All too often I hear these words, “I can’t date anyone right now because I don’t have the money to.” To the people that say that to others, I am calling your bluff! You do not have to have a ton of money to go on dates.
Here are five different ways you can save money and still have fun dating:
1) Going out to eat
Obviously, going out to eat at a restaurant can get expensive quick. Considering how much a restaurant can charge for just a drink and appetizer, you could be spending an entire days worth of pay in just a few hours. However, there are ways to save by doing a little research before deciding on a restaurant to go to. Check for coupons and deals online – they are everywhere. Many restaurants have happy hours, late-night specials, or daily deals which you can take advantage of to save money on a date and not have to worry about how much you are spending.
2) Be creative at home
In-home dates have the potential to be some of the best dates possible. Dates at home can still be as exciting as if you were going out somewhere and they are often much less expensive than if you go out. Playing games, picnics in the yard (or inside if it is cold or rainy), making something together (such as painting something to hang on the wall), getting movies from the library for free (or Red Box for only $1), or cooking dinner together are all ways you can create a night at home that is special and unique and makes for a memorable date experience.
3) Movies
Movie theater prices are absolutely outrageous these days. Weekend prices for new movies can cost a couple $20 or more just to see the movie itself, not including the cost of popcorn, soda, or candy. Why not take your date out during the week to see a movie? Many theaters are cheaper during the week (even at night) or have deals on specific days of the week. You can also check to see if specific theaters have deals throughout the year on special days. Movies are always cheaper during the day, so if you work at night this is the ideal option.
4) Enjoy the outdoors
Hiking, walking, going to the beach, sledding at a park, or utilizing the fire pits in a park are all ways to enjoy the outdoors and have fun on a date without breaking the bank. Or, if you are not a fan of the outdoors, go antique “shopping” (or just looking), enjoy art at a museum (sometimes they are free) or utilize a book store and relax in the shop (while they are still around!).
5) Gifts
If the person you are dating is into gifts or you yourself are into giving gifts but do not have a lot of money to spend, get crafty and make something instead! Pinterest and craft stores are great resources for creative ideas on making something unique to impress the special person in your life.
What do you do to save money on dates?
____________
Photo by moodboard
Check out some of our favorite personal finance resources:
Are you getting the best credit card rewards? Check out the top cash back credit card offers (updated daily)
Make extra money: 15 ways to make money from your computer
Get the First Chapter Free!
Join our online community and get the first chapter of the book Student Loan Solution absolutely FREE!
When I was in college, I really didn’t have a lot of money to go out on dates…nor did I have the financial savvy to figure it out. Now, we use coupons on (almost) all of our dates:)
@GregatClubThrifty Haha nice. I think everyone gets a free pass on college.
We use quite a few of these ideas when my wife and I go out. Before we had kids we’d go to the movies on a Saturday morning as it was half price. Now, we try and use coupons as much as we can or skip the drinks so we can but a bottle or two of wine on the way home.
@FrugalRules Throughout our entire dating life we have both kind of saved money here and there, so it has worked. Some people think it’s strange to not order pop or drinks when you go out for dinner…now we don’t go out that often so when we do I splurge :0
We definitely need to start saving more money on dates. We go out a lot and it just adds up so quickly.
@SenseofCents If you can justify it, though, I don’t think it’s terrible. If you are trying to save money, pay down debt, etc. then I think it’s a good idea to try to save where you can.
We love films in the theater….it’s our most expensive entertainment budget line item. BUT we go to the first showing on Saturday or Sunday to get the cheaper rate AND hit up the Bed-Bath-and-Beyond for our own treats (they’re two stores up in the same strip mall as the theater AND put a “theater treats” rack right out front.
@AverageJoeMoney Nice! I am definitely guilty of sneaking in pop and candy to movie theaters. It hasn’t hit their bottom line enough yet to pat you down like at sporting events ;)
Yes! I totally agree. We love going to this really inexpensive movie theater that has buy one get one free tickets on Friday nights. A lot of cities have old movie theaters or old drive ins that are much less expensive. I think these are more fun than than paying an arm and a leg to see one at the regular movie theater. :)
@BudgetBlonde wow that sounds incredible! BOGO on a Friday night? We don’t get to the theater much, which is a shame I really enjoy it. But we have saved quite a bit just by watching them at home. Granted we did buy a new tv a year and a half ago so I suppose we are slowly “paying it off” through watching movies on it : )
As someone who just dated someone recently (and briefly) I found myself in a similar situation where it got costly because I let my guard down. (and he didn’t pay for a lot of things on dates, which is weird but the subject for another blog). You really do have to force yourself to get creative though, because it’s way too easy to get lazy and JUST rent movies. You find yourself feeling like an “old couple” even though you just started dating. I love outdoor day dates that are cost effective (like exercise/bike riding/hiking) and then cooking something together at home.
@Beachbudget Gosh, the worst thing I think is that me (and MANY people in the pf blogosphere) totally embrace the “old couple” mentality. :Oh yeah just stay in and play a board game….” etc. which is great and saves money, but it’s important even for the “old couple” to change it up every once in a while. I’m definitely guilty and need to think of creative dates this year…maybe that will be one of my resolutions? haha
My husband and I had no money when we started dating, but our first date was a mountain bike ride, and we did mostly outdoor stuff. I wouldn’t be cheap, but if someone wants to date you for expensive things, that is probably the wrong person. Good tips!
@Eyesonthedollar Haha you are right, that probably is the wrong person! I’m not really an outdoor type, but I do enjoy some outdoor dates in the summer.
My wife and I enjoy the outdoors and eat lunch or dinner out in the wild. We met while in school in a mountain town, so we are just used to dating in the wilderness!
@DebtRoundUp Dang, what mountain town?
@DC @ Young Adult Money Boone, NC
Good tips, some of the best dates my wife and I still go on are darn near free. Hikes, walks and bike rides are the highlights.
@KyleJames1 Going to the beach is one of our favorite dates. It’s nice to relax and be outside.
If we go out to eat we make sure we have a decent coupon or we’ll go the cheap movie theater after waiting a bit for the movie to go there.
@Money Life and More Great ways to save $$$
We love driving to the mountains for a day. We can go hiking, take pictures, spend some time in the small resort towns looking around, have ice cream and enjoy the sunshine.
I like #2. I think we tend to believe that taking people out is the only way to date. But, if this is the first time you are meeting someone or just getting to know them, I would stick with dating outside the home.
The older I get the more I actually like staying at home. I know that probably sounds lame. But I’m just as happy at home with a bottle of wine and homemade pasta as I’d be going out to a fancy dinner.
One of my favorite dates was going on picnics in a scenic park or at the beach. Another was going to Art gallery shoings. They generally had wine and appetizers, all for free. You just get on their mailing list.
My wife and I used to go out on picnics and walks along the beach all the time when we were dating. Not so much with the movies though as you couldn’t talk to each other.
HA, you must be talking about dates with your spouse, because there’s NO WAY I’d let a first date in my house!