2. Make Dinner, Pizza ($0 – $50)
When done correctly this can be a really fun and amazing date. There are a few ways to go about this. If you?re a good cook then go with a nice romantic candle lit dinner. But I recommend going in a completely different direction – its called fun.
The only preparation you should be doing for this date is making sure your living area is nice and clean and don’t forget the washroom. This is another date where she will be evaluating how you live so make sure it?s spotless and all your dishes are clean. Make sure you have some beverages on hand both alcoholic and non.
The clothing for this is date would be as nice as you can while still keeping it casual. Throw on your good jeans, a nice button up shirt and some dress shoes.
The date should start off very simple, inform her of what you have planned and head over to your local grocery store or even better the local market. Start off by picking out a nice pizza dough. I recommend a pre-made dough but it?s up to you. If you think you can, then make your own. Spend the next 30 minutes walking around and picking up all the vegetables and cheese and any other topping you both want on your pizza. If you can?t agree, make 2 separate halves and pick your own toppings.
Now it?s back to your place. Wash the produce, grate the cheese and make the pizza. Don?t forget to keep it fun and it will be one of the most memorable dates she ever had. Eat the pizza and watch a romantic comedy and the rest should take care of itself.
1. Picture Day ($0 – $10)
This is my favorite date when I am broke and I have pulled it off many times. All it requires is a camera, preferably digital, and some good location ideas.
The setup for this date is straightforward: tell her that your bachelor pad is very pimp but it needs some character. So you would like her (because she has amazing taste) to escort you around town and take some black and white pictures of the city, parks and anything else you can think of.
The clothing for this date will be defined as dress to impress, but still casual: nice jeans, a button up shirt and some running shoes. Not too much, but not too little.
The date itself is very simple – you walk around town and take pictures of pretty much everything you see. The buildings, the parked cars, the trees and most importantly make sure you take a few with her in it. Maybe even ask a passer by to take a photo of both of you together. There will be a lot of conversation and lots of very good opportunities to get to really know each other. The reason this date works so well is because you respect her opinion and asked her to help you find cool spots for photos. Then by the end of the date you really get a feel for each other. It’s very cheap – you might have to spring for a drink for a beverage for the two of you, but that?s all.
No matter which date you choose you are going to have a lot of fun and really get to know each other. Most importantly, you?ll spend hardly any money and she won?t even know how broke you are.
Do you have any great cheap date ideas? Share them in the comments.
photo credits top to bottom: kozumel, makelessnoise, Toni_V, Gio JL, Naixn.
May 9th, 2009 at 2:31 am
And where would 2 and 1 be?
May 9th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Sorry – with our new layout, it’s a little hard to see the “Page 2″ link at the bottom of the first page. Here’s the URL for page 2: http://www.justaguything.com/top-5-dates-when-youre-broke/2/. We’ll work on fixing the formatting to make it clearer.
May 9th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Great article! Loads of fantastic ideas for when you’re broke and need to impress; would never have thought of the ‘Picture Day’ suggestion!
Another good idea for an inexpensive date is attending a street festival. They’re vibrant, full of activity and there’s no entry-fee. Also, you’re surrounded by plenty of live music and lots of cheap food vendors are available for when you both get hungry.
May 9th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Street festival is a good idea! There’s lot of things to keep you occupied while you get to know each other. Now that the weather’s warming up, there will be plenty of opportunities to explore the fairs.
July 10th, 2009 at 7:27 am
No! Don’t do these! The girl will tell everyone she knows and you will get a reputation as a cheapskate that you will be trying to shake off for decades. You are better off staying out of the dating scene until you get your finances in order.
July 16th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
You will definitely weed out gold diggers.
July 17th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
Buttsecks?