20 Fun and Frugal Date Ideas That Won’t Break the Bank

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Stop using money as an excuse to let your marriage fizzle. Don’t miss these awesome fun and frugal date ideas to keep the fire burning in your marriage.

I get it. I’ve been there.

Money is a stressor.

Add in children, which can cause even more strain on a relationship, and unless you make time for one another, you’re destined to fail. You’ll grow apart, just stay together for the kids, and when they grow up {which they will} there is nothing left. You actually can’t even remember why you fell in love in the first place.

It’s a sad place to be.

But it doesn’t have to be that way!

Stop using money as an excuse to let your marriage fizzle.

Right now at this moment, let’s make a commitment to date our spouse. I know you’ve read that you should have a date night once a week at the least. If you can do that, that is so awesome!! But I realize that is not always possible. There are still things you can do around the house to keep the flame in your marriage alive.

Let’s brainstorm some ideas. Get out your idea notebook and let’s take notes. Several of the links below are affiliate links.

Are you ready?

20 Frugal Date Ideas That Won’t Break the Bank

1. Leave a sticky notepad beside the toilet. Odd?

Kind of, but keep reading. Leave him a note. It’s one of the first things they see the next morning while getting ready for work! Leave a pen with the notepad and I bet they will write back! Not sure you want that next to the potty? Try Aqua Notes for the shower.

2. Treasure hunts to get ready for date nights.

Make up an envelope with little cutouts of shirts, skirts, pants, dresses, shoes, accessories, etc. {you could cut them out of magazines if you have some laying around, or use the Silhouette Cameo}. Each one leads to the other, which leads you to what your spouse wants you to wear, and vice versa. Sure it could be kind of scary, but you know that whatever they pick out they must like, so it’s a WIN.

3. Make him a gift.

Create a piece of paper in Word or something fancy in PicMonkey that says “I love and respect you because…”. If you want to get super crafty, bust out your Silhouette Cameo and create away! If you go the paper route, simply put the paper in a frame with a glass front.

Each day, I want you to try and think of at least one reason why you love and respect your spouse. It doesn’t have to be the serious “you are an amazing leader and father to our children” every day. It can be something silly like “because you make brownies to satisfy my chocolate craving” or “because you always put others first”. Sometimes it’s the little reminders.

4. Pick a number.

Choose a number between 1 and 31. Do something special for your spouse on that day EVERY MONTH. It doesn’t have to be a huge thing. Just something. Maybe cook their favorite meal. Rent their favorite movie. Run them a relaxing bath. Put the kids to bed early and spend some alone time together. One special thing on that day every month.

5. Play an online game TOGETHER.

I will admit that this isn’t for everyone. But we are brainstorming, remember? Some couples enjoy playing WoW and Final Fantasy XIV together. Bust out the Nintendo and classic Mario Brothers.

6. Kiss your spouse every day.

No matter what! Even if it’s a quick peck on the lips. When you have a little more time, kiss longer! It’s completely ok to gross out your kids. Showing your kids how much you love and respect one another speaks volumes to them now and in the future, they will remember.

7. Take a bubble bath together.

It doesn’t have to be anything racy, but it could be sometimes. Put on music, run a bath, and enjoy dessert together once a week.

8. Find a 15-20 minute time frame to spend together.

It doesn’t sound like much, but it is so refreshing to reconnect during that time.

9. Geocaching!

Geocaching only requires a GPS and walking. It’s a super fun treasure hunt that gets you out in nature and you explore places you’ve never been before!

10. Feed the kids dinner and order take-out for you and your spouse.

After the kids are in bed, enjoy dinner and a movie at home!

11. Before the kids wake up, enjoy {insert favorite drink} on the deck or front porch together.

Even simply sitting together at the kitchen table can make a difference.

12. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day with little left for anything but your bed, try taking a nap in the afternoon.

When the kids go down for a nap, lay down too. Even if it’s just a quick 20-minute nap. After the nap, drink a cup of coffee, yes, late afternoon. That way, you can stay up late and enjoy time with your spouse. You can only function with exhaustion for so long.

13. Put together a jar of things you like to do.

Cut them in strips, fold them, and alternate picking one to do. Even if you don’t feel in the mood for the choice, do it anyway. They can range from giving each other a massage, watching a movie of his choice/watch a movie of her choice, playing a game of his/her choice, going for a walk, etc. It forces closeness making you engage even if you aren’t feeling it.

14. Making homemade mozzarella together for Pizza Night.

15. Play Uno or Catch Phrase together. Game nights for a date night at home can be so much fun!

16. Have a picnic on your bed with the door closed.

17. Gaze at the stars and talk over goals and dreams for the next year.

18. Watch your favorite comedians on Netflix and laugh till it hurts.

19. Go to an ax-throwing venue.

20. Have a dessert date night. Make something special that is not something you eat every day for dessert.

For more date ideas check out how to date your spouse when you can’t afford dates and 50 Creative Date Ideas {to bring the fun back}.

It doesn’t require a lot of money to connect with your spouse in the messy and chaotic times of our marriages! Just a little time and attention go a long way in keeping your marriage flame burning!

What are your favorite frugal date ideas?

Need more date ideas?

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