Dating on a Budget

Dating on a Budget

When there is a special occasion, going out is the first thing that comes to your mind. It doesn't have to be. Making a romantic dinner at home, like chicken parm, or steak and wine (age requirement), saves money and shows the love you have for that person. Just by putting extra work and thought into it. Dessert can include cheesecake. You can conclude the night with a board game, or a movie with some popcorn. This works for date night, too. You can make dinner together.

Make some side salads as an appetizer, then the main course, and then dessert. If you have children, get them involved with making dinner, then eat together, then put them to bed to have the rest of the night to yourselves. Get some chips and dip, salsa, or veggies and dip, and enjoy a movie night together.

If making dinner is not appealing, you can always get take-out or delivery. A couple I interviewed said they ordered Chinese take-out for date night. Then take it home and turn it into a candlelight dinner. Another couple I interviewed said they ordered chicken parmesan dinners for Valentine's day. It saved time and they made it into a candlelight dinner.

If it's a double date, have a movie or game night. Then have a 'bring your own beverage', or supply some, then order pizza, and wings. Appetizers can be chip dip or salsa. For a short date night, you could do the popular cup of coffee, or ice cream, and conversation.

My husband and I used to do late-night tacos or milkshakes at Stewarts. Those were perfect nights for me. One time my husband and I wanted to go on a trip. The funds were not there. So I got creative and brought the trip to us.

The trip was to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I bought Lobsters for one night, and clam chowder for a second night’s dinner. We made an in-home mini-golf course and other activities we would have done on that trip. It took some thought and creativity. It was a different experience.

Price Chopper and other grocery stores have little food courts inside the store that can also be a quick date night and it doesn't have to be expensive. Normally you would spend money at the store on food anyway. You can buy dinner and do the grocery all in one spot, together.

The seven-layer dip is always a hit for movie or game night. For a nice dinner, my favorite is Breadcrumb chicken, potatoes, corn and a nice salad. It was the first meal I made with my husband. On nice nights, cookouts can be fun. If you own a pool, go on a lake trip, cook breakfast, and have brunch to enjoy a Sunday morning.

Have a sweet picnic on a sunny afternoon. If you have a love for animals you can visit, or volunteer at a shelter. Perhaps a new fur baby to bring home. Volunteering at a soup kitchen can also be a lot of fun. Make it easy to go on a nice nature walk or hike.

If you need gift ideas you can make a gift basket. It's exciting to give, receive, and create a gift basket. Avon has some great ideas. Everyone enjoys getting gift cards. One year on Valentine's day, my husband gave me a picture frame with our wedding picture. It brought happy tears to my eyes.

Gifts don't have to be expensive. You can even make it by hand. Even better, you can make a scrapbook together. You could make an art and craft project.

Dating and special days don't have to be expensive. You don't have to go out. You are celebrating each other and the times you share.

By: Kelly Vedder