Alright millennial men, the economy isn’t getting any better and yet many of you are trying to spend too much money on dating and romance. These plans are femme-guaranteed; thoughtful; and cheap!

Here are ten amazing ideas for romance using just the things you have around the house and items you can find in any dollar store! Prepare your wife or lady friend for romance!

1.) The Candlelit Bath:

If there is one thing dollar stores always have too much of, it’s candles. Prepare a candlelit bath for when your lover is on their way home with some aromatic candles. You may even be able to find some bath salts (the non-drug kind), bubble bath, or fabric flower petals for ambiance. Set up some soothing music for an added touch.

Shopping list: Candles, lighter, bath salts, petals

2.) The Flower Arrangement:

Scour your local dollar store for the prettiest silk or dried flowers, put them in a pretty vase with a card. The cheesy line: These flowers will last forever just like us. Yep. Gooey enough to make any woman blush. For an added bonus, deliver them to her workplace.

Shopping list: Vase, flowers, ribbon, card

3.) The Candy Stash:

Ladies love chocolate. Go to your dollar store and buy a few of her favorites. Put them in the fridge and leave a note on the front door that says: Look in Fridge. Not only will she be very happy and touched, she may also share. =)

Shopping list: Chocolate, assorted candies, note card

4.) The Tidy Time:

Never underestimate the turn-on power of cleaning. Women love a clean house, but we hate to clean. Pick up some cleaning supplies and clean one room of the house. You might even update it with some thrift shop curtains or some dollar store throw pillows.

Shopping list: Cleaning supplies

5.) Tupperware Lunches:

Most dollar stores carry pasta and sauce. Make a big batch, and put it in Tupperware containers so your working lady has lunch for the week. (Hint: to make sauce in a jar taste better, add garlic powder, grated cheese, and Italian seasoning)

Shopping List: Pasta, sauce, single serving Tupperware

6.) Picnic on the Patio:

Pack a sandwich lunch into a wicker basket. Add a blanket, and move it outside to the patio. Simple, effective. Even better, take it to a park.

Shopping List: Blanket, basket, snacks (chips, etc.), drinks

7.) Movie/ Show Night:

You know that show your lady friend has been waiting to start back up again? On the night it starts, go to the dollar store and buy snacks and drinks. Set it all up for her, and then watch the show with her. (I don’t care if it’s The Voice, Walking Dead, or Dora the Explorer. Watch it.)

Shopping list: Snacks, Candy, Drinks

8.) Thank You Card Hunt:

We don’t tell the people in our lives that we appreciate them enough. So, buy a pack of Thank You cards and fill each one out with a thank you for something she has done for you. Hide them around the house in places she is sure to find them throughout the week, but not too fast. Save one and write an explanation of the cards. Put it in front of the coffeepot or mirror when the rest are hidden. Use fun markers and stickers to make them more cute and personal.

Shopping List: Thank you cards, stickers, markers

9.) Post it Note Appreciation:

Buy a pack of post it notes (maybe some of the ones with fun designs) and post them around the house with little notes on them. Ideas: You’re Beautiful. Smile. I love you. Your intelligence turns me on. Or maybe some inside jokes between the two of you. Put them in places she looks often, and I bet she will smile every time she sees one. Inside cabinets, next to light switches, on the mirrors, next to her computer mouse, on the steering wheel of her car. You get the idea.

Shopping List: Post it Notes, Sharpies

10.) The photobomb:

Buy picture frames and frame photos of the two of you, or buy a corkboard, scrapbooking stuff, and tacks and make a collage. Having pictures of you and your lady around your apartment shows that you appreciate, care, and are proud of your relationship.

Shopping List: Tacks, scrapbook supplies, photos, picture frames

Remember, romance doesn’t have to cost a fortune. It is really about the love and care behind it.

Have fun with it!