You might have been together a year, a week, or just a day. Maybe you’ve only just got around to asking out that certain special someone. Interest is high, but the budget is low. Don’t worry. There’s no need to cancel Cupid. Romance doesn’t have to mean restaurants, roses and robbing a bank to pay for it all.
In this guide, we take a look at how to plan a date night if you are working to a strict budget and provide our top 13 cheap (but romantic) date ideas. This guide also explores how dating on a budget helps with debt management and highlights the importance of financial planning when in a relationship.
How to date on a budget
First things first. It’s important to remember that sticking to a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice romance. On the contrary, with a little bit of careful planning and thoughtfulness, you can create a memorable date without overspending. Indeed, it’s often these inexpensive, more thoughtful dates, that couples remember most fondly.
To do this, think about setting yourself a strict budget before you start to plan. Only put aside what you can afford to spend and then look for activities that fit within that budget. This might involve looking for free events that you can enjoy together, hunting for vouchers or deals, or simply planning a fully DIY date that involves spending quality time with your partner without having to deal with any financial stress.
To get your creative juices flowing, check out some of our top cheap date ideas below:
- Cycle: If you don’t own a bike, borrow or hire a couple. Or, if you want to crank up the cheesiness, opt for a tandem. Maybe avoid main roads and pedestrians.
- Sing: Karaoke is guaranteed fun – even if you’re hopelessly out of tune. And it’s a great ice-breaker. Suggest a duet. But maybe avoid the heavy metal.
- Relax: Recreate a swanky spa experience at home. Get our your fluffiest (cleanest) towels. Light some candles. Stick on some mood music. Run a bubble bath. Maybe offer a relaxing massage.
- Sweat: Sign up for a free taster session at a local gym. Avoid being competitive. The aim is to have their head in a spin, not their limbs in a knot.
- Laugh: Get some tickets for a local amateur comedy club night. There’s usually some great banter and you’ll discover the whereabouts of their funny bone.
- Pitch: Have you forgotten how much fun ‘pitch and putt’ or crazy golf is? Most courses charge just a couple of pounds for a round, which can take hours. You’ll soon see who comes closest to par.
- Quiz: Sign up for quiz night at your local. You can impress with your random knowledge about music, fashion, and sport. Or not, depending on how many questions you get right.
- Ponder: Visit local art galleries and museums and take in a little culture. Time it right and there’s often free wine and nibbles to launch the latest exhibit.
- Picnic: Tried, tested and truly romantic, as long as you avoid boiled eggs. Never a good idea. Pack some nice food and drink and a blanket, head for your local park and just people watch.
- Watch: Have a movie marathon or a box-set binge. Choose something you’ve both been waiting to watch, turn the lights down low, cuddle up on the couch and share a pizza or some popcorn. Bliss.
- Bake: Agree what you’re going to make, who’s bringing what, get in the kitchen, roll up your sleeves and start slicing, splicing and dicing together. Then tuck in.
- Reminisce: Get a box of old photos out and find out more about each other. That ridiculous perm. Those weird glasses. The not-so-cute baby pictures. There’s no such thing as over-sharing.
- Play: Board games. PlayStation. Xbox. Cards. Jigsaw puzzles. Whatever floats your boat. How does that old expression go? ‘The couple that plays together, stays together’. Not sure it was referring to Monopoly, but worth a try.
Can dating on a budget help with debt management?
Of course. Being in debt, and even working through a debt management solution such as an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) or Debt Management Plan (DMP), doesn’t mean you have to stop living your life or having fun. On the contrary, by staying active you are more likely to stay healthy – both mentally and physically. In the long term, this will help when it comes to debt management.
With this in mind, keeping your dates budget-friendly can have a positive impact on your overall financial health too. And remember – by opting for cost-effective date night plans, you ultimately work to free up more of your budget to focus on paying off debts and reaching your financial goals. The bottom line is this – it’s important to have fun and build your relationship without compromising your financial stability. Both are possible with a bit of planning.
How to manage finances in a relationship
Whether you have been together for years or just a few months, it’s important to have open conversations about money with your partner. Naturally, this is particularly important if one (or both of you) are working towards financial goals like paying off debt. Right from date one, by planning budget-friendly dates, you can set a positive example of financial responsibility and ensure that both partners are on the same page when it comes to spending.
Here at MoneyPlus, we can offer advice on managing finances in relationships, helping you and your partner make informed decisions about money.
If you take one thing away from this guide, let it be this. Above all else, keep your dates simple, affordable, and focused on having fun. We cannot stress enough – the best dates are those that allow you to connect, laugh, and create lasting memories. This can easily be done without the added stress of overspending.
