You’re wearing your tightest little black dress, rocking a smoky eye that a professional makeup artist would envy and have a handsome man waiting for you at the restaurant. There’s only one problem: You only get paid every two weeks and your wallet is worryingly light. What’s a date-lovin’ girl to do?
Learn how to woo your boyfriend and your checkbook at the same time, of course! A study by Match.com reports that today’s average date costs around $180 – but it doesn’t have to. Using the tips and ideas below, you can spend less to score a priceless date.
You’ve probably heard of the typical boy dates girl story: He picks her up, they go to a movie and share a dinner afterward. Why not shake this routine up with a drive-in theatre? Drive-in theatres tend to be significantly cheaper than regular movie theatres. While they often boast less options for movies and show times, drive-ins allow you to bring your own snacks, control your own volume and cuddle in the comfort of your own car.
Want to show off that cute bikini you just bought? Then picnicking at the beach is your perfect date! Although beach picnics are better during warm months, as long as you pack a blanket and plenty of layers, you can also take advantage of empty beaches even when it starts getting chilly. Pack your favorite lunch and snacks and just enjoy the beautiful view. The waves make for a romantic and calming backdrop, as long as you can escape the crowds.
No matter where you live, you can probably find some hiking spots nearby. Hikes are fun, easy ways to combine dating with fitness. While burning some calories and perhaps working up an appetite for a dinner date afterward, you’ll enjoy the opportunity to talk. Multitasking has never been so romantic!
Love biking but want to take advantage of the beautiful lake nearby? Jump in a pedal boat for two and discover a new hobby together! Pedal boats (basically a small boat powered by your own pedaling feet) are easy to use, relatively cheap to rent and commonly found at most park and lake locations. It’s another way to enjoy the view, get some exercise and have plenty of conversation time.
Have you ever heard the saying, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”? Whether that’s true or not, cooking can still make a fun, low-key date. Buying individual ingredients for a meal at the grocery store is usually less expensive then paying for the finished product at a restaurant. You can also make a date of the shopping trip and play “Where’s Waldo” with your ingredient list!
Now, we know shopping can get expensive, but it can be fun without the spending part. Hit the mall and pick different outfits – from fashionable to silly – that you want him or her to try. If you fall in love with and can’t wait to walk in the high heels he picks out, you can treat yourself to that one item. The memories of a fun date can turn the simplest shoes or scarf into one of your favorite accessories.
Drive to a new city or town and have fun being tourists for a day! Walk the streets, explore the shops and talk to locals. You might find your new favorite restaurant, make some new friends or, at the very least, gain some new stories to share at your weekly girls’ night!
When was the last time you sat down and painted for fun? If you can’t remember, correct that on your next date. You can buy canvases and paint for decent prices at local craft stores and can even compete with your date on who makes the best painting with your friends serving as judges. For major romance points, you can swap your masterpieces as gifts to each other.
Tall, dark and strong might describe your taste in men and in coffee – but dates don’t have to be limited to coffee shops. Why not check out milkshake, smoothie and juice joints for a twist on an old favorite? For a cheap price, you can have fun experimenting with new locations and flavors. If you’re really on a budget – or want to save room for dinner later – pull a “Lady and the Tramp” move and split a drink!
You don’t necessarily have to buy a book, but bookstores are great places to get the conversation flowing. When you point out your favorite books or those that catch your eye, you can learn each other’s interests and past reads. You don’t even have to be a huge book fan to find something interesting.
Many community colleges or gyms offer free or extremely cheap classes, from learning how to play racquetball to forming your first piece of pottery. You can find a topic that interests both of you or explore a skill neither of you know anything about. If you both discover a new passion, you may even take another class as a second date.
Ever feel like there’s nothing do to in your hometown? You may be overlooking some fun, cheap activities! Do some research online and you may find nearby events with free entry or cheap tickets. This can include festivals, local bands performances, art shows and more.
Netflix makes watching movies quick, easy and cheap. This streaming service offers plenty of movies and shows, including oldies and recently released, from a variety of genres. If you don’t have a Netflix account, try streaming from Hulu, Amazon or Crackle instead. At the very least, just play “Russian roulette” with the TV guide and see what movies you land on!
Think puzzles are just for grandmothers? Then you haven’t seen the variety of puzzle subjects – from celebrity portraits to trivia questions to nature scenes – available. Find a puzzle that speaks to you and your date and dive in! Puzzles can be time consuming, but you can control this by choosing a puzzle with the number of pieces you have time for that day. You can find puzzles for cheap and do them at home or at a coffee shop. Not to mention that if “patience” is one of your top required traits in a partner, a puzzle will definitely show if this guy is a hit or miss!
… and not “petting” in the old sense of making out! We mean visiting local pet stores, dog parks or spending time with your own puppy during your date. After all, who doesn’t love playing with animals? One important piece of advice to remember: Look, but don’t buy the cute faces staring at you from the pet store. Otherwise, the money you’re saving on these dates will go straight to your pet!
Time to get your romance on without breaking the bank!
