Date Night- Sponsored by Friends

We've spent a lot of time in our apartment the past two months. It's not that we haven't gone anywhere, it's just that with limited resources, it's difficult to justify the need to go out. Over the past couple of weeks, we watched some friends' kids a couple of nights, allowing them to go out with each other. In return, and not because we sought remuneration, one couple bought us gas for the car, and the other gave us a gift card to our favorite sushi restaurant. We also received a movie theater gift card for Christmas (that I made Alicia save!). Friday evening we went out to dinner and a movie for the first time in 2013.

We certainly couldn't have afforded dinner and a movie in our $1261 budget. Well, we could have, but it probably would have come at the expense of gas in the car, a late payment on the electric bill, or any number of other cuts. We've been pretty content to eat at home, even when it's been the same meal three nights in a row. An opportunity to get out of the house and eat food prepared by someone else was a welcome treat! I think we took for granted the ability to fit dining out and watching movies in our budget. We weren't always watching movies, but dining out had become a very big part of our lives.

I think I better see the link between obesity (and its related diseases) and poverty now. When you can only afford "value menu" offerings at fast food restaurants, have limited access to fresh and healthy food, no way of affording a gym membership, and feel worthless because our society values monetary wealth instead of people- the circumstances become overwhelming. Admittedly, even though we can technically "afford" to go out, limiting ourselves to a poverty level income has put us into a different frame of mind. The temptation to "cheat" is great, but the desire to understand the real problems facing people living in poverty is even greater. So, we've cut out parts of our "routine" such as date night because those things cost money we "don't have."

If it wasn't for the generosity of our friends, we would have spent Friday night enjoying a tuna noodle casserole (it's Lent after all!) and a movie on Hulu Plus. I'm grateful for our friends and their participation in this year of learning! Thanks Nick & Vanessa and Emil and Becca!