Finding time and funds for dating is a challenge for singles and couples alike. It’s my humble opinion that while getting to know each other, less truly is more. By carefully choosing activities and moments that are more simplified, you allow for more communication and awareness.
The latest in my series of affordable dating articles, this article features simple tricks for dating on a dime, including creative couples’ events and tips for using coupons discreetly in ways that won’t make you look tacky or cheap.
When on a leisurely snack and stroll type of date, or if you just want to arrive with flowers, consider the “flowers on the fly” approach. A single rose from a street vendor or wildflower gathering during an outdoor adventure are both thoughtful gestures. For those who prefer a more modern type of flower arrangement, a bouquet of narcissus blooms or day lilies from the back yard tied with a fabric ribbon also make a nice statement. This gives you a way to add an element of style to the date, while keeping things appropriately in balance. Wise Bread’s own Andrea Dickson has written a great piece on DIY flower gifts, suitable for Valentine’s Day or any day of the year.
Double dating can be particularly affordable under circumstances such as camping, making dinner at someone’s place, or glamming up the evening with a progressive snack party. It provides an opportunity for cost sharing that’s discreet and “built in” to the experience, so to speak. It’s also an economical use of time and energy, since someone else is shouldering some of the logistics. Think glamping at a campground with amenities or renting a romantic mountain cabin for the weekend. Double dating keeps things small and oriented towards getting to know each other, where larger parties tend to be more about event planning. This can take the focus off the person you were trying to provide a quality event for in the first place. So couple up for savings and a superior dating experience.
Personally, I think this is the perfect way to work in coupons and other savings opportunities without looking tacky. As I said in my recent article relating to classy dating on a budget, hauling out a restaurant coupon on the first date is just plain tacky. That being said, picking up something on the way over to watch movies at your date’s apartment, or when you’re picking them up for a day hike is very considerate. It also allows coupon use without pointing it out. Two for one breakfast sandwiches and a free coffee with purchase? Great! Just call your date and let them know you’ll be picking up breakfast on the way and ask how they like their morning coffee. Five dollars off an entrée at your favorite Thai restaurant? Same thing. You can use this same sort of strategy for discount event tickets. Pick them up ahead of time and look like the best boy scout ever.
Related Readings: 8 Affordable Dates, Romance on a Dime and Frugality Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
Do you have any additional suggestions for dating on a dime? Sound off below.
Thanks for the link-love, Myscha.
Buying ahead of time is a great way to get around showing off your coupon collection - movie tickets, meals, flowers & gifts - any time you can avoid paying in front of your date is a good way to get a coupon in there. Mind you, assuming the dates are successful, this kind of hidden payment can only last so long. :)
My pleasure, Andrea. Your flower article was great, and really suited to much more than Valentines Day, IMHO.
Glad to hear I'm not alone on the using coupons discreetly in the beginning.
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My husband and I have switched our 'date night' tactics to 'date lunch'. Once a week we wind up in the same part of town around noon and have decided to make that our date time. While we can't really extend it beyond 90 minutes, we go to the same restaurants we would have gone to for a more expensive dinner and the kids are in school (which means not having to pay a babysitter. This way we can actually afford to go out once a week instead of once a month like we used to before we made the switch.
Margaret Garcia-Couoh
Some great ideas here and thanks for sharing. It should be noted that first dates and dates early in the relationship are so very different that dates after you have been married for a few years.
Margaret,
We end up doing the lunch date at our house quite often, too. Lunch menus are more affordable, so there's an extra savings there as well. Plus, we can squeeze in an errand or two in either direction.
Penny Pincher - Agreed, married dates for long-term couples are much different than single and early-relationship dates.
You can also follow me on Twitter and Trek Hound.
Hi Myscha,
This is just a general question for you...did you always have this ability to be thrifty/frugal/make nickels scream or did someone teach you, or did you teach yourself?
I have natural talents, but this is NOT one of them. I also struggle with it because when I try and go this way, ALL I think about is money money money and I don't like that. it's like there's no life left but for food and coupons and my husband doesn't like that, either. Is that the way it is for you or does that kind of go to the wayside once you get used to living differently?
I wish I could wrap my head around all this more easily but it just seems overwhelming to me for some reason. One would think, with the amount of desire I have I'd be a ravenous success at this, but ...NOT. I just kinda sit back and think "wow I'm doing all that great stuff!" and then...freak out. LOL.
Curious,
C.
Dear C,
I have to say, this is one of the most interesting and thought provoking questions a reader has ever asked me.
My first (and most simplistic) response is that I'm flattered, and yes to all three of the things you mentioned (natural, taught and also self taught).
My second reaction is to take your question to the next level and think about specifics for each of those three areas of financial education and how they impacted each other (positively or negatively).
Third, I pride myself on really "feeling" for our readers, and as someone who remembers struggling with certain aspects of frugality (even though other areas came easily), I'd like to give you the most helpful answer I can.
After a glass of wine and some initial heart-felt soul searching, I've narrowed it down to a few areas: faith / necessity / circumstances, philosophy, goals, repeating patterns and changing life circumstances. The three areas of natural / taught / self-taught are related to each of these things.
To be honest with you, I think a complete answer is going to take a well thought out post, and I'm not sure how soon I'll be able to pull that off. But I am sitting down to take a few initial notes on the subject right now. Why? Well, you've inspired me to the point where I'm having an emotional reaction to your question. That says to me that this is something I need to explore further and "put myself out there" for. I really felt what you said about your spouse not feeling in balance with your focus on food and coupons.
It's a dangerous trap I myself have previously fallen into and had to find a way out of. I think this happens to many of us because food is one of the most flexible areas of family finance and as such can easily throw us off balance with even the best of initial intentions.
Like I said, you've got me thinking. I'll see what I can do and how quickly I can do it.
You can also follow me on Twitter and Trek Hound.
