Eight Tips for a Cheap Date

written by: Andrea Pendleton

The recession doesn’t have to ruin romance. Whether a couple is on a first date or has been married for years, an evening for two doesn’t have to be expensive. It may take some extra time and creativity to plan an affordable date, but a well-planned cheap date can often be more memorable than outings that cost a lot of money. Here are eight ideas for free or low-cost dates:

1. Museums - Numerous museums offer free admission once a week or month. Also be sure to check out the Smithsonian Magazine’s Museum Day in September. Hundreds of museums across the country offer free admission for two people during this annual event.
2. Wine Tasting - Many wineries have inexpensive tours that are followed by wine tastings. Not only will you get to see how wine is made, but you can sample some too. AllAmericanWineries.com has a listing of wineries throughout the United States. Many local wine stores also hold free tastings to help expand your wine knowledge.
3. Outdoor Movies - Several cities host free outdoor movies during the summer. Pack a picnic for an inexpensive opportunity for dinner and a movie.
4. Eating In - Starting with appetizers and ending with dessert, plan a romantic dinner for two. Make your favorite meal together, and then set the mood by using your nicest dishes and lighting some candles. You’ll spend more quality time together and spend less money than you would if you were eating out at a fancy restaurant.
5. Bowling - Many bowling alleys have daily specials for a cheap and competitive date. GoBowling.com has a list of bowling alleys across the country and their promotions.
6. Volunteer Together - Give back to a cause you both care about by volunteering your time together. Whether it’s stocking the shelves of a food pantry or building a house for Habitat for Humanity, have a fun time while helping others. VolunteerMatch.com can help you find a nonprofit organization that can use your help.
7. Factory Tours - From ice cream to beer, get a behind the scenes tour of how your favorite products are made. Factory tours are often free and include free samples. Visit FactoryToursUsa.com to see where tours are in your area.
8. Sporting Events - Cheer for your favorite team on the cheap! Major sports teams often have promotions like two-for-one tickets during weeknight games. Also check out a minor league team’s games for an affordable outing.

About the Author:

Andrea Pendleton is a single gal on a budget and blogger at singleandsaving.com. You can also follow Andrea on Twitter @singleandsaving for more of her thrifty tips.

Posted by Sok on October 20, 2010     Tags: Deal


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