Ideas for Dates on a Budget
Dinner, movie tickets, popcorn and candy add up quickly. Instead of the traditional dates that come with a high price tag, rethink your idea of a romantic evening with your sweetheart. Budget dates allow you to enjoy time together without blowing your entire entertainment budget in one day. You might find your cheap date nights are just as enjoyable as the more expensive ones.
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Stay In
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Dates don't have to mean leaving the house. A night at home affords you privacy and fewer distractions than you would experience in public. Cooking a meal together saves money on the food and provides a potentially romantic activity. Plan your menu to include foods known as aphrodisiacs, such as chocolate, chili peppers, oysters and vanilla. Red wine also fits the aphrodisiac category. For entertainment, try a movie marathon, game night or stargazing in the back yard.
Explore Local Nature
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Natural settings offer a romantic background for a date. Most natural areas, such as lakes, mountains and forests, are free. Some state parks might charge an entrance fee or require you to buy a yearly admittance sticker. Pack a picnic lunch for an affordable meal. After the picnic, take a walk around the natural area or sit back and watch nature with your partner. If you choose a body of water as your destination, try kayaking or swimming as the activity. Many lakes offer boat rentals for an affordable hourly rate.
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Act Like a Child
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Children's activities are often affordable and entertaining. Playing around may bring out the child in both of you. Playing is a way to relax and be yourself on a day. Either ice skating or roller skating is one option. Most rinks offer skate rentals for a small fee. A date at a park or arcade also fits into the childlike date theme.
Seek Out Cheap Entertainment
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Many cities offer local entertainment that is free or cheap to attend, especially during the warmer months. Summer festivals and fairs feature entertainment options, such as live music and vendor booths to browse. Bars and pubs often host concerts by local bands. Local businesses host open house style events with entertainment and food options. Even flea markets are an option for browsing on a date. Look for event listings in the newspaper or on the city's website. Community bulletin boards also feature local events. Once you find a source that lists free and cheap events in the area, you'll have a steady stream of budget date ideas.
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References
- Photo Credit date image by RUZANNA ARUTYUNYAN from Fotolia.com
