9 date ideas you could afford after refinancing your home loan

Let’s be real: time with a special someone is excellent. And spending smart so you can spend more time with said loved one? Priceless.

For many Australians, the biggest expense they have is their home loan, so finding ways to save money on repayments makes a huge difference to our household budget. 

But if you refinance your mortgage to something cheaper, how much money could you actually save – and what amazing dates can you go on with the extra cash?

There are several ways to save money by refinancing your home loan. 

• Jump to a lower interest rate. If you’re making principal & interest payments, lowering your interest rate could save you hundreds of dollars monthly.
• Jump to a lower LVR. Your loan-to-value ratio (LVR) determines your home loan interest rate. If you refinance to a lower LVR tier, you could get a lower rate. 
• Jump to a lower fee mortgage. Those hidden fees add up! Switching to a low-fee mortgage can help you pocket some extra money yearly.
• Jump onto extra repayments or offsets. Features like free extra repayments or offset accounts can decrease the interest you pay long-term.
• Jump onto a cashback offer. A few home loan lenders still offer up to $2,000 cashback for refinancers – an enticing perk.

Any one or more of the above can save you money, but how much you save will depend on your new and existing home loan costs. 

For example, refinancing to a lower interest could save you $100 to $300 a month, whereas paying an extra $50 on your monthly repayments could save you over $20,000 in interest over the life of your home loan. Even nabbing a refinance cashback offer could put an extra $2,000 in your bank account.

So let’s say you refinance and get an extra $200 a month, or an extra $2,000 as a one-off payment. That leads to the obvious question come February 14th…

Date Idea #1: Paint and Sip

• Get tipsy and a painting
• Cost: $45 - $145 per person

An activity that gives you a souvenir? Heck yes. Paint and Sips aren’t just for corporate mixers – they make a great first, second, or 100th date idea for you and your special someone. For $200, you could easily do an upscale Paint and Sip or a cheaper one, plus dinner and a movie of your choice. 

Date Idea #2: Rock Climbing & Picnic

• Adventure and a view
• Cost: Depends!

You can go big or small with this adventurous date idea. Take your special someone to a local rock climbing gym, or harness up and go outdoors with your favourite picnic meal. Find a nice view with nice sunlight and kick back. Relax!

Date Idea #3: IKEA & Decorate a Space

• Interior Design Narnia
• Cost: Depends!

Nothing is more tempting than IKEA and a budget. Since you’ve saved some money on your home loan, why not take a special someone to the Swedish furniture store and pick up some new things to decorate your space together? 

Date Idea #4: Concert Night

• Vibe to incredible music
• Cost: $20 - $150 per person

Australia has some amazing local musicians, and now that the world is opening up, greats from abroad have come to perform, too! Why not take your sweetheart out for some live music? Bonus points if it’s a band you both like. Extra bonus points if you’re trying something new!

Date Idea #5: Burlesque or Drag Show

• Racy risque fun
• Cost: $50 - $300 per person

The hottest drag show tickets get you and your bae VIP seating (just don’t sit in the front if you don’t want to participate – just saying). But how good is a racy, fun, rude time with a slapdash of songs, glitter, and humour? Mind the boa feathers.

Date Idea #6: Ghost Tour

• “Oh no I’m scared, hold my hand”
• Cost: $30 - $50 per person

If you and your person are into the ooky-spooky vibes of haunting buildings, creepy stories, and walking in the dead of night, why not try a ghost tour? It’s definitely a first-date ice breaker. 

Date Idea #7: Stargazing

• Appreciate the starry majesty of the universe
• Cost: Depends! (Or $20 - $40 per person for a planetarium)

Australia has some pretty amazing places to stargaze! From national parks to cosy coastal coves, there are plenty of spots to kick back and admire the stars. If you live in a capital city, why not visit your local planetarium for a guided tour?

Date Idea #8: Hot Air Balloon, Hang Gliding, or Sky Diving

• The Ultimate Trust Fall
• Cost: $200 - $500 per person

A fancy date idea if ever there was, taking your loved one up in a hot air balloon, tandem hang gliding, or sky diving can be breathtaking, thrilling, and romantic all in one. It’s on the more expensive side of romance, but you’ll certainly get your money’s worth of memories! “Look, honey, I can see our house.”

Date Idea #9: Weekend away

• Mini-vacation, woohoo
• Cost: $500 - $2000

If you’ve got significant cashback or savings from refinancing, and you don’t feel like putting it towards your home loan, then a mini-vacation can be an amazing way to celebrate. Whisk your sweetheart away for the weekend to a coastal beach, sweeping mountain, or quiet forest. Explore a different city! Be tourists in your own country. You’ve earned it.

Compare refinance home loans in the table below to see if you could switch and save for your next date.