5 Things You Can’t Afford NOT to Do For Your Marriage:

1. Go on dates. 

I understand it’s difficult to find childcare. I get that it can be expensive.

But there are ways around the money factor. Switch date nights with another couple. You watch their children one night, then they watch yours.

Likewise, get creative in your date planning. Go to Walmart with ten bucks and see who can come up with the most creative gift for the other person. Go miniature golfing. Go for a walk. Rent a Redbox movie.

Or, do what my husband and I do. Plan a date night at home after the kids go to bed (or, if your kids are older and go to bed later, put on a movie for them and have a date night while they’re occupied). It might not be ideal or perfect, but it’s better than nothing!

2. Go on overnight trips occasionally.

Out of all of the things I’m going to list, I think this is the one most people will skip. And for us, it’s been the most rewarding.

A few years back, after our second miscarriage and in the midst of a painful season of life, we decided to book a last-minute cruise.

The cruise didn’t fix our problems. It didn’t solve everything. But it brought us together like few other things can.

Keith and I live on one income (and a ministry salary at that). We don’t have a lot of money. But we’ve decided our marriage is worth the investment.

I don’t recommend going into debt to fund a trip, but I do recommend saving a bit every month. If we can do it, I’m confident anyone can.

3. Spend time each day catching up.

This one doesn’t cost a dime but can be difficult nonetheless.

When Keith gets home from work, my kids want every bit of his attention. Plus, we’re busy! We have sports and other events going on at night. It’s hard to find a few minutes each day talking.

We have to work really hard to make this happen! But it’s worth the effort.

4. Take part in marriage enrichment activities.

Buy marriage books (and actually read them). Listen to seminars. When an opportunity is available at church, take it.

5. Pray together.

Again, this one doesn’t cost a dime but can be difficult anyway. It might feel awkward at first. Or, it might be hard to remember to do.

One time when my husband and I prayed together at a restaurant, an older couple came up to us and said this: “A couple that prays together stays together.”

Sure, it’s corny. But that couple held hands when they left the restaurant, so their advice has stuck with me over the years.

What else have you found that’s essential to a healthy marriage?

*This post was originally  published in 2012, but has been updated here.