Frugal Dates for Couples… continued

Do Some Charity Work Together

Find a charity you both feel passionate about and find out how you can help. This September my husband and I volunteered for the California Coastal Cleanup Day. We worked at picking up trash at our favorite beach for 3 hours. We both felt really good about the work we did, we got some good exercise, we had three hours together to talk and we met some really nice people. It was all good. It is something we can’t wait to do again and we can’t wait to do it together. Some places online to find out where to volunteer are, http://www.zimbio.com/go/http:/national.unitedway.org/myuw, http://www.networkforgood.org/, http://www.volunteer.gov/ and http://www.charityguide.org/.


Have a Date at Home

Swap babysitting with a friend, family member or neighbor and get the kids out of the house for the evening, if you’re a parent that is a very great start. Some ideas I can think of for a date at home are to watch a movie you both love, have a quiet, romantic dinner, play some games, even watch your favorite show together without any interruptions, give each other massages, anything.
My favorite idea for a romantic date night at home starts with a really nice fire in the fireplace. Then move your mattress in front of the fireplace and make it up with your best bedding and spray a little bit of your favorite cologne or perfume on the sheets and pillows. If you have a few nice flowers in your yard cut them and put them in a little vase or even some small glasses. If you don’t have any flowers in your yard you can usually find fresh flowers at the grocery store for around $5.00. Turn the lights down low. Put on some great music. And let the fun begin!

Entertainment ideas for couples:

Have a Romantic Picnic Under a Tree at Your Favorite Park

Pack something to drink, a lunch and romantic snacks like chocolate covered strawberries or even grapes. Bring some romantic music and lie on a soft warm blanket and just enjoy the each other’s company.


Park With Your Sweetie in a Romantic, Secluded Spot and Make Out in the Back Seat (or wherever is comfy)

If you can’t get a babysitter even your garage is fine (just be sure to bring the baby monitor in case your kids need you and keep the engine off!). It is free and might bring back that old fire in your relationship. If not, it is still not a bad way to spend the evening. It is someplace very private where you can talk or just sit together and hold hands and where you don’t have to worry about interruptions or little ears hearing something they probably shouldn’t. Some nice things to bring to make the time more comfy and fun; a pillow, blanket, some light munchies to feed to each other if you get hungry like fruit or some nice chocolate and some great music.

Grab Some Culture

Many art galleries, museums and theatres across the country have free and discounted days monthly. This is a great opportunity to appreciate great art and culture in your area. Colleges in your area are also a great place to listen to fantastic music and watch wonderful plays. A little research will help your money go farther.


Go Out for Ice Cream

On Tuesday Nights from 6pm-9pm the Ice Cream Store, Baskin Robbins (31 Flavors) has $1.00 a scoop Tuesdays. You can also sign up for their Birthday Club on their website at http://www.baskinrobbins.com/Default.aspx and get a free scoop on your B-Day!