Trying to find that special someone can really do a number on your wallet. The Singles in America study, conducted by the dating site Match.com, surveyed more than 5,000 single men and women across the country. It found that singles spent a collective $82 billion per year on dating, which breaks down to $738.36 per single person per year. You can look at finding the right someone as an investment in your future, but not the type of investment that’s worth going into debt for.
Luckily, these cheap date night ideas will show a potential match that you’re creative and frugal—and won’t cost you more than $20 each.
- Check Out a Museum: A number of museums offer free admission at least some of the time, which means you can keep yourself and your date occupied for hours without spending a dime. Policies vary from museum to museum, so give your favorite one a call before you plan your date. For example, the Art Institute of Chicago offers free admission to residents of Illinois every Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Some libraries also allow you to reserve free passes to area museums, so check your local library for more details. Since most museums close in the late afternoon or early evening, after you’re finished exploring art or natural history, take your date to a local coffee shop. Discuss what you’ve seen over lattes and scones.
- Go for a Stroll: Bring your date to a local park with walking trails or to a particularly lovely section of your city, and enjoy a quiet, and free, stroll together. Depending on the weather and the location, you can pack a picnic blanket and basket and enjoy a meal under the stars.
- Have a Stay-At-Home Movie Night: Going to the movies isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Tickets are often more than $10 per person, and the cost of snacks is astounding. Plus, you’re limited to what’s playing at the moment and to the limited options at the concession stand. With just $20 in your pocket, you can have a much more enjoyable movie night at home. You and your date can each pick out a movie to watch, either from a rental kiosk or a streaming service. That way, you don’t have to fight over what movie to see. You can go the traditional route and pop some popcorn to enjoy or get creative and plan your snacks based on the movie you’re watching. For example, order or make a pizza if you’re watching Mystic Pizza or order some sushi if you watch Jiro Dreams of Sushi.
- Have a Game Night: A game night is a creative way to get to know someone without much pressure or the need to spend much money. Meet in a coffee shop or at your home, bring along your favorite board or card games, and spend the evening engaged in some friendly, flirty competition.
These cheap date night ideas should make spending time with your date a fun, relaxed, and wallet-friendly activity. Remember to be yourself, relax and have a great time. Who knows what the future holds?
The CESI Team is committed to helping you reach your financial goals. If debt keeps you from living the life you dream of, contact us for a free debt analysis today and get started on the road to a brighter future!
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