I lost my job about 3 weeks ago and I’ve been door dashing like hell trying to make the bills easier on her since we live together. A series of unfortunate events came about around the same time. I got fired 3 days before I was supposed to have a paid vacation which we paid for the tickets, hotel and rental car, and although it’s not the smartest plan I was relying on having those vacation days paid while we were on vacation but since I got fired they didn’t pay it out so we budgeted to afford it. I have another job lined up for next week which will be exciting so I can actually contribute. Today is her birthday and I have nothing to show for it. The only things I can think of doing are cleaning the apartment immaculate before she gets home which I’ve done and getting a free cookie at crumbl. If there are any suggestions on other things I can do please feel free to respond because I want her to feel appreciated for everything she has done and sacrificed for me
Edit: Thank you so much for the advice! Every comment I read made me tear up not sure why but I’m very grateful for everyone’s help. Thank you all!
Comments
Clean the apartment, get the cookie, and buy balloons.
You can easily and cheaply get birthday balloons and decorate her bedroom with them. Get balloon numbers that match her age and use 3M stickers to get them on the wall.
Get some cheap dollar store construction paper and cut out the letters H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y. Put them on the wall next to the balloons.
Use the construction paper leftovers to create a hand-crafted card, DO NOT BUY A CHEAP CARD. She’ll appreciate the effort. Make sure the card has drawings, a message, and some sort of inside joke.
All of this can be done with under $20.
Bonus points with a lit candle on or near the cookie.
sometimes good gifts don’t have to cost money. take her outside and go for a walk, have a picnic with whatever food you have, look at the stars, play a board game or cards together, but most importantly make sure you focus on her for her day. girls love when they feel special and important, and you can do that with words and physical touch, not just monetary gifts.
pick some flowers if there are any around. a loving letter. paper made flowers if not natural ones. go stargazing. jar with little papers with what you love about her. birthday playlist. give her a massage creating a nice space around, light a candle if possible. play a game, for example skribbl, its fun
Does she love chocolate and a good movie? There’s an idea.
sweet things that don’t require money but are genuine: writing a love letter describing how much you love her, going on a walk in a park, giving her a massage
something that is romantic but not a lot of money: tea light candles and flowers
make a nice dinner at home for her and put on her favorite flick. the simpliest of gestures work
Go to the nearest store with little to no security. (Jewel osco, walgreens, cvs, marianos, most grocery stores)
And steal her a gift. Grpvery stores always have floral sections. Get her a nice bouquet. Cake. Shampoo or conditioner she lkes etc. simple. Bring a reusable shopping bag. Walk out the door like u own the place and dip
In addition to the other suggestions:
A handwritten note/card.
Tell her how much she means to you and how you’re honored you can celebrate and spend time with her on her birthday.
Words mean a lot. String some together. Handwritten, heartfelt is the was to go.
You are very thoughtful. I’d LOVE for someone to clean for me and make me dinner. Then give her a nice card (women live for those) and tell her in the card that you want to make next year’s birthday more special. If she loves you (and who wouldn’t? LOL) she will know that you’ve been trying to play catch up on other things. Congrats on the new job btw.
It’s the thought that counts bro. Make it meaningful. You don’t have to spend money.
Make her favour cards..
Like foot rub, massage, clean, wash whatever, cook etc, or write a erotic book…I did both, was broke then and ascored. Married 15years, if she loves you…that will work
A heartfelt letter.
Cake and flowers from Wallmart can be under $30
Along with all of these great suggestions, you could also promise her a nice dinner or something in a few weeks when you have more funds. Like a PS on the hand written card or something 🙂 but if not anything that shows care and thought today works too! Good luck
I would be thrilled with a clean house and a cookie for my birthday.
You know what girls love. A heart felt card where you write about how her being in your life makes you feel and how much you care about her and add some things you love about her. Just a simple bouquet of flowers doesn’t have to be a lot. Even if someone can give you some out of their garden. She will love that if she’s the right person for you.
I am probably late for the game but I would write her her age amount of reasons why you love her. Good luck!
I got you.
Go to the dollar store and buy balloons and some decorations. DO NOT FORGET the birthday card.
Head to Trader Joe’s and buy fettuccine alfredo
Pick up a bottle of wine.
Bake a cake.
Clean up the place and light some candles.
Scrounge around the pantry and make a dinner with what’s on hand.
Write her a poem, or a letter telling her how awesome she is.
Don’t wrap your naked ass up in a bow and wait to surprise her when she comes home. Best case she laughs at you like you’re a fool. Worst case she rolls her eyes and realizes how disconnected you two are.
Write her bad poetry if she likes that sort of thing. Make her something out of origami. Layout a trail of clues that lead to a surprise. Check your local parks & rec (or fb events) for free or near free activities in your area, e.g. Shakespeare in the park.
So you were already living above paycheck to paycheck before losing your job; and planned vacations?
Showing someone how much you appreciate them is priceless. Clean the apartment. Continue the door dash gig after work for another year at least.
Pay yourself first; which means you never have less than 6 months worth of income in the bank. So you can’t afford to buy another cup of coffee because you have a coffee maker, if you don’t pack your breakfast or lunch; then you don’t eat until you get home. Always have rice beans carrots onions celery at home. Cheap meals