Frugal Romance-Chores

Of the two of us, I am definitely the cleaner half of this couple. I'm not a neat freak, but I don't like clutter, and dirtyness gets to me before it gets to my BF. He goes out of his way to make an effort, but I probably do more deep cleaning and maintenance than he does.

But over the last few weeks BF has been doing a lot of little things around the house that really make me happy. Last weekend, he cleaned the whole kitchen, including the stove, sink, counters, and floor (not to mention the stack of dishes in the sink). He took out the trash. Another day I came home and he had vacuumed the floors.

Yes, this is part of living together. We both work full-time, so we both do chores. But I know that he went out of his way to do extra because he knows it makes me happy. And it spurs on more good deeds. I did a load of his laundry while he was at work last weekend, because I know how nice it is to have something done for you. I cleaned up before he got home from work this week, and he did the same by doing the dishes almost everyday (which was AWESOME.) I think it gets me more excited to have cleaning done for me, but he was pretty stoked about his laundry.

So, as an act of service and romance, pick your partners least favorite chore and do it for them. And there's nothing wrong with letting them know you did it for that reason! Maybe it will start a chain reaction in your household too.

Frugal Romance-The Mail

As I've mentioned several times, BF and I live together as of a few months ago. Yesterday while he was at work, I checked the mail and saw a card addressed to me. I opened it and saw that he had written and mailed me a greeting card.

I loved it!

Yes, he could have left it for me in the living room, but who doesn't love to get mail? :) The card was for no special occasion, just to say I love you. I thought sending it in the mail was a nice touch though. It made my day. If your significant other is the one who checks the mail, this is a fun surprise for them. And, if you don't live together it's a great way to say I love you. I would guess the card cost him a couple of bucks and he splurged on 44 cents for the stamp. Definitely frugal.

Frugal Romance: A Card for No Reason

I am not a morning person. I am very rarely late to work, but I do like the snooze button. So my mornings don't start out with a serene cup of coffee as I gaze out my window. On days when I work, I am usually running out the door, breakfast in hand, juggling what I need for the day.

This is why this frugal romance idea is so great. Occasionally I have rushed out to my car to see something under my windshield wiper. No, not an ad for a dry cleaner or tanning salon. A card from my boyfriend.

Usually it just says to have a good day or has a nice Hallmark sentiment that reminded him of me. My favorite one said, "Whether it's a good day or a bad day, it's always an I love you day." Awww. (Or barf. Sorry, this is kinda a cheesy series). And nothing makes me smile and changes the hectic tone of my morning like stopping to read a card before I start my car to head to work. I walk into school with a smile on my face and usually stick the card in my purse so I can look at it again later that day to get another feel-good boost.

I returned the favor when I went to Alaska without him. Before we left for the airport I stuck a card under his pillow for him to find that night. I used a blank card I already had, so this was essentially free for me. Most of the cards he buys me are around three bucks.

My dad used to leave notes for my mom on the dining room table before he left for work in the morning. He would write them on notebook paper, somedays drawing a heart or something else that I used to roll my eyes at when I was younger. But my mom still has some of those notes, and now that he's gone I know it means a lot to remember that. And as an adult, it makes me happy to realize that my parents loved each other enough to leave notes for each other.

So, take a moment to write a note or card to your significant other. Or to write a note of encouragement to a friend or family member. It's a small gesture that can go a long way.

Frugal Romance: $3 Flowers

I decided to do a series of posts (sporadically, because if you haven't noticed I am HORRIBLE at keeping up with a series of weekly posts. I'll post about what I want! My rebellious self whines, even though I told myself to do it. This paranthetical part has gone awry.)

I decided to do a series of posts on frugal romance. I am not generally a mushy person...no one needs to write me a poem (unless it's really good), and my cheap side cringes to think of spending tons of money on flowers. But, I do like thoughtfulness and in my experience the romantic things I've liked most have been pretty frugal.

So some of these posts will be romantic surprises I've received, some that I have given. But I think it's easy to not be thoughtful/romantic in a relationship, so hopefully these posts will be inspiration for those of you in relationships to make that little extra effort.

Today's idea: Flowers from Fresh & Easy.

I swear I am not paid to rave about Fresh & Easy (though if they want to pay me, I'm open to it). Right as you walk in the store they have a flower section, where most bouquets are 2/$6. They're not incredibly fancy, but when my boyfriend walked in the door a few weeks ago with sunflowers, it brought a huge smile to my face. He actually bought two bouquets and gave me flowers two days in a row. Very sweet, very fun, and cost not much more than a Starbucks drink.

Another example of frugal flowers is that on Valentine's Day he found a potted plant with three tulips in it. I saw the price tag and it was $3.49. Did I care? Heck no, I got flowers on Valentine's Day! I've spent many a V-day single (MANY), so getting flowers on that day was great.

So, next time you're at the grocery store, pick up some flowers for your significant other. Or pick them up for yourself. Because you're great and you deserve flowers.