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Frugal Alternatives to Dinner on Valentine’s Day

By U.S. News & World Report

Dinner is a wonderful way to spend an evening with your significant other any day of the year, and for many people this is a default choice for Valentine’s Day. But on this particular night of the year, especially when Valentine’s Day falls on a weekend, restaurants can be crowded and expensive. Not only can an alternative date idea cost less money, but you could earn bonus points with your partner if you think a little outside the box.

Stargazing. What’s more romantic than gazing at the stars together? If you live in a rural area or out in the country, you’re likely blessed with clear views of the night all the time. A blanket, warm clothing and a thermos of hot chocolate is an easy yet memorable way to spend the evening, and it doesn’t cost a dime. And for those of us that are city-dwellers, there are still ways to enjoy the stars. Do a local search to see where you can find an observatory — usually a museum or university will have one and offer public nights for stargazing.

Sledding and hot chocolate. Keeping with the outdoor theme, channel your inner child and tackle the biggest hill in the neighborhood for a day of sledding. You may already have sleds at home, but if not you can usually find some at your local hardware store. Stop by a cozy coffee house afterwards to warm up and have great conversation.

Bowling. It may not seem romantic at first, but after a fun night of friendly competition in the bowling arcade, you may find it’s the kind of fun you and your significant other were looking for. There are usually pool tables and other games also available to play, made complete with low-key beverages and finger foods.

Movie night. A trip to the movie theater could easily cost you more than $50 for a pair of tickets and snacks, and that’s before you’ve even considered dinner. Instead, you can have a movie marathon at home for just a few bucks. Movies are free at your local library — they have new releases, too — or you could pick up a few DVDs at a nearby Redbox. Agree that you each get to pick one, and make it a double feature. Don’t forget to stop at the dollar store for your favorite candy and popcorn.

Wine tasting. If you and your Valentine love wine, look for an affordable wine tasting in your area. Many wine shops will host tastings for free, and the experts there can even point you in the direction of the best affordable wines the shop has to offer. If you’re looking for something a little more formal, check out wine tours on Groupon or another discounted site. These tours are typically guided by experts and take you to a few different restaurants for wine and food pairings at a flat rate.

Visit a museum. Walking through a museum, aquarium or arts center is a perfect way to spend a cold winter day, and gives you the chance to spend your time together talking and discussing everything you see. Many museums offer free or discounted admission to local residents or all visitors — look online in advance to see how you can get the best deal on tickets.

Scavenger hunt. This idea takes quite a bit of thought and preparation (you’ll want to start now) but can give your significant other a fun and surprising way to find out how much you care. Set up a treasure hunt and with each new destination; leave a clue for the next place you’ll be visiting. Clues can quiz them on details about your relationship (bonus points for sentimentality). End the scavenger hunt with a candlelit dinner, picnic in the park — even in your living room if it’s cold outside — or a relaxing spa evening at home.

All these ideas make for a thoughtful, unique Valentine’s Day your sweetheart will surely remember for a long time to come!

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Frugal Alternatives to Dinner on Valentine’s Day originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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