Date Night #6

SPENDING OPPORTUNITIES
Men, you get to choose this date.  BUT, it’s all about your wife.  Pick one of the ideas below that you think your wife will enjoy the most.

• If she likes to shop, give her some money (in any amount, small or large).  Then take her to a store where she would like to spend it.  Tell her she has to spend it right then.  Don’t do the park bench thing; shop with her.  Studies show shopping for most husbands is one step away from Chinese water torture.  But YOU CAN DO IT!  
• Tell her, “Don’t prepare dinner.  I am taking you out to celebrate all the meals you prepare for us.”
• If gift-giving is your love language, and you know something she has been wanting to purchase, but she hasn't wanted to buy it herself, surprise her by taking her to that store and purchasing it for her.  
• Sometimes our biggest “Spending Opportunities” are less about the money and more about the time spent together.  Let your wife choose what she wants to do on this date and don’t complain about what she chooses.  Tonight is all about her and whatever she enjoys the most.  

We know that money can be a dirty word these days: debt, retirement, job insecurity, vacation/ no vacation.  It’s common for a marriage to have
one “spender” and one “saver”.  If you are both savers, chances are you have different views on how money should be saved.  If you are both spenders, you likely have different views on how to spend money.  

CONNECTION QUESTIONS

• Do we have a budget?  Have we stuck with it?  What areas do we need to adjust?
• Talk about some financial goals you would like to set for the next month, 6 months, and year.  
• How has our communication about finances gotten better in the last month, 6 months?  How can we improve?
• What are some ways we can do better at saving money over the next year? 

TIP
Keep the conversation peaceful and constructive.  Money can cause tension between couples.  Don’t allow that to happen.  Remember, you
are on the same team and are working towards the same financial goals. End the night by praying for your finances!  God blesses those who put
him first in EVERY area of their marriage.