35 Affordable and Fun Date Ideas: How to Enjoy Your Sweetheart Without Spending a Lot of Dough

35 Affordable and Fun Date Ideas: How to Enjoy Your Sweetheart Without Spending a Lot of Dough

Just because you are low on cash does not mean you need to be low on fun. Try some of these affordable date ideas. All will give you memories for a lifetime.

Just because you are low on cash does not mean you need to be low on fun. Try some of these affordable date ideas. All will give you memories for a lifetime.

1. Enjoy a picnic in the park

Sandwiches, lemonade, and fresh fruit from the local market under a sunny sky - always romantic and wonderful for an afternoon of conversation and fun.

2. Matinee movies
Matinee movies often cost a few dollars less than the nighttime shows. Go in a little early, and instead of dinner and a movie, make it lunch and a movie.

3. A BBQ potluck

Bring out the grill, buy some cut choices of meat, and enjoy a wonderful afternoon of grilling and good times.

4. Visiting the local museum

Many local museums cost little or even nothing to visit. Find out more about your area by visiting history, art, and science museums throughout your region. Some may include shows, planetarium shows, or tours.

5. Camping

If your sweetheart loves the outdoors, this may be the perfect date.

6. Visit the local pet store

Really lacking cash? For a quick date activity, visit the local pet store and check out the puppies, pets, and fish. Think of it as a one-stop petting zoo.

7. Walk at night under the moonlight

Always a romantic treat!

8. An original moonlight serenade

Are you musically inclined? Compose an original song for your love, and serenade them under the moonlight.

9. Share a banana split at the local diner

Can't afford to buy a full dinner? Have dinner at home and just opt to share a romantic dessert.

10. Make your own banana split sundae

Can't even afford the diner? Use ingredients already in your fridge to make your own sundae surprise for your sweetie.

11. Make pizza from scratch

Another fun cooking together idea - making pizza. Buy toppings that each of you love, or be adventurous and go crazy with zany toppings. This is also a great idea if your date's children will be around.

12. Have a video game date, complete with microwavable popcorn

A personal favorite for my husband and myself. An afternoon of video game madness and yummy popcorn.

13. Film your own music video on Youtube

Craziness and music - a fun date combination if your date has a diva flair.

14. Visit the local library

Many local libraries have free film clubs, local art displayed, and a variety of fun programs. Look up your local library and see if they have any interesting events coming up.

15. Attend a community concert event

The local theater, university, or church may have upcoming plays, choral concerts, and other events that might be free or low cost.

16. Help out at a local soup kitchen

If your date is a charitable soul, helping out regularly at a local soup kitchen may be a great way to bond with them while helping those in need.

17. Volunteer at the nursing home

Another great idea if you and your date like to help the needy. During the holidays, local churches and schools often carol around the local nursing homes. If you or your date play an instrument, an impromptu concert may also be a great way to combine good times with helping others.

18. Make your own band and have a jam session

For the musically inclined, an intense jam session can lead to serious passion.

19. Visit the county fair

Always fun, the county fair and local carnivals offer a variety of rides, shopping, and yummy treats like candied apples and elephant ears.

20. Visit the local zoo

Some zoos have special discount rates during non-peak seasons. Call ahead and find out when they have specials.

21. Set up a modeling session for your date and paint a portrait of her/him.

If you are artistically inclined, set up a room as a modeling session and create a memorable (or maybe not so memorable) portrait of that moment in time.

22. Have a fun photo shoot at an outside location

For the less artistically inclined, a fun candid photo shoot will yield a reel of great memories.

23. Cheese and fruit at the beach

Pack a little basket of cheeses and fruit and feed them to your date on the beach. Romantic.

24. Watch the sunrise

25. Watch the sunset

26. Dance under the stars to music pumping from your car

If you cannot afford to visit the local club or dance hall, take your car to a secluded spot and crank up the music. Dance with your love under the stars in the music hall of your own making.

