This is a guest post from Jessica who blogs about frugal living and is sure to give you a lift reading at LifeasMOM.
How About a Cheap Date?
It’s no secret that money’s tight for lots of folks these days. Each of us is learning to do without certain luxuries. Perhaps you find yourself staying home a little more often than you would like. Date night nothing but a dream? But, while the economy may have taken a downturn, romantic moments with your honey don’t have to. Spending time together is the key. You can still do that – on a dime!
Here are some great ideas for a cheap date:
— Take a walk through your public gardens, local arboretum, or nature center. Pack a picnic and enjoy a nice dinner al fresco. You’ll be amazed at how the quiet of the great outdoors leaves room for good conversation.
— Visit your local museum – for free. Most major museums host at least one free day per month. Check their website for details. Stroll through the galleries hand in hand, stopping at the exhibits that catch your attention.
— Hit the beach. Whether it’s lake or ocean, swimming is great exercise and splashing about can be great fun for the two of you.
— Prepare a romantic dinner together. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to eat well. Pasta, salad, garlic bread, and a nice bottle of wine can easily be purchased for under $15. Light some candles, turn on some soothing music, and enjoy a quiet evening at home.
— Take a hike. Pack up some sunscreen, water bottles, and a few snacks and hit the trail. Not only will you get great exercise, but you’ll have opportunity to explore, breathe deeply, and just talk.
— Catch a good flick. Your local library will loan you dvds for free. Check out their database online, plan ahead, and you’ve got the makings for a great movie night. Pop some popcorn for a frugal snack. If you’d rather go out, review this collection of free movie ideas.
— Tune in. Summertime is a great occasion for free music nights in the park. Many communities offer free concerts this time of year. Check to see if your does, too. Take lawn chairs and a thermos of coffee and enjoy the sounds.
Jessica Fisher regularly writes about fun, frugality, and the pursuit of a clean house at LifeasMOM, while she posts delicious ways to act your wage at Good (& Cheap) Eats.
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The concert in the parks are definitely something we take advantage of! The other thing is once the kiddos are alseep, we sit outside under the stars w/a nice beverage and just chat.
I use the library for free DVDs all the time. They also have TV series. Looking for a newer movie? Block Buster Express and RedBox often have codes on the internet or by text for free rentals.
Bank of America Card holders can also enjoy free museums on the first weekend of the month. See web site for details and participating facilities.
Want a really classy night out? Check with your local Performing Arts Center for Dress Rehersal performances. I volunteered one year as a fundraiser for UPAF and our local PAC rewarded all volunteers with a season of free dress rehersal shows. You may watch a sceen twice or hear a director yell something but it was really fun. I also saw a lot of show I wouldn’t have normally paid for.
Totally helpful! Even though I am doing my blog entitled "Dates in Phoenix on a College Budget" this information really helps me with some ideas for what I can do here. Come check mine out, I am going to start updating it weekly! http://hmick.personal.asu.edu/wordpress/wp-login.php