Celebrating a 40th birthday- broke. How do we make it special?

[mildred37]

I'm turning 40 in March, and as much as DH & I would love some swanky plans or a trip away, our budget just can't stretch to anything more than a meal deal at the local pub. We're doing that in the evening, however we have the whole day together (well, between school hours). We already do alot of walking around local places, so I'm here to ask what you would do?

A child free day with not alot of budget (car park charges/coffees will be about it).

I'd probably spend the whole day at a museum but I know that's not everyone's idea of a fun time!

Board game? Volunteer day? Escape room? Taster day of a new sport you can play together (pickleball? Padel?)

Find a free venue, take a lovely picnic with you, and just chill.

Some more ideas here too: https://www.theknot.com/content/cheap-date-ideas

Can’t beat a trip of the beach? Are you in striking distance of a beach?

Look on wowcher etc for good deals on local attractions, zoos etc

Have you got Tesco vouchers you can convert to tickets?

Me too! I'm turning 40 in feb but we're putting every penny towards a house move later this year so I've decided I'm ignoring my birthday this time round and go all out to have a big celebration on my 42nd instead cos 42 is the meaning of life afterall.

There's an offer on at the moment for free National Trust passes, which are valid until 14th March, you just have to buy a crappy tabloid newspaper before next Tuesday (cheaper during weekdays, I bought 2 copies of the Daily Star the other day for this offer and prayed that no-one I knew saw me doing it ). Some places have free parking so another saving.

Also do you have any supermarket points that you can use towards your groceries so you can free up a bit more money for lunch on your birthday? I seem to accumulate points all over the place without really trying all the shops except Aldi have apps (if you shop there stick to it and forget about the apps as they're probably cheapest) and these can be converted into vouchers that reduce the grocery bill.

Make a lovely breakfast at home

School run

Local authority gym to use the spa/sauna/steam room

Go to a local art gallery and see any free exhibitions

Picnic

Dinner

Have done days like these and love them.