Date Night: How to make it happen when schedules are busy and money is tight.

{Last week’s middle of the week impromptu date night from a couple weeks ago. Handbag from T. J. Maxx.}

Chase and I have had a rule since the day we got married that we’d always do a weekly date night. We’ve both been influenced by our parents who set the example of doing regular date nights. They always stressed the importance of continuing to ‘court’ each other after marriage and taught us how imperative it was to take that time alone together each week. So Chase and I decided early on that we’d make it a priority to do that. And honestly, our weekly date nights have become one of my absolute favorite parts of our marriage. It’s so nice to go out with this boy I fell in love with and reconnect with him as my lover. Ya know what I mean? Yes he’s the man I share a roof and a bank account with and we divide and conquer on parenting duties and the daily tasks, yes. BUT, he’s also my dreamy, interesting boyfriend. He’s my trusted bestie. He’s the guy I want to talk to. He’s the guy I want to check me out. He’s the man I want to impress. Date night helps me turn down the noise of the daily minutia and turn up the volume on all of that.

Now, while we’ve done pretty well at hitting our weekly date night goal, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that life happening has made it more difficult. See, we had this wonderful thing called a baby, which equaled bye-bye flexible scheduling and hello tighter budget! Then husband took a new job which requires him to travel a lot more than his former role did. Woof. Still, despite the obstacles, we’ve found some simple hacks that have helped us keep date night alive even in the face of a busy schedule and a tighter budget…

Hack your busy schedule:

• Make it a quickie. No pun intended, but seriously date nights don’t necessarily have to last for hours and hours. If you’re battling with busy schedules, think of something short and sweet you can do together. Sometimes it’s quality, not quantity that counts.
• Don’t count out mid-week dates. Last week Chase and I went on an impromptu Wednesday night date (see pic #1!) because we knew it was the only chance we were going to have that week. It was spur of the moment and pretty short and sweet, but it was awesome! Then we did it again this week to go watch the Warriors game (see last pic). Mid-week dates – they’re a thing!
• Bring baby along. Sure, the ideal is alone time with your spouse, and I actually think that alone time is very, very important. BUT if it’s just not possible, don’t let date night fall to the wayside. Bring the babies along and make it a family date. Part of what you’re doing here is firming up the commitment that at least once a week, a date happens – whether it’s just the two of you or the whole fam.

{Date night last week with the other man in my life. Obsessed.}

Hack your tight budget:

• Spice things up by getting something new but affordable for your date night ensemble. Now obvi this isn’t necessary every time you go on a date, but it IS fun to treat date night like it’s something special and spring for a new item that makes you look and feel good. For things like this, my go-to is T.J. Maxx. I love T.J. Maxx for a million reasons, but the first reason is their prices and the second reason is the variety you find in the store. This solves for both the tighter schedule and the tighter budget because I can find everything I need in one place and all of it will be at an amazing price. All three of the handbags in these pics were from T.J. Maxx and I’m obsessed with all of them.
• Check deal sites for coupons and discounts. Chase and I have scored major savings  on restaurants and activities this way. OR, send the kiddos to the babysitter and stay in! The only time I don’t loathe cooking is when I’m doing it with Chase. It’s actually one of our favorite things to do together. And if you want to add a little bit of ‘special’ to it, T.J. Maxx has adorable housewares, home decor, and kitchen gear. My favorite plate set is from there!
• Get creative. Some of the funnest dates Chase and I have ever been on were also the least expensive. A great date night doesn’t have to be costly. I highly recommend trolling the internet and Pinterest for new ideas.

{Scored all these handbags (two of which are designer) from T.J. Maxx. That place is like a treasure chest.}

{Handbag from T.J. Maxx}

{Another mid-week date night with husband where we watched the Warriors game with friends. Handbag from T.J. Maxx.}

Shop the Look

FROM T.J. MAXX: Similar cobalt cross-body bag here & here | Similar white cross-body bag here & here | Similar white tote handbag here & here

And there you have it! Nothing too ground-breaking there, but these are the things that have helped Chase and I pull off regular date night even when schedules are crazy and the budget is tight. Date night is one of my favorite ways to spend time with the hubby. The most important thing is to commit to doing it.

So what are your thoughts you guys? Do you feel like weekly date nights are important?
How do YOU make them happen?

Be sure to check out T.J. Maxx for things that will make pulling this off easier! After all, what they say is true: maxx savings. maxx style. maxx life. Boom baby.

Have a Thrilling Thursday!

Thanks for reading.

Thanks to T.J. Maxx for sponsoring this post!