Date Night Made Affordable -- Location. Location. Location

(continued from Date Night Made Affordable -- The Old Swap-a-roo)

Now, if you've read previous blogs, you may recall that back when our friends and I were swapping babysitting duties and date night (which saved us babysitting costs), I mentioned we were low on funds in general. So, a big night out wasn't really on the menu for us. So, we improvised, making a money-saving tweak from your standard/expected date destination. Rather than hitting your standard restaurant or possibly going for a Big Mac, we chose a location that reaked romance -- Mount Bonnell in Austin, TX.

(If you are EVER in Austin, I suggest you check it out -- it provides an incredible view of our fair city! Be warned, there ARE lots of steps to climb to get you to that beautiful view, but it is SO worth it.)

While our surroundings couldn't be beat, the food was wonderful and VERY affordable. We packed a picnic dinner, blanket, bottle of wine and some very high class plastic wine glasses. FANCY! No, but seriously, it was an amazing evening under the stars that was topped off by the absence of cries from a certain beloved wee one at home.

So, that was then.

Since then, we've gotten older and oh yeah . . . .did I mention the 100 degree weather outside? So, we found ourselves falling into the usual date night scene. And then, we found ourselves spending WAY too much money on the dates. (Have you ever sat down and plopped all of your expenses into a spreadsheet and said to yourself "OMG!")

Now, as I mentioned date night is THE ingredient to a happy marriage. So, while we obviously needed to work on the money situation, we weren't doing it at the expense of the occassion. It was time to get creative again.

My neice (our babysitter as mentioned in previous blogs) now has her own place with a child of her own. And as I opened my mind in search of the date night savior I heard, "Ding!" And then I asked, "So . . . . how do you feel about us bringing the kids to YOUR place this week?"

Turns out, it was great for her. She didn't have to wake her sweet child in the middle of the night when they went home. It was also a win-win for us. Think about it. Now, we had the opportunity to go out and have dinner if we wanted or to stay home and make our own romantic scene if we preferred. Suddenly, we had much more control on what we could or couldn't do.

So, location, in this case is key. When done right, if you're tight on the money, you can still have an amazing time based on where you go OR maybe where your babysitter is. (Have I mentioned how important I think Date Night is. Seriously, I would say 20 years of a great relationship were built on it!)

Keep and open mind and find an open door . .to your NEXT date, whether it's in a park, a tent, on a mountain, or just in your own comfy little home.

More date night options tomorrow. Don't change that channel ; )