Traditionally, the world of dating is an expensive one. When we think of taking someone out on a date (especially men), dollar signs flash over our head and we start planning on how to afford it. This isn't a problem if money is no concern, but what if you're tight on cash but still want to show that special someone just how much you appreciate them and enjoy their company? There are actually a lot of wonderful solutions, non-conventional dating ideas that can really be a blast. They're cheap, and more importantly, involve the two of you enjoying each other's company, so that they're much more personal.



Picnics are not only cheap, but probably one of the most romantic date ideas out there. - A warm, sunny day (Or even a cold one, with a fluffy sweater and a nice coat to bundle in!), beautiful scenery, and good food make the perfect dating set-up. Unfortunately, they're a bit clich. So what can you do to mix your picnic up a little bit? Well, along with your food, bring along an art pad. Try sketching each other, starting out with your very best attempt at realism, and when you've shown each other your artistic abilities (Or lack thereof), you can go on to making goofy doodles and funny scribblings! This kind of little, spontaneous activity can spawn some of the most wonderful memories.

Few things say romance likes many of the unknown gems that lie in the small towns of our great nation. Most little towns have old houses that have a long historical tradition, rich gardens, haunted locations, small museums dedicated to the town's proud history, or other little jewels that often go unnoticed and aren't advertised. With a little digging online, however, you can find these places, and they provide wonderful opportunities for a fun, romantic date. They're cheap, too - most little out-of-the-way attractions like these charge less than five dollars! Get your partner and together you can plan your own adventure into a little town.

Mad Lib Movie Night is a great twist on a classic budget dating experience. For this, all you need is a movie, preferably an old B-rated sci-fi flick, chick-flick, or previously taped soap opera episode. At the beginning of the movie, each person is assigned to be one of the major characters, and each one has his or her own notebook with a pencil. Turn the television on mute, and play a scene. During this, each person needs to write down what their character may be saying. You can take a funny twist on it and make it absurd, but it should pertain enough to the premise of the situation that it will make sense when both people put their parts together. When the scene is finished, rewind back to the beginning, keep the television on mute, and this time each person reads aloud the lines as their character would say them! One of the things that this date does so well is brings two people closer - you'll notice after a few scenes that you can somewhat predict what your partner will write, and can make the lines even more witty.

The thrift store isn't exactly the kind of place most people think of when they hear "romantic date occasion," but you'd be surprised. This date will test how well you know your partner. Find a local thrift store, and once you're inside, split up. It's now each person's job to look through all of the items in the store to find the one perfect something for their partner. Both people should try to avoid the other, and neither should see what the other is looking at. When you're done searching the store and have found the perfect something, go buy it for them (it won't be expensive.) Then, exchange them on your way out the door! The gift can be romantic, embarrassing, or funny.

Cooking is another activity that can be a wonderful opportunity for you and your date to spend some low-key, quality time with each other. Choose something simple that both of you like, and then the two of you can set to making it, talking and having fun as you work alongside each other. If you've got cooking talent, put it to use! Don't be afraid to experiment a little bit and try new things. In the end, you will hopefully have a delicious something that the two of you can share together. It can be a full meal, or something much simpler like a dessert or snack, but the two of you will be enjoying something that you both made together.

Truly romantic dates don't have to be spent at five star restaurants, and often the most memorable moments are ones that are more casual, goofy, or simple pure fun. The point of these dates is that you are enjoying the time together with each other and the ability to interact with each other, and that it's something that can be done on literally any budget. So open your minds, clear out some time on your calendar, and plan a fun, romantic date for just the two of you where you can get to know each other better and create life-long memories.