How to Be a Cheap Date Without Staying Home
Whether you are married or dating, there are a ton of ways to be a cheap date without always staying home. Come on people, we have to put in a little more effort than that, am I right? Yeah, maybe we live in the days of Netflix and chill but I’m also a firm believer in trying a little harder to keep a relationship alive. Yes, sometimes an at-home date night is a good idea. Other times, you have got o get the heck outta that house! Here are some practical tips anyone can use to save money on a night out.
*This post contains affiliate links through which I may make a commission. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Set a budget
There is nothing wrong with setting a budget for a date night (or weekend away). Sure, budgeting isn’t the sexiest topic around but it can set boundaries and guidelines for where you can go, what you can do, and helps both partners be on the same page.
Learning how to talk to a partner or spouse about your budget is one of the healthiest things you can do for a relationship.
Tom and I actually set a budget and had fun with it while we were on a weekend getaway to Nashville. See how we did with $100 a day!
If date nights are not a part of your spending plan, I highly suggest you start including them! When it comes to bigger expenses, like weekends away, my biggest recommendation is to set up automatic savings just like you would for Sinking Funds.
Be flexible
Maybe you can’t take that amazing trip to Paris, or even enjoy that super fancy restaurant you have been wanting to try. Keep saving and find something more affordable for right now.
Making a habit out of spending time together should be top priority and flexibility will allow you to do that more often!
Once you have a budget set, start looking for ideas that are fun and different that you can both agree on.
So often we work toward perfection that we never actually take action and we never achieve perfection either. Keep flexibility in your life and date nights so that you don’t find yourself stuck with no imperfect places to go.
Get inspired by discounts
Ok, so you’ve got a date night budget in mind. Maybe you have some ideas on how to spend that money or maybe you could use a little inspiration.
Why not let discounts BE that inspiration! When we start itching for something new and different on a budget, there are a few places I check first for inspiration.
Both of these websites/apps offer fun, affordable things to do in your area (or other places).
It’s actually kind of fun to see some of the interesting things around you that you maybe didn’t even know where there! Like painting classes, wineries, new restaurants, mystery dinner theater, or comedy shows.
Be flexible and browse ideas based on the discounts they offer! Even if it’s a total bust, you’ll have a fun story to share together.
Never underestimate free fun
Remember back in high school when you would do anything to be with the guy/girl you were crushing on? You could sit in an empty park on a swing and have the time of your life.
You could sit in your parents basement watching scary movies and it gave you butterflies the entire time.
These are for the most part free and yet when we grow up we forget about how magical they can be.
- Biking
- Hiking
- Rollerblading
- Stargazing
- Coffee shop (ok, so it doesn’ cost much)
- Beach day
- Cook dinner together
- Walk local trails
- Picnic
- Exchange messages
- IKEA (yes, you can just walk around IKEA. Try it sometime.)
- Barnes and Noble (Take 30 minutes to read one another’s favorite books. Discuss.)
If all else fails, stay in.
I get it, sometimes night outs are tough, especially when you have kids. So, even if you have a date night budget burning a hole in your pocket, you can still have an amazing time at home together! (Beyond Netflix and chill!)
Here are a few fool-proof ideas to try:
Make a gourmet dinner at home – Gobble is an amazing company that sends delicious, pre-prepped meals right to your door! You could spend a few minutes together sipping wine, making dinner, and learning how to cook together! Try Gobble!
Paint a room together – Why not work together to improve your home (if you share one).
Try a YouTube tutorial – This could literally be anything! Painting, DIY crafts, massage techniques! Take advantage of the free stuff on the internet that can teach you both a skill together!
Get take out – Of course! Get food from your favorite places brought right to you with UberEATS or DoorDash — Click here to get $5 off your first 3 orders!
Have fun!
No matter what, just relax and have fun with one another! Working to keep a spark alive can be tough as the years go by. It’s worth it!
Pin this!
Great ideas to still have the best times!
Love the post! Great advice indeed! Thanks for sharing
You bet! Thanks Corina.
Groupon is seriously one of the best tools out there! There are such great deals and gives you ideas of things to do and try you may not have thought of before.
Exactly! We have had the chance to do so many new things and for a reasonable cost!
Great ideas.. i will follow these ideas to plan trips thanks for sharing
You bet! Have a great date.
You’ve inspired me to book a weekend away! and now thanks to your post I know how where to look for the best deals! Great post!
I hope you have an awesome weekend…and have tons of cash left at the end!
Awesome ideas! Love the one about using the discount apps like groupon and living social to give you ideas! Full of info! Love the post! ?
You can really save so much by using multiple resources!
I would love to go bowling with the boyfriend sometime. I’m still trying to convince him. Just like with laser tag en mini golf.
