Cheap date ideas are the way to go, in my experience. Not only are you saving money, but you can come up with some fun and unique activities for that special someone.
No matter if it’s your first date or your 100th, you can stay within budget and make some amazing memories with your sweetheart. I took some time to write out my favorite dates under $10 with (of course) a few free date ideas.
Whether it’s Valentine’s Day or a random Sunday afternoon, I want you to have a unique experience with your dates this year. And this is a great way to stay on track if you’re a newlywed trying to manage your finances.
These ideas are also great for a girl’s weekend!
Free Date Ideas
Have you heard the age old story that ‘love don’t cost a thing’? Well, here’s the proof with some free date ideas…
Watch a TED Talk together
Something that I love to do that is an absolutely free date night is to pick out a TED talk and watch it together. There is something so fun about picking out a topic and learning about it together. It always sparks some interesting conversations and helps the boyfriend and I connect on an intellectual level
With TED talks, they have topics from experts in every topic imaginable. From the beauty of creating useless things to the art of misdirection, there are hundreds of thousands of topics.
Go to a New Library
A fun way to experience something new and is the perfect cheap date idea is to check out a new library. Since they are all open to the public, you can check one out almost anywhere for free!
I like to try and find older libraries on University campuses. Typically the architecture is grand and the environment feels more studious.
This type of environment is also perfect for learning new things about your date. Walking the aisles can spark new conversations like their favorite dinosaur as a kid or their favorite country in Europe.
Write Out your Goals
This date idea is perfect for a night in, during a picnic, or at a coffee shop. It’s a fun (and budget friendly) way to plan for the future and get to know each other on an even deeper level.
There is something special about these sorts of conversations.
To me, revealing a dream turned into a goal can be one of the most intimate conversations that you can have. Maybe you’ve never revealed to anyone how you want to start a goat farm or how you want to be the first female CEO of your company.
This sort of date can lead to beautiful, encouraging conversations that can bring you and your date closer together.
This is also a great time to set some money goals and find some healthy spending habits for couples.
Hit the Trails
I have a sister that insists that hiking is the best date that you can go on. Not only is it cheap, but it is an activity that requires some movement and isn’t solely dependent on sitting and talking.
Don’t worry about the physical demand either- you can choose whatever trail fits your endurance level. There are trails for all sorts of physical levels, from simple walks to extreme 90 degree mountains.
The best part? Even if the date is a bust, then at least you get a great picture for social media.
And make sure you are signed up for Sweatcoin so you can get paid for your steps!
Questions to Ask Your Spouse
Even if you’ve been with your spouse a long time, these questions to ask your spouse can help you to learn so much more about them!
So it down, grab a glass of wine and go through the questions together to learn more about each other. I think this is a great way to feel connected.
Date Ideas Under $5
You can’t get much cheaper than a date under $5- here’s some of my best cheap date ideas….
Buy a lottery ticket
When the boyfriend and I first started dating, we were very frugal. Dating consisted of lots of walks and cheap food.
One of our favorite date, however, was to head to the local gas station and buy a few scratch tickets. Then, with whatever money we won, we would buy a few more, then again and again, until we ran out of money.
It was so fun, lasted around 30 minutes, and cost us less than 5 dollars.
Have a Bonfire
There is something so romantic about fire, isn’t there? Lighting a bonfire, though, creates the perfect setting for a cheap, intimate date to sit and talk all night long.
Even the simple act of lighting the perfect fire can be a fun activity for you and that special someone. Arranging the wood, nurturing that flame, then maintaining it is the perfect cheap date idea.
Of course, this only works if you live in an area where bonfires are permitted. If you are living in the city and still want to replicate this, you can have a fire indoors or use a metal fireplace for your patio.
This date idea will do more than light a few sparks, if you’re lucky!
Date Ideas Under $10
Want to break out the big bucks? Here are some dates under $10. Check out my favorite cheap date ideas below…
Do a Puzzle
Now’s as good as any time to be completely honest with you- I love puzzles! They are so calming and help my mind relax. Pair a puzzle with a bottle of wine and this is my perfect date night.
A puzzle is the perfect activity to try out for cheap without the stress of having a long conversation. Sometimes you just need to be near someone without the stress of talking and not binging another show on tv.
Head to the store and find a simple puzzle for cheap (there are thousands under $10) or plan ahead and join a free puzzle group like the Free Little Library.
Here are some cheap puzzles under $10 available on Amazon:
Have a Picnic
You know how in every romantic comedy there is a moment where the couple that is starting to fall in love goes on a picnic? There’s a reason- picnics are awesome.
Choose whatever type of food that you and your date love (there are no rules- except maybe try to avoid soup) and find a spot outdoors to lay down a blanket.
You can get pretty fancy with a picnic and stay within budget by preparing the food yourself. Cut melon at the store, for example, can easily be 3-5 dollars more than a melon that you chop yourself.
Take a Factory Tour
Where I live, there are tons of local small businesses that make the most delicious food around. So why not support that small business with this cheap date idea and take a factory tour?
From bakeries to chocolate factories to pizzarias- the sky’s the limit on the tours that you can visit. A quick google search and you can find some awesome, one of a kind locations to visit for fairly cheap.
While you pay extra attention to the free samples (our goal is, after all, to stay in budget), I have to recommend that you pack some extra cash to grab some extra goodies for the drive home.
Have a Game Night at Home
Remember when you used to gather around the kitchen table on a Friday night with your family for a rousing game of Go Fish or Uno? These classic card games were a staple in my home and some of my favorite memories. So why not bring that to a date?
Grab a deck of cards and a few of your favorite childhood games and get playing!
This is a great way to discover a person’s true character (are they competitive? Can they make anything super fun?) while staying within your budget.
Whether this is your first date or your 100th, this cheap date idea will make for a fun night.
In Summary
Cheap date ideas can be the best date ideas! With a little creativity and an open mind, you can create a memorable date while staying in budget. No matter the time of the year, you can create a fun evening for you and your sweetheart.
Whether you are learning something new, checking out a new trail, or playing your favorite childhood game, you can have the best date while saving money.
More frugal living tips!
Have you tried any of these date ideas? Comment below and let me know what fun, frugal date ideas you have!
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