Date Nights Don't Have to be Spendy

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Date Nights Don't Have to be Spendy | Family Economics

I love getting away for a date night with my hubby. It helps us reconnect and remember what life was like before three boys entered our lives.

But sometimes the budget just doesn’t allow us the big fancy dinners and concerts we’d like.

I’ve found a few ways to make dates more memorable and less expensive.

Swap babysitting with a friend or relative. It’s easy to spend your entire date budget on the babysitter if you’re not careful. Find a friend or relative who is willing to trade baby-sitting time with you.

Skip dinner. Don’t spend all your money on a fancy dinner. Eat at home first. Then head to your favorite coffee shop for a little java and conversation. If coffee isn’t your thing, head to your favorite restaurant for dessert instead.

Learn what’s free or cheap in your city. Check your local newspaper and online to discover what events are going on in your area. You may be pleasantly surprised to find free music concerts and art fairs. Colleges are usually a good place to discover author readings, theatre performances and more for little to no cost.

Enjoy nature. Take a walk through your favorite scenic park at sunset. Hit the trail on your bicycles or visit your favorite gardens.

Spark some competition. Shoot some hoops at the local park, go for a run together, or challenge your sweetheart to a heated game of trivia.

Have a sense of humor. Sometimes the best fun can be found when you let your goofy side out. Try to find the wackiest items in your local thrift shop. Take funny photos of yourselves. Dance in unexpected places.

Stay in. You can have a wonderful time with your significant other right at home. Send the kids to the sitter’s, cook a fancy dinner together, play some soft music, and enjoy some candlelight conversation. You can make your night into a special affair, or simply have a pizza picnic in front of a rented movie.

It doesn’t matter how much you spend on the date. What matters is that you make time to nurture your relationship.

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