Date night is the most exciting night of the week…unless you are short on funds. Take me and my fiancé for example. While we are budgeting for our wedding, we have made it a point to cut back on our spending when it comes to our weekend entertainment together.  But just because we are saving our money, doesn’t mean we can’t plan fun things to do together. In fact, we have found that some of the best dates are the ones that are not only simple; they’re affordable.  But don’t take my word for it. Try it for yourself. Here are three dates that won’t break the bank.

1. Make a home-cooked meal

I’ve been on a Pinterest kick lately—using it at every opportunity I can, especially for dinner ideas. Hop on Pinterest (create an account if you don’t currently have one) and start scrolling for dishes you and your date are craving to try.  Make sure you are both happy with your choice. Once you find a dish, start your date by shopping for the ingredients together (Note: On Pinterest, you can even search for meals on a budget!). Then, take your goods to the kitchen and divvy up who is prepping which part of the dish. Whether none, one or both of you are cooks, this date exercises the teamwork in your relationship. If one of you is savvier in the kitchen than the other, have that person take the lead and help guide the other. Or, if you prefer only one cook in the kitchen, make a deal that the cook doesn’t have to clean.  Once your dinner is ready, head to the dinner table with some candles, and soft music in the background. You’d be surprised how intimate a dinner at home could be without television. Now, enjoy delicious food, great company and the comfort of being at home all in one night.

2. Run for fun

Whether you are physically active or not, this experience will have you and your date feeling great from start to finish. This date will most likely need to be planned out at least a week in advance, but it will be worth it. Search online for a 5k race in your local or surrounding community, or find a cause that you and your date are passionate about (I recently ran in a memorial 5k that raised money for scholarships at a local university).  Once you register for your race (prices vary for registration, but early registers usually pay a lower price), you and your date can decide if you want to run or walk the race together. If you are a competitive couple, you might choose to race each other, and it doesn’t hurt to throw in some friendly wagers (e.g. a kiss to the first to finish, or dinner on the loser).  Or, you can choose to walk it together. This will be a good time to not only get in a workout, but also time to talk and enjoy the scenery together. At the end of the race, you will both be greeted with a crowd of people cheering you on until you cross the finish line. This will make you both feel like winners—not to mention the good you’ll have done by having your registration fees go towards a worthy cause.

3. Picnic in the park…or the beach…or the lake…

Sometimes, removing yourselves from the usual spots can be a breath of fresh air. Pack up some of your favorite snacks and take your date to a spot you haven’t been to before. When my fiancé and I first started dating, we would take blankets, music and cupcakes from our favorite shop, down to the beach. We had a secluded spot where no one could interrupt us. We could sit there on the sand for hours just talking, laughing and listening to new music we wanted to share with each other. The best part was hearing the sound of the ocean waves crash against the sand and fizzle out. This spot eventually became the place where he proposed.

Sometimes, it’s not about how much money you spend or the extravagant places you will go—it’s about the memories you make together. Minor changes to your daily routine can feel like a whole new experience. So whether the change is as small as turning off the T.V. during dinner, or taking your lunch to the park across the street, treat each date like it’s the first. And while it’s nice to be wined and dined (don’t get me wrong, this girl enjoys being spoiled), it’s important to embrace quality time together.

Do you have any ideas for dates-on-a-dime? Then join the conversation.  Leave a comment below or use #planetbeach on our next Facebook, Twitter or Instagram post. We’d love to hear from you!