Saturday. Oh, I love Saturday. I will really love when it hits 5:00 pm on Saturday.
Even though I end up working a lot on weekends, there is something about Saturday night that is still very very special to me. I think the main reason is because it is always our date night. As long as I can remember for the past 9 years Wes and I have always spent Saturday night doing something special together.
As I’ve mentioned several times on the blog, we are on a very tight budget. I am talking the kind where I am happy if I get enough money in our bank account to get our rent and bills covered each month. Needless to say it leaves very little “extra” spending money.
It’s not always easy but it has taught us how to find enjoyment in the small things. How to tweak our date nights to spend little money but still enjoy some time away from the hustle and bustle of the weekly ins and outs.
Here are a few of our go-to inexpensive date nights:
Watch a Movie In
This is one of our all time favorite things to do. Of course, during football and basketball season we will opt to watch a game instead, but usually on the weekends you can find us under a blanket watching a movie together on the couch.
When we were in college we used to go see a movie at the theater at least once a weekend, but now that the budget is tight watching at home is much more cost effective (and more comfortable!)
Get in The Kitchen
Wes doesn’t like to cook, but he loves when I bake something special on the weekend. It is not secret that I am not much of a cook, even though I am slowly working how it.
I do love to bake though. During the weekend we always spend time together searching recipes and finding something new and delicious to try out.
One of our goals each time is to find a delicious recipe that is new but that also doesn’t call for 50 different ingredients. It is a challenge every week, but we have tried out some delicious items!
Go for a Walk
Just across the street from where we live there is an awesome little park. It’s attached to a school so it’s very small, but many times if it is a nice evening we will take a walk with the pup over there.
We can let her off the leash and walk around and enjoy each other’s company. Not only is this a great way to get some exercise instead of sitting at home, but it is also fun to act like kids again every now and again!
Just Drive
We started doing this off and on last year. After being at home we often get restless and just need a brief escape. About 10 minutes down the road the scenery turns into wine vineyards and country farms.
It is so peaceful to drive with the windows down and enjoy the evening. Plus car trips are a great time to relax and just talk.
Have a YouTube Night
Wes loves finding funny/entertaining videos on the internet. I can’t tell you how many times I hear throughout the week “come look at this.”
Sometimes if we run out of things to do we will sit together on the touch and watch YouTube videos, Vine, read Reddit, or some other silly thing we can find. It’s not much I know but it’s really fun to just laugh together.
Late Night Gym Session
This hasn’t happened much lately because the last time we tried to do this someone slipped and fell outside and caused a bit of an injury.
We have in the past though gone to the gym in the evening together and lifted weights, done core work or just jogged around the track. It gets you out of the house, keeps you moving and I’ve always thought that gym dates were a lot of fun!
The key is just spending time together. Of course, we’d love to go out but right now our budget doesn’t allow it. Plus we are trying to save every penny we have to head to Boston next weekend! These are all easy and fun things to do together to enjoy your weekend!
I will announce the winner of the Tinke Giveaway in tomorrow morning’s post! Make sure to check back!
What are some of your favorite money conscious date nights?
What are your Saturday night plans?
Saturday is my favorite day of the week. I only wish I could sleep in more, but as usual I’m awake at 5am. Oh well!
I wish I had that problem! I had to get up and go to work this morning, but normally I am up around 8:30 – 9:00. I wish I could get up at 5! I would be so productive!
Great ideas! We love going to movies, watching sports and BBQing something on the grill, watching a movie at home or even putting on good tunes and playing games. Tonight we are going to the Nuggets vs. Jazz basketball game!
I love this post! We used to go out more but now that we are getting older we’re becoming homebodies. My husband and I have enjoyed sitting on our patio the past few Saturdays while taking advantage of the beautiful weather. During the winter we went on a couple of Netflix binges. Those kind of date nights are just as good as going out I think 🙂
With 3 little kids we don’t get out much at all! And when we have plans it’s hard to motivate since I’ve usually been up since 5am and half the time have done a long run that day.
We are on a budget as well so I appreciate the ideas 🙂 staying up to watch a movie is pretty impossible for me. Gym dates sound fun wish we could do those!
Yes we don’t have kids yet which changes things a bit, but I guess it is just about finding something you can do together even if it is sitting outside and enjoying the weather once the kiddos are asleep 🙂
Good luck on your run this weekend – hope it’s a great one!
Saturdays are usually packed full of activities. Either long bike rides, races, going out with friends, enjoying the weather, etc. Today, I had a race in the morning, and then went to DC with the fam to see cherry blossoms and have dinner. Needless to say, I’m exhausted!