Dating In A Tough Economy
You have met someone special, but now you're weary of the financial consequences of the courting process. Well, worry not. While the economic and public health climate has forced Arab singles to become thriftier with their finances and affected their spending habits on dates, you can still have an awesome date and show your partner a great time.
| Updated January 26, 2021
A few tips that will get you more for less:
- Entertainment Books and Coupons: Many places offer discount vouchers yet there is a tendency for some us to not take advantage of them because of our concern of appearing frugal. Every little bit helps and if some restaurant is inviting you to take advantage of a special offer than do it.
- Use Cash: The problem with credit cards is they are too easy to use and spend money with. Your best bet is to take out enough cash beforehand so you don't have to keep a running tab. This also can prevent impulse buying which has been the scourge of an easy credit world. You are not trying to be a cheapskate but it does force you to be a lot more disciplined.
- Due Dilligence: Compare prices when buying gifts and planning your date.
- Selective Dating: The more people you date at one time, the more you will spend; it's a fact. Be more selective with who you decide to date.
In the book "17 Great Romantic Dates for Penny Pinchers" the author makes the following money saving suggestions:
- Test drive a sports car together.
- Browse a ritzy museum gift shop or art gallery.
- Find a dark, romantic bistro with great coffees and desserts, or an independent bookstore that encourages browsing.
- Spend the whole evening dressed and acting as characters from a play, movie or book that you both enjoyed.
More tips:
- Do some star gazing at a local college observatory. It's open to the public during the school year and free.
- Have a picnic and explore a state or national park. You'd be surprised what you learn when you're closer to nature. Admission to these parks is usually under $10 or free.
- See a music laser show at a planetarium for around $6. Watch the colors fly through the air to some popular music.
- Check out a poetry reading or other events at a bookstore. Sometimes snacks or beverages are provided. Some bookstores have a calendar listing for all of their events.
- Create a food theme night (like Mexican, Mediterranean or Italian), and cook each other a dinner and appetizer at home.
- Rent a canoe or kayak and go out on a river or lake for an afternoon -- under $40.
- See a radio station music festival. It often features a day of bands, and tickets usually cost under $20. Or, check out a concert at a college; tickets may also be cheap.
- Look into local arts festivals, craft fairs, flea markets or antiques fairs. Admission is under $15, the browsing is free, but you may want to watch the cost of the food.
- See an IMAX movie for under $10. These films use a large film frame, a six-story movie screen and digital surround sound. These are cool because you feel like you're in the movie.
Cyndi Haynes and Dale Edwards, authors of 2002 Things to Do On a Date, and Lynn Gordon, author of 52 Great Cheap Dates, offer even more creative and inexpensive date ideas.
- Attend a wine or beer tasting. At less than $10 each, you get more bang for the buzz.
- Volunteer together. You'll be able to spend quality time together for a quality cause for free.
- Swing is back. Take a dance lesson and tear up the dance floor with the hottest moves. Sometimes the first lesson is free.
- Attend a student art show. Often the shows are free and refreshments are served.
- Rent your favorite movies that your date hasn't seen and watch them together. Keep your date in suspense, and don't leak out the good parts or the ending.