10 Cheap and Fun First Dates

Let's face it, there's no point spending a lot of
money on a first date. Your date may feel intimidated,
and you may spend your whole paycheck and still have
it not work out. Then not only are you disappointed,
you're broke. Try one of these ideas instead.

Visiting an art museum: Absorb some culture and get a
feel for your date's intellectual curiosity at the
same time. If it's going well: Stop for lunch at the
museum's café. If it's not going well: Touch one of
the paintings and get quickly escorted out.

Hiking: Ah, the fresh air. A hike is a great way to
chat in a relaxed environment. Just keep an eye out
for bears. If it's going well: Bust out the picnic
lunch you stashed in the trunk of the car. If it's not
going well: Fake a sprained ankle or rash.

Walking on the beach: There can be tons to do on an
ocean boardwalk, but I wouldn't recommend starting
with the moonlit variety. If it's going well: Check
out an oceanside café or beach club. If it's not going
well: Fake an irrational fear of jellyfish.

Playing games at the arcade: You can play video games
or pinball for pretty cheap, plus you can impress your
date by winning her a poorly made but large stuffed
animal. If it's going well: Grab some drinks and head
to the pool tables. If it's not going well: Argue with
a 7-year-old over the last stuffed Picachu.

Snowball fight/snowman building: Of course, you need
snow for this one, but nothing bonds like good old
manual labor. And it's makes for one uber-cute photo
op. If it's going well: Head inside to warm up
afterwards, with cocoa I mean. If it's not going well:
Beam your date in the head with a snowball "by
accident."

Coffee break: It's cheaper than dinner and less
conspicuous to escape, plus who doesn't love a good
dose of Starbucks? If it's going well: Head to IHOP
for breakfast with your coffee. If it's not going
well: Flee to the other Starbucks across the street.

Apple picking: Enjoy your date's company along with
that of worms, bugs and an abundance of fresh fruit.
If it's going well: Head to your place to make a pie
with your bounty. If it's not going well: Feign
illness from the unpasteurized cider.

Window shopping: This is especially fun if you have a
street nearby with unique stores, but Target will do
in a pinch. If it's going well: Buy your date those
sock monkey slippers he's eyeing. If it's not going
well: Head to the pharmacy, saying you need to pick up
some ointment.

Volunteer: See how willing your date is to give back
and enjoy a shared sense of satisfaction in a PG kind
of way. If it's going well: Sign up to volunteer
together once a week. If it's not going well: Tell
your date you're almost done with your court mandate.

Roller skating: Show off your moves while grooving
like it's 1985, or hug the wall and try not to trip
over speeding little kids. If it's going well: Hold
hands during the couples skate. If it's not going
well: Tell your date you have to be home by curfew.