Date Ideas: They're Inexpensive, Romantic and Won't Leave You Broke

Despite recent social movements, men are still generally expected to pay for dates, especially early on in a relationship. This can be a serious problem for many young men who not yet financially stable. Fortunately, there are ways to treat your date to a fantastic time without spending large sums of money.

The standard dinner and movie date is a classic with good reason. The movie gives the couple something to talk about, and the dinner gives them something to do while they’re talking, making silent moments less awkward. However, movie tickets, movie snacks, and dinner can be quite expensive. In order to lessen the price, try planning the date in the late afternoon or early evening. Matinee tickets, which can usually be purchased until about 6 o’clock, tend to be a good deal cheaper than regular tickets. If you are a student, don’t forget to ask about student discounts as well. Many restaurants also offer happy hours, usually between 4 o’clock and 7 o’clock, when drinks and food are discounted. You don’t need to tell your date the real reason why you want to start the date early; just tell her that you can’t wait to see her. 

You can also skip restaurants altogether and plan a picnic instead. Women, in general, love picnics. They are incredibly romantic, and they are also very inexpensive. Simply pack whatever you want; if you are not into cooking, just pick something up from the grocery store’s deli section. Then you can go to a park, a beach, or any other quiet, beautiful site. The only drawback to the picnic date option is that it is highly dependent on the weather. Of course, getting caught in a storm can be romantic, too.