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]

Post from: Thrifty Mommy