Back in college when we were still dating, Matt and I would try to go out on a date about once a month. We saw each other every day as we lived in the same dorm building but going on an actual date was tough. We were starving college students after all. It was all about the frugal date night. We did a lot of free or cheap things like sub sandwiches at a local park (when it was warm enough) or go to a favorite restaurant, just for dessert. One of our favorite things to do was to go to Goodwill. It may sounds like an odd date but it was actually quite fun.
Β {photo credit: Goodwill via photopin (license)}
We would often wander the store together, looking for things we needed or just wanted. It’s actually how I found a pair of snow pants and we often found work clothes for Matt. But we also liked to split up. We would find the most outrageous thing we could then meet back up to compare our finds. There’s never a shortage of crazy things at thrift stores so it was always a fun game. Since we usually went on Friday nights, it wasn’t too busy either. That was a big bonus for us.
We would usually go out to eat later that night, often with a coupon or to a place we liked that was cheaper. But the main part of our date was the thrift shopping. Years later, when we get a weekend away, we still tend to go thrift shopping. Even if we do make a purchase, it is still a fairly frugal date.
Do you have a favorite, off the wall, frugal date night idea?
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Becca @ The Earthlings Handbook says
That’s my idea of a fun date, too! Now that I have kids, I particularly relish going to the thrift store without them to shop for clothes for ME!
One of our silly “dates” at home that’s actually a lot of fun is sorting our clothes for the next season. Part of the appeal is that we keep taking our clothes off–to try on other clothes. π
We also had a nice series of evenings together when we replaced our bookcases and therefore had to sort all our books. Deciding which books we didn’t need anymore showed us over and over again how much we share the same values.
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Julie says
Sadly, half the time we do go to the thrift store together without Abby, we are shopping for Abby because she isn’t there. lol
Nikki @ Growing Up Mom says
Great idea, I love going to the Thirft Store with my husband, especially without the kids. We took a day last year and found some cool stuff for the girls for Christmas (including a princess sleeping bag that was fitted for a bed, the big sis has been using it ever since). One way we have a low cost date night, is usually with friends, but a few times a year we head to a local Uno’s that has trivia every Sunday night in the bar area. They have inexpensive beers on tap that night for the hubby and I love their mango iced tea. We always look for coupons when we go to, plus if we happen to win, there’s a gift card in it for us.
Julie says
I always look for restaurant coupons too. π
Kim says
We like the oddball stuff too. In fact, we are planning to go to BJ’s (the warehouse store) tonight. We’ll pick up coffee but just have fun wandering the huge aisles too. Oh and our very first date ended with a jaunt around Walmart. It’s amazing the conversations that arise in off the wall for a date type places.
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Julie says
Have fun on your date! π
Crystal says
That sounds like a lot of fun. Especially finding the most outrageous things and comparing. You never know what you might find while browsing that’s for sure!
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momstheword says
We are frugal people too, and we were really tight when the kids were little. In fact, one time my hubby was out of work for nearly a year, and frugality took on a whole new meaning, lol! It became more than a lifestyle and instead was a necessity.
I just can’t get my hubby interested in Goodwill. You have no idea how often I have tried, lol! Oh, he will go there if he needs a costume (he is a full-time pastor but he and the kids do acting as a hobby on the side) but other than that, he just won’t go. It’s full of so many awesome things I don’t know how he can resist! π
As for a frugal date night, we live just up from a marina, and it makes a great place to grab ice cream and go for a walk. For us a date night is usually going to Costco or Sam’s Club, lol! π
Julie says
A trip to Sam’s Club can be fun too. π
JES says
This is still our families favorite outting! So many goodies to be found π Thank you for sharing this week on the Art of Home-Making Mondays!
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MM says
Great idea to do something frugal yet fun together as a date night! My husband and I love to take drives out into the country, and that has proven to be our best “dates” together. We often have quite the adventures on logging roads and finding new places to explore. Being creative keeps the fun and love alive in a marriage π Great post!
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Ingrid @ Fabulous and Fun Life says
What a great practical idea! I like the thought of both finding the most outrageous thing there and then comparing them!
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Julie says
It’s really quite fun. There is never a shortage of crazy stuff. π
Naomi@WhatJoyIsMine says
I am frugal thrifty gal. And I often love to browse thrift stores and some antique stores. I think its a great date night. Not to mention money is saved. Thank you for sharing your story at Monday’s Musings.
Julie says
Thanks for visiting!