Staying Connected
From reunions to weekly date nights, ‘couple time’ doesn’t have to be costly.
by Ellie Kay
When I searched for my knight in shining armor, I never expected him to ride in on a jet. But alas, my knight was really a pilot named K-Bob and many years later, we have seven children. We have made 18 military moves and faced dozens of deployments, but we still try to keep “couple time” a priority, whether he’s deployed or at home. It’s hard — and sometimes expensive — to stay connected when you’re apart.
These tips will help you keep the spark without putting a dent in your budget.
WHEN YOU’RE APART
Webcam dates
Skype, Oovoo, Ojo. No, we’re not channeling Jar Jar Binks. We’re talking about free video conferencing sites. All you need is a microphone, but if you have a webcam, then you can have both audio and video for your phone calls. Be sure your military member is allowed this kind of access and that it’s not against any regulations.
Digital postage
Create several e-cards at once with digital photos of you and the kids, and space them out in advance to be sent on a weekly basis. You could take one hour and send enough cards to last the entire deployment. Check out Smilebox.com, a free site that lets you add your own photos.
Mix Tape Circa 2009
Download your spouse’s favorite songs on iTunes and burn it on a CD. He can synch it with his mp3 player or play it on his computer. Don’t forget the cheesy song only the two of you admit to liking together (Spice Girls “2 Become 1” anyone? Anyone?)
Time Out
Pick a time every day and set an alarm (on a watch, cell phone or iPod). When the alarm goes off, both spend a few minutes thinking about the other, knowing they are thinking about you as well. It’s the modern and premeditated version of your nose itching.
WHEN YOU’RE TOGETHER
TGI - Tuesday
You don’t have to show up for the early bird special to get a cheap meal. Quickly scan the living section of your local paper for weekly restaurant specials. You may have to eat out on a Tuesday instead of Wednesday, but it can save you $10 (or more).
Home Theater
Rent a movie and pop some popcorn. Take a cue from your kids and set up a tent with a sheet hung over the screen. Add some pillows on the floor and snuggle up like it’s a campfire. Check out your base library – most have an extensive DVD section. You can explore some classics together that you might not find On Demand.
Rewind Unwind
Never saw the first season of “Lost”? Want to see what all the hype is about “House”? Ditch cable and plug in your computer. You can go back in time and download entire seasons of popular television shows on Hulu.com – for free. One word of warning: plan for a marathon viewing session – these shows draw you in and you don’t have to wait until next week to see what happens next.
Coupon Chic
Check out your favorite restaurant’s Web site for printable coupons and weekly specials. Valuepage.com finds local coupon values based on your zip code. Wowcoupons.com e-mails you about great deals. At Restaurant.com, you can get $25 restaurant gift certificates for as low as $2.
Ellie Kay is a national radio commentator, a frequent media guest on Fox News, ABC and CNBC, a popular international speaker, and the best-selling author of 12 books including her newest release “The Little Book of Big Savings” (Waterbrook, 2009). For money savings links, or to view Ellie’s blog, go to www.elliekay.com.