Yes! We have done laser tag and bowling…it’s so fun! My husband always wants to do laser tag again!
Trade date is a great idea! The babysitting expense always blows he budget!
I know!! I think so many people avoid going out because of it that there are a ton of couples who would be willing to trade babysitting!
Great tips! We love Groupon for activity coupons and babysitting sharing!
These are such great tips and I definitely agree about the babysitter thing being the hardest part sometimes! We’re fortunate now that we live by family and often have free sitters, but that hasn’t always been the case, and they’re not always available so paying for a sitter for four kids (or sometimes having to pay for two sitters!) really adds up!
Oh my goodness, 2 sitters!? Yes, that would definitely add up!
Loads of great ideas here, you’ve obviously done your homework! 🙂
Just hoping to help ya’ll out!
I LOVE Groupon! We use it all the time – buy the Groupon in advance and you have a date night waiting. Planning a huge night out can be stressful and expensive. I love these ideas for fun nights that don’t break the bank.
Thanks so much Rachel. I totally get what you mean! Groupon is THE BEST!
OMG! This post made my day! One of my boyfriend and I’s goals this year is to go on more dates, but spend less. I am definitely going to add these ideas to our list.
That is an awesome goal and TOTALLY doable! Hope you find some fun stuff!
It’s so important to remember to have fun together, even when money is tight! I am very glad we live within walking distance of my parents’ place, so when babysitting is a need, that shouldn’t be a problem (did I move so close to my parents for this exact reason?? Hmmmm…)
Well played Rachel….well played. Haha
Such great tips! I really should look more into Groupon. I haven’t told the hubs yet, but I want to do something this summer for our 10 year anniversary.
You absolutely should! We’ve got our 10 year coming up as well and are debating what to do!
ooo such a great list of ideas. We enjoy going out but are trying to save money, so this list is perfect. pinned for future reference
Thanks Arielle. Doing both is definitely possible!
Great I ideas Renee… i must admit, we have not been on a date for almost 6 months now and it does take a toll on our relationship. The excuse is always the cost of a sitter plus the night out. Thanks for the tip on ‘trade date night’… i’ll get calling some mum I know 🙂 Great post xx
Been there, done that. Investing in each other is so important! Hope you can find some time away!
Me and my partner are really on a tight budget situation this year. Especially this coming Valentine’s, this would be really helpful for us to celebrate happily without worrying about spending too much. Thanks for the great Ideas. It was helpful.
I hope you can find something that doesn’t break the bank!
As a sahm I sometimes get stir crazy and have to get out of the house. There are always frugal things you can do. Just knowing where to get them is essential. Groupon is huge. I literally just starting using Dosh too and use Ibotta all the time.
That is so great! I am loving these apps! Every little bit can make a huge impact!
What fun ideas! I love that there are so many things to do and places to see without spending any money. So important to have that time together too!
LOVE IT!! Such fun ideas! Thank you for linking to some coupon apps that are new to me. 🙂
You bet, Sarah! These apps are newer to me as well and I AM LOVING them.
One way my husband and I save on dates is by not paying for outings, so going to a friends house or a work event. That way, we are not paying for the event and for a sitter.
These are SUCH great ideas!! I feel like we really need to make the effort to do a better job at getting out!
So much great information here! I’m going to have to pin this and come back to it when I have a little more time to delve deeper. One thing that I was talking to my husband about though is using a travel agency for our 10 year anniversary trip. As much as I love to save money, they have access to more tools and time than I do and would probably do a better job on a bigger vacation while still saving us money.
Absolutely! Our travel agent is an absolute life saver when it comes to helping us find big, affordable vacations!
All these are great ideas. We did day dates when the kids were in school and hubby happen to have a day off. Going for a drive and getting an ice cream cone was fun and cheap. There are ways to still enjoy each other.
Great ideas! I like the idea of swapping babysitting nights with friends, etc. if you both have kids! I LOVE Groupon and other local deal sites. I get so many ideas there.
-Lauren
I haven’t heard of Dosh, I am definitely going to be checking that one out!
I LOVE Groupon when it comes to dates, haha! All of these other tips are great too, and I’d never thought of some of them! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Me too! Especially when you get get even MORE off Groupon!
YOu inspired me! e have got to get a date on the calendar soon! Budget or not budget. <3
Absolutely! There are so many easy on the wallet options out there!
Great ideas! It’s nice to save money for sure!!
Oh yes!
These are all such great ideas! I always feel guilty spending so much on a date night, so I’ll definitely use some of these ideas!
Don’t! Investing in a relationship is one of the most important things!
So many amazing ideas!! I’m definitely pinning this for when my husband comes home from deployment. I really want to be able to have more date nights and these are perfect for us! <3