Everyone knows that dating – or even having a good time with friends – can be prohibitively expensive. A single night out with dinner, movies, drinks, and everything else can easily run over $100, which is something we all should want to avoid. Romantic dates are traditionally fairly expensive – however, nobody says that financially responsible and romantic have to be mutually exclusive! What you are most likely to remember years from now are the unusual dates, the ones that had something different or unique about them.
Time spent on dating and going out does not have to be expensive. In today’s society, the brunt of the cost of dating is being borne less and less by the male, so this applies to everyone out there. All of these activities can be used with that special someone or with a couple of good friends without much difference.
1 ) Picnic In The Park – Many people have heard of this time and time again, but it can be a great way to spend an afternoon or evening. Pick a warm, sunny day that isn’t too windy and head to your favorite park or spot in the woods. Making it a surprise gets bonus points – go ahead of time and set things up (if the area is secluded enough) or don’t reveal your intended destination until you arrive. You don’t need anything fancy; something like sandwiches and drinks will do just fine for most people. Be sure to take a blanket or know of a table in the area to sit on. Picnics are more about the company and conversation than anything else, so all you have to do to pull this off is not be boring! Your total cost will be travel and whatever you pay for food.
Estimated Cost: $5.00-$8.00/person
2 ) Hiking – This is a great activity for a number of reasons. You go outside, breathe some fresh air, and get some healthy exercise! All that you need is a good pair of shoes, a bottle of water, a nice area, and someone to go with. Again, pick a warm and sunny day and find a nice location where you can go out. I recommend mountain areas, and if you leave anywhere nearby the Appalachian Trail is a fantastic day out. Your only expenses will be the gas to get where you are going and a possible parking fee if you go to a park.
Estimated Cost: $5.00
3 ) Game Nights – Though this seems to be going out of style, having a game night is a great way to have friends over or even a quiet night in. Set it up, turn on some good music at a low volume, and enjoy the evening! Virtually everyone has at least one or two board games already, or at the very least a deck of cards, so the cost is negligible – all you would need would be food or drinks.
Estimated Cost: $1.00/person
4 ) Go To The Beach – While this is obviously more of a daytime activity, going to the beach is always fun. The only downside is that you have to live nearby, or travel and arrangements can get prohibitively costly. Also be sure to bring your own lunch (combine this with a picnic!) because food establishments near the shore are notoriously expensive. However, most beaches are public access so put on your trunks, grab some sunscreen, and hit the waves! Collect some shells and have a good afternoon out.
Estimated Cost: $5.00
5 ) Vineyard or Brewery Tour/Wine Tasting – Most places around the world have some sort of vineyard or brewery nearby. Within ten miles of my location there are about a dozen locations according to a quick Google search. The tours are available at most vineyards for at most a small fee, generally around $5.00 per person, and will include a tour of the facilities, and explanation of the process, and tasting at the end. For those who don’t have a vineyard or brewery in their area, many wine shops offer free tastings on weekends. A few minutes of research can tell you more! If you can resist buying a few bottles of the kind you like most, this is a great and inexpensive way to spend an afternoon.
Estimated Cost: $5.00
6 ) City Events – Most cities or towns have free events scheduled on a regular basis, particularly during the summer months. If the weather is good, check the newspaper or your town’s website for events coming up in your area! Common activities include craft fairs, concerts, plays, comedy shows, and even movie screenings. If you have a college campus that is open to the public nearby, check with them about similar things! Many will have concerts (particularly with their band or orchestra) and other activities available quite often.
Estimated Cost: $2.00
7 ) Take a Free Class – While this may not sound like a traditional date or evening out, it is not difficult to find free classes for dance, music, or other activities. Look into local activity centers; many of them will have regular classes, lectures, or discussion groups which are available at no cost to the public. The only cost to you is whatever it costs to get there!
Estimated Cost: $1.00
8 ) Amateur Night – Many local establishments will host an amateur night. This can be anything from poetry readings at a coffee shop to a stand-up comedy club to karaoke night at a downtown bar. If you’ve got any talent, you could even get up on stage and impress your date or friends!
Estimated Cost: $1.00
9 ) Stargazing – On a cloudless night find a clearing in an area away from city lights. Take a blanket and some pillows and curl up together and watch the stars. This is bound to be a great evening, and it costs nothing but travel and any snacks or a bottle of wine you bring along. Just be sure it is warm enough to stay outside for a long time! If you check local meteor shower schedules, you can even plan a night where there is likely to be a spectacular display.
Estimated Cost: $2.00
10) Museums or the Zoo – Almost every town has at least one museum or a zoo nearby. These are generally quite cheap to get into, and if you happen to live near the Washington, D.C. area the Smithsonian Museums are all worth a visit, and free to get into! Check your area for a museum that might interest you and your partners and spend an afternoon strolling through the exhibits.
Estimated Cost: $2.00-$5.00
Obviously, there are MANY other ideas! Submit your ideas and we can start a recurring post of the top days out on a budget.
Tags: budget activities, Budgeting, experiences, going out, life, lists, money
