Find less expensive things to do for when your cash is short.

Going out is great. However it is very expensive. You need to have things set back that don't cost much or are free for those times when you funds are a little short. Things like wonderful art parks or museums are great places to have a date that don't cost anything. The important thing to remember is the value comes in just being with that special person. I would much rather take a wonderful walk where we can converse then go to a crowded club where all we can here is the loud music. No matter what your economic status you should always keep your eyes open for these inexpensive things to do. That way when a criss arrises or it's rent week you don't have to avoid your lovers interests and can surprise him/her with a wonderful day that doesn't break your bank.

The time is right.

The time is always right for a wonderful time together. Take what you have and make the best of it. So what if you don't have a lot of money. Take a wonderful walk together, or rent a movie and make popcorn at home to get your dating in. Build a relationship first and then when the money starts coming in you can make up for those dates where you had to just walk together. Just don't dwell on the fact that you finances are not the best. Work around your monetary situation and move on with the love.

No way Garage Selling is romantic!

Garage sales are one of the very last things I think about when I vision romance. Riffling through other peoples juke that they are selling for pennies doesn't even sound like fun to me. What however if you could make these garage sales pay for your date nights or vacations trips? Now they are starting to get a little more interesting. Think about it this way say the two of you start hitting a garage sale from time to time. You both look for things that you think are priced way to cheep maybe it's clothes or trinkets it doesn't matter. Look for things you can at least triple your money on. So if you buy it for a quarter you should be able to sell it for seventy-five cents. Once your bargain hunting starts to build and you get enough stuff for a sell of your own then have one. With all the money you are going to have you should be able to go out for a wonderful evening and if your really lucky use the money for a vacation. Make sure to keep track of how much you spend on all the items and price them accordingly so to not loose track of your goals. Heck you might even find out this can be a very profitable venture for the romance in your life.

Making it easier to be apart.

There are times in our relationships when we have to be apart for extended periods of time. These are not easy on our relationships. It is important to express you love before you leave for this time apart. Think of it as making up in advance for lost time. You have to look at it as trying to fit part of your relationship that you are going to miss into the time frame before you leave. For example if you normally have a date night every Friday night then you need to try to slip in two date nights the week before you leave. Same goes for sex you need to put a little extra effort into your intimacy before you leave. This makes the leaving easier on the partner staying home because it shows that you are going to miss the time together, also. Then the same thing goes for when you get back, which always seems a little easier. Your relationship shouldn't have to suffer because you have to be gone. Doing it right can build your relationship stronger. Being apart allows you to have some alone time and it also can build desire as you anticipate the return home. Use the time apart as a building exercise instead of a absence.

love like there is a tomorrow.

We always here that you should love like there is no tomorrow. However when you are early in a relationship that might be the case. In a new relationship you should love like you have a future together. Not so much as you start to scare the other person. For example don't talk about getting married on your first date! Do talk about the next date though to see how the other person feels. Say things like, "Well if we go out again I would like to take you (insert place here)" if you are greeted with a "That would be nice" then you chances are good for the second date. Especially in the early stages of a relationship make reference to the near future quite a bit. Talk about things you would like to do during the summer or on vacation, and include the person you are seeing in on those plans. The worst they can say is I can't do that or I won't have vacation time then. By using this technique this person will see that you can be a long term partner plus it also allows them to see that you are in this for a commitment so if they are not looking for this it is an easier time to get out. Yes as our relationships grow we want to live like there is no tomorrow but until we know we want to spend the rest of our life with that person take it a little slower.

Get your relationship back into shape.

We all have problems keeping the extra weight off during the holidays. All the extra food and drink can really make it hard for you but as soon as the holidays are over most people begin some type of regimen to lose the extra pounds tacked on at this type of year. What about your relationship? Does it take a back seat during the holidays, because you have so much to do. I mean it is hard to call shopping and rushing around from family to family any type of date. Now is the time to put your relationship back on the front of your to do list. Take a weekend and reconnect with your partner, get a hotel room, find some exciting things to do and spend the evenings making love. Put all your effort into impressing the person you love, because even though you most likely bought them several wonderful presents how much time did you really take away from them during the Christmas experience. I know I spend time wrapping presents, shopping, and visiting family that I would have spend being with the person that makes my heart sing. So now it is the time to revisit and fall in love again.

