Saving & dating

Keeping it fun!

A very smart person once said, "All work and no play is totally missing the point."

While planning your wedding is one of the most special times of your life, it takes a lot of work, a lot of time and a lot of money. It can also take a toll on your relationship. Take some time (and set some dollars) aside to spend time with your fiance and on the relationship, not just the big party. When planning your wedding budget, take into consideration date nights and the potential costs of spending quality time with your groom. While renting movies from the video store and staying in every night might sound easy, it can become dull and boring after the 10th time. Here are some ideas to balance your budget and plan unforgettable summer dates with your sweetie.

SAVING - Review your saving and checking accounts. You'll want to make sure you're maximizing your "interest-earning" power and not paying fees. Free checking accounts, interest-bearing accounts, "keep the change" program (these are GREAT!), and money market accounts with unlimited withdrawals each month are just some ways to save small amounts of money over time. Beware of find print!

Avoid ATM service fees that are associated with withdrawals. Banks are everywhere these days so it only takes a little extra effort to visit the drive-up teller of find the "free" ATM. When making wedding day purchases, check out online merchants. Sometimes they can offer exactly what you want at "better-than-retail" prices.

Create a game between you and your fiance to see who can save the most/spend the least each week. The winner gets to choose where to go on your next date, gets to choose the movie for movie night, chooses what's for dinner or gets complete control of the remove for an evening. The loser has to do the dishes, the weekly laundry or another household chore. Be creative!

DATING - Take advantage of freebies - there are several options throughout Chicago. The Museum of Contemporary Photography, the Newberry Library, the Chicago History Museum, Notebaert Museum and the Art Institute offer free admission on various days of the week. Check their website for free days and requirements.

Bars and restaurants such as Finn McCool's, Rockit's, Opera, 437 Rush, Cactus, Marche, The Melting Pot, Swirl Wine Bar, McCormick & Schmick's, Nine and Bella Lounge are just a few places that offer discount drinks, appetizers and dinner specials on special night of the week. And Chicago has so many more places such as this!! Take a stoll on Navy Pier and Michigan Avenue, or enjoy a picnic lunch at the Lake. The only major cost will be parking.

Stylechicago.com, Q101, The Loop Radio and www.halfpriceholidaydeals.com offer discount deals to Chicago theater, restaurants and other merchants. Visit some Illinois wineries or take a drive through Michican wine country. You'll be surprised with the quality of wines in the Midwest.
If planning a trip, use travel search engines. Purchasing airline, hotel and car rental is cheaper as a package deal. Don't forget to do some price comparisons on several different websites. Also, set a daily food budget so you done' over-spend "just because you are on vacation."

Enjoy!!