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Flat Broke? Penny-pinch a Date

By NicerNews • on October 7, 2009

Author: Kenia Mazariegos
Original Publication Date: 7 October 2009

Is financial volatility affecting your dating-mojo? Truth is–when calculators watch your every move, dating is not much fun. Sure, tough times call for tough measures, but altering your dating routine is a big NO-NO. Instead convert mind frame—Do date cheep, Do ask hot (girl/guy)out, and Do treat that “someone special” to a great date.

AHEM…
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate is 9.8 percent, which seems like a good reason for Americans to date cheap or not date at all. Dating cheap doesn’t make you cheap, it makes you a budget-entrepreneur… Isn’t this what you needed to hear to consider this plan anyway?
Here’s an idea: free yourself of your weeklyemphaticexclamations (i.e. sighs and errs) and take your special someone to the UGH Comedy Club. Reasons why this idea rocks:

No Admission Fee
No Drink Minimum
Three dollar beers
Relaxed atmosphere for “breaking the ice”

With a girlfriend?—even better! Click-your heels and dance your way into a salsa class, for free! Visit Iguana (on a Thursday night) and enjoy 45 minutes of booty-shaking, hip-popping-twirls in the first class.
Naturally, (depending on who you’re with) you’d want to do something less back-breaking and more mind-stimulating. In that case, visit an art gallery, or better, The Forbes Magazine Gallery (free). Once you’re there, explore presidential manuscripts and fine arts. Not your cup of tea? Try Coney Island’s Film Festival for 45 bucks that goes a long way. The price of the festival includes opening night, the screening, afterparty and an open bar!

Saving money is a dazzling force that will encourage you to take your special someone on a romantic boat ride. Try the Staten Island Ferry and head into an intimate gateway. During your trip, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery, and most importantly, each other’s company.
Try amplifying ambience with subtle pleasantries. Date requires: cozy living-room, sexy lighting, steaming Fondue, two hungry mouths, and…shall I say more?

Or cook a warm meal together and let dessert play a big role. Everyone knows that food is the way to your special someone’s heart.
Be spontaneous! Cheap dates come in all shapes and sizes. Listen to music together, immerse your bodies in paint and start illustrating. Explore fun out-of-the-box traditional dates that—according to society—have gone out of style. Like toasting marshmallows in an open fire, watching a great movie, fruit-picking at a local farm, bike-riding and even, visiting an animal shelter to show your support and appreciation to the environment. Guaranteed to create closeness between you and your date—or girlfriend.

Sometimes walking hand-in-hand is the best way to step into the Botanical Gardens, and if your stroll in the park isn’t enough, consider visiting Bryant Park. There are always free concerts, festivals, and special events taking place. A safari isn’t even that far away. Take the 2 train Uptown and visit the Bronx Zoo. Other activities you should consider are ice skating and hiking—surefire ways to bond. A sucker for Google? FreeNYC.net has tons of events you can choose from festivals and restaurants to other activities.

There’s romance everywhere… so, what’s wrong with cheap dates again? I mean, isn’t it the thought that counts?

More Great resources:

Major Cities: Going.com

NYC: http://www.freenyc.net