What Coca-Cola needs to do to survive

COKE Life has turned out to be one of those inventions no one ever asked for or wanted. So why did Coca-Cola launch such a fizzer?

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Trendy dining at Mountain Creek Grill offers 'something for everyone'

Since its grand opening in May, Mountain Creek Grill on Route 611 in Bartonsville (former location of “Big Daddy’s Barbeque) has been wowing patrons with its fusion American style cuisine.The newly renovated and revamped restaurant is owned by the partnership of Jim Ertle, Jacqui and Anthony Calicchio, who aim to bring a new, unique and exciting dining experience to the Poconos."We are a totally new restaurant, a new concept in [...]

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Deeds, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015

Coolbaugh TownshipCDK Properties Inc. to Jeffrey v. and Katherine E. Springer, Lots 81ABC, Block A-55, Section 12, Arrowhead Lake, $355,000Middle Smithfield TownshipProf-2013-S3 Reo I LLC (By Atty), Fay Servicing LLC (Atty) to Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB (TRUS), Primestar-H Fund I Trust (By TRUS), Lot 10, Keystone Hollow, Courtney Drive, $247,066.52Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB (TRUS), Primestar-H Fund I Trust (By [...]

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Students get a reality check on financial literacy

D.J. Tucker plans to study business management as his career choice at East Stroudsburg University after he graduates this spring from East Stroudsburg High School South.Senior classmate Changa Hodge will study athletic training at Villanova University.But what about after college? What about balancing a budget to buy food, clothes, a car, even some fun and entertainment?Nearly 300 students from South High School spent part of their school day on Thursday experiencing [...]

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Earning credit card rewards is easy enough, but trying to redeem them for travel can often be an exercise in frustration. Photo: Melissa Gutierrez

Have you ever earned a bunch of frequent flier miles only to realize they are almost impossible to redeem? While earning miles with a co-branded credit card is a piece of cake, actually using them can be an entirely different story.

If you have ever been stuck in this position, you know just how frustrating it can be. And truth be told, shrinking award availability is often enough to discourage people from pursuing more travel rewards in the future.

Six Tips That Make Award Travel Easier

Fortunately, there is more than one way to avoid this annoying situation. If you want to earn points and miles you can actually use — no matter what — consider these tips:

Stick with cards that offer flexible rewards.

While frequent flier miles can offer a lot of bang for your buck, they can often be difficult to redeem — especially if you have certain dates or times in mind, like school vacation weeks. Further, hotel loyalty points are only valuable if the property you desire is available.

If you want to earn rewards you’ll be able to use no matter what, pick a flexible rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. With this card, you’ll earn Ultimate Rewards points, which can be used lots of ways.

For example, Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to many airlines and hotel loyalty programs including Southwest, British Airways, Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG. Further, you can use them to book travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal or redeem them for gift cards at $1 per 100 points.

Tip: If you decide to convert your Ultimate Rewards points to airline miles or hotel points, check the airline or hotel for availability first.

Choose cards that let you earn ‘travel credit.’

If you’re still unsure about points that belong to a particular program, you could consider a card that offers “travel credit” instead. With this type of card, you’ll earn points and miles that are redeemable for a fixed amount of any kind of travel – with no blackout dates, capacity controls, or even exorbitant fuel surcharges to worry about.

A good card that falls under this category is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. Just by earning the sign-up bonus alone, you’ll score $400 that can be used for airfare, hotels, or other travel accommodations. With a card that offers flexible travel credit, the choice is yours.

Tip: With this card, you’ll also earn two miles per dollar spent, which can help you grow your point balance fast.

Pick frequent flier programs with plenty of availability.

All frequent flier programs are not created equal. In fact, many offer scarce availability for domestic or international travel, especially if you don’t book far, far ahead.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards program, on the other hand, comes with no blackout dates or capacity controls. In fact, per their own words, “If there’s a seat available on the plane, it’s yours.”

If you want to earn miles you can use for domestic travel no matter what, consider signing up for the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card. Not only can you book flights with no blackout dates, but you can also redeem your points for hotels, rental cars, and gift cards.

Tip: Make sure your local airport has a Southwest hub before you sign up.

Earn cash back and spend it however you want.

If you don’t want to worry about the value of points or travel credit, you can focus on cash back instead. With the Chase Freedom card, for example, you can get 1% cash back on all purchases and 5% cash back in categories that rotate each quarter. And once you rack up enough cash, you can redeem it however you want — including to help pay for your next trip.

