Friday, December 19, 2014

Five Affordable Date Ideas

Our date night budget is about $50.00 a month. This is not a lot of money, especially after paying for a babysitter! One of the biggest ways that we save money for these date nights is by swapping babysitting. My sister Maria and I take an evening each month to babysit for each other. The general rule is that the littlest kids need to be in bed already and then we get some fun bonding time with the older kids. Another bonus?  It's a babysitter that drives :)

What are some affordable date ideas?

1. Go for a hike or bike ride. 

For some reason, when we ride bikes I feel young again.  When we hike, I feel old ;)


2. Pack a picnic.  

Our very first date was a picnic on the beach that Gary planned!  He made some yummy sandwiches and we enjoyed it while sitting and watching the waves at Deception Pass.

{Garibaldi Lake.  I don't have a picture of us having a picnic at Deception Pass.}

3. Movie & wine. Beer & Netflix.

At home.  Kids in bed. Phones on the kitchen counter.

 {Gary doesn't drink which makes it even cheaper.  I do get him to try the good ones.}

4. Check when restaurants have their `special nights' or if they have a 2 for 1 coupon.

If someone asks you what you'd like as a gift, you can ask for a restaurant gift card.

(Lelam Cafe in Fort Langley for lunch. Yum!}

5.  Donate blood.  

Go to Canadian Blood Services for a mobile clinic near you.  Not only are you giving a gift from the heart but you can bond over free cookies and juice afterwards.  I also like it because I can check in on Gary's blood pressure and I get feedback on my iron levels.  Does anyone remember when Dylan took Brenda to donate blood on Valentine's day on the show 90210?









I would love to hear if you do any of these and/or if you have other affordable date ideas!

Love,
Louise

Want to spend more time with your partner but keep it wallet-friendly? Here are five affordable date ideas!


5 comments:

  1. These are great ideas. One of our favourite cheaper dates has been going to Starbucks and playing scrabble.

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  2. Anonymous10:26 AM

    We love watching Netflix and having a later dinner together. When im putting the baby to bed Phil will run out and pick up our food from a place that does take out. There are so many restaurants that do 'to go' orders now. To be honest I almost enjoy it more being cuddled on the couch with the fireplace on than in a crowded place with strangers. In the summer we will BBQ steaks and sit on the deck together. It's lovely!
    -Brianne

    ....I could never give blood as a date though :) blood tests make me pass out as it is.

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  3. Great ideas! We have a few Starbucks cards with Gary being a teacher :)
    Brianne, love the idea of getting take out and watching Netflix. I'm usually not good at eating too late but maybe we could put the kids to bed early!

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  4. We did picnics on the beach too and I love those in the summer!!! We usually bring the lunch and get ice cream after, so it's pretty cheap. Also, not necessarily related to date night, BUT! There's an app called Mobile Bandit - do you have it? They always have deals at certain restaurants. You have to "claim" it and it's good for 24 hours. I recommend it - theres an Indian restaurant in Surrey (Hwy 10 & 152) called Spice Kings that has buy one dish and get the other 50% off. (for example)

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  5. Hello, I came across your blog as I was googling other Vancouver mom bloggers - as I just had my firstborn 8 days ago & of course started a blog :)

    My husband & I used to walk the seawall every sunny weekend & stop at a patio or café along the way for a cheap happy hour drink or coffee. We also frequented Barnett Marine Park or Spanish Banks and would bring a picnic basket & sit down - have some cheese & wine and jut cuddle and watch the sunset. Netflix is also a great datenight & led me to be obsessed with Suits & Walking Dead. Also, get the entertainment book when its ridiculously cheap & swap coupons with someone for your fave places to eat at. Lastly, enter contests on twitter! So many places always giving away free tickets to everything from restos, to movies to events in Vancouver :)

    Stephanie
    www.meetthesmallsens.blogspot.ca

    ReplyDelete