Who doesn’t love a good date night?

The average American spends $102.32 on a date, but some can cost as much as $300 or more! Over the course of the year, that really adds up!

Now don’t get me wrong, date night is certainly one of my favorite things because it’s a time that we can connect with the ones we love, unwind, and simply enjoy each other’s company.

For my boyfriend, John, and I, that usually consists of margaritas and burritos at our favorite Mexican restaurant, but every now and then, we like to step outside of the box and try something different. 

The good news is, date night doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, some of my favorite date nights didn’t cost a penny. That’s right, they were free!

I put together some of my favorite frugal date nights because I want you to be able to enjoy some quality time together without worrying about your wallet. 

Now I’m not saying you can’t go out all of the time, because believe me I love margaritas and burritos, but opting for a cheaper date night every now and then can really help you save some cash.

Date Night Ideas on a Budget

1. Watch a Movie

Now I know this one sounds cliche since the average date is “dinner and a movie.” I get it. Plus if you’re at home, in your jammies, on the couch, watching a movie, are you really doing date night?

If you’re anything like John and I, you probably watch TV together all the time, and if you have kids they’re probably are right there with you too. That’s not the kind of date night I’m talking about.

I’m talking about when you get on Netflix or you go to the local video rental store (old school, I know), and going all out. Make snacks, turn the lights off, turn the sound up, and most importantly no kids!

This is just you time; the two of you. If not, then it’s probably family time, not date night.

Then snuggle up on the couch, get comfy, and enjoy the show. The best part is, you don’t even have to leave your house, so you don’t have to really spend any money and you can wear whatever you want!

2. Go to a Local Farm

There are so many fun experiences you can have at a farm! 

Whether it’s fruit picking, going to a pumpkin patch, learning about honey, or tasting homemade cheese, the opportunities are endless. There is just nothing like a day in the great outdoors supporting the local community.

These are dates that John and I do all of the time. One of our favorite things to do in the Fall is go to a local pumpkin patch in someone’s backyard farm and across the street is their apple orchard. We end up spending a whole day pumpkin and apple picking for only about $40, which is amazing!

Plus there’s just nothing like fresh picked fruit and vegetables or freshly made cheese and honey!

3. Get Outside

It doesn’t matter what you do, just go outside. Most of the time, you can do this for free at local parks or even in your own backyard! At most, you should really only have to pay a small park entrance fee or for parking, depending on where you live. 

• Take a hike
• Go to the beach
• Build a snowman
• Go skiing
• Have a snowball fight
• Take a bike ride
• Have a picnic in the park
• Go for a walk
• Watch the sunset

Now I realize that some of this is seasonal and it’s much more difficult to get outside during some seasons than others. 

In Western New York, we have brutally cold and snowy Winters so we are pent-up inside a lot. But that doesn’t stop John and I from getting our cross-country skis out for a day or having a snowball fight. Sometimes you just have to get outside and get some of that vitamin D!

There’s nothing like feeling like a kid again, except maybe doing it with your best friend. The two of you can relive your childhoods together and make new memories at the same, all while saving money!

3. Have a Game Night

Take time to play and be kids again. Whether it’s board games, video games, or something like a scavenger hunt around town, do something together to really bring out the best parts of one another.

There is nothing like some good, clean, fun and genuine laughter every now and then. And best of all, it’s free most of the time! 

You won’t have to spend one penny on this date night because you probably already have at least some games at home.

Even something as simple as Googling some trivia questions and playing some online trivia can do wonders. It’s also amazing on long road trips to help pass the time! 

John and I like to play Song Quiz on our Amazon Echo. We see who can beat the other and what songs we know from each decade. John is very competitive so I usually end up losing, but that’s okay because it’s still just fun to play together!

4. Take Relationship Quizzes

This is one of my personal favorites because it’s something that lets you get so intimate with one another, and it really lets you connect and get to know each other all over again. 

Now, I’m not talking about some simple trivia questions. I’m talking about some deeper personal and relationship questions. 