Your overall earnings will generally be lower this way, but at least you won’t have to stress over the logistics of how and when to redeem your miles or points.

With straight-up cash back, you simply shop for whatever travel accommodations you want and book them. It’s as simple as that. Better yet, the Chase Freedom card comes with no annual fee.

Tip: Pair this card with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and combine points for maximum earning potential.

Book really, really early for your choice of rewards.

If you really want to use airline miles to book flights, the key is planning early. In fact, I would suggest you start shopping for your flights 10-11 months out for international rewards travel, and at least six months out for domestic flights that aren’t on Southwest.

By booking ahead of the herd, you’ll generally have your pick of dates and flights. And if you start shopping early, you’ll be ready to pounce on an award flight when one pops up.

Tip: You can often find better award availability by searching for off-peak dates. For example, consider flying midweek if possible.

Be willing to go anywhere — at any time.

This brings me to my final point: Flexibility. With it comes to award availability – or even just saving on travel in general — the most important thing to know is that it can pay to be flexible.

Sometimes traveling a week earlier or later than you planned can mean all the difference when it comes to award availability, or even the cost of your trip.

So, don’t be afraid to think outside of the box. Consider the early 6 a.m. flights to your destination, for example, or see what options you have if you fly out on Monday instead of Saturday. Play around with dates, times, and even destinations, and you’ll be in a better position to cash in on the best rewards.

Tip: Whether you’re trying to book hotels or airfare, traveling during off-peak months is another way to find the most award availability and the best prices.

The Bottom Line

If you’ve been burned by hard-to-use airline miles, it might be time to give travel rewards another chance. And with the right strategy — and an open mind — you could be well on your way to earning flights, hotel stays, and more.

Have you ever had trouble redeeming airline miles? What’s your favorite type of credit card reward currency to earn?

The post $&#@! Six Tips for Booking Rewards Travel Without Cursing appeared first on The Simple Dollar.

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Start Saving for the Holidays Now, and This Bank Will Give You $150

If you’re just starting to think about your holiday budget, I’ve got a really simple way to save: Start a separate bank account just for your holiday shopping.

Check your budget to see what you can spare for buying gifts, then designate part of your paycheck to automatically go into the account. Set it, forget it and don’t touch that account until you’re ready to do your shopping.

With that money directed into a special account where you don’t see it, it’s easy to avoid the temptation to spend it on other things.

Get $150 When You Open a New Checking Account With Santander

If you’re a new customer, Santander Bank will give you $150 for opening a new checking account. Use this account to hold your holiday savings, and you can start the New Year with free cash!

The offer works for Basic, Classic and Premium checking accounts, which offer a variety of options to fit your needs.

Here’s how the deal works:

1. Open an eligible new Santander checking account with a minimum deposit of $25. Just click on the orange “Open Account” button below. (if you prefer, they’ll send you a coupon code to open your account in person at a local branch.)

2. Have direct deposits totaling $500 or more within the first 90 days.

3. Keep your account open for at least 90 days.

4. Once you meet these conditions, your $150 will be paid within 30 days.

Start Your Holiday Savings Fund Now

Open your new checking account with $25 today. Direct deposit at least $500 into it before Christmas — that’s about $45 per week — and tap into it for holiday shopping.

Then, just when you think you’re drained from holiday expenses, Santander will give you a $150 bonus by February.

Not a bad way to start the New Year.

This deal is good until December 31. But if you want to start saving for Christmas, I think you should get started today.

Your Turn: Do you use a separate bank account to save money for the holidays?

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. We would have shared them with you anyway, but a true “penny hoarder” would be a fool not to take the company’s money.

The post Start Saving for the Holidays Now, and This Bank Will Give You $150 appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.

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The Diderot Effect and You

In 1769, Denis Diderot published an essay entitled Regrets for my Old Dressing Gown, or A warning to those who have more taste than fortune. In it, Diderot laments the loss of his old dressing gown, which he wore around the house for casual clothing:

Why didn’t I keep it? It was used to me and I was used to it. It molded all the folds of my body without inhibiting it; I was picturesque and handsome. The other one is stiff, and starchy, makes me look stodgy. There was no need to which its kindness didn’t loan itself, for indigence is almost always officious. If a book was covered in dust, one of its panels was there to wipe it off. If thickened ink refused to flow in my quill, it presented its flank. Traced in long black lines, one could see the services it had rendered me. These long lines announce the litterateur, the writer, the man who works. I now have the air of a rich good for nothing. No one knows who I am.

