One Hundred Dollars a Month

I’ve been really making date nights a priority these last few years. Taking that time out to connect with your spouse is so important to maintaining a healthy, happy relationship. That one-on-one time, regardless of what you are doing, will help you connect, even if the week has gone sideways and you’re stressed to the max! So how do you implement frequent date nights without breaking the bank? Here are some inexpensive summer date ideas to choose from:

Head Berry Pickin’: Do you have a berry orchard near you that offers a “you pick” option? If so, grab a bucket and get to pickin. Not only will it be a fun way to spend time together, but then you end up with buckets full of delicious healthy treats! {My husband would never do this. He’d rather pay someone else to pick the berries.}

Light Up Your Date Night: Plan a date night around the 4th of July and it will seem like you have your very own fireworks to celebrate you! Whether you watch from the bed of a truck or lay a blanket out somewhere, cuddle up and watch the night sky light up! {Unless of course you live in the woods with an old cedar shake roof. In that case, date night would consist of sitting outside all night in lawn chairs covered in bug repellent with a hose ready.}

Couples Yoga: Time to put those yoga pants to good use! It’s intimate and cathartic! Plus, yoga has been known to be the perfect mediator for a couple that needs to get re-centered. Check your local community to see if couples yoga is available in your area. There are often Groupons available or studios that will let you try your first session free. If not? You can also practice a few yoga poses, deep breathing exercises or meditation together in the comfort of your own home. {This would never happen in a million years. My husband doesn’t even own a pair of sweatpants, and probably never will.}

Take a Dip: Find a lake or a safe flowing river and cool off with a swim! Make a day of it with some lawn chairs, floaties, and some great reading material. Don’t forget sunscreen, snacks and water! {Nope. My husband doesn’t even own a pair of shorts. Baaahahaa.}

Attend an Outdoor Concert: Summer is a great time to catch an amazing concert. If you are willing to wait until the last minute, you can often find super cheap leftover tickets for shows the day of. If you score some dirt cheap tickets, head on out with you spouse and sway the night away to some amazing tunes! {Now this is something we have totally done and would love to do again.}

Truck it Up: Find a food truck in your area that has a reputation for amazing food. Maybe there’s food truck rally or a food truck festival to hit up. Regardless, you can grab a cheap meal at a local food truck that’s every bit as delicious as a full blown restaurant. Then you can sit and eat or walk and chat! {Personally, food trucks give me the heebie-jeebies. I mean really, the sinks are small, and even if the people are using gloves, they are touching everything from food to money to keeping the floor clean.} 

Catch a Movie in the Park: Many communities offer a free movie in the park on the weekends. Research a bit and see if there’s on near you. They are a great way to have a fun date night with your spouse without dropping a dime! {I’d rather watch a movie at home and be able to hit the pause button.}

Watch the Sunrise or Sunset Together.  Take time for indulgences that normal days don’t allow. Hop in the car if the view from your house doesn’t allow you to appreciate the full beauty of the sun. It’s so enjoyable to watch the earth show off a bit, especially when you’re with the one you love. Sometimes I get goosebumps watching an amazing sunset! {Yes. Although I don’t think I’ve ever watched the sun set on purpose in my entire life. How is that possible?}

Try Your Hand at Geocashing: If you’ve never been or have no idea what I’m talking about, geocaching is basically the ultimate scavenger hunt. Using a smartphone and GPS coordinates, you get to search for hidden objects. Plus, it’s free! Just sign up for a geocaching account and download the app. Then pick a geocache near you and get to huntin’! {This is a great idea if you are a “fun couple” but my husband would rather clean out the gutters. If finding candy was part of the deal, I would probably go along with it.}

Head to the Drive-in.  When is the last time you went to the drive-in?  Drive-ins are the best! If you have one near you, pile a mattress in the back of a truck, gather some snacks, and go watch a movie in the most magical way! {Maybe. But probably not. I wouldn’t be into random strangers staring at me as they walk buy my vehicle to buy a corn dog and a soda.}

Spend a Night Under the Stars: Lay a blanket out under the stars and stargaze together. Grab a telescope and look for some constellations. Of course, some s’mores should be involved! {If you live in New England, where there are ticks and black flies, you may want to pass on this one. Unless it’s winter. Then that might be a good time to go stargazing}. 

There are just a few to get you started {and maybe even less if you are a curmudgeon}! Now go grab your sweetheart and start checking them off the list!

Date on,

~Mavis