Dating Ideas on a Budget

The thought of saving money while dating seems like an anomaly. Daters tend to think that saving money and dating means "cheap" and the resulting date will also be the same. Actually, dating doesn't have to be expensive to be fun, entertaining and memorable. 

When you really sit down and think about it, the time and preparation involved in saving a few bucks is minimal. You will be required to use your imagination a bit though. Think beyond dinner and a movie and be willing to try something new and different for a change.

Many museums, historic landmarks and culturally significant spots have no or very small entrance fees. These make a great place to go for a date which both informs and bounds. You get to learn more details and facts concerning the area in which you live. You may end-up finding out some of the likes and dislikes of your date in a day of local interest and cultural development for the both of you.

If you are a romanticist, try a picnic lunch with a few extras in the box. A picnic lunch can be easily made into a truly romantic and elegant event with the addition of a few items. Take a casual picnic meal, add some cheese & wine along with a few chocolates and a red rose and the meal in a basket instantly takes on a European elegance. Your date will think you have incredibly fashionable and romantic style all without breaking your bank account.

If you and your date happen to be athletic or even if you are promising to become more fit, then sport and general exercise activities together can be a great way to spend your time while making good on your new years resolution or commitment to your health. Shoot some baskets or play a game of H.O.R.S.E. on the basketball court, play some tennis, go for a long walk in the park, toss a Frisbee or play catch with a baseball or football. Whichever you choose, you can spend quality time at minimal cost while getting that all-important exercise we all need for healthy bodies and minds. Your dating life will be more complete and fulfilling if the both of you are also working your way towards a healthy lifestyle.

The beauty of nature is all around us and in most cases, doesn't cost a penny. Whether it's a trip to the beach, a walk in the forest or looking for a hidden lagoon or cave somewhere, these things can be done together for very little money. If you take the time to find the beauties of nature in your local area you can find free and romantic dating spots that cost nothing more than the gasoline to get there.

Cook up a meal at home and spend the evening watching movies, playing board games, video games or any entertainment around the house that will cause the two of you to interact with each other on a more personal basis than a movie theater. When you cook a meal at home you exhibit your domestic skills and will always add a personal and caring touch to the evening. The meal will more than likely be better quality and healthier for you and your date than a restaurant meal. Of course the main purpose here is to save money and opting for the home cooked meal and keeping the entertainment at home will save you a bundle compared to a fancy restaurant and movie theater. If you want a truly special bonding experience, try cooking the meal together to really get to know the person.

Take your digital camera or purchase an inexpensive disposable camera and make a day of taking photos together at various local landmarks or places of interest. You can even make a theme for the day or take silly photos in favorite spots. Once finished, get the photos 1 hour processed and create a memory album together for the day that will live on forever for the two of you.

In order to learn something new and have a growth partner join you in the process, gather some information on a skill you always wanted to learn or start learning and spend a day learning it or at least beginning to learn it together as a team. It could be a day of learning card tricks, sign language, a foreign language even learning how to jungle or do bird calls. Any skill you have always wanted to try can make a fun and interesting date.

If you live near a college or university, utilize their events as an inexpensive date that can really add some culture and enrichment to yours and your date’s life. Music recitals, guest lectures, art exhibitions and stage plays are common events and are often free or minimal charge. The quality can be excellent and the variety tremendous.

If you and your date share a common hobby, you can look in the local community newspapers or online event calendars to see if there are classes being offered in something that interests the both of you. These classes are usually quite inexpensive and the two of you can enjoy a few hours each week together learning something new. This can be another unique opportunity to bound closer and learn more intimate details about each other in the process. Always attempt to grow together in all areas of life.

Make a day out of shopping at the local thrift stores in and around your home. See what deals you can find on both necessary and silly items. Set a budget prior to going in order to avoid over-spending. Make a contest out of it to see who can find or barter the best deals. The items don’t have to be expensive but can rather be silly in mature such as novelty items or crazy clothing to outfit yourself for the next costume party you attend. You can even create a list of you and your date considers being 20 unusual items. Once the list is made, each of you will try and find as many of those items as possible; the winner could win an additional booby prize at the end of the day.

Another way to make the inexpensive date more spontaneous is to place each of the above ideas or any others you may think of onto a separate sheet of paper and place them in a basket. When your date comes to the door, have them reach inside and choose a piece of paper. Whichever one is chosen is your date your random and spontaneous inexpensive date.

Copyright 2005 Dating Director Review - Last Update: 7/20/05