It was an inexpensive old dressing gown, not too different than a shabby old t-shirt we might wear around the house on weekends. It was comfortable to wear and had many uses.

So, why didn’t he still have it and wear it around the house?

I don’t cry, I don’t sigh, but every moment I say: Cursed be he who invented the art of putting a price on common material by tinting it scarlet. Cursed be the precious garment that I revere. Where is my old, my humble, my comfortable rag of common cloth?

In other words, Diderot had replaced his older comfortable and reliable clothing with a new one, a red one that wasn’t as comfortable or utilitarian as his old one. It was apparently expensive, too.

Diderot had been living a pretty impoverished life until recently, when he came into a healthy bit of money. It turns out that Diderot was a writer of some renown in 18th century France, but he wasn’t a very wealthy man and often lived on the edge of poverty. He became well known for writing a popular encyclopedia, but the proceeds from that really didn’t bring him much wealth. He was somewhat famous for his writing, but was basically destitute.

Catherine the Great, the empress of Russia at the time, heard about Diderot’s plight and decided to help. From Wikipedia:

When the Russian Empress Catherine the Great heard that Diderot was in need of money she arranged for the purchase of Diderot’s library and for the appointment of Diderot as the caretaker of this library till his death — at an annual retainer of one thousand livres. Moreover, she paid him twenty five years of his salary in advance.

He went from destitute to moderately wealthy overnight. He wasn’t rich, but for a modern comparison he went from impoverished to what you might call upper middle class in the blink of an eye.

With that money, he replaced his old house clothes with new ones. He made some other material “upgrades,” too:

I saw the Bergamo cede the wall to which it had so long been attached to the damascene hanging.

Two prints not without merit: The Chute de la Manne dans le Desert by Poussin and Esther devant Assuerus of the same painter; the one shamefully chased away by an old man by Rubens was the sad Esther; The falling manna was dissipated by a Tempest by Vernet.

The straw chair was relegated to the antechamber by a leather chair.

Homer, Virgil, Horace,and Cicero relieved the weak fir bending under their mass and have been closed in in an inlaid armoire, an asylum more worthy of them than of me.

A large mirror took over the mantle of my fireplace.

Those two lovely molds that I owed to Falconet’s friendship, and which he repaired himself, were moved away by a crouching Venus. Modern clay broken by antique bronze.

The wooden table was still fighting in the field, sheltered by a mass of pamphlets and papers piled up any which way, and which it appeared would protect it from the injuries that threatened it. One day it met its destiny, and despite my laziness the pamphlets and papers put themselves away in a precious bureau.

The space that remained between the tablet of this desk and the Tempest by Vernet, which is above it, made for a void disagreeable to the eye. This void was filled by a clock. And what a clock! A clock a la geoffrin; a clock whose the gold contrasts with the bronze.

There was a vacant corner next to my window. This corner asked for a writing desk, which it obtained.

Another unpleasant void between the tablet of the writing desk and the lovely head by Rubens was filled by two La Grenées.

Here is a Magdeleine by the same artist; there is a sketch either by Vien or Machy, for I also went in for sketches.

He replaced his old wall decorations with new ones, then realized he didn’t like the new ones nearly as much. He bought a new leather chair when the straw one was still quite functional. He bought an armoire that hid away all of his old favorite books. He bought a dresser, too, to stow away a lot of his papers that were doing just fine on an ordinary table. He bought a new writing desk just to fill empty space, as well as more decorations to fill other unused spaces around his home.

How did this make him feel?

My friends, keep your old friends. My friends, fear the touch of wealth. Let my example teach you a lesson. Poverty has its freedoms; opulence has its obstacles.

In short, he bought a lot of possessions he didn’t really need and he regretted doing so, not just because of the money spent, but because his old items did their job well and in a familiar and joyful fashion. Now, his home is filled with possessions that he’s no longer connected to in any way. It’s not his home any more – it’s just a house filled with unfamiliar stuff, and now he’s less happy than before because his new possessions are rather meaningless compared to his old ones.

I first heard of the Diderot effect in Juliet Schor’s excellent book The Overspent American, where she discusses the tendency for many people to engage in overconsumption driven by a sense of dissatisfaction with their current possessions, only to never be satisfied with what they have. They buy items in order to seek out a certain contentment, but that contentment never comes, so they buy some more.

