9 Summer Dates That Watch Your Bottom Line

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9 Summer Dates That Watch Your Bottom Line
Enjoy the dog days of summer without breaking the bank.
BY STEPHANIE GOLDBERG

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Splash around and get wet. Rent a kayak, hold on tight and have fun.

“ Opt for state parks versus privately-owned boating companies if you're in need of the lower end price, then grab your bathing suit, pack a lunch and make a day of it.”

Finding new and exciting things to do with your spouse can get hard after awhile. You begin to max out your ability to sit through one more movie or eat at one more chain restaurant. It also doesn't help that all of these activities can end up costing you a sizable amount that could and should have gone to bills. So what do you do? You can't just stop going on dates; they're a key way to keep the spark alive in your marriage.

To help you out, I've come up with nine summer date ideas—three for each time of day—that are low cost and fun.

Evening Dates:

Movies on the Lawn:
Check around at your local amphitheaters, museums or parks and see if any of them show movies on their lawn. These typically happen on a weekly basis during the summer and never cost more than $5 a person (if not, free). The best part is that you can usually bring along your own dinner and drinks, just be sure to check with the venue first before you throw three bottles of wine in your bag.

Go Stargazing:
Wait for a clear night and head out to a nearby open field. Grab a blanket and a few snacks and make a night of watching the stars. You can also be on the lookout for the next meteor shower. Just make sure that you're as far away from light pollution as you can get.

Camp in the Backyard:
This is a great option if you have little kids and need a night away or if you're just a big kid at heart. Go out and pitch a tent in your backyard, grill some traditional camping food and tell each other ghost stories. Then see what kind of 16-year-old fun you can get into.

Daytime:

Horseback Riding:
Horseback riding is a great way to get some exercise and learn something new. Look for stables in your area and find which ones offer trail rides. Some places can be expensive, so be sure to shop around and find a place that allows beginners to ride.

Kayaking:
No matter where you live, you can always find a nearby river or lake that offers kayak rentals. The price typically ranges from $5-$20 a boat. Opt for state parks versus privately-owned boating companies if you're in need of the lower end price, then grab your bathing suit, pack a lunch and make a day of it.

Window Shopping:
Or real shopping... Everything is on sale this time of year due to kids returning to school, so make the most of it and hit up a few of your favorite stores with your spouse. Just be sure to balance it out, so it's not all about you. Throw in a visit to a sex shop like Adam and Eve to keep them interested.

Bright and Early:

Yard Sales:
Summer is great for yard sale slumming. Keep a look out for neighborhoods in your area that feature large yard sale events. Then plan to get up early, bust out the cash and put on your best fanny pack. You never know, you may even find that antique, cherry headboard you've been looking for.

Watch the Sunrise:
Watching the sunrise when you were younger was so much easier, you just wouldn't go to bed. Now you end up waking up a lot closer to the time of the sunrise, so do one of two things: Find a weekday where the two of you can both wake up an hour or two early and catch the sunrise with a cup of coffee; or pick a weekend where you can get up even earlier and head out to a nearby lake, beach, or mountain where you can really enjoy it. Just don't forget the coffee.

Sunrise Yoga:
There's something to be said for working out in the morning. It's great when you can share it with your partner and even better when it's yoga. Find a local yoga studio or gym in your area that offers outdoor morning yoga classes and give it a try. You'll leave feeling energized and balanced. Snag some morning smoothies to finish it off.

Stephanie Goldberg is a sex and relationship blogger living and writing in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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