Whenever I offer free movie tickets there’s a lot of interest. I can only infer that the tighter economy has led a lot of people to cut back on entertainment.

This week you’ll get both dinner and a movie in time for the Feb. 26 Academy Awards. Even if you don’t go see a nominated picture, you’ll be hitting the theater for free. If you play your cards right, you’ll be hitting the theater more than once.

Nope, that’s not SEO bait. It’s the intro to a song parody.

Although I listen only to the classical station, the Lady is ubiquitous enough that even I am familiar with “Bad Romance.”

One day when the tune was stuck in my head, I turned it into a personal finance lesson – and yes, I really do have a PF point to make after the initial silliness.

The following can be sung (if you must) to the tune of the song linked above.

I spent six butt-numbing hours at the movies on Saturday, watching the Metropolitan Opera’s live broadcast of “Gotterdammerung.” Spectacle, pageantry, a buff and bitchin’ Siegfried who turned out to have a down-home Texas accent – it was a very successful day.

The only thing better than opera is frugal opera. In fact, the show didn’t cost me anything:

I’ve got a couple of books that will get you started – and I’m giving them away. That means two winners this week.

Cupid wears a diaper, with no place to put a wallet – but if you’re looking for love there better be pockets on your garments. Deep ones: U.S. residents spent $928 million last year just on dating services.

Love is not only grand, but fiscally prudent. Cohabitation and marriage generally mean two incomes but only one rent/mortgage, fewer nights out on the town, less emphasis on recreational shopping and more focus on shared financial goals.

“There is a real benefit – I call it a financial inoculation against poverty – in being coupled up. You’re better able to withstand tough times,” says Carmen Wong Ulrich, author of “The Real Cost of Living: Making the Best Choices for You, Your Life and Your Money.”

Oh, but the cost of getting to couplehood. Prices for makeup, “manscaping,” marriage vows and mortgages really add up.

If I were you, I’d let him.

It’s been an odd winter, uber-balmy in some areas and freaky cold in others (hello, Fairbanks!). But colds and other bugs are not choosy about where they set up shop.

With this week’s giveaway, you’ll be ready.

I’ve been on a major de-cluttering kick in preparation for “Superfluity,” my church’s annual rummage sale. The idea is to strip your life of superfluous stuff. You get cleaner digs and the church raises cash for its various social programs.

Although I knew my place was getting crowded, I had no idea just how much superfluity existed around me. As I fill bag after bag I can only say, “Holy crap.”

See for yourself.

Yep, it’s early. I’m putting the Valentine’s Day giveaway up to allow plenty of time for the winner to receive the package and re-gift it.

That is, if the winner really wants to – the items range from the sublime to the ridiculous. All might be hard to turn loose once you see them.

Let’s start with the sublime: three new kinds of chocolate.

These two goals are the subjects of my recent work at MSN Money and Get Rich Slowly — and they complement each other.

I decided to throw caution to the winds — or, rather, an extra subscription at the readers — with the current weekly giveaway.

The winner of last week’s prize, a copy of “Your Money: The Missing Manual,” is Cindy Brick. Or will be, if I hear back from her by Monday night.