photo by crystl

I’ve always been a cheap date. No, not the “check out my poster collection” type of cheap date, but the kind that enjoys a picnic in the park or splitting the bill. But there’s a fine line between being creatively frugal and fun and being downright tacky. On a first date, if my date whipped out a restaurant coupon for our meal, that would be a deal breaker. Now, when my husband has a coupon for a meal, I’m happy to save money. A few of my favorite cheap dates are going to the beach with lunch in the cooler, nature hikes and cruising flea markets.
The following are a few reader-submitted tips for inexpensive dates.

HEAT UP AND COOL DOWN: One of my favorite cheap dates is miniature golf or bowling and then stopping to get an ice-cream cone afterward. — Kim, Michigan

BUDGET FOOD AND MOVIE: Our cheap dates consist of picnics at a local park and the drive-in theater during summer. — Gina, Oklahoma

We eat out for breakfast or lunch instead of dinner and go to an early matinee or rent a movie. — Karen, Illinois

COMMUNITY FUN: An early-morning bike ride or hike with homemade muffins or trail mix is incredibly cheap and fun. I also love community festivals and browsing antique stores. — Constance, New Jersey

I enjoy coffee, dessert and a walk on the pier. — Kellie, New Jersey

For fun, I love going to the farmer’s market or berry picking. — Heather, New York

I like to visit the zoo and pack a lunch or go the bookstore and have coffee. — Michelle S., Massachusetts

We like to rent a canoe and spend time on the water. — Carol, Utah

I had a great date at a paint-a-pot shop. — Sue H., California

I once went on a date where we rode bikes and then visited a local cemetery and did grave rubbings. It was different and memorable. — Katy, Texas

HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT, TOO: I went on a date at a craft store, and we took a cake-decorating class. It was tons of fun. — Julie, New Hampshire

SHARING HOPES AND DREAMS: I enjoy weekend dates with my husband to home shows to dream about the future. — Kathy, Indiana

STAY AT HOME: For date night, my husband and I make homemade pizza and put together puzzles or play cards or board games. — Jean, e-mail

PRACTICALLY FREE: It’s fun to go for country drives and bring a camera. — Darlene B., New York

I love going to free concerts in the park and public gardens. — Amanda, Ohio

One of my best dates was a campfire with marshmallows. We looked at stars together and sipped on sodas. — Amy, Ohio

I ask for restaurant gift cards for Christmas, so my husband and I can enjoy free dates throughout the year. — Reba, Maryland

We love going to high-school and local sports games. — Danielle, Pennsylvania

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!