{9} FUN & cheap dates!

This post is for the broke college couple, couple on a budget, couple on a limited income, couple on a savings plan for something fun, or just plain ecomonical couple.

Fun doesn't have to be pricey.

In fact, some of the funnest nights I've had haven't cost a penny.

Alki Beach, Seattle....one of G and my FAVE date spots :)

For those of you who don't like to drop a ton of moolah for a fun date, I've compiled a list of free and cheap date ideas:

1. GET OUT AND ENJOY NATURE!
Nature is free, beautiful and invigorating to take in with someone you love. Plan a day hike, build a fire by the river or beach--or your backyard, drive somewhere with a view and gaze at the stars, fly kites!, clean out your bread pantry and go feed the birds, start a vegetable or flower garden, go horseback riding, pack a picnic and venture out somewhere new and scenic and spend the afternoon eating, reading books and taking naps under the beautiful blanket of God's creation.

2. DIG YOUR APRON OUT AND GET IN THE KITCHEN!
Do some research and have a cultural culinary night---make Indian, Chinese, Japanese, African themed full course meal...but do the cooking TOGETHER! (Don't forget to find some cultural music to match your choice). Or, find something delicious to make together (think toffee, cookies, a cake) FOR someone else...and then suprise them with it together!

3. GET ACTIVE: THINK SPORTS!
Go on a bike ride (if you don't have bikes, borrow!), too broke to ski or snowboard? SLED!, go bowling, hit up the driving range, miniature golf, find a park with hoops and play some H-O-R-S-E and a little 1-on-1, take a new class together (think kickboxing, yoga, spinning, etc.), rent a raft, canoe, paddle boat, go fishing (or hunting, if you MUST...), find a fun nature walk and take your dogs along...

4. IN THE MOOD FOR ROMANCE?
Stay in, drop the kiddos off with a sitter and do a mini-spa night in your own home. Think massages, jacuzzi bath, candles, champagne...you get the picture. Cheaper than an actual spa date or fancy hotel, but all the luxuries of both in the comfort of you own home!

5. TAKE YOUR MIND OFF YOURSELF....AND VOLUNTEER!
Take few hours of your day and volunteer somewhere with your significant other! This not only helps others, it will really bring the both of you closer--and make you feel even better because you are not only spending time with each other, you are also helping others! Find a local soup kitchen or church that serves meals to the needy, spend some time at a nursing home or assisted living center, offer to help out with a church youth group or school club, find a community service project and make it happen together!

6. ENJOY THE LOCAL CULTURE
Call your local chamber of commerce and get the low-down on community happenings...chances are there is more out there to do than you think! Plan a trip to a museum or historical landmark, go WINE-TASTING!, take a cooking or hobby related class together, go sip coffee at a fun little local cafe or try out the new micro-brew at the sports bar and watch the game, or go to a local sporting event and cheer on your home team!

7. SCREW THE EXPENSIVE VACATION, GO ON A MINI-GET-AWAY!
You don't need to book a week-long vaca to Maui to get your travel fix. Try a ONE-NIGHT trip to a hip bed and breakfast (think Hood River, there are some AWESOME ones there!) or a camping trip!

8. SPICE UP ANOTHER BORING MOVIE NIGHT...
Instead of renting another movie and staying in, go grab brunch and enjoy a matinee together! You could also rent a serious or trilogy of movies and have a movie marathon, complete with take-out and numerous beverages of choice ;)

9. MAKE IT A COUPLES NIGHT!
Host a game night! Some super fun games to invest in would be Things, Apples to Apples, Taboo and then a few decks of good ol' fashioned playing cards (we like Nertz, Hearts, Poker....). Game nights are honestly one of my favorite ways to spend a Friday or Saturday night. You could also form a "dinner club" with a group of friends, and rotate who hosts a dinner once a week! Another fun couples date night idea is the Progressive dinner. The progressive dinner is really a forgotton event, and I would like to personally bring it back...

These are just a few of the hundreds of free or inexpensive date ideas...

if you have one to add that you don't see here, feel free to share!!