Dating on a Budget

Being in a recession during your relationship can kind of…what’s the word I’m looking for…suck. But don’t fret, if you’re trying to save a few extra dollars and maintain a lively relationship there’s good news. You can actually do things yourself, stay in at the house, meticulously plan in advance, enjoy the outdoors and use what you got. Yes, really. It can be done. Here’s how:



Do It Yourself. Here’s an idea. Instead of going out to dinner, why don’t save yourself money and cook it yourself. I know. Crazy idea. If you don’t know what the hell you’re doing, grab your honey and cook together. It ends up being fun and funny – lots of inside jokes will be born – and you actually get exactly what you want to eat because you’re the one making it. And the groceries you’ll buy to make what you were going to order at that snobby downtown restaurant will cost you a fraction of what you were going to pay. Mention that to your honey and he’ll be all over the DIY dinner.


Be A Homebody. It doesn’t matter how big or small your place of dwelling is. If you keep it clean enough, invite people over. Usually when you get a group of people over, you can end up having a good time for free – or close to it. Have a game night. One of my favorite things to do is invite a group of friends over and play Taboo. One night we had about 20 people over in our one bedroom apartment playing Taboo until 2am. It was good times. You can do a movie night, watch the big game or have a themed dinner party (like Fiesta night!) Have certain people bring refreshments or make certain dishes since you’re supplying your house. A lot of the time, you end up having a much better time then getting all dolled up, paying $20 at some door to impress people you don’t even know.


Plan In Advance. Ok, I get it. You can’t stay in the house and do it yourself all the time. But for those times you do go out, make sure you plan. It’s a great way to avoid surprise expenses. Wanna see that new movie in theatres on Friday? Order your tickets online to avoid the long line when you get there. Make reservations, especially on weekends to avoid the wait. If you’re taking a trip, the earlier you get your tickets the cheaper they’ll be. It’s the same thing with tickets to a sporting event, concert or show – if you know about take advantage. Not only will it save you a lot of time, but you know what they say: time is money.


The Great Outdoors. Seriously, the world is at your disposal. Take advantage of it! Go for a bike ride, take a walk on the beach, have a picnic in the park – these are all readily available things for us to do for free. If you guys both like basketball, hit up an outdoor court and play one on one. People watching is one of the funniest things to do. You can also take pictures of the city, go window shopping at an outlet mall or visit historical landmarks of where you live. The possibilities are endless. So next time your sweetie tells you there’s nothing to do, tell him to take a hike. Literally.

Show Me What You Got. Use what you got. You’ve probably got a lot more “wealth” at your fingertips than you recognize. When you go anywhere ask if they have a student discount, then show them your awesome student ID (no matter if you graduated, as long as you still have it) and reap the benefits. Gift cards to restaurants are your best friend. The fiancé had a gift card that he hadn’t used for a year. One night we didn’t feel like cooking (or spending money for that matter) and we used that gift card. It was one of the better dinners we’ve had and all we had to pay for was a tip. If you’re going out to a lounge or club, many times admission will be free before a certain time – be fashionably early in that case. Take advantage of daily specials and/or discounts. Got a friend or relative that works somewhere you’d love to go? Milk your connect. Just don’t abuse it.


You see, there’s so much to do at little to no cost. Dating in a recession doesn’t have to be in a rut. All you have to do is think, plan, maybe work a little and use what you got. After that, it’s smooth sailing.

Happy Dating!