Inexpensive ways to ignite sweet lovin’
April 28, 2009 by Jennifer Chait
Filed under family
How’s that for a cheesy post title? Ah well. In any case, dating when you’re a parent tends to be budget minded – I mean groceries, rent, and diapers take priority over good lovin’ times right? BUT should they? The couple that stays together has an easier (and happier) time. It’s way easier to be in a two parent family with two potential income sources and more combined time, than it is to break up due to a lack of good feelings and hot dates. Plus, who wants to break-up with someone they love?
Think of dating and lovable actions as financial and happiness insurance. Following are some ways to ignite the fire on a budget…
Parking fun: Remember parking? Making out? Well, it was fun as a teen, and it’s still fun now. Grab a CD, find a secluded area and go to town on your partner. In fact, if you know you don’t have plans, and someone else has the kids, surprise your partner by just pulling over the car one evening.
Call in sick: If you both have sick days saved up, and the kiddos are in school, call in sick (cough, cough), and stay in. Hang out, make a great lunch, and just chill.
Write a love note: People are so much more lovable early on in relationships. Love notes are a common early relationship sign, but they can also steam things up later on. If writing is not your bag, draw a funny, sweet, or sexy picture. Stick said note/picture into your partner’s work bag, so they’ll find it mid-day at work.
Write a musical love note: Create a mix CD of all the songs that remind you of your partner. Put on some of those old tunes you first listened to when you were dating.
Bake up some love: A cake, pie, or cookies with special decor – i.e. heart candies, words in icing, and so on, is simple and inexpensive, but effective for a partner who loves sweets.
Kiss and mean it: Get rid of those kisses at the door that are simply out of habit. Make an effort to mean it.
Have a party in bed: TRUE STORY – my friend’s dad says to him at lunch one day, “So, son, do you know that me and your mother still like to have a party in bed each night!” OMG right? But wait… my friend says, “DAD – I don’t want to know!” and his dad says, “Oh, not that kind of party.. each night one of us brings a different snack to bed and we share; your mother likes to bring sliced fruit, but I mix it up by bringing things like nuts!”
My friend’s parents have been together 30+ years I believe. I love this story because it illustrates an important point. What keeps couples happy and in sync may not be typical; what really matters is finding your own groove. If it’s snacks and laughs in bed so be it. If it’s something else, that’s cool too, but do find something that allows you to connect with your partner (preferably daily) to keep the spark alive.
Also see:
- Three ways to save money on a babysitter
- Cheap Date Ideas – Northwest US
- Top 10 Thrifty Date Outings
Tell me some other inexpensive ways to keep the love alive in the comments. I KNOW you’ve got some ideas…
[image via stock.exchng]
Great post; thanks for the reminder that we still need to have date times. My husband and I enjoy making a dessert together ever so often.
All in all a good post and great reminder. But: CALL IN SICK? Are you serious? On one hand, everybody complains about the crisis, on the other, people are calling in sick to have fun? No way.
Well, there is a crisis, that’s for sure, but that might be all the more reason to try and chill out. I’m talking calling in sick one day, not one day a week! This is a good infrequent idea.
Evi: If you can afford to take a sick day or if you have sick leave, I see no problem with it. The problem comes from people that are irresponsible and borrow too much money.
When my husband had a better work/class schedule, after our first son was born, we’d make chocolate chips cookies after our son went to bed and watch a DVD TV episode (Alias, 24, Law & Order, etc…)
…yes, we did this just about every night…I’m now doing Jillian’s 30 day shred to make up for those months of cookies, LOL
Fun post, thanks!
Oh no! Too many cookies… that actually sounds good though – and that’s a nice date night.