John and I started doing this on date night after we got The Quiz Book for Couples as a Christmas present one year. We only did a few sections at a time, so it took us a full year to get through the entire book, but it was so much fun to learn things that we didn’t know about each other! 

Now, we’ve moved on to a new book, 101 Quizzes for Couples. I believe that taking some time to continue dating each other and connecting on a deeper level has really made our relationship stronger. 

Plus, you can save all the quizzes or books that are filled out. That will make such a cute momento when you get older and share them with your children, which is very sweet!

5. Camp Under the Stars (Even if it’s in the Backyard)

Depending on where you live, you may only be able to do this during certain times of the year, like Summertime. 

There is just something about being outdoors that brings a sense of peace. Plus, who doesn’t love a campfire and some s’mores? 

Taking time to unwind and having a night to yourselves can do wonders for your relationship!

Getting a tent setup and a fire going both require teamwork. You also get a chance to disconnect, eat some good food, and enjoy each other’s company without any of your normal distractions. 

I highly recommend the Ozark Trail 6-Person Instant Cabin Tent because it gives you enough room to stand up and move around, and have your kids in there also. You can also take the rain cover off and look up at the stars all night long through the screen roof.

You don’t need to go to the campground for this either! You can save money on a campsite, by just setting it up in your backyard. This way, you can have an amazing night together while still having access to the luxuries of home. Plus, you will have so much less packing to do, since everything is just a few steps away inside! 

6. Volunteer Together

Giving back feels great, but it feels even better when you are doing it with the one you love. 

Find a cause or charity that you both are passionate about and dedicate a few hours for your date night. You will love spending time together and helping others at the same time. 

John and I are huge animal lovers, so we like to volunteer at local animal shelters. We get to spend time together playing with dogs and taking them for walks. What could be better than that?!

Not only do we have a blast together, but we feel good knowing that we are helping the animals socialize and get exercise.  

It doesn’t only have to be volunteering at animal shelters though! There are so many causes, charities, and organizations that rely on volunteers, and any of them would make for a great date night. 

Feed the hungry, build homes for the homeless, help provide safe activities for children, the possibilities are endless. Just pick one, give back, and spend time together. 

7. Exercise

As someone who hates exercise, I have to say, this date is actually so much better than it sounds. 

There is something so motivating and subtly sexy about working out together. 

Not only do you get to push each other to be better, but you are getting an adrenaline rush and saving money at the same time. 

A lot of the time you can work out right at home outside, so you don’t even need a gym membership!

Believe me, there is no better feeling than achieving a new personal best with your best friend and biggest cheerleader by your side. Often times, John is the only reason I keep going when I want to quit! 

8. Get Nostalgic

This one is so much fun! You get to relive your glory days together and reminisce about all of the great things from your childhood.

Recreate your first date, look at your old yearbooks together, or even watch one of your favorite movies or TV shows from when you were younger. Do things to stir up memories and learn more about each other’s past. 

You might even come across of few surprises. I learned John’s never seen The Goonies before!

Best of all, you can usually do this for free, from the comfort of your own home! 

9. Watch for Deals

Groupon is a treasure trove of discounted activities that you and your partner can do together. 

Scroll through the deals every now and then and see if there is something that sounds fun or appealing to you. Whether it’s bowling, a cooking class, comedy tickets, or more local experiences (in WNY it’s usually winery/brewery tours and boat rides around Niagara Falls), there is something for everyone.

Often times, you can find deals for things that you might never tried otherwise, and those turn out to be some of the best dates. 

Spending a little one-on-one time during date night is important to any relationship. It gives you a chance to connect on a deeper level, have fun, and simply enjoy each other’s company. But it can get pricey! 

By getting a little creative, you can have an amazing date night on a budget. You don’t have to worry about your wallet, you simply need to spend some quality time together. 

Next time you’re planning date night, try some of these! I’d love to hear how it goes and if you have other budget-friendly date ideas!