Fighting the Diderot Effect

I’m pretty sure almost all of us can find something familiar in Diderot’s words. All of us have, at one time or another, felt one of our possessions was cheap and shabby next to another, then sought to replace that shabby item only to find that the replacement brought us no joy whatsoever and sometimes even brought us unhappiness and inconvenience.

Yet we’ll often find ourselves buying something new again, replacing an item we already have or covering a newly-perceived need that may or may not exist. Often, that perceived need is in comparison to the new stuff we now have, making the older stuff look old and shabby in comparison.

That’s the “Diderot effect” so clearly described in Denis Diderot’s essay. When we have a bit of extra money, we look around our lives and see things that should be improved. We see things that we should buy. We spend. And then we find those things weren’t as great as we thought they would be. They usually don’t make things better. They just leave us feeling empty and wanting.

Here are some strategies I use to keep that effect at bay.

Strategy #1 – Add to Your Current Life Strategies; Don’t Invent New Ones or Completely Restart from Scratch

When your life undergoes a sudden change in some way, it’s often tempting to just completely alter tried and true strategies in your life because of the presence of a new source of income or the presence of some money in the bank. That’s usually a mistake, as you often have resources on hand that fit the bill for what you need.

Let’s say you get a new job and the wardrobe expected there is a bit better than the clothes you currently have. Instead of rushing out to the clothing store to buy a bunch of new clothes, assess what you have first. Choose items from your current wardrobe that would work well in your new professional environment. Then, assess from those things whether you need more items and then just replace those items as they wear out.

Another example: don’t refurnish an entire room just because one piece of furniture is worn out. Instead, choose a replacement for that one piece that matches well with what you have.

When you perceive a new need in your life, check and make sure that you’re not already filling it at least partially. If you are, look instead to only add to what you have.

Strategy #2 – Don’t Replace Items Until They Actually Need Replacing

It can sometimes be tempting to look at the possessions you have and think of them as “used” or “old” or “shabby.” Those traits are often seen as a negative, when they should actually be seen as a positive.

If an item is well used, that means that it has fulfilled a purpose very well in someone’s life. That item works. It does what it’s supposed to do. You know exactly how it operates. Why on earth would you replace that item before it completely fails?

I find items that aren’t brand new but look like they’ve never been used to be much more suspect, to tell the truth. That means that you bought an item believing for some reason that you’d need it, but then it turned out that you haven’t used it much at all. Those items, in my eyes, are prime targets for selling off.

The only sure sign that an item needs replacing is that it no longer provides the function that you need. If you find that it’s looking worn and that bothers you, look to repair the item rather than just replacing it. After all, the item has served you well over many uses, so it must be incredibly functional. Why would you toss it?

Strategy #3 – Live a Mindful and Carefully Considered Life

One of the biggest tools that you can add to your repertoire for a better life is to simply be more mindful about the individual things you choose to do, and spend time considering those choices when you’re not in the heat of the moment.

I often recommend this strategy for a lot of different personal finance problems. Why? Because it works so well for slowly improving your natural decision making over time, no matter what the subject.

Want a clear cut example? Whenever you find yourself wanting something, spend some time thinking about why you want it. Then, think about why you feel that way about your answers to that first question. Then repeat those whys a few times until it starts to get really hard. What you’re going to eventually find is that your desire to purchase that item is often connected to something seemingly unrelated, usually stress or a feeling you have about yourself, and when you ask yourself whether that purchase will fix that problem, the answer is almost always no.

Another great strategy for building consideration and mindfulness into your life is to start practicing the ten second rule. Whenever you are about to purchase something, hold it in your hands for ten seconds and ask yourself whether you honestly need this item. Could you borrow it from somewhere else and get the use you need out of it? Could you find it for a lower price elsewhere? Will you actually use it? Approach those questions honestly and you’ll often find yourself putting the item back on the shelf.

Once you get into a routine of carefully considering your actions and being mindful about what you’re doing in terms of purchasing, that mindfulness often spreads to other parts of your life. It can be rather life-changing.

Strategy #4 – Don’t Inflate Your Lifestyle When New Income Arrives

Whenever you receive some unexpected income or experience an increase in your regular income, it can be extremely tempting to go back and say “yes” to things that you once said “no” to. You can afford it now, after all. Right?