Another Great Romantic Movie

Adding another great romantic movie to your collection is a great idea. One of my favorites (as always with a little comedy) is "50 first dates". Staring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore it is a story about a young lady that loses her memory everyday so the suitor Adam Sandler has to get her to fall in love with him each and every day. It is a hilarious romp through some beautiful scenery. Don't miss this one it will make you laugh and cry and then laugh some more.

Journal great events in your relationship

Journaling is a great way to remember and sort things out. Why not do this in our relationship also? You can call it a diary but for the men we will call it a journal. Jot down short notes to make you remember things as the happen in your relationship. This such as the first kiss, or experiencing something for the first time are great suggestions. You partner will be amazed when down the road you can remember things about the early part of your relationship. With each entry make sure to include the date and anything that would stand out to you. You can also include things like what both of you were wearing or if your partner looked especially nice on this evening. Write down things that make you love your partner even more, like if they help an old woman cross the street, or just playing with the kids. Then when you partner asks you "Why do you love me" you have plenty of ammo to fire at them. Unfortunately some times we forget little things that mean so much, but with journaling these memories are just a page turn away.

A Date at the Zoo?

Looking for somewhere to take a date when you are first starting to date. Out to dinner is nice but a little to rigid, clubs are great if you don't want to hear what each other is saying. Here is a great idea that might just show a little of your sensitive side. Take your date to the zoo. The zoo has lots of things to look at and the atmosphere is relaxed. You can take your time and wander around giving both of your plenty of time to talk. You also get to see if your date is comfortable around children and crowds. The zoo is also a great help in starting conversations as their are several animals to talk about and give you opinion on. Find out what each others favorite animal is and if the date goes well you could send your date a little stuffed animal of their favorite for a little added romance. Pick a day when the kids are at school so the crowds might be a little smaller and plan on spending the day there, no rush just walking and talking and viewing. In my opinion this is one of the less stressful dates you can go on.

Mark those Anniversaries.

One thing that will definitely show how romantic you are is to make sure you celebrate anniversaries. If you are in a new relationship it may sound a little silly. Showing someone that the days you met or your remember your first date will definitely impress your partner. Big anniversaries like the ones associated with weddings are a no brainer, if you don't remember them then you have a problem and your partner will most likely let you know that. However if you can just get a little care on the anniversary of your first date, you will get mega brownie points. For those of you about to embark on your first date with someone and you even remotely hit it off, make notes of the date. Write down things like what they were wearing, songs that you heard, the place that you ate, then in a couple of years if you are still together that will be very impressive. Don't trust your memory, it can fail you when you need it.

One the other hand don't over due it. That will only make you look like a weirdo. If you give them a card for the first time you took a walk together you partner might be wondering why they are with you in the first place. For the major anniversaries go all out and if you are on a fixed budget then work around it. Where there is a will there is a way. Get cheap flowers at the discount store and put them in a special vase, cook them a special meal, or just go on a long hand in hand walk. Those are the things that are important in a relationship. Sure jewelry and sports tickets are nice but they are fleeting but gazing into someones eyes at a sunset last forever.

Moving Day!

You know even when you are moving you can find things that are romantic. Finding old pictures or keepsakes you have forgotten about can bring back a lot of fond memories. So as you rush to get everything done make sure to set some time a side to look over these items. Include your partner in on this and maybe make a date of it after the moving is done.