The post 7+ Killer Ideas for a Budget-Friendly Date Night appeared first on Simple Socialite.

Waking up and not knowing what to wear is the absolute worst! Starting your morning with nothing to wear, or even worse, not being able to find what you want to wear is just a recipe for a bad day. I’ve experienced this far more than I would like to admit, but that’s why I follow these few simple ways to organize your closet!

If you’re anything like me you’re constantly running late. You wake up late after hitting the snooze button about 5 times and then you’re running around like a crazy person just trying to get out of the door in the morning.

The last thing you need is to open that closet door to see piles of clothes you have to dig through just to find something acceptable, and somewhat comfortable, to wear all day long.

Who has time for that anyway?

Organization has been a lifesaver for me, especially organizing my closet! It saves me both time and energy, and it makes everything so much less stressful because I know exactly where everything is and where it should be. Everything has a place.

When I started organizing my closet, my entire mindset changed. I’m now starting my days off with more clarity because my mornings have a lot less stress and I can really kick things off on a positive note. A clean and organized closet changed everything for me, and I know it can do the same for you too!

Simple Ways to Organize Your Closet

Step 1: Take Inventory & Purge

The first simple way to organize your bedroom closet is to take inventory of what you have. Knowing what you wear and what you don’t is key.

Then comes the hard part. You actually have to get rid of all the unnecessary clothes you don’t wear. I know no one really wants to do this, but trust me, it’s worth it!

My general rule of thumb is, if it hasn’t been worn it in the past 6 months or so, it needs to go.

Just freeing up space really can make all the difference in the world. Having less to look at when you open that closet door not only saves you time searching for something to wear, but it can actually make you feel better.

You might not realize it, but when you keep clothes that you don’t wear, you still subconsciously make a decision whether or not to wear them every time you look at them. We can only make so many decisions each day before we get overwhelmed and exhausted, and those clothes are wasting them!

When you decide it’s time purge, I highly recommend selling or donating whatever clothing you can. Just because you don’t wear it, doesn’t mean someone else won’t. Not to mention, you can make a few dollars and really help those in need. Both are win-wins and will make you feel good!

Step 2: Sort It

Now that you’ve purged some stuff, the next step is to sort it out in a way that makes sense to you. This might mean organizing it by what you wear the most often, by what type of clothing it is, or by something else entirely. The important part is that you sort it so you can quickly and easily find what you need.

I personally color coordinate my clothes. My closet mimics the rainbow where it starts off with pink and red and goes all the way down to purple. My boyfriend, John, on the other hand separates it by work clothes and everyday clothes.

It really doesn’t matter how you do it, as long as it works well for you. Everyone has their own best way to organize clothes in a closet.

If you’re not sure how you want to tackle this, I suggest finding the clothes that you go to time and time again, and put those in front. That way they are the first thing you see and they are really easy to grab.

One thing that I absolutely love is separating my pants from my shirts. In my closet, pants have their own section and shirts have their own. This way, it’s super clear what I’m looking at and what I’m looking for.

If I need to find a pair of pants, I can simply look at my pants. If I need a shirt, I just go to the section with all of my shirts. This way I’m not sifting through everything else just to try to find that one thing I need.

Step 3: Get Rid Of The Shoes

This is a tough one, but to be honest I would not recommend putting your shoes in your closet!

At least not in your bedroom closet that holds holds all your clothes.

For me, that was just too much. It was overwhelming, and honestly, it just ended up being a big mess at the bottom of the closet.

Instead, try storing shoes in their own space, like a separate closet, mudroom, or shoe rack. This way you can put everyone’s shoes in one central spot that’s easy to get to.

Taking all of the shoes out of your closet lets you really focus on your outfit for the day without other distractions. Plus, it’s just nice when you open your closet and there’s not a pile of shoes at the bottom staring at you in the face!

When it comes to it cleaning your closet, it’s pretty easy. Following a few simple ways to organize your closet does so much good for your day and your peace of mind.

