I’m not going to bore you by going on and on about gas prices, and how the cost of everything else has gone up because of gas prices. You know as well as I do: we are living in difficult economic times. That doesn’t mean that your relationship has to suffer just because your paycheck is stretched so far that it’s begging for mercy. Dating and relationships always require a little creativity to keep the fire lit, and now is no exception.

This may require some alterations to your thinking. First, consider your priorities and what you really like doing. If there’s something that you and your spouse or significant other really enjoy doing and don’t want to give up (say, concerts or baseball games), see where you can save money doing that activity, such as eating at home before the game instead of having $5.00 hot dogs, and cut expenditures on everything else you do together.

Delay gratification. If you can wait a few weeks to see a movie instead of going the weekend it gets released, you may be able to take advantage of discount passes. Better still, wait until the movie comes to the second-run theatre, and support a local business instead of a megachain.

Think outside the “dinner and a movie” mindset. Challenging yourself to spend less while enjoying it as much or more opens up possibilities you may not have considered.

Be spontaneous and open to suggestion. You never know when your local entertainment paper might be offering free sneak preview tickets to a play or when your boss may have football tickets that he or she can’t use.

Minimize driving as much as possible. If you live in an area with decent public transportation, take advantage of it. Walk or bike wherever you can. Not only will it save you gas money, to say nothing of parking, it will give you more time to focus on each other instead of the song you hate on the radio or the pothole you’re about to hit. Plus, there’s something sweet and very big-city about riding the train or the bus together.

It’s perfectly OK to use coupons and discount cards, but be flexible (and discreet if it’s early days).

Wherever you go, bear in mind that even $2.00 Pabst Blue Ribbon tallboys do add up. Consider limiting (or eliminating) your alcohol consumption when you go out.

Now, a few ideas:

Cook together instead of dining out. (This does not mean one cooks and the other does the washing-up; it means you both participate in all steps of the process.) Besides being less expensive, it’s a great way to connect with each other and figure out how well you work together.

If one or both of you is into sports, go to minor-league or college games. I live in an area where there are two minor-league baseball teams, and they’re as much fun to watch as the major leagues (and less expensive!).

If you live near a college or university campus, sports aren’t the only activity available. Concerts, plays, and arts events are often free or low-cost.

Volunteer together. Not only do you learn about your community, but you also get to know each other (Is she selfish with her time? Is he sweet but completely inept with a hammer or paintbrush?). Sometimes there are perks, such as free passes if you usher for a theater company or orchestra.

Get outdoors; walk, bike, swim, rollerblade, go tobogganing, have a picnic.

Enjoy the delights of each season: fresh produce from a pick-your-own orchard in spring and summer, a hayride in the fall, a snowball fight (free!) followed by hot chocolate in the winter.

Feel like being a couch potato? Instead of going to a video store or logging on to Netflix, go to the library for DVDs. Many libraries have CDs, too. You say your branch doesn’t have either? Find a book of love poetry (or a bodice-ripping romance novel), and read passages to each other.

When you’re dining out, remember that breakfast and lunch, if your schedule allows, are often cheaper than dinner.

Think back to high school – go bowling, shoot pool, play video games together if one of you has a game system.

Entertain at home. Have a themed potluck; for example, rent a Jackie Chan movie (or several) and have your guests bring their favorite Chinese dish. Watch the Oscars, pop a boatload of popcorn, and have your guests bring their favorite candy. Play board, card or parlor games — just don’t play for real money if poker is your thing!

Check out an open-mic night or karaoke at a local coffee shop or dive bar, and enjoy watching everyone. You don’t have to participate, although it’s even more fun if you do.

Celebrating an anniversary, birthday, or other gift-giving occasion? Give a gift from the heart – a book of handwritten “love coupons,” a collage of your favorite photos of each other, a poem or book of poems.

Inspiration can come from anywhere, and so can opportunities. Last summer, a fondue restaurant in my town was trying to promote their corporate event rates to the company I work for. To sweeten the deal, they sent a $50 “dip certificate” (no, neither the amount nor the name is a typo). No one else in my office wanted to use it, so my then-boyfriend and I enjoyed a delicious and romantic fondue dinner and only had to pay for the tip.

Be honest and unselfish. If you’re treating, don’t pretend you can afford the same things that you used to. Someone who truly loves you won’t mind as long as you’re together; if they do mind . . . well, at least you found out now rather than later. If you’re being treated, offer to help out, and be considerate. For example, if you dig seafood, suggest the church fish fry or tuna melts at the neighborhood diner rather than crab legs at the four-star seafood joint downtown.

Finally, remember that your relationship is the priority, not the places you go together or the things you buy each other.

About the Author–Meghan K. Donovan is a creative spirit moonlighting as an office manager and freelance writer. She lives in Cleveland, Ohio with her two almost-human cats. She believes in God and in the power of chocolate to heal most ills. She digs guys as committed to peace, social justice, and spirituality as she is.

Rate This Post:

Did you like this article? Submit it to your favorite social bookmarking sites:

About The Expert

On our About the Expert page, you can learn more about the author, including contact information and other posts they've written. About Amateur Expert.