Date Ideas for $20 or Less While on a Limited Budget!

Dating on a limited budget can be challenging however there remains numerous cheap options that will have you and your date enjoying yourselves and appreciating your time together. Choosing one of these options and playing your evening right are sure to lead to success on the date and afterwards. There are several keys to dating on a limited budget:

1. Know your date.

I cannot stress this enough and it all has to do with how perceptive you have been in the first few conversations on the phone or in person and the additional data you have gained through friends and family as well as social networking sites like Myspace, Friendster and Facebook.

During these first few general conversations, be perceptive as to what she likes, doesn't like, is she active, does she like to dance, does she like to drink, what restaurants does she like etc. This information will be extremely valuable. If you gather from your first conversation that an ideal date for her would be to go to In N Out and have a couple beers while renting a movie then your $20 is going to go a long way and your evening is set. However, generally speaking this is only a fantasy as most women enjoy expensive dinners, fine wines, top shelf liquor and entry into the best clubs.

2. Have a Plan.

You know your city and you know where you can get in free and bring a date and where you can't. these are the places you will focus on. From bars to nightclubs, you have made the appropriate introductions to garner free entry or the club or bar happens to have free entry on the night you are planning your date. You must know it! Also, does the place you are planning on taking your date to have drink specials ie: Sapporo in Scottsdale or RA where all drinks are 50% off during certain hours either Happy Hour or Reverse Happy Hour. At some of these locations, you can purchase Patron shots for $3.50 each or Cranberry Vodka's, a womans favorite for $3.00. Also, these are nicer restaurants and you will not be perceived as being on a budget or cheap by any means.

3. Dinner is Out of the Question.

Unless she enjoys In N Out or McDonalds, (quite frankly if she enjoys McDonald's she doesn't deserve to date you), you cannot take your date out to dinner. Your $20.00 budget will be blown on her meal alone. Additionally, once you are at a restaurant it is nearly impossible to limit a woman's choice of food or consumption of drinks including alcohol without it having a negative effect. At dinner on a budget you will loose control of the situation and environment and it will leave you feeling uneasy throughout the dinner and when the $72.00 bill comes upset with your decision.

When you are planning your day select a day that works well for you and then let her know you have dinner plans but that you are going to get together after. This maneuver is very effective in communicating to your date that you have friends and other things to do, but you are thinking about her and want to spend some time with her.

With this foundation set, it is now time to discuss the best date ideas for #20 or less while on a limited budget. It is important to note that you must utilize the three important points listed above in order to be successful.

1. The Bar.

A bar provides an excellent setting to spend a date for $20 and under if executed correctly. The first aspect of the bar is to find a bar that is mutually compelling to your date and has some good drink specials. Your goal is to enable yourself to purchase at least four drinks for your $20. You can never expect a girl to pay, nor in most circumstances can you ask the girl to pay if you want to succeed in moving the night into a more intimate setting. The ideal circumstance is to have her meet you at your place and you can have a few drinks there prior to going to the bar. Please drink responsibly.

Once at the bar, only purchase those drinks on your list that will keep you on your budget and engage in conversation. Being a good conversationalist will be a key to the success of your evening. Also, choosing strong drinks will assist. Once you have reached your limit, suggest heading back to your place to have a drink and carry on the discussion. If you have played your cards right, you should be in. Once she is there, your technique should be very calm, complacent and relaxed. See Blog on this topic.

2. The Club.

Choosing this option will take careful planning on your part as club entry fees and drink cost could potentially explode your budget. However, if planned appropriately, this could be one of the best experiences for $20 you will ever have. Again, the key is to have her to your place for a pre-club drink or two. Also, another key is knowing how to get into the club for free, based on your previous relationships. Additionally, there are plenty of clubs out there that are free entry on off nights. Your goal here is to get a few drinks in her and a few dances with her and of course some valuable conversation.

3. The Pool.

The pool is the ideal place to get your date and if you are successful your night is off to a great start. Most condo and apartment complexes have heated pools. The pool obviously is a less people intensive environment than the first two selections and therefore the ultimate success of the evening will rely on your conversational skills. This will be the cheapest option on the list and the most effective at potentially transitioning into a more intimate evening. Make sure to have her favorite alcohol including mixers available for her consumption.

4. Bowling / Pool

Bowling alleys and pool halls offer a social environment that can generally be done at a reasonable budget, however unless you are joining another couple or group, one on one conversational skills will be very important. Again, you must do your homework and ensure that the prices for at least two (2) bowling matches and four (4) pool matches do not exceed your budget. Additionally, it is advisable to have your date over to your home prior for a few cocktails, because this will be valuable money saved at the Bowling alley / Pool hall.

Bad Ideas for a date costing $20 or less:

1. A movie.

Even if movies are her passion, there is no worse idea than attending a movie for your $20 date. A movie puts you in a suspended environment for 2 or more hours in which you cannot communicate with your date. Generally, once the movie is over, it is late into the night, both you and your date are drained from watching and processing the movie and you haven't spoke all night. The end of the movie is the ideal opportunity for your date to part ways with you and that is exactly what you do not want to happen. Also, you have made no advancements in your attempt to get to know your date and make the date into a more intimate evening.

2. Dinner.

On a $20 budget just about any dinner is sure to destroy your funds. Additionally, you will be worried the entire time that she will exceed your amount budgeted for the evening. When dealing with this budget, you always had to go to dinner before the date. The sole option for dinner is that you cook for her or she cooks for you. See my blog on preparing an exceptional meal for your date for under $20.

In Summary.

A successful date can be achieved on a limited budget of $20 or less however careful planning, a general overall knowledge of your date and no dinner date are necessities. Please drink responsibly and share your experiences with us.