One important thing to remember is that you don’t need fancy closet organizers or custom shelving for your closet to be in order. You just need to simplify things. Clear your clutter and organize it in a way that makes sense to you. Put things in places that are easy to see, so you can easily find the clothes you’re looking for.

I suggest trying to do this process every 6 months. If that’s not possible, you should at least do it once a year to stay on top of what you actually wear and to keep everything clean and organized. Putting it off will only build up extra clutter and can make the process more complicated when you finally get to it.

With these tips and your favorite glass of wine, organizing your closet will be a breeze and I promise you will feel so much better once it’s done!

The post Beginner’s Guide to a Clean Closet | Simple Ways to Organize Your Closet appeared first on Simple Socialite.

What’s the benefit of meal planning you ask? Why should you dedicate some of your valuable time just to plan what you are going to eat? It’s simple, the answer is, it can completely change your life!

How often have you come home after a long day only to be faced with the inevitable question, “What’s for dinner?” If you’re anything like me, that happens A LOT. You end up digging through the cupboards hoping you find something resembling a meal, you settle on take out, or even better yet, you break down and decide everyone is having cereal for dinner. Believe me, I get it. Dinner is hard work!

The good news is, I have a simple solution for you. Meal planning takes the guesswork out of things and lets you breathe a little easier. I have never been much of a “planner” but once I discovered the benefit of meal planning, my world changed and I know yours will too!

Benefit of Meal Planning #1: You Will Save Money

Gone are the days of wandering the grocery store aimlessly, buying whatever looks good. The biggest benefit of meal planning is that you actually have a plan and know what you need. By adding only the ingredients you need to your shopping list, you can avoid buying the things you don’t need.

Once you start cutting back on the unnecessary groceries, you will also start to realize that you throw away a lot less food. This is because you don’t have as much anymore, so a lot less goes bad before you have the chance to eat it.

What’s the point of having a lot of food if it’s only going to end up in the trash? That is literally throwing money away!

Meal planning alone is responsible for saving me about 25 percent, on average, on my grocery bill. When I started meal planning, I never thought I was overspending on groceries or throwing money in the trash until I saw how it affected my bank account. If you give meal planning a shot, I promise you will see some savings, just like I did!

Benefit of Meal Planning #2: You Will Eat Better

Meal planning lets you visualize exactly what you’re eating before you eat it. That’s something most food journals and fitness apps can’t do

When your week starts to look like, “tacos, burgers, pizza“, you know you need to break it up with a healthy meal or two. Soups and salads are some of my personal favorites when I’m in need of a healthier option. Not to mention, they are so quick and easy!

There will be no more of those inevitable nights where you come home, starving, and one of two things happen: you eat as much as possible of whatever you can get your hands on or you make the fastest possible dinner.

You can kiss the days of binge eating and cereal for dinner goodbye and say hello to a wholesome and balanced diet.

Although I can’t attribute any weight loss directly to meal planning, I can honestly say that my diet has improved, I eat less, and I feel significantly better. I bet you will too if you give it a shot!

Benefit of Meal Planning #3: You Will Relax More

Having more money and a better diet can make anyone feel great, but the peace of mind you get from having dinner pre-planned when you get home after a long day is priceless! It is utterly life-changing!

You never realize how much stress that one little decision of what to have for dinner weighs on you, until you don’t have to do it anymore. Life is all about enjoying the things that makes you happy, so having one less annoying little thing to worry about every day is definitely worth the extra five to ten minutes it takes to plan for the week!

If you haven’t guessed it by now, meal planning is very important and I highly suggest giving it a try. Who knows! You might just find even more benefits than saving money, eating better, and having more time to relax.

I know meal planning can change your life, because it changed mine too! If you need some ideas to get started with meal planning, I highly recommend rotating a six-week meal plan the way Elizabeth at Balancing The Bless suggests.

If all else fails, I promise you won’t miss hoping you have all of the ingredients only to find out that you don’t, and having to find something else to make, that’s for sure!

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