How To Recession-Proof Your Relationship

The recession is a pretty rubbish time for everyone. No one has any money, we're all working longer hours and everything seems a little bit harder than it was before. Being constantly skint can put extra strain on relationships, as if it isn’t hard enough already in this day and age, so we have come up with a few tips to make sure your relationship fights its way through, money or no money.

Staying in is the New Going Out
In these desperate financial times it is not essential to go raving in the coolest clubs every weekend. The most popular excuse at the moment for not going out is ‘we can’t afford it’, which is generally true. Having no extra funds to play with doesn’t mean you have to become recluses. Why not go back to the good old student days? Invite some people round, collect a weird variety of booze, get some tunes going, a pack of cards for drinking games and party until the sun comes up, or you run out of booze.

Probably just as much fun, at least half the price - and you can wear your slippers if you want to! This way, you get to be social without spending a small fortune and having a nightmare, two hour bus journey home. If you’re bored of all your DVDs, and can’t afford the luxury of Sky, have a DVD swapping session with your friends, you never know you might find a little gem in their 1980s teen romance collection.

Kitchen Table for Two
Instead of spending a fortune on a posh restaurant, the new dress for the posh restaurant, the taxi because you can’t walk in the new heels you got for the posh restaurant, why not just go to the supermarket?

Get yourself something nice that you wouldn’t normally have at home, look up a fancy recipe online and have a romantic meal for two in the comfort of your living room. Yes, you might spend more in the Tescotheque than you would normally, but it will definitely be cheaper than going out, and you get to have a lovely evening in, snuggled up with a nice bottle and a good film, rather than putting up with some arrogant, rude tosspot on the next table whining because the plates aren’t hot enough.

Present Yourselves
There really is no need to buy each other lavish presents. You know you love each other, so you don’t need to prove it by spending a month's wages on the most amazing gift ever! Why not put a bit more thought into it and get something that your partner will really cherish, because it’s more personal. It’s also a good way to see how well they actually know you, or care about you...

If you end up with something sparkly from Claire's Accessories, you know they're rubbish. If you get a second hand copy of a book you adore, or the film you love, maybe they are the one. If you are a bit more creative you could try making a present. Cheesy as it seems, nothing says ‘I really fancy you’ like a mix tape.

Cheap Date
Just because you’re skint, it doesn’t mean you can’t go out at all. Yes, we all love  having fun times, but there are plenty of things to do that are free, and during a recession, ‘free’ is worth gold. Research your local area to find about free or super cheap things to do. Random adventures are often the best!

The summer is the absolute best time for free events; free art, free theatre, free music, or just some good old park antics. Get yourself a picnic, and a few beers and head to your local park. Invite some friends if you fancy it, or take some candles and have a romantic picnic for two if you want some quality time.

Sex Things Up
Research has shown that as a result of the recession, more people are getting down to it - after all, sex is free! Keeping a healthy sex life is essential to an all round good relationship, so make sure you keep things going in the bedroom department. There are other major advantages to maintaining a healthy sex life, while the economy crumbles around you; cancel your gym membership and make sure you get your sexercise three times a week instead - much cheaper and you don't need to leave the house. Sex releases endorphins in your body which make you happy, so even if things aren't looking too chipper on the financial front, a good shag will brighten up your day.

Money Matters - But Not That Much
Having a go at your partner for wasting a hundred quid on a lads night out will not achieve anything. And remember there will be girls nights out, or that dress that you absolutely NEED... All is fair in love and money. If you live together, split the bills equally. Don’t get sucked into the ‘you leave all the lights on’, ‘well, you always turn the heating up too high’ arguments. They are pointless, as the bill will still be there the next day. Pay it, and then debate what to do with your left over money.

And if you're single? Shamelessly splash all your cash on making yourself look hot enough to bag a man with a whopping credit card he's not afraid to use!