do just that. You give your loved one a coupon for a free day of pampering or a night where you cook dinner. Those things really say I love you! The only thing you will spend for this gift is time!

Night Total

Salmon- $6.00 lb

Lemon-$0.50

Butter-$.50

Rice-$1.00 or less

Broccoli- $2.00

Frozen Chocolate Cake- $2.50

Star Watching-$0

Massage- $0

Love Coupons- $0

Total- $12.50

Gift 2/Activity 3

Valentine's Day cards are a tradition that you do not want to miss out on. You can purchase an inexpensive Valentine's Day card or make a homemade one for your loved one. A third option is to turn the Valentine's Day card into an activity as well. For $1.00 you can purchase a box of children's Valentine's Day cards. Take the time to write a message on each one such as "I love you" or "You are the best thing that ever happened to me." Hide these in various places around your home, or your loved ones home. Put them in coat pockets, in the refrigerator, under couch cushions, and tape them to the back of cabinet doors. Depending on how many cards you hide, this gift could keep giving all year. I did this once and when we moved a year later, my husband found one of these cards. It will be fun for your loved one to try and find all of them.

Night Total

Salmon- $6.00 lb

Lemon-$0.50

Butter-$.50

Rice-$1.00 or less

Broccoli- $2.00

Frozen Chocolate Cake- $2.50

Star Watching-$0

Massage- $0

Valentine's Day Card- $1.00-$2.50

Total- $15.00

This is just an example of a romantic Valentine's Day that is low cost. Prices will vary depending on what you already have in your home and what you decide to purchase. Be creative and plan something that will be romantic and memorable for you and your loved one. Romance does not mean money. Romance means doing something that comes from your heart!