[RomanSunburn]

My fiance and I are coming on to some hard times financially. I have a feeling we also won't get to spend much time together (I'm picking up a third job, and he's switching jobs at the very least). I want to make sure we stay connected as a couple and don't just start going through the motions of living together. If anyone has any tips on that, that'd be great. I'm also wondering if anyone has any ideas for cheap/free dates that will get us out of the house. I know we can get movies from the library and play board games, but I'd also like ideas of stuff do away from the apartment. There are free concerts and whatnot, but I have a feeling we're going to be very busy, and I might end up working during them.

Thanks all.

[Typo]

(((((((Ro ro))))))))))). What about a hike or a nice picnic in the park? Me and my bf like to go walk around the downtown area here and just talk and look around then go home and cook dinner together. I would keep an eye out for free days at museums or galleries. Maybe pick an area of town you aren't familar with and spend time exploring there. I wish you and your lovey the best!!!

[lizardlady]

Typo, beat me to my first suggestion of going for a walk or going to a park.

I don't know if you have a yard, but how about putting in a garden? If you don't have a yard you can grow plants in containers.

What about wandering around and window shopping? You can wander the streets and look in stores or go to a mall.

Check with your local parks and recreation department. They frequently have free stuff to do.

You said you were looking for things outside the house to do, but how about fixing a special dinner together? It would be like a date, but you wouldn't have to pay for a resturant meal.

What sorts of things do the two of you like to do together? From the sounds of your schedules it seems like you aren't going to have much time together. I focus on whatever you both like. The important thing is to make time to be together no matter how busy you get.

[RomanSunburn]

Thanks for the suggestions! My fiance's work has a community garden that we have two plots in (which, even if he does change jobs, I'm pretty sure they'll let us keep going to the end of the season). We both really enjoy going over there and working in the garden together. Sometimes we ride our bikes over. We also used to go for runs together, I think I might try to start that up again, or at least bike rides.

Maybe on Sunday we'll take a bike ride and bring a picnic. I've also had the idea of just going to a coffee shop (that's not too terribly expensive), because at the very least it'll get us out of the house!

We do cook dinners together, but I'm worried about our eating schedule because I might end up working through dinner time.

I think I'm mostly going to miss the "specialness" that comes with going out to a restaurant and then something fun afterward. Trying to figure out something we don't already do to keep things fresh...

Thanks for the ideas! If anyone else has any, I'd love to hear them!

[Typo]

Oohh coffeeshop is a great idea! Keep your eyes open some coffeeshops have live mic nights you could go see