Hey there friend! Today is my birthday! Enter a 50 Cent meme right here… Go ahead and cue the music! (Go shawty it’s your birthday!) I am so grateful to see another day on this side of the dirt. I don’t know about you but after I crossed over the threshold of 35 it was hard for me to find time for me and it was even harder to come up with ideas on fun stuff to do for my birthday while adulting. (Insert eye roll.)
Oh to be young again! Pre kids I did awesome things like get a room for the day, sleep in and schedule a massage. I would go get my hair done, nails done, plan a weekend away. For birthday fun, I would then take myself out to eat or meet some friends for a night out. Nowadays it can be hard to find time to celebrate my birthday or find a babysitter in order to celebrate my birthday for that matter. Most people with kids can relate to that. As a wife to a coach, depending on what’s going on during this time of year, we could be preparing to move, looking for a job or be the newbies in a new city without family or a babysitter.
I came up with a small list of things anyone can do on a budget to celebrate themselves on their birthday, especially the busy mom. It doesn’t matter how you do it. It’s important that self care is scheduled, especially for your birthday.
So check out my top 5 ways to celebrate your birthday on a budget below.
Take the day off
I know how hard it is to find help. Especially with the kids and if you don’t live in the same town as family. Finding help might be like finding the parking spot right near the door at Target during Christmas, it has its limits. I understand the cost of sitters varies depending on how many children you have and how they behave.
Here is the way you get a two for one on your birthday. Pack those kids a lunch, send them off to school on the bus or drop them off and take a load off. Taking the day off from work allows you to have some alone time or just time to spend with your significant other or friends. I would also suggest take time off in advance, that way you can make preparations for the things you will miss at work while you’ take the day off. It’s amazing how much freedom you have between 8 AM and 3 PM. The kiddos are safe at school with someone you trust and you are able to do something for you. You deserve time to celebrate you. No matter how you celebrate you albeit going back to bed and sleeping all day, you’re worth it!
Get dolled up and celebrate yourself
With in 365 days (366 days if it’s a leap year), we get 2 days guaranteed every year…birthdays and Mother’s Day. If you’re lucky, (blessed) you get celebrated for Valentine’s (if it’s not a leap year) and anniversary. (Those 2 days, I feel, are generally about the couple as a whole but some people feel they are days the woman should be celebrated so I’ll include those.)
What better way to celebrate a birthday then by celebrating yourself. On your birth date put on a little extra make-up or if your like me and barely wear it just put some on put on a flattering outfit from your closet and celebrate you for a day by looking fabulous.
On your day, get up just a little bit earlier and take a little extra time enhancing your beauty. Wipe the dust off that make up bag and beautify yourself on your birthday. Ulta Beauty also has a free eyebrow arching on your birthday at the Benefit Counter. Check their website for details. After the beauty enhancement, mosey right on over to that closet and put on your favorite outfit. Now if you are like me and your favorite outfit is the over-sized sweatsuit from college don’t pick that one. LOL! Pick out that little black dress, your best fitting jeans or an outfit you get the most compliments in and wear it for your birthday! (This goes for any day…) If you look good, you will feel good!
Take yourself out to eat on the house
Not that the kids are settled and you look EXTRA fabulous for your birthday, now you have to go show it off. What better way to show off your cute outfit and that beat face by going out to lunch? Many restaurants offer freebies on your birthday. Not all franchises are created equal. Be sure to check your local restaurants to confirm they participate in the birthday freebies, coupons or discounts. Often, the birthday item is a free appetizer, entree, beverage, or dessert. I have included a list below of some of my favorite restaurants that have freebies/discount and what they have offered in the past for birthdays. Do not forget to take your license just in case the restaurant employees ask for proof of your date of birth.
Here are few places that I know that have freebie birthday treats. (Updated September 2020.)
Applebee’s – Free treat with email sign up.
Arby’s – Free treat with email sign up.
Aunt Annie’s – Free gift download the app.
Baja Fresh – Free taco when you sign up and a free burrito on your birthday when you join the Baja club.
