What do you do for frugal dates?

[midlight21]

My idea of a nice date night done frugally would be watching a movie from our movie collection or renting a movie. In the past we've ordered chinese food to go with the movie, but now I would make dinner at home. Granted the meal would have to be quick and easy so I don't feel like I'm working during the time I spend with my husband. What do you do?

[frugalfarmwife]

For us it's home grown steak and veggies on the grill and a walk on the front property to watch the sun set, cheap and SO relaxing, if we're feeling really extravagant we drive to the local arbouretium (sp?) and take a walk after dinner.

kj

[Lori63]

We go to Subway.

[PrincessPerky]

I have three kids, a date for me would involve not having them around! and that only comes when the family visits (we can't afford a babysitter)

So we have to leave the house (family and kids here, we go somewhere else)

Frugal would be umm, dunno, we like dinner out.

When that isn't availible, things like my birthday or aniversaries we generally just get the kids to bed then retire to our room with a monitor on them. (course those nights would be when my 4 month old decides not to sleep!)

[jodi]

DH and I splurge on a nice dinner out - something we don't mind spending money on once in a while because we really enjoy it. Sometimes a movie too. We try to spend as little as possible by not ordering drinks (esp. alcoholic), appetizers, and dessert. I can often get half price dinners off Restaurant.com or BOGO through Dine-A-Mate.
Not too frugal, I know, but the point of saving money to me is to have it for spending on things you enjoy

[CJsoccerchic]

I hear you jodi_m - same here. Except on the days that we do go out and spend time at date - we do the whole shabaam - minus the drinks - always water. Unbelieveable how much money everybody would save if all drank water instead of coffee, soda's and teas....

[PRICEPLUS]

Coffee at McDonalds and/or a walk!

[shelbylovesmelby]

Drop the kids off @ the il's & go window shopping, go to the airport observation area & listen to the control tower w/ an ice cream.

Watching a movie or tv when & if the kids ever go asleep. Quiet time for us, but the closest thing we've gotten to a "date" in months.

[Ima saver]

We make or buy a sandwich, take chips and water and picnic at the park, usually with our puppy dog.

[Fern]

1. Watching a $2 movie at our town hall movie theatre.
2. Take a walk.
3. Play backgammon.
4. Go to realtor open houses, just for fun.
5. Turn the short wave radio on in the car and cruise around town @ midnight following the cops' traffic stops and chases (got in trouble for this one, but it was fun)

[debtfreeme]

For those of you who have kids, i would babysit them (I love kids, have none of my own and really don't wnt to raise any) if ewhen you cook, you would make me something i could freeze! I don't seemt to have the motivation to cook right now, am spending because of it and would love someone to cook for me. hm...might have to look into it for some kind of swap, a meal an hour or per kid or something....

[elcheapo]

skateboarding, going on a picnic, hiking, bike riding, relaxing in the jacuzzi, taking turns giving each other massages as you listen to romantic music. holding each other as you discuss your hopes and dream and the goals you want to achieve.

[Ima saver]

We have a deck that is built over the creek. I like to set up a bar out there complete with ice, so we can sit there and have drinks listening to the creek!

[PrincessPerky]

Originally Posted by elcheapo

skateboarding, going on a picnic, hiking, bike riding, relaxing in the jacuzzi, taking turns giving each other massages as you listen to romantic music. holding each other as you discuss your hopes and dream and the goals you want to achieve.

We don't call that a date, but when I drag DH off the computer early we always do that, reminds me of the prekid days when on a day off we would lay together for hours just talking .(well inbetween/after other stuff )

[Ima saver]

We own a piece of property with a beautiful mountain view. Some times we take sandwiches and our cocktails and to out there and sit and look at the view.

[flash]

If you want to eat at home, focus on things you can make up ahead. Sometimes we do meat/cheese/crackers/veggie tray. Sometimes I make up gourmet salads. Sometimes just getting all the meat/veggie/whatever chopped up or otherwise prepared, so you can cook in less than ten minutes with minimal clean up.

Sit in front of the fireplace, or go out on the deck in the summer.

Walks/hikes/drives where we both bask in nature, from the sun to the birds to the river to the frogs and squirrels.

Go to a park, professional garden, the Riverwalk in San Antonio, just walk and talk, look in the little shops. You don't need to buy anything, but looking together and talking, dreaming about what you want someday together, all bonding stuff.

Find out what secret things you love. I love to ride horseback. DH was not fond of horses, but for our anniversary he booked trail rides. Totally romantic. He loves motorcycles, so I went on a road trip with him (ACK!!!!!!!!!!!!). Ended with a picnic.

I absolutely hate going out, having done it for business so much, but have lunch out at a nice restaurant; usually cheaper and easier to schedule. Entertainment book? Or, for an EASY picnic, most gas/convenience stores, like Royal Farms, Wawa, whatever they have in your area, usually make CHEAP but very good subs and other sandwiches.

[MyMoneyForest]

The most cost effective date I went on was probably the second date with my current girlfriend. We went for a walk by the Columbia River on the Washington side. It was nice out and we just talked.

Another great date, that was free was when she took me to her company's Christmas party. Free food, free drinks, free prizes, free pictures...and good laughs. It doesn't get much better.

[Ima saver]

Some times we just go for rides, over the mountains, to other little towns.

[BCHGRL]

Walk on the beach

[Ima saver]

We would walk on the beach and go to the boardwalk when we lived in florida.