Making Frugal Fabulous: Finance Advice From The Budgetnista

Making Frugal Fabulous (Relationship Edition)

We’ve all heard the phrase “no romance without finance”. Well I’m here to tell you that, that saying is completely false! There are many ways to have and maintain a great relationship while simultaneously maintaining a responsible budget. With a little creativity, communication and compromise you can have more and spend less.

Here are 4 ways you can make frugal fabulous with your sweetie…

[fancy_header3 variation=”mauve”]Dating[/fancy_header3]

photo by photogen inc.

Whether it’s your 1^st date or 100^th date it is important to make it special. When planning a budget conscious outing with your honey, think memorable vs. money. Go for a picturesque walk at your local park with camera in hand, opt for ice cream instead of dinner, people watch in the center of the city, peruse your local fairs and festivals, bike ride, skate, picnic or spend the day at the beach. The key is to remember that the good time lies within the company you keep not the amount you spend.

[fancy_header3 variation=”mauve”]Gift Giving[/fancy_header3]

[singlepic id=5554 w=320 h=240 float=left]Successful gift giving begins way before the gift has been chosen, bought and delivered. Successful gift giving begins with a conversation in which gift parameters are clearly defined. Together you and your loved one should decide how much you want to spend on birthday, anniversary and holiday gifts. By doing so you will eliminate any inequity that may arise as a result of giving gifts. Here’s a hint, think less sparkle and more special. For example, create a photo album of wonderful memories, cook and transform your home into a romantic “restaurant”, or bake a cake. Lastly, ladies don’t underestimate the gift of underwear. Create a care package and fill it with underwear, socks and t-shirts, believe me he’ll love it!

[fancy_header3 variation=”mauve”]Travel[/fancy_header3]

[singlepic id=3436 w=320 h=240 float=right]This is the one category where you can’t avoid spending something, but how much is up to you. There are several ways you can save when you travel with your significant other. Use discount sites when booking your airline tickets, remember Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturday are the cheapest days to fly and the evening is the cheapest time, use fare watchers to increase your savings. You might want to also consider taking public transportation to your destination. Oftentimes trains are just as luxurious as planes and much less money. When traveling abroad consider accommodations with as many inclusions as possible. The less you have to spend on food, drinks, activities the better. Another option to travel is to take a mini vacation. Plan a weekend get-a-way in a neighboring city at a romantic inn or bed and breakfast. Spending time away doesn’t have to mean spending all of your money.

[fancy_header3 variation=”mauve”]Home[/fancy_header3]

[singlepic id=1876 w=320 h=240 float=left]If home is where the heart is, what would yours say about your relationship? Does it reflect the affection you and your honey have for one another? It should! Start one room at a time and look for inspiration in magazines, art, pictures, furniture and other visually stimulating things. Once the two of you decide on the design, work together to make it happen. Do your own painting (for additional savings, some hardware stores sell returned paint at a steep discount), hunt for furniture pieces at your local second hand store or redo donated pieces from family and friends. You’d be surprised how slipcovers, fabric, rugs and pillows can inexpensively transform a room. Can’t afford original art work? Not a problem. Use your camera to take pictures and frame them. Be creative print them in color or black and white. Create a gallery by painting one wall a bold color and artfully arranging several pictures on it. If there are small home improvement projects that you don’t know how to do, visit your local home improvement retailer. They often have free do-it-yourself classes and many of the employees can walk you through any project you have in mind. There is no longer any excuse for your home not to be something you and your sweetie can be proud of.

It’s my hope that you have come to realize that frugal is indeed fabulous especially in relationships. With a little time, effort and creativity you can increase the romance as well maintain the finance.