Dating on a Budget

Whether you’re young and new at dating or you’re older and an old pro, there are times when all of us can’t afford an expensive night out on the town with our sweetie. So what do you do? You want to spend some time together, but your budget has you limited to a fast food place rather than your favorite 5 star restaurant. I’m here to help by offering some low cost suggestions.

2. Cook a fancy dinner for your sweetie at home. You will be amazed at how much money you will save. Your sweetie will also be impressed with the time you took to cook for them. Anyone can take someone out to a fancy restaurant, but to have someone cook for them is something special. I would suggest buying a couple steaks (maybe some
   New York
   strips), a couple potatoes for baking, salad ingredients, and either a dessert from the bakery or make something yourself depending on your skill level and time. This is going to cost at least half of what you would pay at a 5 star restaurant, maybe less. Plus, you could light a few candles and have a wonderfully romantic dinner without having to worry about people watching you kiss at the table.
4. Have a movie night. You will want to make this a special movie night though. Pick out your favorite movies (making sure your partner also enjoys them), grab a bottle of champagne (or sparkling apple cider if you don’t drink alcohol), and prepare some chocolate covered strawberries. To make things more comfortable, pull the coffee table to one side of the room and place several blankets on the floor making the floor nice and soft. Place several pillows in the floor and scatter rose petals over the blankets. Place small votive candles around the room and light a few sticks of incense. This adds up to one romantic night and beats going to the movies any night.
6. Have a picnic at home. This is great not only if you are low on cash but if it’s raining and neither one of you wants to go out. Again you’ll want to prepare the living room floor with several blankets and pillows to make sure you are both very comfy. Now for the menu. I would suggest taking normal picnic foods and making them a little fancier. Instead of a ham and cheese sandwich make a steak sandwich on a French baguette. Season a
   New York
   strip steak with fresh cracked black pepper, garlic powder, and kosher salt. Cook the steak to the desired level of doneness, slice thinly and let cool. Split the French baguette open and spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the top half. On the bottom half spread a thin layer of cream cheese, top with red onion that has been thinly sliced. Add the steak, romaine lettuce and cheddar cheese. Place the top of the bread on the sandwich and slice the sandwich into several small pieces. I would serve a simple salad on the side and have strawberries and whipped cream for dessert. I would highly suggest feeding each other the strawberries. This of course is just a sample menu. You can choose whatever you want, just make sure it’s special.

These of course are just a few ideas. You could go hiking together, take a walk on the beach, go to the park; just enjoy each others company. You don’t have to have a fancy dinner to have a nice time. Having dates in the comfort of your own home can also lead to a exciting night even for those of you who thought you had been married too long to have any exciting nights.