Financial Dating Advice for College Students: Take Your Girlfriend on a Cheap Date

As a college student, I know how tough it is to find enough cash to eat everyday, let alone take my girlfriend out for a romantic evening. That is why I have come up with simple ideas that you can use to take your significant other out for a fun and romantic date. These ideas are not necessarily unique or off-the-wall, they are just oft-overlooked opportunities in the community for a couple to have fun.

1) Picnic: A picnic is easy to plan and very inexpensive. All you need is a blanket, basket, and some basic fixings and you are set. Just preparing a couple of sandwiches ahead of time for the two of you, a bag of chips, and some sodas or beers is quite enough. However, you could spice it up with some fruit (strawberries, bananas, etc.), wine (if you have some extra money to splurge), or some cheap candles. It is all in the presentation. If you set it up well and at a good time (sunset) and/or good location (local park, near a lake, any place with good scenery) the quality of the meal won't mean a thing. EstimatedTotal Cost: $8

2) Miniature Golf: This is a great date idea if you are looking to have a fun time together. This is also an especially good idea for first-dates or couples that have just started dating. Mini-Golf allows you the opportunity to have fun, goof off, and get to know each other all at the same time. For newer couples this gives you the opportunity to talk under a relaxed atmosphere as opposed to a dinner and a movie where you feel a lot of pressure the entire time. This is a good date for the middle of the week because most places are open all day long and they are usually less crowded on weekdays so it makes for less down time between holes. Wherever you live there should be a few options of where to play, but I would go for the cheapest because who really cares if the putting surfaces are high quality astro-turf? Estimated Total Cost: $6