You've had a wild night out with the boys, stumbled into a club at the end of the evening, fallen in love, promised the earth and now it's put up or shut up time.

?I don't care where we go as long as we're together? she whispers breathily down the phone ?anywhere will do as long as it's with you.?

OK two days later and now you are beginning to develop a state of wholesale panic. She thinks she's going away for the weekend, your bank manager and Credit Card Company think otherwise. What's a guy to do?

As far as you can see it (and bearing in mind we are probably talking about hormonally powered tunnel vision here) you have two options.

On the one hand, there is the prospect of you and the object of your desire, locked way in some hotel enjoying a weekend of unbridled passion and a very annoyed bank manager. On the other there is an extremely pleased bank manager and the prospect of a weekend at home, alone watching the footy!

However, for the more creative amongst us there are other options available. These might not seem quite so obvious but they are there nonetheless if you know where to look. I am talking of course of finding somewhere for a weekend on a budget.

For the more creative amongst us there are a number of locations throughout the United Kingdom where you could enjoy a weekend and not break the bank. No that this does not mean touring the UK from one YMCA to another (not wishing to denigrate the YMCA who serve an extremely useful and brilliant purpose) but somewhere more imaginative.

Have you ever thought of a low-cost weekend in somewhere like Bristol for example? From about ?36 per person per night you could have your choice of ready furnished one and two bedroom city centre apartments by the Temple Gardens and on the waterfront overlooking the Floating Harbour. These apartments come with fully fitted out kitchens, lounge areas and a selection of all sorts of digital recreational facilities (DVD Players, Broadband Internet Access etc) and are well worth an investigation. If you fancy this sort of weekend then contact Saco Apartments at 0845 122 0405 (sacoappartments.co.uk).

If Bristol doesn't take your fancy how about a couple of nights in Brighton?

For prices as low as ?40 you could get a bed for the night at the George IV guesthouse in Regency Square, with sea views and in one of Brighton's finest squares.

If neither Bristol nor Brighton takes your fancy how about the weekend in Belfast based at Arnie's Backpackers just round the back of Queens University where cosiness is guaranteed?

It's cute it's cosy, guests are offered a free cup of tea on arrival, you get to chill out around real coal fires (probably burning peat rather than coal) and if you're a nice they'll let you stroke the two resident dogs. Prices start at ?9 per person per night.

The above suggestions are just for starters and it is easy to see how things can actually work if you are creative enough.

Plan carefully and she's happy and the bank managers is happy too!