Recreating Dates

Do you have a special date that you still remember - one that stands out from most of the rest of your dates? Well, I think it is time to recreate that date. Sit down and write all the things you can remember about that special date. It might be the date your partner asked you to marry him/her or your first date. It doesn't matter. Try to remember the little things such as what songs did you hear, who did you see, were there any other people with you. Obviously, the big ones will be where did you go or at what restaurant did you eat. Sit down with all your information and start to put the events in order to the best of your recollection. You might have some challenges. It may be that the place you went for dinner is now out of business or the bar you went to is now a Starbucks. If some of these changes make it impossible to recreate the exact date, then use a substitute. If the dinner was at a pizza joint that is no longer around, just substitute another pizza place. You might want to scope out some places to find the one that most reminds you of the one from the past. Once you have all of your pieces together and places picked out it's time to ask your special someone out. Ask him/her if he/she remembers the date where you two did this and that. If he/she doesn't, don’t worry. Just tell him/her it is a date you remember, and hopefully, it will jog his/her memory once it begins. On the night of your date actually pick him/her up. You get ready first and then go drive around or something until the correct time to pick him/her up. It sounds kind of corny, but do you remember the butterflies in your stomach standing on the porch knocking on the door. Once he/she answers the door you are now back in time and on that date all over again. Enjoy it for the second time. I know some couples that have been doing this for a long time.

One that I know goes to the same restaurant, where he purposed to her, on their anniversary every year. I also know a couple that met at a concert, and whenever that band is anywhere in the area they make sure to go see them (It's great that they let some of the bands out of the old folks home long enough to put on a show or two). I have also heard of people going to sporting events to recreate dates, parks, doing the same vacations, the list goes on and on. I actually have some friends that go to the same hotel every year and even get the same room, they book it a year in advance before they check out.

This might all sound silly to some of you, but remembering your past good feelings never hurts a relationship, and this is a great way to rekindle anything you might have lost since that special date.

Don't for Anniversaries or Birhtdays.

Just a note to everyone DON'T FORGET ANNIVERSARIES OR BIRTHDAYS. Nothing says I could care less about you then forgetting these important dates. Now a days you have no excuse for forgetting either. You can program it into your cell phone, computer, iPod, television, and even your alarm clocks. So there is absolutely no reason, with the exception of amnesia, for you to forget. You can only use the amnesia excuse once anyway. Now do whatever it takes to remember these events.

One a side note make sure you don't celebrate these events on the wrong day either. My mom once called me and sang Happy Birthday to me, when it was my sisters birthday. She was quick with an excuse though saying she miss dialed the phone. Good one mom. We get a good laugh about it now, however.

Remember these days are special for a reason. You need to put effort and time into them. I understand sometimes they don't fall at the best times. So that is when you have to let your partner know that you will be celebrating later. You don't have to spend a lot of money on these special occasions like the old adage "It's the thought that counts" Heck a card and a back rub works wonders.

The Double Date

Stop for a moment. I already hear you sighing, "Not a double date". I know all the feelings you’re going through. Maybe you can't stand her friends and she wants to strangle yours, and you don't want to waste an evening listening to either one of them. You don't want to be stuck without transportation, and what if you can't agree on anything to do. Well stop whining. First of all, both of you need your friends. This is very true, and maybe they won't make the best double date candidates. It is time to find some friends that fit with your relationship. Couples that have another couple that they are close to can make a special bond that might last a lifetime. Look around there might be a couple closer then you think that you would enjoy spending time with. Look for common interests. If you have children, look for parents of your children’s friends. They most likely will be close to your age, and obviously, if they take interest in their children, you will end up at a lot of the same functions.

When you find a couple that seems to fit the bill, ask them to do something in a group setting such as having a BBQ or joining you at a friend’s party. That way you can see if you get along outside of you other realms. Find something you can pair off with them and do. At a BBQ you might play ladder ball or horse shoes with the other couple to see how they interact with you. After spending some time with them get with your partner and see what she/he thinks about them. If both of you don't agree, then start over again looking for another couple to hang with. If you both seem to like spending some time with them then maybe it is time to see if they would like to go to dinner with you or to a local bar or coffee house. Find out about each other and what your likes and dislikes are. This will help you find something else you can do together sometime.

