Financial Freedom in 2021! Take Action: Day 29
A good friend of mine has set a 2021 goal to go on 52 dates with her husband this year. I really hope that happens for her! It’s a beautiful goal worth pursuing in all relationships.
Sometimes, though, it can be difficult to pull off actually getting out of the house once per week, at least without a child along for the ride. So, inspired by my friend’s goal, I’ve been brainstorming ideas to emulate fun date experiences while staying home, avoiding paying high prices for them or hiring a babysitter to make them happen.
I’ve made a list of several cheap or free (and slightly cheesy) date-night-in options. Maybe a few would work for you as well.
- Money Date (always my top choice) to discuss big dreams, goals, progress, and new ideas
- Read together in the bathtub or backyard hammock (find a great free option through your library app)
- Make a messy homemade dessert or take an online cooking class together
- Backyard movie night
- Virtual concert in the living room
- Flashlight hike on neighborhood trails (leaving older kids in charge for a short time)
- Play cards with high stakes … maybe loser does dishes for a week, winner gets a foot rub, or best hand earns a night off from helping with the kids
- Plan a vacation for the near future
- Download a stargazing app and lie in the grass outside enjoying the constellations and a glass of wine
- Bust out the fire pit, roast marshmallows, and tell scary stories (good luck keeping the kids away during this date option)
- Have a spa night
- Reminisce over old photos and organize them into albums
- Try palm reading after watching a couple videos
- Do a difficult puzzle together
- Try out Yoga with Adriene on You Tube
- Marie Kondo the master closet together, allowing your partner to comment on his/her favorite outfits on you
- Set up your own cheese and wine tasting at home
- Create a beer flight with local brews and make notes on favorite flavors
- Repurpose furniture or home decor together
- Paint
- Build something special for the kids, like a desk or toy chest
- Make gifts for friends
- Write a letter to a family member or a couple who has had a big impact on your relationship
- Have a friendly competition with leg wrestling, thumb wars, and flexibility contests
- Learn a new dance from a You Tube or Tik Tok video
Many of these options can be great for a fun night at home with the kids too. The more creative you get with what you can do at home, the less money you’ll spend on dates or family outings.
Today’s action step is to plan a few specific nights-in to replace evenings you’d usually spend going out and blowing cash.
Frugal with Four 