Most of us don’t have financial freedom when it comes to dates and that’s OK!! Fortunately, there are many ideas out there that can help you still have a great time and not deplete your bank account. I remember when I first started dating, I thought you had to spend a lot of money and go to fancy places to have a great time. Now, my philosophy is completely different. My fiance and I tend to have the most fun when we are doing things that cost little or no money. And no, we’re not having fun simply because we know that we’re not spending money! Instead, we’re having fun because we enjoy spending time with each other - not because we’re at a fancy restaurant or at an expensive concert!

Here is a list of some cheap date ideas. Most of these dates cost little or no money at all. Whether you have been dating for 5 days or 5 years, these can be applied at any point in your relationship!

1. Go on a picnic  - That’s right - a traditional hit with couples far and wide. I’ll admit, I’m not a huge fan of being outside while eating (I’d much rather eat at a restaurant or in the comfort of my own home), but I love going on picnics with my fiance. If you already have a picnic basket, all you need to do is find stuff around your house to fill it with. If you don’t have a picnic basket, get creative! Use something that is unique such as a cooler or even a cardboard box! Total Cost - Less than $10.
2. Go walk around a park - I can almost guarantee that no matter where you live, there are great parks to walk around in. Most parks have walking trails where you can spend hours with that special someone while still enjoying God’s Creation! Total Cost - Usually Free
3. Go to your mall’s food court - If I’m ever on a website with a list, I usually scroll down and see if anything  in bold print pops out at me. If I was to apply that concept on this post, this would definitely be the one that catches my attention. I know you’re thinking that simply going to the mall just for the food court sounds bizarre, but this has honestly become one of my favorite things that my fiance and I do. We love doing this so much that we typically go once every two weeks! The great thing about a food court is that there are a ton of options to choose from so you are not constrained to a single type of food if the two of you are very different (this is the case in my relationship). If you’ve never tried this I highly suggest this if you want to go out and try something unique. Total Cost - Around $10.
4. Go and volunteer somewhere - One of the greatest things you can do with your boyfriend/girlfriend is to serve. I have been on mission trips with my fiance and have loved the time that we got to spend serving people other than ourselves. If you can’t go on a mission trip, consider volunteering at a food bank. After you volunteer make sure you talk through your experience! Total Cost - Usually Free
5. Watch a movie that both of you have already seen - I am a HUGE fan of funny movies. I laugh extremely hard at them. I’ve actually been told by a number of people that sometimes it’s better to watch me than the movie itself. The benefit of watching a movie that you have already seen is that you can comment through the entire movie and not have to worry about ruining the end for the other person. If you want to throw a twist into this one (and have a ton of time), watch all the movies of a particular series (for example, all three of the Indiana Jones movies or all six of the Star Wars movies). Total Cost - Usually Free (around $5 if you rent it).
6. Go to an open field and watch the clouds - Clearly this works best on a sunny day where there isn’t rain pouring down all around the two of you. My fiance and I like to call this concept the “cloud game.” The way it works is that you look up to the sky and point out shapes that you think the cloud looks like. Don’t limit yourselves to shapes! You can point out animals, activities or even people - just use your imagination! Total Cost - Free
7. Put together a puzzle - A great way to see how much patience you have with your boyfriend/girlfriend is to complete a puzzle together. You’ll be amazed at how long it actually takes to put together 500 pieces that all look the same. Since it is somewhat of a mindless activity, you can have great conversations about a variety of topics! Total Cost - About $10
8. Go for a drive - Yes, I realize that gas prices are sky high right now, but if the two of you ever get the chance, take a drive to a place you rarely go. You can go and look at Christmas lights (obviously this one would be tough to do in June), see the leaves change on trees, explore a new town or even just admire God’s Creation in the countryside. Total Cost - Less than $10 for gas
9. Go to a museum - Going to a museum gives the two of you a great chance to talk about a certain topic. There are art museums, history museums, science museums and even medical museums. Do some reseach and find one that interests the two of you! Total Cost - Less than $20 (Some are open free to the public)
10. Watch a sunset or sunrise - You want a great opportunity to do a devotional on a date? Well it doesn’t get much better than witnessing what God can do! Do your reseach about when the sun will set (or rise) and be sure to get there an hour before it actually happens so you can see the whole process. If you have a lot of time, you can always look at the stars after you watch a sunset - that also is amazing to look at! Total Cost - Free

I hope that you found these ideas to be insightful and helpful. As always, if you have any stories or suggestions, leave a comment and I’ll be happy to address it in a future post if it’s appropriate. Remeber to keep God at the center of your relationship!