5 Ways to Boost Fun While Dating on a Budget
Money has a strange way of leaving our wallets faster than it comes in, and that means we have to budget our income carefully. Everything from food to entertainment should be accounted for. But what about dating? Is it still okay to have a love life when you’re on a budget? The correct answer here is “yes”!
Keeping Date Night on a Budget
Dating is an essential part of life. It’s how we come to meet our future life partner and so it definitely should be a budgeting priority. If you’re in the dating game, but don’t want to find yourself taking out payday loans to show them a good time, here are 5 ways to crank up the fun while keeping a tamed budget!
Spend Less on Dinner
For the sake of being romantic, not everybody likes to “go Dutch”, but splitting the bill is your best bet if you’re trying to stick to a budget. If dividing the check isn’t an option, you could always go to dinner where the meals are reasonably priced, or even stay in and cook! Save the fancy 5-star restaurants for Valentine’s Day.
Save on a Trip to the Movies
Going to the movies is a great date idea, but if you’re not careful it can also be a really expensive one. Tickets will run you about $13 a piece, not to mention the arm and a leg you’ll give up for popcorn, soda, and candy. Between tickets and the over-priced concessions, you could easily spend over $50 on yourself and your date.
But if streaming a movie at home is out of the question, try going to a matinee screening instead. Tickets are a lot cheaper during daytime hours. Also, be sure to eat beforehand. This way, you won’t be tempted to stock up on popcorn and candy come showtime.
Have Some Fun
If you’re dating on a budget, why not keep things fun and simple? If you live near the coast, take your date out to the beach for the afternoon. Some other budget-friendly fun could include bowling, mini-golfing, or even visiting your local aquarium or zoo. Any of these activities are bound to fill up your day with fun experiences for very low cost!
Go to a Local Show
You don’t have to go to a big rock concert or a fancy Broadway production to enjoy good live entertainment. Just about every town has venues hosting live performances of some kind, be it local plays, rock shows or even an open mic nights. You’ll find out quickly that there’s a ton of hidden talent to discover in your own neighborhood!
Make It Special
Just because you’re trying to save money doesn’t mean you can’t do something nice for your date. Buy them flowers. A small bouquet is an inexpensive, yet heart-warming gesture that goes a long way. Strike up a conversation and tell them what you like about them. Take a walk near a lake or work on a small craft together at home. It’s the small precious moments that make the difference and more often than not, they don’t cost a dime.
Love Don't Cost a Thing
Take these ideas to heart and show your date how much you really care without all the spending. By keeping things simple and fun, you’ll find that dates don’t have to cost cash. Sometimes, being in the presence of someone very special to you is all you really need.
Note: The content provided in this article is only for informational purposes, and you should contact your financial advisor about your specific financial situation.