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Ten Ways to Save Money on Dates

© Amy Cunningham

Let's face it, dating can be expensive. Whether you're single and dating or married going on a date night, the cost can really add up. According to Match.com, the leader in online matchmaking, the average romantic dinner date can cost anywhere between $50-%100. A romantic evening of dinner, theater tickets, and flowers costs $314 on average! With dating prices this high, we've compiled a few tips to help lower the cost while retaining the romance!

1. Cook dinner together at home and then go out for dessert! Not only is this incredibly romantic, but you'll save a bundle. The two of you can rub arms in the kitchen preparing the meal and then light the sparks over a candlelit dinner. Cap the evening off with a decadent dessert at a local restaurant.
   
   
2. Get season tickets to a local sports team or the theater. Whether you enjoy grabbing your glove and heading out to a game or dressing to the nines and heading out to a play, buying season tickets is a must for the budget-conscious. With season tickets, you're able to enjoy numerous dates together for much cheaper by purchasing them all at once.
   
   
3. Wait until the last minute. For some events, such as theater, tickets will sometimes be priced lower on the day of the event in order to sell more. If you don't mind the uncertainty, this can be a great way to a great date at a very low cost.
   
   
4. Check out your local theater. Many communities have local theater (or maybe a high school drama theater) that are actually quite good! Make a commitment to check it out on your next date. You'll most likely find that you really enjoyed yourselves, while saving a bundle.
   
   
5. Visit local botanical centers, gardens, and museums. These types of places are generally inexpensive, very interesting, and can be quite romantic. Just picture yourself and your sweetie walking close together through beautiful gardens.
   
   
6. Pick some fruit. Visit a strawberry patch, pumpkin patch, apple orchard, or whatever is in season. It's generally free to visit with the only cost being the fruit that you pick. Once you're done picking, feed pieces of fruit to each other seductively.
   
   
7. Buy an entertainment book! The coupons contained in these books are more than worth the small price you pay for them. You can get buy 1, get 1 free meals, movies, and tons of other date-worthy activities.
   
   
8. Picnic in the Park. This is a common suggestion, but not many couples actually take advantage of it! Pack a picnic lunch, complete with a bottle of wine and a book of romantic poetry. Head out to your local park, snag a shady spot under a tree and prepare yourself for an afternoon of romance. After eating, read to each other from the poetry book. While it may sound cheesy at first, you'll really feel the romantic sparks.
   
   
9. Spend the night on the couch. There is nothing like spending the entire night together on the couch. Grab a cozy blanket big enough for two, rent a collection of movies, and snuggle together. Get rid of all distractions including telephones, and/or friends and kids. The best gift that you can give each other is the gift of time and a night together on the couch where the only thing you focus on is each other is the perfect gift to yourselves.
   
   
10. Check for discounts online. Lastly, before you head out on any date, check the company or event website. Often times they will have coupons that you can print out for a discount. If you're getting tickets to an event or travel, check several online websites for the best deal.
    
    

Now that you have a few ideas, money can no longer be an excuse for lack of romance. :-)