Living Simply: Date Night

     If you've been finding ways to free up your schedule and save money, you may find yourself able to plan and do a date night with your spouse or significant other. But with a minimalist style of living simple, what does date night look like? Well, first off, it doesn't have to be a trip to the fast food place down the street and hitting the dollar menu. If it's planned, and intentional, and you've saved for it, then it could be more expensive experience tickets like live theater or a concert. The choice is up to you - but if you want some ideas whether just for something new to do, or to simplify date night, here's some ideas to get you started.

1.  Do you both like to cook? Find a "restaurant secret recipe" online from either your favorite restaurant (or type of restaurant) or your favorite dish (ever make Chicken Cordon Bleu or a Beef Wellington before?). Shop for the ingredients, just be mindful of what's worth spending money on before you pick your desired dish. Learn to make it at home together.

2.  When was the last time you went bowling? or threw darts? or shot pool? Do one of those activities that you used to do back in the day but don't anymore. Maybe you'll remember how much you loved it. This can apply to anything - roller or ice skating, fishing, hiking, etc.


3.  What about inviting your favorite couple over and having a 4 person game night?


4.  Is there a beautiful park, beach, walk by a lake or pond, or any place to walk within a reasonable distance? Go for a walk together. I sometimes drive a few miles away to a large, gorgeous park with a

5K trail around it.

5.  Mini Golf anyone? or Go carts?

6.  Is there some cute little cafe to grab coffee and a treat, then walk the streets around it?

7.  Take a class together - cooking, making your own beer at home, scuba diving, gardening, etc.

8.  Check out Groupon for deals in your area. Just click on the link.

9.  What about a surprise picnic? Any little spot out of the way works, even in the middle of the woods after biking or four-wheeling in.

10.  Volunteer together someplace and help brighten someone else's world.