Cheap Date Tips and Ideas

Get creative in your own backyard. Assorted yard games can be highly enjoyable and an easy way to get closer. — Photo by Thomas Barwick/Getty Images

En español | In the AARP Savings Challenge community, we know that frugality can be fun, and nowadays — thanks to the Great Recession — even rather fashionable. But here's a question: Can frugality be sexy?

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Not exactly, if you agree with a recent article in The New York Times. The article cites a survey by online financial services firm ING Direct that asked 1,000 people which word would most likely come to mind if they went on a blind date with someone described as "frugal." Alas, 27 percent chose the word "stingy," 15 percent picked "boring" and a mere 3.7 percent said "sexy."

I have my doubts about those survey findings. For starters, in the interest of full disclosure I have an account with ING Direct and — on more than one occasion — my wonderful wife of 27 years has told me I'm "sexy." Although, come to think of it, she most often makes that remark in the context of recalling a dream from the night before, in which I'm apparently incredibly sexy but happen to look exactly like George Clooney. Oh, well.

"Face it: If you need to use money to impress someone, you're a big-time loser. Period." That's how cheapskate Daniel Newman put it when I interviewed him for my new book, The Cheapskate Next Door. "Why not try impressing someone with your personality, your charm, your sense of humor, or your intelligence, rather than resort to money and stuff?"

Newman and other cheapskates I've encountered share my belief that romance — and having a good time in general — need not break the piggy bank.

One of the most romantic dates my wife and I ever had was when we were first dating and borrowed my parents' old-fashioned hand-cranked ice cream maker. We spent the entire evening sitting on the porch as the sun set, taking turns at the crank and getting to know each other. The more we churned, the more we laughed. We fell in love over a batch of rum raisin.

That life-changing date only cost us a trip to the grocery store for the ingredients (and everyone knows that ice cream is an investment, not an expense).

According to my cheapskate friends, here is what's in and what's out when it comes to dating in the new economy:

Out: Expensive theater and concert tickets.
In: Become his-and-her volunteer ushers at the local theater. You can see all the latest shows for free. Or go to a local high school or college and see a performance. Volunteer opportunities make terrific cheap dates, too.

Out: Professional and college sporting events.
In: High school and local community games, where the thrill of sport is still alive and well (and affordable).

Out: A movie and dinner out.
In: Stargazing (or cloud-gazing) and a picnic in the backyard.

Out: Dinner party for friends.
In: Potluck with friends.

Out: Expensive amusement parks.
In: Local city and county parks, where admission is often free or low-cost.

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