The problem here is that once you inflate your lifestyle in one area, you run smack into the Diderot effect. Other aspects of your life begin to look shabby in comparison, so you see the need to upgrade them, too. Your insurance bill starts to climb, as does your rent/mortgage, as does your car payment. And soon you’re right back where you started, in a financial holding pattern. You’re surrounded by more stuff, but it doesn’t bring you any additional joy. You just have a more stressful job than before.

Instead of taking that approach, be smart when new income arrives. If it’s a one-time burst of income, use it to permanently improve your financial state by paying off a debt or making a big contribution to a Roth IRA. If it’s a permanent increase in income, ratchet up your 401(k) contributions accordingly or start automatically making extra mortgage payments to devour that extra pay so that you never see it.

If you make those kinds of choices, you don’t really have the option to unconsciously inflate your lifestyle. You’ll be bringing home the same amount of money as you always did, so there really isn’t an option to start upgrading your stuff.

Not only that, this approach will go a long way toward guaranteeing a good financial future for yourself. Doing this means that you’re channeling that income into things that will ensure more financial stability down the road in the form of debt freedom or retirement savings.

Strategy #5 – View the Things You Own on Their Individual Merits

Sometimes, you’ll look around a room and notice that one or two things are really nice and the rest of the items are older. The older items are still in fine shape, but compared to the brand new items, they look somehow … older than you would expect.

That kind of perspective can make it very tempting to just replace the older items in a room, to make the whole thing look fresh and new.

Don’t give into that temptation.

Instead of looking around the room, look instead at each item in the room. Would you replace this item on its own? If it’s a piece of furniture, you probably wouldn’t do so unless it was truly worn out.

Look at items individually before deciding whether to keep them or toss them. Don’t worry about what else is around them. Judge items on their individual merit rather than looking at a collection of things and judging everything based on the outlier.

Strategy #6 – Avoid Things That Encourage Negative Feelings About What You Already Have, As Well As Desirous Feelings About What You Don’t Have

Much of modern culture, from the internet to print media, from television to radio, is full of messages that make you want to desire things you don’t already have. Often paired along with that message is a sense that what you already have is inadequate and represents you in a poor fashion.

Think about your typical video advertisement, often seen in front of Youtube videos, on television, or in front of a theatrical film. Often, these videos present glowing views of products, making them seem as though they will be life-changing. Beautiful people have them. Productive people have them. People with traits you wish you had have these products.

It’s all a lie, of course, but it’s an effective one at tricking your mind.

Television is a great example of the type of thing I’m talking about here. Whenever I watch television, I find that it’s not just the commercials that make me desire things, but it’s often in the programming, too. This is particularly true on “news” channels, where the “news” is often just a barely-disguised advertisement for a new product.

I simply try to avoid information with commercials and information from sources I don’t trust as much as I can. If I do see an advertisement, I assume it’s presenting false information and ignore it. If I do see a “news” report about a “great” product, I react similarly.

Strategy #7 – Focus on the Non-Material Things You Have in Your Life

Diderot’s essay ends on a better note:

With time all debts will be paid, remorse will be calmed and I will have pure joy. Don’t fear that the mad desire to stock up beautiful things has taken control of me. The friends I had I sill have, and their number hasn’t grown. I have Lais but Lais doesn’t have me. Happy in her arms, I am ready to cede her to she who I’ll love and who she’ll make happier than me. And I want to tell you a secret: that Lais, who it cost others so much to buy, cost me nothing.

Instead of collecting prints and paintings on your walls, collect friends.

Instead of upgrading a room with a ton of new furniture, upgrade your social network.

Instead of buying a bunch of new items for your hobby, actually participate in that hobby for a full day.

Your life is full of relationships and interests and projects and experiences to tap into. Don’t spend your money acquiring and accumulating more stuff to fill up your house with. Spend your money – if you are going to spend it – on pure experiences or on building skills. Upgrade yourself, your relationships, your life.

Final Thoughts

Denis Diderot’s essay, written just shy of 250 years ago, shows the timelessness of some of the true challenges of personal finance. He faced the challenge of lifestyle inflation even in those times, predating even the birth of America. He saw his newfound wealth, looked around his life, and suddenly saw many avenues for spending… but he found that the spending brought him no lasting joy and, if anything, brought him sadness.

