Saving money has always been a big issue between two people in a long-term relationship. Managing your own finances is tough enough, but when it comes to budgeting alongside your partner, things can get complicated. With the increasing amount of people losing their jobs and being forced to take lower-paying, temporary gigs, managing funds as a couple is a bigger issue than ever.

Weekends are usually the worst type of cash waster for couples. More and more, men and women are foregoing the bar or restaurant scene for cheaper, quieter evenings at home. On Dollarish.com, an online blog about money, many couples responded to an article about saving wages with their own suggestions. Video games, board games, and movies (Netflix or borrowed free from the library) were all top ideas, in addition to staying in and making dinner together.

“I think that when you have to watch your money, it requires you to be more creative with things to do,” one woman commented.

With the weather improving, there are also tons of outdoor options to consider. Free museum days in major cities are a plus, and many parks and outdoor sites offer recreation that’s fun and free. Whether it be a walk in the park, a flea market, or a free concert, just pack a snack for your trip, and you’re ready to go.

Once you’ve mastered budgeting, there comes the issue of taking the next step and still holding on to your savings. Many couples that are getting married in this economy may struggle extra to plan a wedding with not only all the right details, but with the right budget as well. Some people are even extending engagements until their finances and the job market stabilize.

A search for “cheap engagement rings” online brings up all kinds of sites, many of them commenting that less expensive rings are more in demand in recent years. In fact, Merchantcircle.com states: “The average amount spent on a diamond engagement ring…is projected to decline to as low as $2,800 from a high average of $4,800.”

Novori, a diamond engagement ring manufacturer, features tips on their site for picking out more cost-effective rings that are also good investments. They confirm that the best place to buy cheaper rings is definitely on the Internet, and their site features single diamond solitaire rings as low as $290. While the rings do not feature the detailed designs of higher-priced models, they are still very classy and beautiful.

When it comes to the ceremony, there are lots of options for an elegant wedding that won’t break the bank. Stephanie Morano, a 24-year-old grade school teacher living in East Harlem, NY, planned a simple and tasteful wedding with her groom Jonathon Hanna in New York City’s Central Park. The two were married by Turtle Pond on Saturday, October 11, 2008.

“We didn’t want to spend all the savings we had in one day and be broke,” Morano said about planning the cheaper nuptials. The couple was able to get a deal on just about everything by using their own creativity.

For one thing, flowers were purchased at Costco.com for about $500. Morano explained that they didn’t shop around because “looking at the initial price tags was scary.” While flowers are usually about $5,000-$6,000, Morano was able to purchase them on her own and then build the bouquets and boutonnieres the day before the ceremony.

Other details included having friends make the wedding favors and take photos, cutting down the guest list, making their own invites using stamps and paint, and taking taxis to the ceremony instead of limousines. As for the reception, the couple made a playlist from their iPods that they were able to broadcast over the PA system, open bar was replaced with beer and wine, and a buffet was offered rather than a sit down dinner.

They were even able to pay a lower price for their wedding officiate, lowering it from an initial $350 to $200. “Most people probably agree to the first price they hear and assume it’s not flexible,” Morano said.

So, does budgeting your money still equal a dream wedding? “I don’t think that spending more money would have made the ceremony itself any better,” Morano said.

While she was able to get some ideas from books regarding timelines and when details should be planned, Morano found that her own ideas were more helpful. “I wasn’t reading Modern Bride, I was reading How to Tie a Bouquet,” she joked.

After planning a cost-effective wedding, saving money as a couple should be a piece of cake. But in case you still need some tips, the Associated Content site offers “A Guide for Young Married Couples on How to Save Money.” Such suggestions include saving your coins (a little each day can add up to a lot) and eliminating extras, like your premium cable package or tons of snacks that you most likely won’t even eat.

So whether you are just starting out with your newfound love or you have been together a few years, there are always fun and different ways to save your pennies. And if all else fails, buying a cheap bottle of wine and popping in an old movie never hurt.