The Update

Frugal Date Night Ideas

When you and your partner are committed to budgeting, sometimes the romance can get backburnered. Expensive vacations or 5-star meals may be out of the question, but that doesn’t mean the spark needs to go out altogether.

Here are some great inexpensive date ideas to keep your partner and wallet happy:

Go on a Walk

A walk is a great time to take a break from screens and strengthen communication. Find a trail near your house or go to websites like AllTrails and Outdoor Project to find a challenging hike. Enjoy the fresh air and each other while being active. Estimated Cost: Nothing!

Play Tourist

When was the last time you and your partner visited ABQ Oldtown? Or Explora? Or Tingley Beach? Albuquerque has some great destinations that locals tend to forget about unless family or friends are visiting. A fun date would be taking your partner on a tour of the city, pretending you two are out-of-towners taking in the sites. Estimated Cost: $30.00

Coffee and Pastries

If you are saving for the future, going out to eat is usually the first thing that gets cut from the budget. Restaurants are expensive. Coffee and pastries at your local coffee shop is a cost-saving, fun alternative. It may also elicit memories of when you and your partner first started dating! Estimated Cost: $12.00

Take Your Furry Friends to the Dog Park

Dog parks are great, and Albuquerque has an abundance of them. Why not let your dogs tag along as a third wheel? They will get some exercise while you and your partner can get some outdoor one-on-one time. Estimated Cost: Nothing

Go to an Isotopes Game

There is something magical about Rio Grande Credit Union Field, home of the ABQ Isotopes. Taking in the sites and smells of local baseball if fun for everyone. Average ticket prices are around $27, but fans can sometimes find seats for as little as $9. If you'd like the chance to win free Isotope tickets, you and your partner should follow RGCU's social media accounts. We regularly give away tickets to games! 

Side note, RGCU members earn double rewards when they use their card at the ballpark, which applies to the refreshments you and your partner can share! Estimated Cost: $65

Hit up the Yard Sales

One person’s trash is another person’s treasure! Have some fun with your partner by hitting up the yard sale circuit. Budget before you leave and have a great time looking through all the gems your neighbors are selling. Estimated Cost: $20

All relationships have stages. If you and your partner are past the honeymoon stage and deep in the saving for the future stage, you don’t need to sacrifice romance. Keep your budget on track with frugal date nights and watch your relationship and savings account grow.