Leading up to Valentine’s Day on Monday, here are some frugal ideas to spend quality time with your loved one for less:

Make a tape, uh CD, uh MP3 file — You used to make tapes for friends and significant others in high school. Go back to those days of frugal gift-giving and create a special music rundown of favorites from special moments.

Brown bag with love — Since Val­ entine's is on a weekday, make Mon­day's lunch really special. Connect each course with a special memory or date. Write a note and attach it to the main dish, side item and snack.

You are a poet, you just don't know it — Try to compose a poem. It may sound cheesy but it just might touch your loved one's heart. Frame it or write it on some really pretty paper. You can buy single sheets of lovely paper at craft stores. If you're considering fram­ ing it, go for a timeless design to extend throughout the year.

Candlelight cooking and dining — Safety first, of course, but try cooking and dining by candlelight together. Great conversations can start over din­ing and the preparation. If you're budget doesn't call for dining out, dining in can be just as fun. Look for ways to make that at-home meal different from any other night of the week.

Remember when — Play a rousing game of "remember when." Just don't get your feelings hurt if your Valentine isn't as good at this game as you are.

(FURTHERMORE -- I would leave out all spots of contention or drama. Keep it to memories you have together and leave out family members or other issues)

Working on a round-up of free or cheap romantic date spots across the state. Like Vulcan after dark. Parking and watching the submarine races. You get the idea. Got a romantic but frugal date idea? I would love to hear it.

(THEy HAD SOME GREAT IDEAS -- KEEP READING TO SEE WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY)





Heather B -- My husband & I used to have the tradition of driving to the lookout spot near the church overlooking the city in Vestavia to exchange our gifts. We also like the dollar theatre, playing tennis, and doing a picnic in our living room: sushi from Publix, wine & a movie. Lastly, we love night walks staring at the stars in the Homewood neighborhoods or doing the Mtn Brook trail.

Stevie M. -- Since I'm a freebie junkie my husband and i take all our free food coupons and have a round robin meal ( app at one place, then buy one get one free meals, and then free desserts. Also our local radio station is always playing games for free tickets to area locations. I usually win once a month.

Anita J. -- My husband and I are going to the dollar movie theater in Vestavia/Hoover this Friday night. We hear it is actually $1! That's a cheap date!

Scarlett G. -- Romantic comedy from Redbox, getting all dressed up and cooking dinner together add some kind of delicious dessert as a treat,( dipping strawberries together would be fun) then picnicking on the living room floor. Cooking together is way more romantic than going out to eat and fighting traffic and waiting in an overpriced restaurant for seats.

Molly B. -- Vulcan is great after dark. The tower is open until 10 pm. Go up top and see the lights of the city. Bring a blanket and sit on the lawn and snuggle!



(BBM note it's $3 per person to go up to the observation deck.)

Renee' N. -- Wow that is way to romantic for me. I am more up for buying a couple of big ice blocks in the summer and at night take it out on a grassy hill and slide down the hill. Couples sledding at its best.

Eve B. -- I'm gonna be a scrooge here and say that we don't celebrate Valentines Day. I think it's a holiday aimed towards women and I have had girlfriends absolutely freaking out about how horrible the men in their lives are for not dropping hundreds of dollars on them. Who needs a bunch of stuffed toys, chocolates and flowers anyways?

Bonnie V. -- We have 5 boys in our home! This year, we are planning a candle light dinner for ALL OF US ~ and I will probably bake a heart shaped cake with strawberries and whipped cream!