Spend more on gas than these money saving trips out

Need a day out with your girlfriends?  Or how about a cheap date?  I sure do.  With my measly college student budget, I’ve been pinching pennies anyway I can.  Check out what I’ve been up to.

Dining in Italy
I had always wanted to check out East Side Mario’s and finally got the chance when my boyfriend was in town last weekend.  The place is absolutely decked out inside and out and the prices were fantastic.  His philly steak and cheese and my salad plus pasta with spring veggies still left us under $20.

East Side Mario’s is in Livonia at 31630 Plymouth Road 734.513.8803 and Rochester Hills at 2273 Crooks Road 248.853.9622.

Ladies day on the green
I’m no Ms. Woods, but the kid in me couldn’t pass up the mini golf course I noticed in Auburn Hills a few summers ago.  My girlfriend Tori and I hit balls at the 18 hole course in Auburn Hills for a cool $5 a person.

My favorite mini golf hot spot is at 141 South Opdyke Road in Auburn Hills in the Detroit Lacrosse building.

Personal pedis
Nothing de-stresses faster than a new coat of polish.  On a particularly unfavorable day, I hit up the drug store for a pick me up.  Luckily the beauty aisle caught my eye before the candy or liquor fridge did.  I walked out with two new beauties of SinfulColors nail enamel for under $4.  They’ve got some of the best colors on the shelves and the polish coats well and holds up longer than any other product I’ve tried.

SinfulColors nail enamel can be found at Walgreens and Meijer.

Wine taste on a budget
If you’re looking for a new favorite or just want to get out with the girls, Papa Joe’s Gourmet Market & Catering has it covered.  They’re the only place in the state that carries more than 28,000 varieties of wine from all over the globe, and also one of three top-of-the-line wine tasting systems in the country. 

My boyfriend and I put a couple bucks on a Papa Joe’s card, which allowed us to taste about five different kinds of wine for under $7.  Between tasting, we hit the main floor for great free samples like feta and spinach scones, chocolate mouse and gourmet pizza.  Needless to say, both our bellies and our budgets left completely satisfied.

Papa Joe’s is located in Birmingham at 34244 Woodward Avenue 248.723.9400 and in Rochester Hills at 6900 Rochester Road 248.853.6263.