Cheap Date Ideas! You want to Keep the Romance Going for Less! Click It!

Jersey’s Response:

Some of these dating ideas are pretty cool. I would love to learn how to drive a stick shift. I have no idea. That sounds awesome. The picnic would be cool and very romantic. So they have a lot of ideas to keep the relationship fresh, spicy, and budget friendly. Cheap dates rule! Try out one of these and let me know how it worked out. I love creative dates they are worth so much more than money. It is the thought that counts. Enjoy! 

AskMen.Com

1- Take her on a picnic

All you need for this date is one plaid blanket, two champagne glasses, something to drink and a packed lunch. Throw together whatever sandwiches you can muster, but be a gentleman and bring some strawberries for dessert. Raise a toast with something bubbly — soda water, cream soda, maybe even real champagne — anything that’ll dance in a slender glass.

2- Teach her to drive manual transmission

In my experience, most women who don’t drive stick shift nonetheless wish they knew how. Teaching your date this traditionally “manly” skill will both thrill and empower her — and, psst, Women love men who make them feel empowered. This date can pay off big time, and it costs almost nothing. All you need is access to a manual transmission vehicle (tractor trailers probably not a good idea), an empty parking lot and a bit of patience. Or a lot of patience, as the case may be.

3- The theme date

Sometimes a quirky or unusual date suggestion can be just the trick. If your idea for an outing is truly unique, she’ll be so intrigued that chances are she won’t notice it only cost you 10 bucks. My favorite date in this category is the ’50s-themed date. Most cities have at least one good ’50s-style diner, so why not take her on a milkshake date or, if she’s lactose-intolerant, on a Coca-Cola-in-those-Small-Glass-Bottles Date? As Don advises young Mitch in Dazed and Confused, “Sounds stupid, doesn’t it? It works.”

4- Cook her a meal

If she’s still hungry after that $5 milkshake and things are going well, why not offer to cook her dinner at your place or her place. This date has obvious advantages. Cooking skills always rank well in women’s surveys of what makes a man desirable, eating in is much more affordable than any decent restaurant and, afterward, you’re already home. Disadvantage: She may balk at the idea of going to your place, especially if it’s a first date. Consider completing Date No. 3 before attempting this one, or, if things are running smoothly, segway from Date No. 3 into Date No. 4.

5- The Cute & Fluffy

If she’s expressed any interest in animals, especially if she talks about wanting a cat or dog, take her on a tour of your local animal shelter. While this date doesn’t exactly round out an evening, it will reveal what a gentle and caring guy you are, and, best of all, it costs absolutely nothing.

6- Sports!

If you think animal shelters are just gonna bum your date out, then why not take her to watch some amateur sports? Be it basketball, volleyball, hockey or soccer, there’s tons of great athleticism on display at the local level and almost all of it is free. It may not be the major leagues, but it’ll give you something to talk about and may even be funny as hell. Choose a side to root for, split a bag of chips and a couple of beers, and you’re in business. Senior Bowling Night remains one of the best dates I ever had.

7- Urban explorers

Despite what they may have told you in school, exploring isn’t something that ended with Columbus and Jacques Cartier. There’s still plenty to explore all around you. Whether it’s a forgotten corner of your own city, an ethnic neighborhood she’s never set foot in or, for that matter, an abandoned factory, race track or rooftop — do a little research and you’ll quickly discover that the possibilities to excite her with the unknown may be literally just around the corner.

Tip: If you’re going to be snoopin’ around, make sure she wears good shoes — no heels.

8- Gently down the stream

Whether you take her canoeing, on a ferry or simply paddle-boating, there’s something undeniably romantic about being on the water. Maybe it’s cause our bodies are made of the stuff — who knows, who cares? Fact is, even a grimy urban creek can feel (kind of) like the French Riviera if you prepare well and offer to do the paddling.

Tip: If canoeing, prepare a comfortable place for her to recline and take in the scenery. I personally used this date idea five times one summer and believe each of the ladies enjoyed themselves immensely, regardless of their final decision about me.

9- The field trip

Most art galleries and museums offer any number of discounts or sometimes a “free day” you and your date could just happen to show up on. Personally, I prefer an art gallery for this date, as opposed to any museum. Too many kids. There’s just something about all that quiet that makes girls feel like being kissed.

Tip: Avoid the audio-guide. It’ll likely cost extra and keep you away from the more secluded regions of the gallery.

10- Shopping is a joke

Although they’re getting harder to find these days, joke shops are always a great place for a date. There’s lots to look at and laugh at, and the bizarre-o guy who runs the place will likely provide some easy conversation fodder for afterward. Also, if there’s something she likes in the shop, why not insist on buying it for her (or do it on the sly and surprise her later). Most joke shop items fall within the $2 to $12 range.