If I have learned anything from Diderot’s essay, it’s that I must strive to be happy with the things that I have rather than focusing on a desire for more and better things. I have more things in my life to draw my attention and passion than I can possibly count, more than I possibly have time for.

So why would I need more?

The post The Diderot Effect and You appeared first on The Simple Dollar.

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How Aussies are saving thousands

AUSSIES pay more for everything, whether it’s iTunes downloads or digital cameras. Here’s how you can avoid the Australia Tax and save thousands.

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25 Fun, Budget-Friendly Date Ideas That Don’t Feel Cheap

Dating is hard, especially when you’re trying to live on a budget. When even the cheapest dinner can cost upwards of $25, going out on the weekends can seem daunting.

If you want to hang out with your significant other without draining both of your bank accounts and you don’t want to settle for another night of watching Netflix on the couch, why not try some of these creative date ideas?

1. Go Geocaching

Geocaching is a modern-day form of treasure hunting. Identify your location on your phone or geocaching device, choose a “package” to search for and follow the clues to try to find it.

It’s a great bonding activity and it forces you to work together to find the object. Once you do, you can both put your names on the little notebook inside the capsule and commemorate your first date forever.

2. Attend a Trivia Night at Your Local Bar

Trivia nights usually charge a $5 or $10 cover charge, but anything after that is up to you. Eat beforehand, order some sodas or take advantage of drink specials, and team up to answer some quiz questions.

And who knows? If you’re good enough, you may even win a free pitcher of your drink of choice or a prize. Simply search “bar trivia night” and your neighborhood or city and see what comes up!

3. Break Out Some Conversation Cards

For introverts, conversation cards are a blessing. Not only do they immediately help break the ice, but they usher everyone out of the dreaded small talk zone.

Here are some brands to choose from: Table Topics, 101 Conversation Starters, Mindy Kaling’s Questions I Ask When I Want To Talk About Myself Set.

4. Embark on a Photo Walk

I know this sounds like code for “nature walk,” but let me explain. You can find plenty of photo challenges online to print out and do with the other person. For example, FujiFilm hosts great photowalk events year-round.

Maybe you can make a competition out of it and raise the stakes: winner buys dinner or gets to choose the movie on your next Netflix night.

5. Attend a Poetry Slam or Comedy Show

I’m aware we’re no longer living in the ‘90s, but poetry slams have been making a comeback in many cities, and comedy shows never left.

These events typically cost around $5 to $10, depending on where you live. Some can even be free, and you’ll have plenty to talk about when the show’s over.

6. Build a Kite and Fly It Outside

What better way to test your compatibility than by trying to master the “art” of arts and crafts?

This particular exercise is the perfect combination of indoor and outdoor activities, plus a great chance to work together.

7. Play Some Good Old-Fashioned Pool

Don’t underestimate how charming a dive bar can be, especially when it comes with a nice pool table.

A game of billiards provides the perfect opportunity to casually chat about your day, but it also involves an element of competition that will keep your date on his or her toes.

8. Re-Enact Scenes From Your Favorite Movies and TV Shows

Have you ever wanted to stroll along the same snowy path in Central Park that Buddy took in Elf? Or maybe twirl around in front of the Rockefeller Center statue like Liz Lemon in 30 Rock?

Either way, if you live in or near big Hollywood hubs like NYC or LA, why not print out a few screenshots from your favorite films and try to recreate them?

You can even reproduce your favorite “date” episodes. (Katz Delicatessen in NY is a good start if you want to have what your neighbor is having.)

9. Pick Out Crazy Outfits for One Another to Try On

There’s nothing more satisfying than finding a ridiculous outfit at the mall… except for convincing your friend or partner to try it on.

Every clothing store has its fair share of quirky outfits. Give them a little time in the spotlight by putting on an impromptu fashion show and modeling the outfits with your partner for laughs.

10. Buy Paint Supplies and See Who Can Make the Wackiest Art

Not everyone can be Picasso, but maybe that’s not such a bad thing.

Take a trip to an arts and crafts store — or even a thrift shop or dollar store if you want to make it even cheaper. Embrace your creative side and see who can paint the weirdest picture. Who knows? You might give Dali a run for his money.

11. Wander, On Purpose

Not all those who wander are lost. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a walk around your neighborhood or, even better, one you’ve never been to before.

You and your partner can indulge in the sense of mystery, and maybe even stumble upon an unexpected opportunity, like a community event or hole-in-the-wall restaurant.