27. Visit an art gallery

Visit local artist galleries. Even if you cannot afford to purchase any of the artwork, most artists are happy to show your their work with the hopes that you will spread the word of their gallery to others.

28. Share a sandwich at a local cafe

If you are not famished, you and your date can share a sandwich at a local outdoor cafe' then stroll on in happy merriment.

29. Share a cappuccino at the local coffee hot spot

30. Make a snowman together

Rediscovering childhood joys is a great experience for most couples.

31. A romantic evening by the fire

Romantic music playing, the crackling of a fire, and the warm embrace of the one you love makes for a wonderful date indeed.

32. A campfire and s'mores

Who can resist the yummy gooeyness of marshmallows and chocolate smashed between two graham crackers?

33. Horse-riding

34. Get in your car and drive to nowhere

Without any thought to destination (though keeping an eye on the gas gauge), just enjoy a drive in the country, city, night, or day, with your date, and stop spontaneously at any place along the way.

35. The swingset

Swinging in a swing set reclaims a more carefree time.

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SAVE SERIOUS CASH: Buying Second-hand Can Save You Hundreds a Year

SAVE SERIOUS CASH: Buying Second-hand Can Save You Hundreds a Year

Your family can save hundreds, even thousands, 

of dollars a year by buying items secondhand.

Your family can save hundreds of dollars a year by buying items secondhand through thrift shops, consignment shops, and online vendors. While there are many items that need to be purchases new, 
many goods and clothing serve their purpose just as well the second time around.

Online Vendors

Not only can you visit your neighborhood thrift shop for some serious bargains, you can also check out the latest bargains online at stores like Ebay.com, shopgoodwill.com, America's Thrift Stores.com and overstock.com.


Belts, Scarfs, and Ties

Why spend $30 on a belt or tie when you can purchase them for less than $5 each at most thrift shops? Inspect the belts for cracks in the leather and check scarfs/ties for any stains or rips. Wash/clean them when you get home, and no one will know the wiser.


Jackets, Sweatshirts, and Sweaters

Buy your winter clothing during the summer at local thrift shops. You will find name brand jackets going for a fraction of the cost, cashmere sweaters, and tons of sweatshirts for hanging around the house. Considering that many college sweatshirts can go for $20 each, spending $3 for your favorite university's sweats can save you some serious spending money. Always check sweaters for wear and stains and inspect all pockets of a jacket for holes and wear.


Vintage Jewelry

Gawdy 80s jewelry seems to have made another comeback, and what better place to find those oversized bangles, bands, and earrings than the local thrift shop? The best bargains are found in thrift shops that have bins of jewelry for less than a dollar apiece. Some vendors will separate finer jewelry behind a locked case, but even those items will be on sale for less than a quarter of real cost. Remember to clean out earrings with alcohol. Use a cleaner to make gold, silver, and brass necklaces and bracelets look like new.

Business Suits

Need a large array of business suits but cannot afford spending $200-$400 for a suit? With a little detective work, you can find quality business jackets for less than $20 each. Be sure to dedicate an afternoon to finding suitable work clothes. Finding a complete set is difficult, and you may have to spend time finding matching items. Blouses and button-up shirts abound at thrift shops, as do ties.


Children's Playclothes

Though it is difficult to find baby clothing at most secondhand shops, clothing for toddlers up to teens fill aisles and aisles at the store. Buying thrift for toddlers makes sense, since toddlers grow quickly and have a tendency to dirty clothes quickly.


Teens

For teens, consignment shops are a better bet for finding trendier clothing. Consignment shops differ from thrift shops in that they often have name-brand goods and the previous owner of the item receives a percentage of the profit of the item. Regular thrift shops usually have a stock of jeans and t-shirts for everyday use.


Kitchen Items

Plates, dishes, cups, platters, etc., can all be found at the thrift shop for a miniscule cost. An added bonus? Many dish sets at the thrift shop are of much better quality than comparably priced items at big discount stores. There is a broad array of utensils and random items like bread boxes, butter dishes, and various salt and pepper shakers. Wash everything well in bleach, and you have a new complete dish set for a third of the price!


