Posted by DebtKid :: December 6, 2007 @ 10:24 amWatching old Seinfeld reruns for dates because you’re broke? Do you need help with saving money without being a cheap date? If you answered “yes” to either or both of these questions, consider this dating advice: Spice things up a bit with these 7 money-saving and fun dating ideas while you wait for your personal loan to get funded on Lending Club.
1. The Amazing Race Date
Come up with a list of 10 or so interesting events to capture (here are some good ideas). Each couple will need a video camera (this is a good double date). Set out at a specific time and plan to be back within 2 or 3 hours at the most. You can set a certain number of points for capturing each item.
If you find some fun locations, and your date is even semi-interesting, you’ll have a blast on this video scavenger hunt. If you take a car, your only expense is gas. The best part is coming back and watching all the goofy stuff you just did.
Total Cost: $7 for videotape and some gas money
2. Gamer Dating
Grab some popcorn and stay in for the evening. If your date is down with video games, grab a controller, put on some party music, and go to town. If you have a Nintendo Wii or can borrow one...so much the better. Nothing eases any nerves better than making a fool of yourself in Wii Sports Boxing.
Don't just stick to video games, though. Mix it up with some 2-person card games. Here are some of the classics:
Cribbage - You'll need a cribbage deck and board
Speed – Also known as spit…
War - Simple...classic, ruthless
This date could also be done with other couples as well. Have each couple bring their favorite games, and let the good times roll. (Yahtzee anyone?)
Total Cost: $5 for snacks
3. Book Nerd Dating
My nerdy high school girlfriend and I did this countless times back in the day and it’s a great date activity, especially for those who love to read. After perusing the store a bit, find a table or some chairs where you and your date can set up camp.
Split up for 25 minutes and each go find 5 books from different genres that you would each like to read. Reconvene after your search and share your 5 books with each other. It's a great way to learn more about your date in a relaxed environment. Share why you choose each book and make sure to ask lots of questions. This is a great 2nd or 3rd date.
Total Cost: $0
4. The Mother Teresa
Nothing is a more romantic date idea than doing something to help others with a significant other. Not only will your date think highly of you for just suggesting the idea, you'll also get to see your date in a very non-traditional dating setting.
Find a 3-5 hour one-time volunteer event to help out for the first time. If you and your date have a great time together serving others, it's likely you could make it a weekly thing.
Volunteers are always in high demand during the holiday season, so check out volunteer match for opportunities and ideas in your area. Many times nursing and senior homes have volunteer openings that are perfect for a one-time date.
Total Cost: $0
5. YouTube Dating
Nerd Alert!
Have you and your date each search on YouTube (or any video sharing website) for short video clips that you absolutely love (I'd pick some Colbert clips for sure). Each of you should then pick your top 5 best ones and create a playlist.
Reconvene after searching for 20 minutes, and hook up your computers to a TV if possible. Sit on the couch, pop some popcorn and laugh the night away at hilarious, and free, entertainment courtesy of the creativity of your date. And YouTube.
Total Cost: $5 for snacks
6. Central Park Dating
Even during winter, with a little preparation, a picnic can be a blast. A thermos with hot chocolate is a must have for any winter picnic meal. Make some sandwiches and be sure to throw in a few cheap hand warmers in case your date's hands get cold.
Total Cost: $7 for food
7. The Spielberg
This one takes two open minded and non-camera shy people. At the end of this date you'll have a short movie to share for life.
Here’s how it works:
Come up with a list of 5 or so favorite scenes from movies or TV shows you both enjoy. You might need to recruit a friend to help you record. You'll also need a video camera and computer to edit once you're done filming.
Once you've decided on a scene to recreate, write out a script and gather any props or costumes you might need.
Once you're done shooting, spend an hour editing together and then invite some friends over to watch your creation! Don’t take the film too seriously. The goal is to have fun with your date, not shoot the next Academy award winning short film.
Total Cost: A long afternoon and a videotape. $4
By the time you’ve exhausted these dating ideas, you’ll know whether or not to pursue other activities that may carry a larger price tag. Then, just get a personal loan on LendingClub.com and you’ll have the fast money you need for a quick ski get-away, skydiving or some other fun diversion.
26 Comments
uh... a video camera is like $400... not exactly cheap.
those aren't cheap dating ideas, they are just random things you can do with anyone that aren't cheap
Have you ever been on a date? You suck. This is absurd. Yeah, I'm gonna go volunteer at a soup kitchen with my girlfriend. Noble, I'll grant you. Romantic? You're smoking something.
$1.50 hot dog and soda at costco makes for a romantic date every time
These are work not dates..
[...] play video game, watch your favorite youtube video, reading in a bookstore etc, details here for 7 tip for dating var addthis_pub = [...]
These idea's are interesting and new, but definitly not cheap.. this assumes you own stuff. I am too broke to afford a video camera.. and the only reason i have the game systems i do, is cuz my girlfriends brother gave them us so we would have something to play together.
Second off you have so many diggs yet so very little comments on this page.. That spam protection protects you from lazy people too.
7 Dating Tips - Ideas for How to Save Money...
FAIL
I like the Wii date, that would get you hot and sweaty
I usually don't comment, but I have to give my opinion on this one:
These are all terrible ideas. Especially for early dates.
Dude, you ever make out on one of these dates?!
[...] job I’d probably still be living in my office. Take a look at my most recent article about cheap date ideas (it even made the digg homepage! [...]
[...] 7 Dating Tips - Ideas for How to Save Money [...]
I would probably do the Book Nerd Dating... Yes, that's me.
- Trew Life
[...] recommends the Wii for a cheap date. That actually sounds like it might be [...]
You should have never bought the Wii if you cannot afford a stinkin date
Ya right, like try any of these ideas and guess who'll be going home alone again. YOU!
i'm sorry, dating isn't about money.
if you think it is, you're lacking a bunch of things... inner things, precisely the kind that cannot be bought or sold.
I had a guy invite me over to play Wii and drink beer at his house before. It was seriously one of the best first dates I'd ever had. I don't live in my mama's house, and as far as I know I'm not a "homie" girl. Guys that go way out of their way on a first date seem kind of desperate to me.
Some of those things seem cheap, but if you're truly broke, you can't even afford the gas in the car, let alone food or a video camera or a game system of some sort... They sound like good ideas for when i can get hold of more money than what i've got at this moment... i definitely liked the Mother Teresa, the Youtube, and the Central Park ideas best cause you can really get cheap without seeming totally cheap
Re: Datezilla these are good ideas. Just because they may not give you the option to 'make out' doesn't mean the girl won't have fun. That's what dating is about, having fun, not trying to get into the girl's pants.
Dude these ideas are majorly lame... from a girls perspective it looks like you just want to hang out with a girl and treat her like your friend. Seriously the best thing you can do with a girl is none of these stupid ideas... its just to have fun with common interests... i was looking for a less typical more romantic date to take my boyfriend on for our anniversary and you totally dissapointed.
[...] said 7 tips, didn’t I. Here are the rest, however, you are going to have to skip on over to LendingClub.com to get the details of each [...]
Hey nice site guys. Anyways thought suggest some dating times. 1. When on your first date always start as friends, that you want get hurt if things dont work. 2. Smile and be happy. 3. Listen. Girls like to share so be an open ear. 4. Have a good laugh so that the first date is remember.
These dating tips are good. However, I would like to go out to dinner, or a movie or a comedy club. That's having a good time to me:)
You don't even need a video camera anymore for the video hunt. Almost every digi-cam I see people using these days has video capability. My 12 year old niece has one and it was less than $100.
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