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5 fun (affordable!) dates

By Margot Carmichael Lester Lots of guys think that if they’re not rolling in dough, they can’t turn a girl’s head. True? Not so much. Sure, who doesn’t like presents or a luxurious lobster dinner? But the truth is, fellas, you don’t need to break the bank for a fun, thoughtful date. Try these alternatives to a big-ticket night out.

1. Book it. Whitney Lehman of Naperville, IL, was impressed when her now-husband suggested they hit the books. “In order to get to know each other better, he took me to a bookstore one afternoon,” she explains. “In each section, we both chose a book of interest and shared why we picked it, what was fascinating about that topic, etc. It was a great way to get to know each other’s tastes.”

2. Go local. “Go on a sightseeing tour of your own city,” says Emily K. Murray of Philadelphia. “Many times, people never take the time to see the historical or quirky landmarks in the city they live in unless an out of town relative is visiting, etc. So go to the library, grab a tourism book for your own city — whether it focuses on the arts, history, or something else entirely — and put together a walking tour. It’s an easy conversation-starter and a good way to get some exercise, too.”

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3. Game the system. Board-game bars are popping up in cities and towns all over the country, and who doesn’t like to play? “These bars are becoming quite popular and this is a fun date that will give you insight into your date’s personality,” says Ian Coburn, author of God Is A Woman. “Like, does she cheat? Is she a stickler for rules? A poor winner or loser?”

4. Hit the streets. “One of the best first dates I went on, I was taken downtown where we walked around and got food from the carts set up along the street for about $6,” recalls Laura Mills of Portland, OR. Then he took me to an arcade that had a bar inside, and bought me $1.25 beers and handed me five dollars’ worth of quarters. We battled each other and actually got to talk and have fun.”

5. Plan carefully. “Here’s how to keep it inexpensive, without looking like a total cheapskate,” says Hal Elrod, author of Taking Life Head On! (The Hal Elrod Story). “Say, ‘I’m having an early dinner with some friends, so why don’t I pick you up after that and I’ll take you to get some ice cream.’” Then you can stroll together and chat. Cheap, yes, but very charming!

If you invest more in thinking about activities that will interest your date and give you time to get to know each other, you’ll get a better return on your investment than if you go all out on an expensive evening.

Author Margot Carmichael Lester also writes the Dating and Personals channel’s faith-based advice column. Send your questions to AskMargot@match.com.