Baskin Robbin’s – Free scoop of ice cream when you join the birthday club.
Ben & Jerry’s – Free scoop of ice cream when you join the Chunk Spelunker club.
Benihana’s – $30 Birthday Certificate during the month of your birthday when you register for The Chef’s Table.
Bojangle’s – Free Bo- Berry biscuit when you join their eclub.
Bonefish Grill – Free dessert when you become a Bonefish Grill insider.
Buffalo Wild Wing’s – Free Snack Size Wings with email sign up (birthday and anniversary.)
Carrabba’s Italian Grill – Free appetizer or dessert for your birthday when you become a Dine Rewards member.
Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen – Free chips and queso when you sign up for the eclub.
The Cheesecake Factory – Free ice cream scoop on your birthday and a free song.
Chili’s– Free chips and salsa on every visit and free dessert for your birthday with email sign up.
Cinnabon – Free coupon for a “birthday treat.”
Coldstone Creamery – 7 days prior to your birthday you will receive a BOGO birthday coupon.
Cracker Barrel – Free dessert when you notify your waitress.
Denny’s – Free Grand Slam with proof/ID and you can sign up to get other treats and rewards.
Dunkin’ Donuts – Free birthday beverage on your birthday with signup.
Honey Baked Ham – Free ham sandwich with email sign up a free ham sandwich on your birthday.
Firehouse Subs – Free medium sub on your birthday.
IHOP – Free short stack on your birthday and anniversary with email sign up
Jersey Mike’s – Free sub on your birthday when you join their rewards
Jimmy John’s – “Frequent Freakers™ may earn a surprise reward on their birthday”
Krispy Kreme – Free doughnut for sign up and a free doughnut on your birthday.
Nothing Bundt Cakes – Free bundtlet on your birthday with email sign up.
Olive Garden – Free appetizer or dessert with esign up.
Panera – Free pastery with email sign up.
Smoothie King – Free Birthday Smoothie with email sign up.
Sonny’s BBQ – Free Big Deal Combo and $5 off $25 sign up bonus.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe – Free birthday smoothie with email sign up.
Take yourself to the movies
Yes, you read the title right! I did say celebrate your birthday on budget. Just keep reading. Now I understand the price has gotten a bit steep at the movies but for less than $20 during the day you can go see a good film and enjoy some libations at your favorite movie theater. Matinees are less expensive than regular admission at night and you’re able to get some great deals if you plan ahead. By signing up for the theatre’s reward program or checking fandango for deals, you can find deals quite often. Don’t forget about Groupon. Groupon has deals on a variety of things. You can sign up for theatre’s email list and check for deals on their website. Also with student or military IDs, you can also get additional discounts. Theaters are often were running discounts and have birthday options via subscription to the website or text messaging program check your local theater for details.
Make it a spa day
Don’t give me that look. I know I said budget friendly and I still mean budget friendly but there is a way you can make it a spa day without spending hundreds of dollars at the spa. I believe you can have a spa day for $20 or less. All it takes is a little bit of creativity and a stroll down the your favorite aisle in Target. Pick up some bath bomb, bath salts, your favorite lavender oils or cents, light a few candles, turn on your favorite relaxation playlist, grab your favorite skincare items and wala, you have created your favorite spa day at home. Now all you need to do is add a little warm water and a tall glass of your favorite beverage and dim the lights and you can have your spa day right there in the comforts of your own home. These type of spa days are my favorite because after you’ve relaxed, wound down, moisturized and blown out your candles you can crawl right into your comfy bed and take a long nap. It is the very best spa day ever!
I hope this post has gotten you motivated to celebrate yourself for your birthday. I was riding home from teaching a fitness class and thought about all the things I could be doing to celebrate my birthday today. Remember it is important to celebrate yourself and to take care of yourself. If your tank is on empty it is hard to fill the tank of others. So start with yourself first. You are not being selfish by caring for yourself first. Self care is what will keep you healthy, stress free and keep around.
Let me know your favorite ways to celebrate yourself on your birthday in the comments below.
