Do you have fun every day? The kind of fun that Cyndi Lauper knew that girls wanted to have, although she chose to ignore the poor guys! The fun that makes you run out on a sunny day and play in the park with or without children? The type of fun that makes you crank up the stereo and go dancing through the house bellowing at the top of your lungs, despite the fact that dogs are howling outside? If you don't do this on occasion, you're really missing out! In fact, you could be self-sabotaging your everyday goals by not incorporating fun into your daily existence.
Fine, the market is turning around, if you choose to believe Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. I don't always take the word of a college dropouts or 80-year old Nebraskans, but I'll make an exception for these two with the caveat that the "economy" generally lags the stock market by 18 months or so. How does that help an unemployment rate* in the mid 9% range? Does it make it easier to make ends for you and me? Does it make relationships easier? No but it does make us get creative. This time around, consider window-shopping.
The economy has yet to rebound exactly how we expected. But we can persevere... with cheap dates. As part of our Fun And Free segment, we're suggesting movieoke. It's like karaoke but with your favorite movie scenes. How could this possibly be a bad thing?
In this bummer of an economy, it's nice to have some cheap date options. The kids from Footloose knew that one of the best cheap dates on the Earth is dancing. So, instead of wasting a bunch of dough, engage your Second Chakra and turn your living room into Dance Party USA. Your relationship may just thank you.
Let's face it: The economy may be improving, but blast that lagging economic indicator—unemployment is around to stay, at least for a little bit. And while you may have plenty of time on your hands, the reality is that, more likely than not, your pockets will be a little bit emptier than desired. Never fear, necessity is the mother of invention! And there are plenty of ways you can save money on a date (without looking like a cheap skate). Clever, low-cost date ideas will get you out and about in the world with your sweetheart and allow you to get to know each other better than any fancy-schmancy dinner could ever facilitate.
Try putting together a his-and-hers online journal.
The blog is a great way to express feelings, seek advice and generally make your mark on the world. If the medium works well for singles, why not try it for couples? Writing down thoughts and feelings is a good way to crystalize them and writing down events is a good way to memorialize them. So, c'mon and give a his-and-hers blog a shot. I can't be any weirder than being friends with your parents on Facebook.
For a great, cheap date, get creative and get artistic.
In our fun and free series of great, cheap date ideas, we're taking a turn for the creative. Why go to the movie theater when you can make one at home? Instead of spending on art and entertainment, create your own.
The Swedish furniture store sparks some great, free date ideas.
Ikea allows its shoppers to use their childcare services while shopping. Some shoppers use this service a little less than scrupulously and just take the time to cool out without their kids. That means that a number of other businesses just have to be doing something similar. Your next fun and free date may involve taking advantage of one of those programs.
Need a gift idea? Try coupons, but keep them specific.
In this bummer of an economy, gift ideas are just as hard to come by as date ideas. Instead of purchasing yet another thing that you don't really need, try coupons.
Language lessons are relatively cheap and a great way to bond.
Learning a new language is hard but it can be quite rewarding. It is much easier when you have a partner dedicated to giving you a hand. So, for a nice, ongoing, cheap date: try language lessons. From Rosetta Stone to your local community college to a willing native speaker, there a plethora of ways to pick up a new and exotic dialect. It may bring the two of you closer and it will definitely expand you brain.
