Coupon Queen: Budget-friendly date night ideas

There was a time when date night felt more like a complicated mission than a relaxing evening. When our boys were little, not only did we have to coordinate schedules and line up a babysitter, but we often wound up spending more on child care than the actual outing. This was tough when money was tight. Now that our kids are teenagers and well past the need for a sitter, date night has become something we can enjoy more freely and more often. That said, we still like to keep things budget-friendly. Lately, we've found a few simple ways to reconnect without overspending. One of our favorite recent date nights has been heading to Topgolf, but with a twist. Instead of going on a busy (and pricey) weekend night, we opted for a weekday outing. Topgolf offers half-price play Monday through Thursday when you book online, which instantly cuts the cost in half. We've gone alone and brought friends to reduce the cost further. We made it even more affordable by eating dinner at home first and just ordering an appetizer to share while we played. It still felt like a fun night out, just without the full restaurant bill attached. Another easy win? A weekend movie date — just earlier in the day. We recently caught an afternoon showing at Phoenix Theatres in North Olmsted. Not only did we save with matinee pricing, but I also found their prices are a bit better than those at the other theaters near us. Even better, they offer a free small popcorn with any purchase when you use a coupon on their website (you must print the coupon). You can upgrade your popcorn to a larger size for a few extra bucks. We also skipped the online ticket fees by purchasing our tickets at the theater. It's a small savings, but those little choices add up over time. And then there's one of our simplest strategies: letting the deals come to us. Often, when deciding where to grab dinner, I'll look through the emails I get from restaurants and let those offers guide our plans. One of our go-to spots lately has been Ruby Tuesday, which regularly sends out buy-one-get-one dinner deals. They also run daily specials, such as burgers and fries for $6.99 on Tuesdays or an endless garden bar lunch for $7.99 on Wednesdays. Keep in mind that daily deals can vary by location, so check your restaurant before you go. We also often frequent a local restaurant called Dawg House Bar and Grill for their weekly wing night special. We've been coming to this bar and grill for years, and it's always great to walk in and feel like family. No matter where you choose to eat, it's worth signing up for emails from your favorite local restaurants. You might be surprised how often a great deal lands right in your inbox. Date nights may be easier now than they were in those early parenting years, but keeping them affordable is still part of the fun. With a little flexibility and a willingness to plan around deals, it's possible to enjoy meaningful time together without the hefty price tag. This week's deal Here's a deal that you can grab at Dollar General. Mug, Crush, Starry, Schweppes, and Brisk 2 liters — 5/$5 Rachel Krych is passionate about helping others spend less and save more. In addition to her weekly column, she has a blog, Couponing With Rachel, which earns her compensation from Google for ads it places there, and from entertainment marketers whose promotional codes she touts. She doesn't write about entertainment in her column. Email her at rachelkrych@gmail.com.