Decorations

Thrift shops and antique shops are full of amazing one-of-a-kind treasures. Authentic items from Europe to Africa to Asia abound, as does authentic Americana items, artwork, glasswork, vases, lamps, and vintage items. Do some research on sites like the Antiques Road Show.com, and you may find a treasure that is worth hundreds.


Buying secondhand has other added bonuses. Buying locally instead of from large chains that purchase and ship jobs overseas will infuse your local economy with capital that will be reinvested in the community with jobs and purchases of goods. Many thrift shops are directly linked to local charities that are in desperate need during these harsh economic times. Additionally, you will be able to provide for your family for a fraction of the cost. Happy bargain hunting!

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How to Save Money when You Have Kids: Good Parenting During Tough Economic Times

How to Save Money when You Have Kids: Good Parenting During Tough Economic Times 

Parenting tips that will help your family grow closer during tough financial times 

Kids value your time over the latest gadget 
Children cherish time with their parents more over the latest i-pod, fashion doll, or video game that came out in time for the holiday rush. Adults never lament that they never had that cool remote-controlled car or the newest shoe sensation as a child. What is heard again and again is the lack of time spent with a parent who was either absent or was working too hard to spend time with their child. Make a concerted effort to double the time you spend with your children each week. They will be so excited that mom or dad went with the to the movies, a picnic, or park with them, that they will not gauge your love for them by the toys in their closet. Your children will know that you love them by the time you spend with them.

Back to the basics
Despite all of the brouhaha over the latest electronic educational toys, give a child a ball and a field, and they will be entertained for hours in good, healthy outdoor fun. Sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and jump ropes are other inexpensive childhood staples that have withstood the test of time. Even my savvy inner city students looked forward to the hour each day when they could enjoy the sunshine safely and play with their friends. Other fun games included hula hoop and frisbee. All of these items can easily be found at the nearest dollar store, and the children get some exercise to boot!

Turn the TV off

Children's programming on major network stations targets young audiences for a barrage of new items that are expensive, unhealthy, and sometimes not age-appropriate. Sit down with your child for Saturday morning cartoons and you will see dozens of adds for junk food and candy, sassy fashion dolls, and expensive electronic gadgets that will break after a week of use. These ads not only influence children, but teach them a set of values based on the gaining of faddish material goods. Limit the amount your child watches television and spend quality time with them. Even limiting the number of televisions in the household to one in the family room, instead of one in each bedroom, will not only save you money in cable and television sets, but will automatically ensure automatic parental supervision and less television watching. This also may pertain to computers, which are soon replacing televisions as the entertainment of choice.

Keep communication open
When my parents went bankrupt, they sat my sister and I down and explained our new economic situation in simple terms. They allowed us to voice our concerns (I was about 12, my sister 8). Together, as a family, we decided that certain things - new clothes and toys, private school, and the cars - would have to go if we wanted to save our house. Because they explained the situation to us, we did not complain when we had to shop at Goodwill, when we ate spam and tuna every night for months, or when going to the mall just involved window-shopping. We learned to appreciate the sacrifices our parents made and became better people for it. Be honest with your children about finances.

Good nutrition

During tough economic times it is difficult to keep families well fed. Children and teens seem to need a boundless amount of fuel to keep going, and mounting bills continue to eat into the family grocery budget. Although the temptation may be to stock up on boxes of easy-to-make meals and canned goods, there are ways to save money and still provide good nutrition for your children. Farmer's markets, buying in bulk, brown bag lunches, and cooking up large pots of filling staples (chili, navy bean soup, etc.) are just some ways to keep your kids healthy and full. See the links listed below for ways to save on food costs.

Leading by example
Children learn by emulating their parents. Demonstrate strong character, a loving heart, and wisdom, and your children will follow suit. Avoiding wasteful spending at home and valuing precious quality time will help your family grow, no matter what the financial hardship.

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