Having another couple you can count on is a big plus. If you get to know each other well, you could even help each other out in other ways - such as, taking turns watching the kids so you can have a night out. Maybe sometime you would need their help in an emergency situation. If you don't have any family around, they could keep an eye on your house while you were on vacation. Yes, the double date is a pain sometimes, but sometimes it can lead to a great relationship that will last a lifetime.

There are some web sites out now that match couples up to do things just like the dating sites, make sure you are extra careful if you want to use one. Make sure that everyone knows what you are expecting. You don't want to be sitting with a couple of swingers asking when you are going to swap unless you’re into that. If you have a couple that you are already friends with, you are lucky because they can be a great source of help no matter what you need them for. It's like having extra family around.

Now let me pull a rabbit out of my hat..

Here is an idea to help the two of you decide what to do. One day get together and put all the things you like to do down on slips of paper. Make one pile for places to eat, one for things to do, and one for intimacy levels. The first pile of place to eat should be a complete list of places you have eaten in the past year. The second pile should be a complete list of thing you love to do weather together or not. The third pile is the intimacy level and it should include four different cards. The first should say low level intimacy, the second warm level intimacy, the third hot level intimacy and the fourth should say steamy intimacy.

Next find, or go purchase and item such as a hat to mix the papers up in. Now the next time either one of you says "What do you want to do" head over to your hats and draw one paper from each hat. First one will tell you where to go eat that night, the second will obviously tell you what you will be doing, and the third will tell you the intimacy level you will be having this night.

In the intimacy department I would like to clarify my feelings on the levels. You can set your own but hers is my take. Low level would be taking a walk holding hands, maybe a night out slow dancing, usually low levels of intimacy would take place in public. Warm level intimacy to me would be snuggling down on the couch, kissing, building a fire and enjoying some wine in front of it. Now with the hot level we would begin to incorporate sex into our equation. Hot level to me would include slowly making love to each other, romantic naked massages, and passionate kisses. Once we hit the steamy level their are no holds bard, to me this includes, role play, maybe a little bondage, oral sex, and of coarse trying some different positions. Again you can set your own levels. Just make sure they hit all levels of intimacy.

Now here is the kicker once you pick a paper out it cannot go back into the mix until the hat is empty. No exceptions, you have to experience all the levels to truly appreciate all of them.

Theme Night

Looking for something fun to do. Make a them night date. Pick a ethnic category and then based the whole night around that. Say for instance you pick Mexican. You could do dinner at a Mexican restaurant, find a place that plays Mexican music to go dance at and to top it off find a place that serves flan for dessert. Other ideas could be Italian dinner with spaghetti and meatball, go see a gangster movie or rent the sopranos, and top it off by speaking in an a Italian accent all night. As I always say do a little research on your subject and make it fun and exciting for the two of you. Get your partners input also they might think of something you wouldn't have. You could even use specific places in the United States such as a Texas them with western flair, or Hawaiian theme with tiki torches and pineapples.

You could make it like a party and do a murder mystery theme, and the caper is you go see a thrilling movie. A casino theme might be another idea and the big finale would be a trip to Vegas. You are only limited to your imagination.

Get choosy over Movies

Okay, so it's your turn to choose the movie for your date! So what it gonna be - the shoot ‘em up movie or the slap stick comedy? Before your Neanderthal mentality kicks in, and you pick the most macho movie you can find, think of where this can lead. Look at your relationship. Are you at the beginning of it or have you been married for 20 years? What are your plans after the movie? Are you going to dinner, out to a club, or are you hoping to venture back to your place for a more intimate setting? Take all of that into consideration. Get a newspaper or get on your computer and find out which movies are playing near you. Scan over the times of each movie and eliminate all the ones where the time just doesn't work out for your date.

