Romantic Comedies are all about the joy of finding love. But almost everything that has been known to occur in them is unattainable or unrealistic. After all, are you really going to discover the love of your life is your childhood best friend after waking up in your adult counterpart's body? What are the odds that your future spouse is being paid to go out with you so that your younger sibling can go on a date? Still, some of the most iconic dates in romantic comedies, while exciting, are probably out of the price range of the average person. But Edward Jones Financial Advisors are trying to help people everywhere match a delightful rom-com date to determine what falls into an affordable price range. To everyone who has not chosen your Valentine's Day plans yet, it is your lucky day.
If you are planning on following in the footsteps of Lady and the Tramp and having a romantic outdoor meal by splitting a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs, it may be cheaper than buying two separate bowls, but Financial Advisors argue to skip this one in 2025. In 1909, a bowl of pasta was significantly less expensive, coming in at $0.60 compared to today's prices, which can be $18.00 or higher. Plus, while there may be plenty of benefits to outdoor seating in restaurants, including a beautiful view or nice weather, February is the wrong time of year for that. But, if Lady and the Tramp is a favorite movie of yours and your partner's, you can still re-create it if you get creative. Make the pasta and meatballs yourself, dim the lights, and create an environment that feels romantic and matches the tone of the movie. Although it may not have the exact same feeling, it could be a Valentine's Day to remember.
Grease is a fan favorite for many people. After all, who did not want a romance like Danny and Sandy's in 1978? But are their dates worth re-creating in 2025? In Grease, one of the biggest places to go was the Drive-In, a place of excitement in the movie's time of 1959, and according to Financial Advisors, it was still a solid decision. In the present day, one vehicle costs about $35 to attend the Drive-In. But, even though the prices were far lower in the 1950s, going as low as $1, it is still worth the money. $35 for two people in one car is still cheaper than two tickets for two people at your average movie theater, especially when taking luxury theaters into account. Besides, why spend money on concessions when you can bring your own and save a few dollars? While some people find spending tons of money on dates to be romantic, others enjoy smaller venues and a more pragmatic approach that can still offer a fun date.
If Harry Met Sally was your favorite movie, then maybe you want to re-create their New York City diner date. While a restaurant may be a fun choice, Financial Advisors suggest finding a more affordable alternative given today's prices of potentially $30 per sandwich in comparison to the $12 the same meal cost in the 1980s. Restaurants such as Applebee's or Chilis offer deals where you can have two meals for about $30. If you want to save money or maybe are just not located in or near New York City, there are still many restaurants out there where you can have a fun and enjoyable date for a lower price. Why break the bank on an expensive fancy restaurant when an affordable place has food that is just as good?
Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams made everyone fall in love with Noah and Allie in The Notebook. It is considered one of the most romantic comedies around, and even Financial Advisors agree to emulate your own version of Allie and Noah's canoe ride. After all, this moment results in a love confession, and maybe you can even pack your own lunch and eat by the lake or dinner for a moonlight picnic. The Notebook is a movie that is meant to ooze romance, and Financial Advisors are giving the public the okay to move forward with a canoe ride, stating that the prices may be affordable. If you want to go all out for Valentine's Day, a canoe ride may be one of the most unexpected and delightful surprises. After all, why stick to the traditional chocolate and flowers when you can offer something a little more fun?
You could always fly your significant other out to your remote neighborhood and hope they love your dysfunctional hometown. It worked for Andrew Paxton and Margaret Tate in The Proposal. But that is only if you are willing to spend the money on plane tickets. If you were from Alaska and could truly recreate the feeling of the movie, all the better. Granted, waiting for the love letters you wrote to come back to haunt you might not be the most fun approach at first, but Lara-Jean Covey only has positive things to say about what it meant for her relationship with Peter Kavinsky. However, it is certainly cheaper than two plane tickets. In a world of romantic comedies, you can use all these options and more to create a beautiful Valentine's Day memory.