Cheap date ideas will keep your romance alive – while keeping your budget on track. Plan for Valentine’s Day and beyond with these date ideas for frugal couples.

Dates don’t have to be expensive, especially if you’re trying to save money. If you enjoy each other’s company and use your imagination, you are sure to have a good time. You can come up with cheap date ideas for any season or time of day – just be creative!

To get your mind working, we’ve come up with a list of our 8 favorite cheap date ideas:

1. Cook Together

There are many cheap and easy delicious meals to choose from. Skip the college meal plan that day! Meet your sweetie at the grocery store, recipe in hand. Buy all the necessary ingredients (the average dinner for two–even if you’re getting fancy–should not come out to be more than $20).

Cooking with someone is a great way to get to know the person, and also a great cheap date idea. With the right planning, even a dorm room kitchen can be romantic.

2. Sing Karaoke

If you can afford to lose some of your inhibitions, karaoke is a fun cheap date idea. It’s lighthearted, and shows your date that you aren’t afraid to laugh at yourself. Pick a karaoke night in your neighborhood and sing your heart out!

3. Visit a Museum

Most towns have museums with student discounts or free days. Is your date interested in art or science? Go to the museum and get some lunch after you’ve worked up an appetite.

If you’re in a bigger town or city, you also likely have the option of going to a strange or unusual museum that might be an even more fun cheap date idea. Ever heard of the International Spy Museum? The Banana Museum? They’re out there!

4. Take a Bike Ride

Particularly if you’re shy, this is a great cheap date idea. When biking a trail with your date, there won’t be as much pressure to talk. You can even bike in cold weather, with the right gear and tires. Remember to bring plenty of water (or a thermos of hot chocolate!).

Enjoy the scenery around you, and pack a light lunch. You can stop for a picnic lunch break somewhere with a nice view. It’s very romantic, and a great way to keep off those Freshman 15!

5. Go Skating

Hit the roller rink! As far as cheap date ideas go, this one’s a classic. Roller rinks may sound a little outdated, but therein lies the charm. Even if you’re not a great skater, this is a guaranteed good time.

Ice skating rinks, outdoors or indoors, are also fun cheap date ideas and are certain to host events on Valentine’s Day.

6. Go For a Walk

It’s easy, low-key and low-pressure. This cheap date idea can even get creative – go to a part of town you’ve never been to before and do some window-shopping! Forgo a particular destination and let spontaneity be your guide; that’s part of the fun.

7. Volunteer

Pick an organization that needs helping hands, and do volunteer work for them together. It’s bound to be a memorable and fun cheap date idea, and you’ll be helping others in the process.

Not sure where to look? Try some college organizations devoted to volunteering.

8. Movie Night

What’s more timeless than renting a movie? Pick one that you’ve never seen, or resurrect one of your old DVDs or Netflix favorites. Pop some popcorn (or concoct a different healthy snack) and enjoy this cold-weather-friendly cheap date idea.

Whatever you do for Valentine’s Day, don’t forget to plan it in advance. Your date will appreciate you taking the time out to plan something special. It doesn’t take a lot of money; cheap date ideas can be just as romantic and fun as expensive ones!

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