With Valentine’s Day on its way, you may be thinking of ideas to help you treat someone special to an amazing date without spending a small fortune. Dating, as you know, can be pretty pricey. It doesn’t matter if you’re just playing the field or if you’ve been with someone for decades, planning a date can be stressful due to the money that has to be spent. There is, however, a lot of date ideas that you can plan that will cost you next to nothing. Whether you’re shooting for a Valentine’s Day romance or just want to take your spouse out for a night without the kids, these dating tips will make your romance spark. The best thing is, most of them can be used throughout the year so you can enjoy the savings whenever money’s tight.
1. Leave Early
A lot of people tend to plan dates for the evening, which is convenient for work schedules and helps you enjoy the night life in your area. However, if you can, you should plan a date that begins in the afternoon. For starters, early dates can take advantage of the early bird special at a lot of restaurants. These specials usually take place during the restaurants downtime and will cost you a few dollars less per plate, which adds up in the long run. Early dates also work out perfectly for the movies. During the afternoon you can enjoy the price of a matinee ticket which is usually a couple of dollars cheaper. You may also want to check to see if your movie theater has twilight hours, which usually take place around 3 in the afternoon and cost even less than a matinee ticket. During the afternoon there’s also a whole lot of activities you can enjoy that won’t be as crowded. Thus, you’ll get more for what you’re paying for. You may even get an afternoon discount at some places!
2. Share
There’s nothing more romantic than sharing, so when you go out keep this mind. It’ll come in handy if you choose to get a snack or add on a dessert to your meal. Typically, most restaurants will add a larger size of an order to the menu for only a few scents extra. This is a great time to upsize your snack and share with your date. You’ll both get plenty of food, as generally the larger size almost doubles the smallest, and you’ll come out of the restaurant spending less than you’d imagine. The same can be said when it comes to ordering dessert. Typically, if you’ve had a large meal, dessert is a treat to help change the taste of some foods. Thus, you don’t need a lot of it. You should also implement this rule when it comes to ordering wine. You both don’t need to order two different types, instead order a bottle and share. It’ll come out costing a little less and you’ll probably get more wine out of the deal.
3. Great Outdoors
There’s one date location that is pretty much always free, that is, the great outdoors. In this day and age we tend to forget about the wonderful fresh air and warming sunlight, but if you’re in the mood for a budgeted date it may be time to get reacquainted. Your options are endless when it comes to outdoor dates. For starters, you can take a simple walk in a park and share a picnic. You may also want to elevate the fitness level by taking a hike or going cycling. If the two of you like a specific sport then try to find an area where you can play it together. You may be surprised as to how working out together can bring the relationship closer. You can also plan a date according to the weather. If there’s snow then find a great place to go sledding, build a snowman or have a simple snowball fight. Warmer weather may inspire you to get out and enjoy some time at the beach or lake. Windy weather is perfect for flying a kite. Of course, camping is a fun way to enjoy one another’s company throughout the year. Especially if you enjoy cuddling up beneath the stars!
4. Look for Freebies
Sometimes waiting on dates can be one of the best ways to save money. If you live near a city or you have cultural establishments in your area then you might want to check in and see if you can secure a free day to plan your date. A lot art and history museums as well as aquariums, zoos and government landmarks will offer viewers a free day every once in a while. This can be a great conversation starter for your date and will allow you to get to know some of their interests outside of the movie theater or a busy restaurant scene. Free days will also allow you to get to know a place to see if it’s somewhere you’d like to take your date again. For instance, there’s always new exhibitions that could inspire more romance between the two of you. When you choose to go on a free day you’ll also have more money to splurge on a nice dinner or even a souvenir to help your date remember the special day.
