Spending Time Together For Less

Parents can often get bogged down in the routine of changing nappies, making up bottles, chaperoning sleepovers, being a taxi service and generally being parents;  which is fine because we love them.  However, having children can mean that you aren’t able to spend nearly as much quality time with your partner as you’d like, and when you do have some time to yourself it’s hard to find activities that you can enjoy together that don’t cost the earth. It’s all very well finding the time to spend together but how do you make it a special occasion without breaking the bank?  Here are a few fun activities that you and your partner could engage in that won’t cost the earth…

Order In

Instead of going out to a fancy restaurant, why not order food in? Ordering food to be delivered is cheaper as you won’t be overcharged on drinks and overpriced deserts.  You can also save even more money by going to pick up your meal yourself.  A takeaway is a great accompaniment to a movie night. Why not gather a few films that you watched when you first started dating and snuggle up in front of the TV and order a curry or a pizza.  You can now make some fantastic savings by using Dominos pizza vouchers or Pizza Hut discount codes.  Plus, no one has to do the washing up!  

Cycling/Hiking

Leave the kids with their grandparents and get back to nature.  Cycling is a fun, active and free activity that is definitely underrated. Not only are you burning a few calories but it’s an excellent way to be able to get some peace and quiet and get to know each other again.  There are hundreds of hiking routes around the UK which you can use to visit your favourite views.  The UK has some spectacular scenery which you can access more quickly by taking a bike ride.  Similarly you could also hike if you haven’t already got decent bikes. Walking to a specific destination can create a real sense of achievement and can also be quite romantic.  Best of all- it’s free. 

Studio Audiences

Ever wanted to be in the audience of one of your favourite TV shows? Some people don’t realise that being an audience participant on a TV show is free as well as being extremely easy to acquire tickets.  You simply sign up to audience participation sites and choose your favourite shows and apply for tickets that are within a reasonable distance to where you live.  The website will then email you with your tickets if they’re available at no cost and you can go along and enjoy the show.  This is an excellent day/night out and there is a strong possibility that you could meet some of your favourite celebs.  Sign up to sites like http://www.applausestore.com/ and see what TV programmes you could be an audience member for.

Visit Places of Interest in Your Town

If you live near a city it’s unlikely that you take the time to visit the places that tourists travel miles to see. Take the day to explore any museums, art galleries or historic monuments that reside close to where you live; you may be surprised on what gems lie on your doorstep. Most places of this nature won’t have an entrance fee, perhaps just a donation box.  Make a day of it by packing a picnic and find a local park to eat in.

Student Music Events and Shows

Near enough every university or college has a drama and music department full of budding young musicians, actors and performers.  These upcoming artists will regularly hold talent showcases and plays which will be free to watch. Obviously you’re not going to get the same quality as you would in the West End, but some amateur productions can be extremely entertaining and will cost very little.  Get listings from your nearest university’s website and see if there is anything that tickles your fancy.

Written by Matthew Coughlan from the moneysupermarket.com shopping & vouchers team