I’ve always been a cheap date. No, not the “check out my poster collection” type of cheap date, but the kind that enjoys a picnic in the park or splitting the bill. But there’s a fine line between being creatively frugal and fun and being downright tacky. On a first date, if my date whipped out a restaurant coupon for our meal, that would be a deal breaker. Now, when my husband has a coupon for a meal, I’m happy to save money. A few of my favorite cheap dates are going to the beach with lunch in the cooler, nature hikes and cruising flea markets.
The following are a few reader-submitted tips for inexpensive dates.
HEAT UP AND COOL DOWN: One of my favorite cheap dates is miniature golf or bowling and then stopping to get an ice-cream cone afterward. — Kim, Michigan
BUDGET FOOD AND MOVIE: Our cheap dates consist of picnics at a local park and the drive-in theater during summer. — Gina, Oklahoma
We eat out for breakfast or lunch instead of dinner and go to an early matinee or rent a movie. — Karen, Illinois
COMMUNITY FUN: An early-morning bike ride or hike with homemade muffins or trail mix is incredibly cheap and fun. I also love community festivals and browsing antique stores. — Constance, New Jersey
I enjoy coffee, dessert and a walk on the pier. — Kellie, New Jersey
For fun, I love going to the farmer’s market or berry picking. — Heather, New York
I like to visit the zoo and pack a lunch or go the bookstore and have coffee. — Michelle S., Massachusetts
We like to rent a canoe and spend time on the water. — Carol, Utah
I had a great date at a paint-a-pot shop. — Sue H., California
I once went on a date where we rode bikes and then visited a local cemetery and did grave rubbings. It was different and memorable. — Katy, Texas
HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT, TOO: I went on a date at a craft store, and we took a cake-decorating class. It was tons of fun. — Julie, New Hampshire
SHARING HOPES AND DREAMS: I enjoy weekend dates with my husband to home shows to dream about the future. — Kathy, Indiana
STAY AT HOME: For date night, my husband and I make homemade pizza and put together puzzles or play cards or board games. — Jean, e-mail
PRACTICALLY FREE: It’s fun to go for country drives and bring a camera. — Darlene B., New York
I love going to free concerts in the park and public gardens. — Amanda, Ohio
One of my best dates was a campfire with marshmallows. We looked at stars together and sipped on sodas. — Amy, Ohio
I ask for restaurant gift cards for Christmas, so my husband and I can enjoy free dates throughout the year. — Reba, Maryland
We love going to high-school and local sports games. — Danielle, Pennsylvania
译文:
你会便宜地约会吗？
图片来自crystl
我的约会一向很便宜。不，不是那种“不舍得看电影而只是数数电影海报”那样的便宜约会，而是那种享受在公园里的野餐或是AA制的约会。但是有创意的节俭与快乐和彻底抠门而显得俗气之间是由一条很巧妙的界限的。第一次约会时，如果突然掏出饭店的优惠券的话，这场约会就是失败的。现在，如果我丈夫有一张用餐优惠券的话，我是很高兴能节约钱的。我喜欢的一些便宜的约会方式包括去海边玩然后在遮荫处享用午餐，去远足还有逛逛跳蚤市场。
下面是一些读者提供的便宜的约会方法。
酣畅淋漓后的冰凉舒爽：我最喜欢的便宜约会之一就是去打迷你高尔夫或是保龄球，然后美美地吃上一个圆筒冰激凌。-- 金姆，密歇根州
廉价美食加电影：我们便宜的约会包括在当地公园里的野餐，在夏天去免下车电影院里看大片。--吉娜，俄克拉荷马州
我们一起去外面吃早餐或午餐，而不是晚餐，一起去白天早间音乐会或是租一部电影一起看。--克伦，伊利诺斯州
团体活动的乐趣：一大早一起去骑自行车，或者带上自制的松饼或什锦杂果去远足，这样的活动便宜得让人难以置信却又充满乐趣。我还喜欢社区节，喜欢逛逛古董店。--康士坦茨，新泽西州
我喜欢享受咖啡，甜点以及在码头上散步。--凯丽，新泽西州
为了寻找乐趣，我喜欢去农贸市场或者去摘浆果。--希瑟，纽约
我喜欢去动物园玩，带东西去吃午餐，或去书店和一杯咖啡。--蜜雪儿·S，马塞诸塞州
我们喜欢租一支独木舟，在水上度过约会时间。--卡罗尔，犹他州
我在手绘彩罐店里度过一次愉快的约会。--苏·H 加利福尼亚州
我有一次约会是这样的，先是骑自行车，然后去了一所当地的公墓，然后进行了祭扫活动。这很与众不同，而且值得纪念。--凯蒂，得克萨斯州
自己做蛋糕，自己吃：有一次约会我去了一家手工制作店，我们参加了蛋糕装饰课。那真的很有趣。--朱莉，新罕布什尔州
共同分享希望和梦想：我喜欢和我的丈夫在周末参加家庭秀，梦想我们的未来。--凯西，印地安纳州
呆在家里：约会之夜，我和丈夫一起做家庭匹萨，一起玩益智游戏或者打牌，下棋。--吉恩，电子邮件
真正的自由：驾驶汽车游遍乡村，带上你的相机。--达琳·B，纽约
我喜欢去公园和公共花园里的免费音乐会。阿曼达，俄亥俄州
我最好的一次约会是参加一次有美味的浆果软糖的篝火晚会。我们一起看星星，喝苏打饮料。-艾米，俄亥俄州
我问饭店要了圣诞节的优惠券，这样我和我的丈夫就可以整年的免费约会了。--瑞贝，马里兰
我们喜欢去高校，参加当地的体育比赛。--丹妮尔，宾夕法尼亚州