1Communication Is Key for Making a Long Distance Relationship Work

An important part of any relationship is to be sure that the lines of communication are open. In order to ensure that you and your partner are successfully surviving a long-distance relationship you need to find the best, and most budget-friendly, methods of communication.

Thankfully, for those who have embarked on long distant relationships, on a budget, there are many tools to help them not just keep those communication lines open but to also do so in a budget-friendly manner!

• Skype for Long Distance Relationships

  Skype offers its members free calls to other members who also use their service; with a free text chat along with a free voice and video chat to other Skype users, Skype is an excellent option for long-distant relationships on a budget. In addition to the free services that Skype can offer users, it also offers low-cost rates to the members who wish to place calls to regular land lines or mobile phones. To help avoid the fees related to using mobile phones, consider looking into whether or not there is a Skype application available for your phone. By installing Skype on your mobile phone you are now available to be reached by your Skype contacts at all times, free of charge and on your mobile phone! Surviving a long distance relationship is made so much easier with tools like Skype. You can even have a virtual long distance date using Skype!



• Instant Messaging Services

  There are dozens of IM services that are available at no cost; the majority of them are also available for installation onto a mobile phone – this can not only help you and your partner keep in touch via IM at work or on your home computer but it can also keep you in touch via your mobile phone at all times! Keep in mind there may be a fee involved with using your instant messaging services on your phone – likely a text messaging fee. However, if you have unlimited text messaging on your mobile phone then this won’t be a concern!



• Facebook, Photo Blogs

  To help you and your beloved feel connected, despite the distance, you can keep in touch with one another by making use of Facebook and photo blogs. These types of social networking options will not just allow you to see what is going on in your partner’s life but there are a great many gaming and other interactive chat communications available on Facebook that will let you and your partner play games together!

2Phone Communications

While services like Skype can certainly offer great tools for making a long-distance relationship work, there are also several other phone services that can prove to be highly beneficial and budget-friendly.

• Vonage

  Vonage offers its customers free long distance calls to any number in the USA as well as significantly discounted rates on international calls. If your partner is in the UK, for example, calls from your Vonage phone to his or her land-line could be free!



• Unlimited Mobile Phone Plans

  If you and your partner are separated by several US states, then you should look into one of the unlimited voice, data, and text messaging service plans that the majority of the mobile phone providers offer. For a long-distance relationship on a budget having unlimited everything for your mobile communications can prove to be a lifesaver for surviving a long-distance relationship! An added bonus is that communications with your friends and family members can also be kept within your budget!

3Budget-Friendly Travel

Perhaps the best part of surviving a long-distance relationship is the time that you get to spend together! Whether you are being kept apart due to school or work responsibilities, the time that you get to spend in the company of your partner is incredibly valuable. However, traveling to spend time with your partner can be incredibly budget-busting! There are several affordable solutions for your long-distance relationship on a budget!

• Schedule In Advance

  In general, the earlier that you schedule your flights to visit one another, the lower your airfare could be! Airlines have been known to offer airfares for international trips as low as $300 – return! However, to take advantage of incredibly low rates like this, you often have to book your travel as far out as six months in advance.



• Airline Miles Programs

  The "miles" programs offered by the majority of airlines are an excellent method of accumulating miles that can be put towards incredibly discounted airfare. If you travel extensively for work then you may already be taking advantage of the various miles programs; however, if you do not travel frequently then there are still several ways to accumulate airline miles. Find out if your bank has a program that will allow you to earn miles per dollars spent; several credit cards also offer this as an option for their customers.



• Meet Somewhere Cheap!

  Many resorts offer bundled packages with cheap (affordable) airfare and incredibly discounted rates out of season. By taking advantage of these types of off-season packages you and your partner could spend a week together at a beach or mountain resort! Surviving a long-distance relationship will definitely be infinitely easier when you have a romantic get-away like that to look forward to!

4Connecting From Afar

For those who are self-proclaimed experts on how to make a long-distance relationship work, one of the things most often mentioned is that you and your partner should not become shut-ins and avoid going out with friends to enjoy a fun-filled evening simply because your partner is not with you. Far from it – you should each take the time to enjoy the company of your friends and family when you are invited to attend parties or simply an evening out.

At the same time, it is important that you and your partner take the time to spend together – connecting with one another from afar. For long-distant relationships on a budget this is very readily achieved by finding low-cost entertainment options that each of you can enjoy – together!

• Virtual games are a great way to interact with your partner and have fun together! The games offered free-of-charge on Facebook can provide you with just such an interaction!


• Virtual worlds, like Second Life and Vzones, can allow you and your partner the opportunity to spend time together in a virtual setting. Your avatars can hold hands and simply sit together listening to music and enjoying one another's company!


• Consider renting a movie from a low-cost movie rental option, like those offered by Redbox and Blockbuster, and then watching it together. You could open up Skype or keep the phone lines open while you share a long-distance movie night together!

By taking the time to focus your attentions on yourself and your needs first, and then on the needs of your long-distance relationship, you are sure to find surviving a long-distance relationship is a snap!