Affordable Date Ideas for Budget-Concerned People

There is always an excitement in the air when you decide to go on a date. This is particularly true if you happen to be going on a date with a person you haven't been out with before. Yes, there might be some awkwardness and tension in those early days, but there is also anticipation of what the future may hold. With all of that in mind, you surely want to show your date a good time. 

However, with the vast majority of Americans saying that they experience anxiety over their financial situation, it is understandable that you might want to look at budget-friendly ways to go on a date. Fortunately, we have some great ideas for how you can make this happen. 

Go on a Breakfast Date 

Many people feel a societal pressure to take their dates out for dinner and/or drinks. This is the stereotypical type of date that so many of us feel is the "right" way to treat someone. However, what we fail to realize when we think like that is that we are actually putting unnecessary financial strain on ourselves. 

There is no rule that says that you can't propose a breakfast date instead of dinner. In fact, it is often far more affordable to go on a breakfast date rather than a dinner one. Also, you get to see what your date is like personality-wise in the morning. These types of dates are best saved for the weekends when people are off work, but they can be a fantastic way to get to know someone new. 

Run Errands Together 

The movies might not show people getting together to go run errands together, but most of us understand that taking care of our errands is simply part of being an adult. Bringing along a date to run errands with you is a great way to form a bond with a new person. They get a glimpse into what your day-to-day life is like, and you get to show them what it might be like if the two of your form a lasting relationship together. 

It is obviously very afford to run errands, the only thing you need to pay for is the fuel to get to those places. However, it is also an intimate experience in many ways because you build a bond with the person who comes along with you for the journey. 

Take a Hike! 

Not everyone is an outdoors person, but those who are tend to really love it. Ramsey Solutions recommends a hike as an affordable date option: 

Hiking in the fresh air under a sunny sky? You just can't beat it! Be sure to remember how far you've walked so you aren't making your date hike 20 miles (unless that's on purpose). We speak from experience.

Being out in nature means there are few distractions to take you away from the moment. You can actually spend the time together getting to know one another. Also, you get some exercise in while you are at it. That is also a nice side-effect of choosing to take your date out on the trails. 

Play Some Board Games

Most people already have at least a few board games lying around their house. Why not bust them out and use these as a way to get to know your date and do something fun together? 

There are certain board games that are seemingly designed for a date, including: 

• Uno
• Scrabble
• Chess
• Yahtzee
• Mancala
• Cribbage
• Clue

These games can all be played with just two players, and that makes them ideal for getting to know your date on a more personal level. Your date will appreciate the fact that you have taken the time to select something that the two of you can play together without any pressure or expectations on them. 

Fire Up Your Favorite Video-Streaming Service 

You are probably already paying the monthly subscription fee for something like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, etc. right? If so, you might as well get your money's worth and use that service as frequently as possible. Selecting a show on one of these services that you and your date can get into together is a great way to build a shared bond. 

When you establish a common interest (aka the television show you decide to binge watch), then you will always have something to talk about if you run out of other things to say. Besides that, this type of date is essentially free, aside from the monthly subscription that you are already paying. 

Go Bowling 

Often forgotten among date ideas, bowling can be an affordable way to take a date out and have an enjoyable time. It is important to try to capitalize on some of the specials offered at your local bowling alley. For example, many bowling alleys offer discounts for those who come bowling earlier in the day. If you want to minimize the stress on your budget, then you should take your date out bowling during the day to pay less, but still have a great time. 

Another benefit of going earlier in the day is that you likely won't have to deal with rowdy teenagers and children's birthday parties! 

Have Some Ice Cream at the Park 

Pick up a tub of your favorite discount ice cream from the grocery store and make a trip over to your favorite local park. You don't have to buy ice cream from a specialty shop, you can just get a large tub to share from the grocery store for a few dollars. If you have this going for you, then you aren't spending a terribly large sum of money, and yet, you are still getting to spend time with your date doing something fun. 

Eating ice cream in the park also opens up the opportunity to do a little people watching. Sometimes it is fun to observe strangers and their odd behaviors. You might even come up with an inside joke or two that you can laugh at with your date.

Summing It All Up

These are all potential options for someone who is on a budget but still wants to get out and socialize. You can still have fun and avoid spending too much money when you opt for budget-friendly options for your next outing. 

For more advice and useful financial tools to create financially healthy habits, explore the services of mph.bank. We provide the tools and resources you need to manage your finances independently and successfully.