Affordable Date Night Options

We are trying to be extra creative when it comes to date nights because we are running on a very tight budget this year.  My husband is on an internship and I'm a new SAHM.  We love to do things together and didn't want to let money slow our fun down.  These are the date night ideas that we've come up with so far:

1. Rent movies from Red Box or subscribe to Netflix.

2. Make a fun dessert at home.

3. Order take out and eat at home.

4. Check out your local library for free movie rentals, books or free public events.

5. Stroll around downtown and find free parking areas.

6. Pay attention to the days that museums and other touristy places offer free admission and go!

7. Go for a hike.

8. Walk through a new neighborhood.

9. Try a new recipe together.

10.  Make smoothies at home or learn how to be your own barista.  I love Jamba Juice but they are pricey so I purchased frozen fruit and started making my own.  I also love caramel lattes so my husband took it upon himself to learn how to make them at home.

11. Start a book club with your spouse.  We have done this several different ways.  Sometimes we both read the same book and stop every few chapters to discuss and ask/answer questions.  Other times we both read different books and designate time to read throughout the week.  Then we share the story line or what we are reading about to the other.  Both are really fun!

12.  Plan a little road trip - pack your food to save on costs and use on-line deal sites to find hotel deals.

13. Use Groupon to find great deals on restaurants.  My husband snatches up good deal on several different sites so that we can try new restaurants in our area for an affordable price.

14. We used to have matching bikes and would go on bike rides.  I'm hoping we can eventually get bikes again and add on a little baby buggy.

15. Wander through Sams Club, window shop, eat the samples and buy a few groceries.

16. Walk around at the mall.  Get a fun treat to share - we love to stop in at the cookie shop and get a cookie to share.  Sometimes we will bring our own drinks so we only have to buy a cookie.

17. Take advantage of local, seasonal happenings in your city.  We really enjoy going to the Farmer's Market downtown.  It's great fun just to be out and about plus we normally pick up some produce for the week and a light snack.

18. Plan a fun date afternoon at home to watch a sporting event.  We love football at our house so we are always trying game day treats and fun appetizers.
19. Give each other back/foot massages.
20. Ask family members to give you restaurant gift cards for holidays so that you can use them for date nights.
21. Invite your friends over and have everyone bring something to share.  The cost of dinner is divided out and everyone can enjoy a relaxing evening together.
22. Meal plan for the week together and then go grocery shopping together.  My husband loves coupons so he has fun being in charge of finding the best deals and I like not having to come up with the menu all on my own.
23. Play games - board games, card games and even video games.
24. Go to your local bookstore and check out the latest magazines, best sellers and stop in at the coffee shop for a little treat.

25. My husband is still a student so we always pay attention to things that advertise students getting in for free.  We have attended sporting events, fairs and movies for discounted rates.

 

Do you have any other affordable date night ideas for us??  Please share!!