Dating is expensive. I mean, the new clothes and endless drinks with friends analysing what happened all add up, and then you’ve got the cost of the date itself...and no one wants to appear stingy. There are some date ideas which don’t cost very much at all, though, and can be much better fun than the typical meal out or watching a film. Saving money and having fun?! Sign me up!
Photo Credit: e.m.papers
Eating together can be a great date, but a five star meal comes with a 5 star price tag. Unless, of course, you make it yourself! Find a recipe from a top restaurant (I love using copykat.com for this) and make it together. Not only is it great fun, but there is less pressure and it makes the meal much more exciting too. In short, it makes eating together funner, sexier and you’ll get to know each other better. Ace!
Photo Credit: kocojim
Dig out your favourite two player games, and some snacks, and have a private game night. I love Uno, which is great for breaking the ice, and games like Twister are fantastic fun. Throw your inhabitions out of the window and really have some fun! You’d be surprised how great a date this makes...If I was to recommend a date to anyone, it would be this. Me and my boyfriend have great photographs and memories!
Photo Credit: Ephemeron
Latino themed nights are huge at the moment, but don’t feel you need to spend a fortune to enjoy one. Dress up in latin outfits, rent some latino music and make tacos together. All you need is tomatoes, avocados, meat, cheese and shells. You could even rent a ‘dancing latino’ video and try out some of the moves...or just enjoy the atmosphere and the food. Yummy!
Save up around $10 in change each, and go to a casino. You’ll have to dress the part, of course! Then play the slot machines. The adrenaline rush is fantastic, and there is no risk of going overboard, as you have limited change. They often serve free cocktails at casinos, and you can watch big-money games even if you aren’t participating. It’ll be a date to remember!
Photo Credit: etgeek (Eric)
Go to a quaint bar together, during happy hour. There will usually be great deals on drinks, and most bars will give a free appetizer too, such as a bowl of chips. Even fresh steak can be relatively inexpensive and very tasty! Plus, cosying up on bar stools next to each other can be much more romantic then sitting across from one another.
Buy or borrow some sleds, and wait for the snow. Then, go and sledding trip down your nearest hill! Make sure you dress appropriately (no one wants to be nursing an injury) and once you’ve finished, warm up together with a good film and some toasted S’mores. Utterly romantic!
Photo Credit: K. Walker
On my third date with my boyfriend, we were due to go to a lovely local restaurant. The kitchen had been involved in a fire, however, and the restaurant wasn’t open. It was too late to make any other plans, so we ordered a pizza, and boyfriend showed me how to play one of his favourite games. I was pretty rubbish to start with, but it was fantastic fun, and by the end of the night we were putting bets on who would win. It was an amazing night, and it’s so cheap and effortless!
Photo Credit: sew liberated
Go ice skating together, or roller blading. Do something energetic, and unusual, and really fun. Research the cheapest dates and times to go, and rent your equipment, to keep costs down. Even if you really suck, he’ll feel sorry for you, and you’ll get the sympathy vote! It’s really great fun, and the memories will last you a lifetime. You could even enjoy an ice cream together afterwards, or something to warm you up!
Photo Credit: Lordstephen
Head out to a karaoke bar, and sing along in the crowd for free. Not only will you get to know each other, but you’ll have a great time, and drinks are usually reduced to encourage people to come along and join in. If you are feeling shy, you can usually rent a private room for quite cheap, and use your own machine. They have everything from old ballads to new rock, so you are certain to find the perfect duet...
Photo Credit: Thorsten (TK)
Meet up in the morning, and go for breakfast together. Breakfast rates are usually much, much cheaper then evening meals! Then go for a walk around your local town or city, and hit the theatre for a reduced matinee performance. You’ll find everything is much cheaper if you do it away from the ‘usual’ time, and spending the day together is a fantastic way to bond.
I love these ideas! I’ve even done some with my boyfriend recently...just because we are a couple doesn’t mean we don’t have great fun on these dates! And anything which is great fun and gives us more money to spend is brilliant, in my opinion. Have you got an idea for an almost-free date? I’d love to hear it!
Top Photo Credit: witha™