Dating and Mating in America

Recent college grad? Surprised by unemployment? Trader trying to figure out how to pay cap gains for last year? Trustifarian in hiding? Notorious tightwad? 

We all need inspiration from time to time, so I thought I would add onto Bonny Albo’s post about favorite cheap date ideas… 

In a recent online poll administered by SpeedDate.com, users were asked what kind of activity they preferred for a “frugal fling”. The clear winner with almost half of the vote was romantic dinner for two at home amidst candlelight and good company (48.2%), with a scenic walk or historic tour coming in a distant second (19.2%). Rounding out the results were a trip to the museum on freebie days (17.3%) and dates that included some sort of sporting activity that didn’t cost anyone a penny, such as playing frisbee (15.2%).

I’m a fan of the candlelit homemade dinner as well (although, with the way I cook…it might be cheaper to go out to eat)but that being said… here are some fresh ideas if you are bored with romantic dinners at home or frisbee tossing in the arctic tundra:

(disclaimer: please remember author’s sarcastic tendencies while reading following list)

1. Dig out the Elmer’s and make glue face masks of each other. The sensuous spreading of a viscous substance should make up for the less than romantic glue fumes. And if you peel carefully while making sure sure to not smile during glue setting period, you’ll have sweet keepsakes of the evening.
2. Pull up your online profiles from “hiding” and change each other’s profile in such a way as to snag the interest of the most crazy internet daters out there. Laugh as the winks and emails roll your way over the next few days.
3. If you’re a big drinker, find the BYOB places and grab your favorite bottle and date and eat on the cheap(er).
4. Spend your evening with binoculars, a bag of nuts and a map of your yard while scouting where the squirrels and chipmunks go to dig up their nuts. Sneak out and leave more nuts for them if you want to feel like a winter-time do-gooder.
5. Cut up an old rug together and make coasters out of the remains that you can both sell on Craigslist as a bonding ritual and source of extra income. Old CDs can be used if your rugs aren’t ready for a cutting ritual. Warning: if your date has reason to use a sharp object against you, you may want to avoid this one.
6. Find a hill and go sledding together. If you don’t have a sled, go and throw snowballs at another sledder until you get a good enough hit to go steal their sled for your own use. Then ride off into the sunset together.
7. Watch TV together. Like you do every other night. But this time, pick a different show just for the variety!
8. Ice skating can be a lot of fun for not a whole lotta cash. PLUS, you have a built in excuse to hold hands if you need one.
9. If you live by a beach or park or rooftop balcony, pack yourselves a picnic dinner and remember romance under the stars. (p.s. fire source, blanket, favorite yummies and romantic lighting will very much help. If you really want to add an extra splash of romance… find a really high, west facing view and watch the sun set together.)
10. Take lots of the free online quizzes about IQ and see who really is smarter.
11. Pull out the board games, wii or cards, invite a few friends over and have a rousing game night. (watch the smack talking if you want to get any nookie later)
12. If you’re normally a car driver, hop on the train when they have deals on the weekend and take a cruise through the countryside together to a destination neither of you have ever been.
13. Rearrange furniture. Really. Fun. Really.
14. Take your dog (or borrow one) to the dog park and enjoy watching how much fun your favorite canine friend has with two laughing and slightly muddy companions.
15. And then, there is always the “snuggle” factor. Sure to improve any mood.

Leave your own ideas below… serious or not. I’m sure we’d all love a list of inspiring ideas to ease up on the ole wallet while enjoying a great date.