tips

Fun date ideas that won’t break the bank

Guy Hall • February 3, 2020

We here at Ting like to think of ourselves as hopeless romantics. Picture John Cusack in Say Anything… but instead of holding a boombox in a trenchcoat, we’re holding one of our DIY red cup speakers, wearing some lovely Ting swag.

We are, however, aware that all this romance business can get expensive. Sure, we’d all love to eat out at the most expensive restaurant in town, rent out a yacht for the day or whisk our special someone away to Paris. But these ideas are all a little out of our price range. And when we say a little, we mean a lot.

But never fear, you can have just as much fun on a date spending $0 as you can by spending $1,000. After all, what matters is who you’re with, not what you’re doing. With this in mind, here are five cheap fun date ideas, whether it’s your first or your fiftieth. 

Play tourist

Once you’ve been living somewhere for a long time, you begin to take it for granted. That’s why we suggest you take your beau and play tourist! Going on this date gives you the perfect opportunity to re-discover where you live while spending time with the person you are with. Looking for another upside? This date can be absolutely free.

Obviously, what you can see and do depends on where you live, but we’re sure there’s something great in your hometown. We recommend just going for a stroll through the streets, taking in the sights and landmarks along the way. It’s also worth checking out any museums or galleries in your area, as these can often be free. 

This fresh perspective on your surroundings is bound to give you a lot to talk about, and it’s always great to discover or re-discover things with someone special.

Get out in the fresh air

Prefer the great outdoors to a tour through your town? No problem! Get out of the hustle-and-bustle and take to the countryside.

You’re only ever a quick google search away from finding some amazing outdoor spots in your local area. Whether you’re after a stroll along some country roads, a leisurely bike ride or a more adventurous hike, there’s almost certainly something nearby that will suit you and your partner’s preferences.

Getting out and about keeps you active, and allows you to create a memorable experience for you and your partner. Also, without loads of distractions, you’ll be able to have a real conversation and get to know the person you’re with a bit better. 

Exploring nature is free, exciting and can be pretty dang romantic. Heck, you could even time your trip so that you end up at a great viewpoint for sunset (just make sure you’re prepared for the trip back in the dark).

Go for a late-night picnic

What’s more romantic than a picnic in the sun? A picnic by moonlight. Grab your blanket, your basket and your lanterns (or candles if you’re feeling extra), and head somewhere you can see the stars.

Stargazing, in itself, is sure to start some sparks flying but add some carefully chosen nibbles, and perhaps even a bottle of wine, and you’re onto a winner. If you live in a built-up area, it can be tricky sometimes to see the stars because of all the light pollution. If this is the case for you, we recommend heading to a rooftop and taking in the views from up there. Cities at night can truly be something to behold.

Oh, and obviously, only go on rooftops that are safe and where you’re allowed to go. Ending a date in jail is never good.

Get cultural

Midnight picnics are definitely best saved for summer since we realize that shivering on top of a skyscraper isn’t really a fun date idea. So, if you’re going to have to stay indoors, we recommend you get your culture on!

It’s amazing how many free events you can find with a bit of searching. It’s just a case of finding what would suit both of your interests. You can easily find events through Eventbrite, which will allow you to filter what’s going on by date, location and price. 

If you’re unsure what to choose, why not go for something new? We’d recommend anything from live music to open mic nights to author readings.

Stay in!

Staying in may not initially seem like one of the most fun date ideas out there but, trust us, it can be amazing. Right off the bat, we want to say that we’re not advocating Netflix and chill. That’s not a date. Our suggestions are much more romantic, and much more fun.

Our first idea for a stay-in date is a wine and cheese evening. Head to your local store, pick up a bottle of wine (or two), a candle and an assortment of cheeses. Take the time with the presentation, light your candles, dim the lights and put on a romantic playlist. Romance guaranteed… if you avoid the stinky cheeses that is.

If you don’t like cheese, or you don’t drink wine, this might not be the date for you. If you don’t like cheese AND you don’t drink wine, then it definitely isn’t. But don’t worry, there are other great stay-in date ideas.

Our other top suggestion would be to stay in and cook a meal together. Ingredients are super cheap, but the experience of making something delicious and eating it together can be priceless.

Caring is sharing

So there you have it, five inexpensive ways that you can spend time with your special someone.

Want to know how you can 100 percent guarantee that you’ll have an amazing time? Share your Refer-a-Friend code with them at the beginning of the date.* 

This will achieve three things. First, it will show your date that you care by wanting them to save money. Next, they will recognize what a shrewd individual you are, since you’re with a phone company where you only pay for what you use. Finally, with this information, they will fall madly and passionately in love with you and never want to leave your side.

*Disclaimer: This technique has never worked. It probably never will.