12. Enjoy a Meal or Treat in Character

Everyone says the key to dating successfully is to “be yourself,” but that doesn’t always have to be the case.

Turn your next dinner table into a stage and try your hand at roleplaying as your favorite dynamic duo from film or literature. Maybe you’ve always wanted to know what it felt like to be Holden Caulfield for a day or David Copperfield. Now’s your chance!

Hit a local restaurant or fro-yo place and stay in character as long as possible. The first person to slip up pays for your food!

13. People-Watch

Is the stranger walking ahead of you a secret agent on the way to his next mission? Or an accountant who wore a suit to work in an attempt to spice up his normal routine? You decide!

Find a bench in a hip part of town and speculate the lives of passers-by. May the reward go to whoever concocts the best tale.

14. Take Advantage of Late-Night Specials at Indoor Trampoline Parks

Indoor trampoline parks are, excuse the pun, springing up all over the place.

Places like Skyzone offer late-night deals for the over-18 crowd — $15 gets you two hours of fun, plus celebratory pizza and drinks at the end of the night. It’s enough to make you want to jump for joy.

15. Go to the Library

You’d be surprised how many odd books get published these days. Honor your inner bookworm and meander through the aisles of the nearest public library with your date.

Challenge each other to find the funniest book title or locate an obscure item the fastest. (Quietly, of course. Other people may be trying to read!)

16. Visit a Psychic

Is your relationship headed for success or a dead end? A psychic may not be able to tell you everything you want to know, but the visit will sure give you plenty to talk about on the way home.

17. Cook Something

You don’t need to go to an expensive restaurant to enjoy a luxurious meal. Skip the pricy entrees and cook up some fun in your own home.

For an added pinch of romance, set up some candles and put on some soothing music. You’ll never want to eat out again.

18. Find a Board Game Cafe

Depending where you live, you may be able to go to one of these unique establishments with your partner.

Pay a low cover fee and gain access to stacks of classic board games that you and your date can play all night (or until your game of Boggle gets too heated to continue).

19. Engage in Some Friendly Public Debauchery

Who said truth or dare was just for middle schoolers? Test the limits of your bravery by challenging each other to embarrassing feats in public.

For example, get a stranger to high-five you. Photobomb a tourist group selfie. Dance on a bench until someone else joins in.

The more fearless you are, the more brownie points you get.

20. Play Some Old Video Games

A little bit of nostalgia never hurt anybody. Stay in and break out your favorite childhood console games. There’s nothing like a little Mortal Kombat or Mario Kart to level up your next date night.

21. Recreate Childhood Photos

One way to take baby steps in your relationship is to literally follow in your partner’s baby footsteps.

Find a bunch of childhood photos and help each other walk down memory lane by recreating old snapshots. Fitting a bonnet onto your date’s head is the quickest way to become more comfortable with each other, in my opinion.

22. Attend a Silent Disco

Have you ever wanted to throw a wild dance party without being disruptive or bothering your neighbors with your loud music? Now you can. “Silent discos” are becoming more and more prominent, especially around college campuses.

After paying a small fee, you’re given headphones and digital playlist and directed to a place filled with other participating members. On the count of three, everyone hits play and suddenly hundreds of people start dancing in sync, in silence.

23. Attend a Lecture at a Nearby College

Students aren’t the only ones who can benefit from educational events on campus. Many universities offer public events like lectures or panels.

Research the schools in your area and check their “campus calendars” to see what events they have planned!

24. Try to Recreate Pinterest Posts

Pinterest is full of adorable art and baked goods items — many posted by people who will never make them.

On your next date night, challenge the status quo and attempt some of the quirky crafts and projects You may fail like these people, but that’s half the fun!

25. Learn a Dance From YouTube

Want to get active without heading outside? Search for fun dance routines on YouTube and dance the night away!

Bonus: You’ll be ready to rock the dance floor on your next night out (or when you’re invited to nine weddings next year).

Disclosure: We have a serious Taco Bell addiction around here. The affiliate links in this post help us order off the dollar menu. Thanks for your support!

Tyler Vendetti is a recent college graduate who hopes to win the lottery and lead a carefree life, or if that doesn’t pan out, work in television. When she’s not traversing the world or liking cat pictures on Facebook, Tyler can be found on Twitter @HeyThereFuture. You can also reach her via email (tyleravendetti@gmail.com), if you feel so inclined.

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