Simon Howden
MOVIES? dinner? dancing?
While all of these activities are fun, they can be extremely expensive. Nowadays, the average movie ticket costs about $8.50 and up, per person. A night of fine dining can cost $25.00 and up, especially with 2 or more people. While dancing may not be as costly, a club admission price can cost up to $50.00, not including VIP admission and beverages, in which most clubs even charge for water. However, not to worry I have 10 fabulous tips on cutting cost and inflating romance.
1. Movies
Renting from an actual Blockbuster can cost on average about $4.00 per rental and that's not including late fees and restocking if you happen to forget to return it. However, Netflix and Blockbuster online has no due dates and affordable plans to fit your busy schedule and best of all no show times to abide by. Also, some websites like surfthechannel.com provide access to a variety of movies and television shows for free!
2. Dining
You would be surprised how much money you can save by finding a recipe online and cooking it at home. Sometimes being in the comfort of your own home is more intimate than any restaurant setting. You can grocery shop for the ingredients together, split the cost and cook it together and be one another’s desserts! Delectable!
3. Dancing
While dance clubs may have the alcohol, people and offer the nightlife environment you’re looking for, sometimes a dance class offers even better advantages. The advantages are that if you search some college campuses or your community, they are often times offered free of charge! Yes, free! In addition, you can get a great workout, meet new people, and learn a fabulous new dance and couples are definitely welcome. Or just invite some friends over, play your favorite music or stream a newly created playlist and have them bring their own snacks and beverages.
4. Picnic
Having a picnic is a great way to unwind and relax and enjoy nature. You can make sandwiches and bring them along with your favorite board game, book or deck of Uno cards (my favorite). You may need to check with your local park authority to see if a bottle of wine would be allowed.
5. Bookstores and libraries
Most often than not bookstores and libraries are overlooked when searching for fun times. Bookstores usually have an in-house coffee shop and tons upon tons of books and magazines to read. While libraries may lean more on the quiet side of the spectrum, it’s also free to read and borrow!
6. Museums & art exhibitions
Museums and art exhibitions are great places to expand your knowledge on many topics without having to read a book. It’s also a very romantic place to spend a nice Saturday afternoon. Most museums will have a website and phone number and offer a day or two throughout the week that they will offer free admission.
7. Window shop
This one is self-explanatory. Malls are free. Looking is free. Yearning is free. If you can’t hold back from just looking, give yourself a $5.00 budget to buy the other person a small trinket. You can even try on some new looks for free!
8. Local concerts
Most cities offer concerts or summer music series free. The local paper or online publication will give you access to an abundance of local events that are either free or low cost to you. Bring snacks and let your hair down!
9. Go bike-riding
You would be surprised how many people are bike riding for fun or to cut transportation costs. The great part is to bike ride, you don’t need to own a bike, you can rent one. You can use google to search for local bike rental places and on average a daily rental will only cost about $15.00-$25.00 a person depending upon the style of the bike. Voila!
10. Explore & discover
I have been living in Detroit for 26 years now and there are still places I haven’t seen and have yet to discover. You can park at a central place and use mass transportation and ride all over town for a low cost. If you feel safer driving, split the cost of gas and bring along a digital camera and be a tourist in your own town!
Happy Dating! Check back soon.
Comments
I love this! Great tips!
nice.
wow I never even thought about bike riding and picnics. how romantic.will definitely use these. thx.
i can't believe you just listed surfthechannel in the examiner, fing tard...
Here are some ideas I have for "Recession Proof Dating in NYC (check out my blog on wordpress.com" and I'm sure there would be somethings that might spark some ideas for Detroit dating! Hope it helps! Good luck and have fun!
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