Sassy Bean’s Tips for Dating on a Dime

Creative date ideas plus not much money equals never having to stay home again (unless you want to)!

Let’s say that it’s the weekend and your guy has been working around the clock to save up for a SUV. You’re trying to be supportive, but staying home and watching Wedding Crashers is getting old fast. How do you go out without breaking the bank (or shelling out the money you’re saving for a rainy day)? Try these cheap date ideas:

1. Explore your animal instincts. Check out your local zoo and prepare to monkey around. Most zoos won’t charge you over twenty dollars per couple for an entire day of cheetah-spotting.

2. We all scream for ice cream. This is one cool date! Grab a few cones from the ice cream man or splurge at your local Cold Stone Creamery. Take your scoops to the park and be sure to feed each other.

3. Red, red wine. Grab your local paper and check out the local wine tasting—some of them are under $10 a person or even free. You can also host your own, private wine tasting by picking up a few reasonably priced bottles and reading up on each one.

4. Try to score. Get your mind out of the gutter! We’re talking about bowling. Check out the local lanes and find out which nights have special discounts. You can rent shoes for cheap and enjoy a little friendly competition with your man.

5. A day at the museum. If you go on a Sunday, chances are that you will get into the museum for free. Most museums also have discounts on at least one weekday; you just have to do a little research. Set aside a few hours for the two of you to roam aimlessly, learning more about