Now comes the pondering part of the movie selection process. How do you want this movie to affect your date? I can see you now with that glazed look in your eyes thinking, "I just want to see a movie.” Okay, I will make it a little simpler for you. Let’s say you are going to dinner after the movie; you don't want to see a gory movie as it might ruin your appetite. The stupidly funny movie might lead to way too much laughter during the main course. In my opinion, the best movie to see before going to dinner is one that will strike up great conversation - a thriller or a movie with twists and turns in the plot. Let’s say you are headed out to the club for dancing and drinks. My choice of movie would be a great comedy. You know - the ones with stupid lines and the comedy is right in your face. This has double the impact as one it gets you ready for fun while dancing at the club. And a bonus is if you’re not a good dancer, you might be able to imitate the movie on the dance floor and get some chuckles from your date. You can also quote silly lines form the movies to each other. If you are drinking alcohol they get funnier and funnier. Now let’s say you want to head back home for some alone time after the movie. You have several choices - the first being the horror film. Your partner might jump into your arms and want to be held. However if you’re a little jumpy this might back fire on you. A romantic comedy might do you well as it will take the edge off the date and still promote kissing and other stuff. An adventure movie might do you well as it gets your blood pumping, and might lead to some role playing at the homestead.

So don't just choose the movie you want to see the most when going on a movie date. Take some time and think about the outcome - no not of the movie but, of the later activities. One more thing before I leave you, sometimes the best movie to see is one that no one else wants to see. “Why?” you might ask. Well, you just might have the whole theater to yourselves!!

Click on the title line to go to Fandango and pick your movie for tonight.

Start a Conversation!

We hear it all the time conversation is a key to any relationship. Well next time you are just hanging out with your partner start a conversation. This sounds really simple but the secret is to find a topic that is discussable not just "What cha doing". Go online, I suggest USA today online, you can get there by clicking on the title above. Pick something that interests you or you think might interest your partner. Then just bring it up in casual converstaion. You can do this at the dinner table or even in bed before you go to sleep. Good conversation is like good foreplay it enhances the mood and improves the total of the relationship. Just remember that opinions are different for everyone so understand that and make it a point to try to find out why your partner feels the way they do about a subject.

For more information on Conversations in Marriage Click here

Notes

A great way to let your special someone know you care is to drop them little hints from time to time. In this day and age there are so many ways you can do this. I will go over a few with you now.

First of all, there is the classic note written on a piece of paper and put somewhere for your love to find later. The places you can leave these notes are limitless. You can put the note in his/her underwear drawer, on the mirror while he/she is taking a shower, in his/her briefcase, in the pocket of his/her pants, on his/her soda can in the fridge, or if he/she does the laundry put it in the dryer. I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture. You always want to make sure he/she gets the note when you're not around. Not only does this add to your romantic status, but it gets your partner thinking about you when he/she might not normally be. The basic notes are great. You can use a regular sheet of paper or one of my favorites is to use post-it notes. They are just big enough, and can stick to those things that might not be normal in size.

As I mentioned above, in this day and age there are a multitude of ways to get someone a note. With your computer you can email that special person your sentiments or you can get online and find some companies that have special egreeting cards. Yes, some of them you have to pay for, but if you really hunt you can find free ones. If your love uses the computer at home, you can just open up a Word page and type your message. Leave it open. Your note will be displayed when that special someone first moves the mouse. Computers, along with the Internet, have an unlimited supply of ways to send messages. So don't be shy - get online.

When I think of all the advances in technology the one that I think is best for sending little notes to your love is the cell phone. For starters you always have it with you and it is quick and simple to use. You can even use the voice mail feature and leave your love a voice recording telling them how special he/she is. However, my favorite feature of the cell phone is the texting option. You just type in your message, send and bam your love is reading the message no matter where he/she is. You can send steamy messages when he/she is in a board meeting, knowing he/she probably cannot answer at that moment, but you can almost feel the smile gracing his/her face as he/she reads your message. Texting can also let you note back and forth with replies, which can lead to a virtual game of tag.

No matter which way you love to do your notes, the underlying messeage is the same. You are trying to make someone feel special! Email us with the interesting ways you get your point across to your loved one. We would love to hear them.