Date Ideas: They're Inexpensive, Romantic and Won't Leave You Broke

Despite recent social movements, men are still generally expected to pay for dates, especially early on in a relationship. This can be a serious problem for many young men who not yet financially stable. Fortunately, there are ways to treat your date to a fantastic time without spending large sums of money.

The standard dinner and movie date is a classic with good reason. The movie gives the couple something to talk about, and the dinner gives them something to do while they're talking, making silent moments less awkward. However, movie tickets, movie snacks, and dinner can be quite expensive. In order to lessen the price, try planning the date in the late afternoon or early evening. Matinee tickets, which can usually be purchased until about 6 o'clock, tend to be a good deal cheaper than regular tickets. If you are a student, don't forget to ask about student discounts as well. Many restaurants also offer happy hours, usually between 4 o'clock and 7 o'clock, when drinks and food are discounted. You don't need to tell your date the real reason why you want to start the date early; just tell her that you can't wait to see her.

You can also skip restaurants altogether and plan a picnic instead. Women, in general, love picnics. They are incredibly romantic, and they are also very inexpensive. Simply pack whatever you want; if you are not into cooking, just pick something up from the grocery store's deli section. Then you can go to a park, a beach, or any other quiet, beautiful site. The only drawback to the picnic date option is that it is highly dependent on the weather. Of course, getting caught in a storm can be romantic, too.

You can also plan to take in some free entertainment. Find out what your date is into. If she likes music, you can take her to a free or almost free local band concert. If she likes poetry, you can take her to a poetry reading. You might even earn sensitivity points. If she likes art, you can take her to a gallery opening reception; many are free, and some include wine and appetizers. You can also go to galleries even when there isn't an opening reception taking place, but you'll miss out on the free food, and the artist is less likely to be there. If you are still set on a traditional movie date, look for special screenings of new movies. These are usually free as long as you get tickets in advance.

It is possible to treat a woman to a nice date without spending a lot of money or racking up credit card debt. You don't need to make a big deal about how expensive or inexpensive something is; just suggest things that are fun and happen to be inexpensive. Be creative, and focus on having a good time and getting to know each other rather than impressing her with expensive meals and gift. Most likely, your date will appreciate the fact that you're not doing the same old thing.