Cheap & Frugal #Valentine #tips in #Dubai

Are you looking for something cheap and frugal to do in Dubai on Valentines?

Well you're in luck, whether you're married, just dating , taking a friend out instead, or doing something special for your mother ❤ (RIP mum) -  and Valentines' day has sprung up on you I'm going to give you a few cheap ideas on how to celebrate.

- Of course, you could always say that you don't believe in celebrating only on one day, or that you don't like celebrating made up holidays that were created by marketers back in the day and that are backed up by capitalism. However, due to peer pressure and expectations I think that's just not going to cut it.

If for some reason you forgot about valentines, or are haven't budgeted to do a huge show of valentines, here are a few ideas - I warn you in advance you might find them lame.
Also, if you're with the type of person that will judge you based on the value of your present then you either dump them or realize that you are like that too!:

Free:

Looking your best

Lame I know, but suprisingly a lot of people really just don't make the effort. Just wear some perfume, a nice outfit and put on a winning smile. Throw out a few compliments and be considerate. It's free, it's thoughtful, it's important to do everyday.

Make a promise.
That niggling habit of picking your nose in public? That annoying trait of yours to always prove that you're right? The constant complaints about your life? Make a promise to improve yourself and be a better person.

 

DIY Gifts.

Cute, Lame, Thoughtful and everything in between :)

• Like this deck of cards with all the reasons you love your special person
• These Printable IOU Coupons
• These awesome fruit roll fortune cookies! LOVE

Aed 50 or Less:

Make your own food - Dinner at home, or a picnic in the desert/ beach . Make a pot of tea, Throw in some dried rose buds or cinnamon sticks in the fire and make it smell magical!
-We eat out too much these days , make something you really like and have  a quality day out

• The traditional Chocolate + a single red rose (Boooring!)
• A  printed T-shirt / Mug
  - I made one for my brother on his birthday that said (If Found Please Return to the Gym) and he still wears it! (Or so he claims) - Go to the basement at Mercato Mall under spinneys you'll find a printing shop there, bring a USB with a picture or just some text
  
  

Aed 100 or less:

This bouquet of red roses with free delivery on valentines

This iPhone lens kit - (Or this battery pack ) 
-Tech is always a great gift I don't care what anyone else says - Shoutout to Tbreak Media ! Check out their website for the latest in consumer technology

Experience a 4D movie together at VOX

Go trekking in Fujairah
- And totally show off your super Hiking Skills

- Cost is for fuel and food :)  !  (Or pay 250pp here)

Aed 200 or more:

Make some memories together
-Go to cafe ceramique and spend the day painting a mug for each-other :)

Play Games
Check out Sega Republic and have a laugh!

Share an experience
Do a Try dive experience together and share a new love for diving!

I just HAD to add this GIF OMG Isn't this GIF cute!

The 5 ways all Dubai Expats waste money

We've all been guilty of this at one point or another, here are some quick surefire ways to save money in Dubai now!  

1 -Morning coffees, Cigarettes and Eating Out at Work.

Spending AED 16 - 25 everyday on that morning Extra Skinny, Double Shot, Skip the Cream, Extra Foam Hazelnut Cappuccino is a big no-no. Seriously, that's about AED 550 a month.

And for you pack-a-day smokers, that's about AED 300 a month.
(YAY i quit so now I can preach :P )

As for Eating out, if your just spending AED 20 a day at MC Donald's that's AED 450 a month on LUNCH. Forget Breakfast, Dinner, Snacks, Beverages, Sushi Meetings and the like.

If you spend AED 250 at the supermarket and bring your own food you've save 200 a month.

 Your welcome, I've just saved you AED1,000.

 2- Not Driving Economically
Yea yea, we live in an oil rich country. Fuel is cheap compared to the rest of the world. So you drive like you don't have care in the world.Driving like a jerk means that you use too much fuel, your passengers are uncomfortable, your sex appeal drops by 2000%.

Also, turning the AC on too high, not maintaining your car, and keeping the tire pressure at optimum uses up more fuel.

I saved AED 50 a week , and I still drive like a jerk (well not all the time)

Find out how to drive economically here

3- Setting the AC too low at home
Setting your AC Temperature at home to 24 degrees celsius can reduce your electricity bill, not to mention you help hurt the world less.

I saved AED 100 by doing this (I used to keep mine at 18 degrees celsius, I now keep it at 22 degrees celsius)

Find out more tips on DEWA's page here

4 - Keeping the water heater on
All those appliances you aren't using but leave in hibernation mode (like your laptop, tv, and washing machine) all use up electricity at home and rack up your electric bill
-Also, don't leave your AC on all day

Plus if the building electrics suddenly implode, your appliances will be safe :) 

5- Buying Groceries at "High-end" supermarkets
Stop shopping at Waitrose, Spinneys, Geant Express and Carrefour Express. 
Your best bet? Buy your groceries at the veg souk (It's real!) and your other items at  The Union Co-op. Trust Me, you could save anywhere from 10% - 40% off your bill.

Trust me, you're friends aren't going to ask you to prove where you bought your groceries from.

Check out the top 10 cheapest supermarkets here

 

Goodluck! Share your tips with me and then we can be cheapo friends! Who never call each-other cuz we never have credit, like ever.