Frugal Relationship?

[jc3900]

As of now, I think I have averaged around 15-40 dollars on food/activities for me and my girlfriend every week. I am a senior in high school right now. I won't have a job till the summer and this seems to be a little expensive in my mind. Do you guys have any suggestions about how much this area of my life should be. Am I overblowing this? My parents pay for gas/insurance so this is kind of the only area I have to spend on right now. When I look at it I see 15-40 dollars a week over the next six months is about 390$-1040$. I have talked to my girlfriend about it and she agrees that we spend too much. We both enjoy cooking so we are probably going to do this more often. What do you guys think is appropriate?

Edit: I am more than willing to hear frugal of all frugal suggestions.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I'm not sure how to put a number on it, sorry. But I do think it is good for your girlfriend to pay for things you do together, too.

Would you be looking for less expensive things to do on a date?

If spring is coming to your area, let me suggest a couple of kite-flying dates. Fun, inexpensive, can be combined with a picnic. All you need is a $1.50 kite and a $1.50 ball of string. You could move on building original kites together if the two of you get a kick out of it.

[scfr]

It's been a couple years since I was a senior in high school (haha) so I've no idea how much dating costs these days, but I do know that back in the day I used to enjoy the following free or low cost activities on dates:

- Going for a walks
- Going to parks (frisbee, etc)
- Going to sporting events at school (Friday night football games, especially)
- Going out for just dessert
- Watching TV (we didn't have video games back then ... That would probably be an option these days)

It's great to hear that you and your girlfriend are on the same page about wanting to keep dating costs down! Good luck!

[jodi]

If you enjoy movies, you can get a Netflix membership for $10-15 per month, and have a new movie to watch every few days.

[losermom]

You can check out movies for free from your public library.

[jc3900]

My girlfriend has dvr, so I think we are going to do more nights of watching our favorite shows together and movies together. I also talked to her last night and we are all ready planning cooking dates, so that should curb the going out to eat bill.

[PrincessPerky]

Volunteer together, it is free and helps keep cash available in perspective.
Scouts is a nice spot to volunteer in that means more fun than work..I don't know much about Venturing but they tell me it is the hiking and camping, but for boys and girls...course it isn't free, but is relatively cheap (30-40 a year not week) Oh the volunteer part is working with the cubs..little scouts

[cschin4]

Wow! I admire you for even having this on your radar at your age! You are going to do just fine!
In life you need a balance between spending and saving. You want to have money for a rainy day. However, you don't want to get to the end of your life being a miser wishing you would have had more fun. So, spend some, save some, give some away and you can't go wrong.
Anyway, I think the key is setting up a happy, fun lifestyle that doesn't revolve around spending. Learn to do fun, enjoyable things that don't involve buying stuff. Don't "hang out at the mall" or go walk around the mall for "something to do". The more you expose yourself to merchandise, the more you will buy, plain and simple.
At this point in my life, i absolutely HATE shopping and can think of nothing more boring. I would much rather spend the day at the park, taking a walk, cooking, playing an instrument, pursuing my hobbies, etc.
So, my suggestion to you is for you and your girl to visit the Library and get some cookbooks and go home and experiment with some recipies. Also, consider other ways you can enjoy spending time together such as exercising, hobbies, etc that don't involve spending money. And, since you both seem to be on board with this, that is fantastic! I predict a very successful life for both of you!

[jc3900]

Just a quick update. Tomorrow, we are going to make burritos to fix the urge from going over to chipotle.

[Snave]

I lived in a state that didn't have Chipotle and NOTHING fixes that urge! We would get it everytime we went home to see family. My wife was even home one time and was flying back and bought one and brought it home on the flight. Good luck in trying!