Budget-Friendly Tips For Dating
Let’s be honest: dating can be a bit of a burden on your wallet. The food, the drinks, the events, and the gifts all add fuel to the fire, but are a rather necessary part of getting to know someone a bit better or keeping an existing relationship afloat. But do they need to cost quite as much? You could still go out for a date with your loved ones and keep them happy with these simple tips that will surely help you cut your extra expenses. Check out the simple tips below and go dating!
Set a budget
If you are currently on the dating scene, open to dating or in a relationship, you should definitely set a budget for dating. It might sound silly, but there’s no reason dating shouldn’t be part of your spending calculation. You already (hopefully!) budget your clothing and food shopping, so why not dating?
Think how much extra you have available each month or week and consider the amount you’re willing to spend on another person and how often. Be realistic about what you can afford to spend without having to slash spending from other things. Each week, set aside the sum and use it for your date. If you don’t happen to get a date on that week, you can always pop the sum on your savings account or keep for a special date another day!
Skip going out
Don’t assume that date night has to mean a movie and a dinner. The whole purpose of a date is to spend time with the other person, getting to know them or deepening your relationship. All of which can be done without opening the front door (except to let the person in if you don’t live together!). You can organize a stunning date at home with the help of take-away food or home cooking, and entertainment, such as a DVD, a board game or even a favourite TV show.
Be adventurous
Another clever way to avoid the clichéd traditional date and slash your spending is being adventurous. Organizing a date outdoors can be much more cost-effective. A picnic on the beach means you can control the cost of the foods and drinks in the basket and you don’t need to spend anything on the view. A hike in the mountains or a surfing lesson from your friends can all be cost effective and extremely fun. Just shop for any budget-friendly snacks and drinks, and hit the road.
Team up with other couples
Sometimes you can cut costs by teaming up with other couples. If you have mutual friends or you want to introduce the person to your group of friends, organising a party can be cheaper. Restaurants might offer special group discount or you could throw a potluck style house party. This gives you a chance to get to know your date better and have a good time with friends at the same time.
Go after free entertainment
You can slash the cost of date night by swapping a paid activity, such as a movie, to something free. There are tons of different free entertainment options available. First, many museums and art galleries are completely free, with options ranging from the serious to the whacky. You could also enjoy live music in a small pub, with big outdoor concerts available during special holidays or during the summer season. You can find free city breaks in local newspapers or online at sites, such as City Discovery. If you save on the entertainment, you’ll be able to go for a dinner or coffee without the costs creeping up too high.
Find special discounts
When it comes to saving money on entertainment and food and drinks, you should look for special discounts and voucher codes. By booking online, you can often cut down costs and special voucher code sites tend to have tons of great deals. In order to take advantage of discounts, you need to plan your date night or use a mobile app to find out some exciting deals. When you are opting for a discount code or offer, always remember to check the terms and agreements beforehand – you don’t want to end up paying for things you weren’t aware off or be unable to cancel your booking.
Have a chat with your date
If you are in a more serious relationship and struggling to afford the numerous date nights and gifts, it might be a time for an honest chat with your date. You shouldn’t be afraid to say that your current financial situation isn’t up to having a date night every two days. If you are both serious about the relationship, then you should be able to enjoy each other’s company without spending a lot of money.
Organising a great date night doesn’t mean you need to break the bank. Just look outside of the traditional ideas, plan your night carefully and be honest with your date about the spending. Love really doesn’t need to cost a fortune.