Date your Mate!

Date night has always been very important to us but it became even more important during this challenge.  Whether you have children at home or are an empty nesters, but it is still important to have that night doing something with each other.  It gives us a sense of normalcy as well as a time to talk about things that are on our mind.  Financial struggles may come and go, but the goal is for our spouse to be eternal... so treat it that way. 

Some inexpensive ideas: 

• $1 movie or rent a movie/RedBox
• watch older movies you have at home
• borrow movies from friends or rent them from the library
• go outside - bike ride, take a picnic, go for a drive, go for a hike, go for a walk
• play games with each other
• attend “free” events in your community (look for activities at your local library and/or city sponsored events)
• read a book together
• work a puzzle
• people watch at a mall
• make dinner at home and eat by candlelight
• invite friends over for dessert and games
• ... all those things we tell our kids to do all summer long - stay active, create some fun!

But don't be afraid to splurge on each other a little bit - at least with your time!  Remember, the financial hardships will eventually go away, but your relationship is hopefully eternal.