5. Skip the Alcohol
Dating can often mean ordering drinks at a restaurant or bar, which is fine especially when you’re just starting out. However, if you’re looking to save money on the dating experience you may want to skip the booze altogether. Sure, it may not seem like you’re spoiling your date if you opt to do this, but you will find that it will cut your dining bill in half. This will allow you to go out and enjoy more activities together rather than just keeping your date to a mere meal. Skipping out on the alcohol also means you won’t have to worry about paying a taxi to take you to and from your dating locations as you’ll remain sober throughout the date. You may even find you feel more comfortable with one another as the date moves on and you’ll remember more of the romantic moments you shared when the date ends.
6. Keep It Local
Believe it or not, there’s a lot of things you can do on a date that allows you to support your local economy. If you like to date on the weekend then try out a date at the Farmer’s Market. This will give you time to browse some local crafts while also picking up a light breakfast, ingredients to share at a picnic or for a tasty home cooked meal later in the day. If the night life is more your thing then consider checking out a local gig at a pub, coffee house or other venue. This will help you bond over music and beverages while opening you up to new things in your own community. Of course, carnivals and fairs are always a great date activity and there’s probably a few of these events in your area throughout the year. Tickets are generally low priced and you can easily work with your budget to decide how many games you can play and what foods you can buy. If you have farms in your area you may also want to consider taking part in apple picking events, or other produce, as well as mazes and hay rides.
7. Groupon
Planning your dates around groupon or other social media inspired coupon sites might be one of the wisest choices when it comes to saving money. This won’t just allow you to save money, but it will provide you with a lot of amazing date ideas you may never have considered due to the price tag. Typically, Groupon offers a lot of coupons for items like spa trips, wine tasting, amusement parks, lesson plans (like surfing, crafting, making honey and so on), or even just a trip to a restaurant you may not normally try. With the huge savings you’ll have a world of opportunities offered to you which may just make your date unbelievable. These special coupons are also great for a couple planning to double date or date with a large group of people as they generally save you more money by the amount of people you invite.
8. Volunteer
Nothing brings two people together quite like offering to donate your time together. Sure, volunteering might not be a glamorous date, but it will help the two of you bond as you do something good for your community. This doesn’t mean you both have to spend your afternoon in neon vests picking up garbage on the side of the road. Rather, choose something that is going to suit both of your interests while still allowing the two of you to spend time together as you help out. Some of the more popular choices for these types of dates are working to build homes in your community or visiting with elders in a nursing home. Of course, there’s a lot of volunteer options available so don’t be afraid to do some research and find something amazing. The best thing is, you’ll both see one another in a good light which may even start the relationship out on the right foot.
9. Go Shopping
Spending a day shopping with your special someone will give you a few hints as to their tastes while also giving you the opportunity to spend an entire day talking away. This doesn’t mean head straight for the mall and go in all of the brand named stores you can think of. Instead, try looking around your neighborhood for yard sales to check out. Buying items from here will help out your community and may even lead you to find some treasures you never thought you’d run into. You should also check out thrift stores. Money from these sales go straight to a charity which helps out big time and the prices are incredibly low. If you plan the date early enough you may even be able to work around some of the items you purchased. For instance, if you found sporting equipment you can try it out or you could make a craft out of some of the artistic items you found throughout the store.
10. Stay In
Although it may seem a little bland, some of the best date nights can actually be held in the home. Better yet, home inspired dates can also save you a whole lot of money! There’s a lot of things you can do during a date too. For instance, try cooking together so you both get to enjoy the experience as well as the flavor of the food. There’s lots of romantic recipes to choose from, which aren’t difficult to make. You can also rent a movie or watch one you own. With a little homemade popcorn you can have the movie theater experience for next to nothing. Home spas also make for a relaxing date. Simply light some candles and use oils to provide relaxing back and feet massages. You may also want to read to one another in front of the fireplace, or spend the evening dancing to old records. If you want to mix things up a bit then invite over other couples for a game night that will surely bring laughs.
Dating doesn’t have to be the end of your budget. In fact, some of the best dates you can plan can be achieved for little to no cost all. With these dating tips you should be able to woo your date this Valentine’s Day or any other date night without having to worry about the financial repercussions!
