Love the Great Outdoors – Know How Not to Break the Bank Dating
The concept of dating has been around for centuries, and the basics haven’t changed – man pursues a woman (or vice versa!), he or she accepts or rejects, and they move on or stay together. Some daters are born pros, some need a few extra tips for dating. Even Ovid, the ancient Roman poet, authored a three-book series Ars Amatoria back in 2 AD teaching gentlemanly relationship skills and techniques to men and women as he felt it was required! And though that was an attempt to redefine relationships within the Roman society, his advice is applicable to any day and age.
While Ovid covered most of the topics related to love and courtship (although perhaps he didn’t recommend not looking at your smartphone constantly during a date!!), he missed out on a very sensitive part: Taking care of the finances while dating. Well, it has indeed troubled people for a very long time. Dating can be an expensive affair, especially when you’re trying really hard to impress someone. Singles often date several potential partners at the same time until they find the right one. And in case you’re doing the same, if you add up the numbers for the several dinners and other dates each week, you’ll realize it’s certainly putting a dent in your bank account.
It’s indeed a challenge to find ways to save money dating while ensuring that you still have a good time. Some people might only spend a minimal amount until they really like potential partner, and they may be willing to invest more on outdoor dates for example, but this might be off putting to some who might see the other party as a bit stingy. However, it's quite easy to date without actually breaking the bank. Dating doesn’t have to cost a fortune. From online dating specials to Groupon deals for a couple, it’s all about being innovative and aware of the deals around you. So, don’t let your lack of funds hold you back from enjoying your dates and finding your partner for life. Here are some tips for dating you can follow so you can impress your date and not break the bank: These days, there are so many venues where you can go for free. The museums are generally free, and before you think of a lavish lunch or dinner, consider going to the museum’s café for a coffee or dessert as a thrifty option. Most online dating websites run frequent specials so keep an eye out for those. Since a huge number of people now prefer online dating and there are thousands of profiles online, signing up for one during an offer period can save you a lot of money. There are plenty of free online dating websites that you can sign
up for but the quality of members can be much lower than on a paid site. You’re better off joining a paid site as a free member, looking around and then paying to join when you find someone you’d like to talk to. Look for special deals around bank holidays, or join up for a longer period of time – a 6 month subscription usually works out as less per month than a 1 month subscription. You could subscribe to various websites of the likes of Groupon, that offer coupons and discounts at costly restaurants. However, make sure you save those coupons for your third or fourth date, else your date might get an impression that you’re cheap, not frugal. Many cities offer coupon booklets for discounted meals and events. You could check with your council for places that might be part of a coupon promotion. It might cost a little money initially but will save you a lot of money in the long run. If you work for the NHS or are part of a union or workers organisation, you may receive a discount at a variety of restaurants or entertainment venues. Make sure you check before you go, if you think this might apply to you.
There are so many more low cost ideas for your date for less than £50. Some of them are listed here: Look for a free concert outdoors and take a picnic. You might also get to score some extra points for your cooking skills! Find a local theatre with an amateur acting company and free refreshments. Walk along the river or on the beach and enjoy an ice cream. Find a dance event nearby followed by a light meal. Enjoy miniature golf and have a low cost salad or pizza. Try paddle boating and carry some snacks along. Go for bowling and order dinner at the bowling alley. Ice skating and roller skating is available all year long. Try it out and compliment it with hot chocolate! Thinking out-of-the-box and getting creative can save you a lot of money while maintaining class and style. The outdoor dating ideas certainly won’t break the bank. Women are generally impressed with someone who goes the extra mile to make her smile, as opposed to someone who spends lots at restaurants or parties. Some of the best memories at times are made with little money, but more effort. What really matters is the time spent together enjoying each other’s company.
So, don’t expect a potential partner to spend too much on dates. If they do, they might seem as though they’re trying really hard to impress with the material stuff instead of with who they really are.