If you’re the type that likes to ball on a budget, then most likely, you want to have your birthday on a budget too. Not sure how to do this exactly? Keep reading to find out!
Before we get to the nitty-gritty, here are some general rules of thumb when planning a birthday on a budget.
Plan well in advance
Don’t wait until the last minute to buy stuff for your birthday celebration. It will quickly blow your budget.
Have a set dollar amount and stick to it.
Set a reasonable price amount you can afford
I get it. It’s your special day, so you want to go all out. Carefully choose what aspects of your birthday you want to spend more money on.
Is your birthday outfit more important to you than your hair did? Would you rather splurge on treats and eats instead of putting most of your budget toward your venue or location.
Knowing the answers to these questions beforehand will help you have a low-budget birthday celebration that will leave you in the black.
Consider seasonality
There are many birthday activities that you can enjoy both outdoors or indoors. With indoor skydiving, for example, you can sometimes get a cheaper rate if you schedule your birthday activity on the off-peak season or right before prices go up.
Think outside the box
Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoy birthday parties like the next person. But the truth is birthday party planning takes a lot of work and time to pull off the right way.
Birthday parties, especially adult birthday parties, tend to cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars just on the venue alone.
Even if you opt to have your birthday bash at home, those runs to Costco and party supplies stores can add up. Not to mention that you’re going to be stuck with cleaning up once the party is over.
The good news for you is that you don’t have to go the traditional route of throw a birthday party.
Why not get a little creative and plan a birthday celebration that stands out from the rest?
After all, you want to make your birthday celebration memorable not ordinary.
What better way to change things up a bit by doing a birthday activity instead of throwing a birthday party?
Now that we talk about a few tips on how to save a few bucks for your birthday, here are the 12 fun ways to celebrate your birthday on a budget
Do you plan on dining at your favorite restaurant for your birthday?
- Have a birthday lunch.
The only catch is they would have to visit the restaurant during lunch hours (and the dish would have to be available on both the lunch and dinner menu too).
If you are craving a particular dish, make sure it is available on both the lunch and dinner menu.
Another difference that you may notice is that the portions are a little smaller.
Order your food before 4 pm or before the restaurant changes to the dinner menu. You will limit the amount your spending on your birthday by doing so.
Grabbing a drink or a delicious birthday dessert is cheaper than going out for a whole meal if you have limited funds.
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2. Visit a museum
Many museums are free or offer visitors an option to pay a suggested donation.
Even if the museum of your choice charges an admission fee, It’s still worth the money, especially if you want to celebrate your birthday on a budget.
If you’d rather skip viewing dinosaur fossils or exhibits based on historical artifacts, then it’s no big deal.
Nowadays, you can find museums to fit your interest. The International spy museum in Washington DC or Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburg, PA are a couple of examples of museums you could visit.
These museum options should get you thinking about what museum you may want to go to on your birthday.
If you happen to be a lover of art or are a true history buff, visit a museum on your birthday. It could be the best affordable option for you.
3. Sign up for a class session (trial)
Have you ever wanted to try glass blowing or guitar lessons? Go ahead and book that class on your birthday!
Others programs may let you pay for one session or class at a discounted price.
So if the class you tried is a good fit for you, you can sign-up long term later on. Use this opportunity to register for a class and avoid spending too much money on your birthday.
4. Snag a free birthday meal or dessert
It’s the time of year to search through your inbox for coupons and restaurant discount codes.
Hopefully, you did this ahead of time (at least a month in advance). You can score meals and desserts for your birthday.
Pick 3-5 of your favorite restaurants and spend the day visiting them. Use all your discount and birthday coupons to pay for meals and dessert(s).
Not only is this option fun to do on your b-day, but light on your pockets too!!
5. Go to a local festival or watch a street performance.
Head to your nearest downtown area and get ready to watch some great street performances.
If your birthday is in the summertime, you may want to look into if there are free or low-cost concerts where you live. Large cities like NYC offer these types of events each year for locals to enjoy. You can join in on the action for your birthday too!
While you are at it, why not grab some delicious street grub. There is nothing like eating a delicious meal off of a food truck, especially tacos. Am I right?
Attending a local festival or seeing live performances would be right up your alley. It’s the perfect way to celebrate your birthday without breaking the bank.
6. Celebrate your birthday on the actual day you were born
If your birthday falls on or during a weekday, do something special on that day! No matter what you choose to do to turn another year older, remember, dinner will taste the same on a Tuesday.
This tip goes for movies, performances, restaurants, lounges, and clubs. Plus, if you are not a big fan of crowds choosing to celebrate your birthday on a weekday may be a better fit for you. Besides, it’s easier on your birthday budget as well.
7. Escape room
Do you enjoy solving puzzles and doing fun activities with others? If so, then going to an escape room in your local area is an ideal option for you. My husband booked an escape room experience for my birthday. We had a blast! Surprisingly, the cost to go was very affordable per person as well.
8. Visit someplace scenic.
Do you want to do something spectacular on your birthday? Don’t want to cough up a lot of cash to celebrate it? Well, I have two words for you. Scenic Views.
Walk along a pier, beach, or mountainside to capture some spectacular views. If you live in the city, book a reservation at your favorite scenic restaurant to get the same effect.
9. Explore a nearby city or town
Do some sightseeing in a town or city you have never gone to before. Pack your bags and take a day trip to celebrate turning another year older. If you are wary about exploring unfamiliar territory, then book a town or city tour. In most cases, you can book tours from $25 to $50 bucks per person.
Surrounding towns may offer different attractions than your particular community. It couldn’t hurt you to spend your birthday exploring a nearby town or city closest to you.
10. Catch a matinee show or movie
Did you know that you can save money at the movie theatre by going in the morning or early in the afternoon?
“If you don’t know, now you know”. (Trying to say this in my best Biggie Smalls voice, wink, wink).
Moving on.
If you plan on watching your favorite show on the big screen or stage, opt to go at an earlier time. Performances and movies will be the same regardless of what time you watch them.
11. Visit a famous landmark
Do you enjoy visiting major cities? If so, consider going to the Golden Gate Bridge, Grand Canyon, or Lincoln Memorial.
If you can’t visit landmarks because of how far away they are, you can always opt to see landmarks in your community. Make sure to take some pictures so you can capture your memories. Landmarks make great photo ops too!
12. Take a birthday staycation
Consider taking a birthday staycation. Rent a hotel room and visit area attractions to celebrate your big day.
You’ll be saving some coins because you will avoid having to dish out money for airline tickets. Plus, all the other expenses that come with traveling outside your city or state.
If you plan on having your staycation in a major city like Washington DC, pick a hotel in the surrounding area. By doing this, you’ll save even more money on your birthday staycation.
Book a hotel that has amenities and has a package for celebrations so that way you can maximize your hotel stay.
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That’s all I have for today.
Before leaving, tell me, what did you think of this list?
What activity are you going to choose to celebrate your birthday on a budget?
Have you done any of these activities for your birthday to save money?
Leave your comments below!