Free Date Ideas for the Budget-conscious Couple

Cheap dates don't make you a cheapskate. Not by a long shot. If you're married and have kids, then you know how tight you've got to stretch a dollar. Sometimes couples who don't have children still have to stretch their money because of the current economic situations or where they're at in their life's journey. Going out on dates is important for couples, and there's no good reason why anyone should have to skip them. A date doesn't have to be expensive; in fact, you can go out on a date for the low cost of nothing. The idea of going out on a low-cost date shouldn't seem as repulsive as many people make it out to be.

When you first were dating each other before you got married it was natural to want to spend a little more on dates since you were trying to impress each other.  But when you're married you don't have the same pressure and there's nothing wrong with being on the same page about wanting to save money by going on inexpensive dates.  Not all dates should be low-cost, but it's important for the two of you to decide how best to spend your money.

Here are some free date ideas that are sure to turn a few precious moments into memories that will last a lifetime. If that doesn't happen, then at least you got out of the house and had a little fun. Sometimes a change of scenery is all it takes to have a good time.

A picnic at the park can be romantic and free

Don't have a picnic basket? Don't sweat the small stuff, as Garfield likes to say. You can carry your food in a plastic bag or a paper bag if you're a sophisticated type. You also don't need any fancy foods for a picnic. A peanut butter sandwich works great since you don't have to worry about it spoiling. The food you pack isn't that important, but it can be. If you're the type who loves to spend time in the kitchen, then whip up something wonderful. The whole point is that you are spending time with the person you love. The food can be a central focus, or it can simply be nourishment that gets you through the day.

A walk on the beach is as beautiful as it is romantic

Do you live anywhere near the beach? If so, then you have one of the best free date destinations in the world. There is no better place than the beach to go for free. If it's a nice day outside, why not go for a quick dip? A walk on the beach is also fun if it's cold out, regardless of the weather. Hearing the waves crash along the shore and smelling the saltwater is always a beautiful experience, and it's even more so when you're sharing it with the person you love.

Go to church during a special event

Your church might have a revival, a prayer meeting, or some other special event that draws people who would otherwise not be at church. Why not turn one of these events into a date? If your church isn't having an event, check around to see if any are. If it's during the holidays, the church might have a special get together with music and other festivities. Church is a fun wholesome event that never costs anything. Any church worth attending has all kinds of events that the public can attend for free. Have you ever thought about going to a mosque or a synagogue? If not, maybe consider going as a date. You'll get to meet new people and learn about a faith that might be foreign to you.

Go fishing and grill your catch outside

Are you the type of couple that likes to do outdoor activities? If so, maybe fishing is one of them. Sometimes it's the guy who likes to go fishing, and there's nothing wrong with that. If the guy is good at catching fish, maybe the gal can cook them up. No matter what, fishing and enjoying the great outdoors is a free way of spending some time together. The bonus of a free fish meal is enough to get some couples out the door to the nearest body of water so they can pull out a few fish. Just be ready with a plan B if the fish aren't biting. Pack something to snack on in case neither of you can reel in a big catch.

Bird watching is a great low-cost date

It might cost you a dollar or two to drive out to the nearest wooded area to do some bird watching. Never been bird watching?  It's becoming popular once again. Do you not have transportation or know of any places out in the country where you can look for birds? Don't worry; there are plenty of areas in town where birds like to congregate. Local parks often have wooded areas that attract birds, and just walking down the street can produce fantastic bird watching experiences. Keep your eyes peeled and make it a game to try to determine what the bird is. If you can snap a picture of the bird using your phone, it might be possible to upload it to Google's image search, and it could know what species it is.

Do volunteer work together

One of the best free date ideas is doing something that gives back to the community. Have you ever thought about volunteering together at your local food bank or soup kitchen? A few hours here and there can offer an excellent opportunity to give back and help the less fortunate. Check online to see the different local organizations that need volunteers. If you have free time, someone will be more than happy to put you to work doing something.

Another low-cost date is making pizza at home

You probably have all the ingredients needed to make pizza at home. Who doesn't love pizza? If you don't have the ingredients, then it only costs a few bucks. You can make pizza crust from scratch or buy a pouch, and all you have to do is whip it up. If you're on a low budget, you don't even need sauce if there's none in your pantry. A little oil and cheese on top of the crust are all you need. Add anything else on top of your pizza for added pizzazz. Pizza is fresh-baked bread, and nothing is better than a pie straight out of the oven. Learn how to make pizza at home, and you'll have a great meal that costs a fraction of what restaurants charge.

Give each other massages

Oh boy, what a free date idea this is. Yes, massages are great to give and receive. Nothing rekindles the love life like giving each other a massage. If you have a little lotion, then the massage is all that much better. You don't need to be a professional masseuse to give a great massage. You only need to have two hands that work and know all the right places to touch. Ask your spouse if you're squeezing too hard or not in the right areas. Massages are great for your health, and it's also a nice way to get up close and personal with your spouse.

Find some awesome places to take pictures for your social media accounts

Instagram users love to search high and low for the perfect spot to take pictures. Do you and your spouse spend quite a bit of time on social media? If so, then you might be the type of couple who loves to share your latest snapshots. Why not seek out some interesting places to take pictures to share on your social accounts? Sites such as abandoned mansions, parks, regentrified areas, or any other place that has cool vibes. Every city has places that Instagram and other users love to use as a backdrop. Search for them on your own or see where everyone else is taking pictures and do the same as them.

Find someplace quiet and write a poem together

Here's another free date idea that relies on your creativity. Go someplace where the two of you can be alone without any distractions at all. Pull out a notebook or your smartphone and write a poem together. The first poem you write the two of you can go back and forth each person writing another line. Share your masterpiece with friends, family, or everyone online. You will be surprised by what you learn about your spouse when you're working together to write a poem.  You'll not only get to see their creative side, but you'll also get a chance to see the gears spin in their mind.

Having no money is never an excuse for not going out on a date

Hopefully, if there was one thing this article proves, it is that you don't need money to go out on a date. The only thing you need is the desire to have a little fun. Sometimes you've got to be creative when coming up with the perfect free date, but it shouldn't be too difficult. You're married to the one person who you enjoy spending time with the most. Anything that you do with them is going to be fun. Never allow a lack of money to get in your way of having a good time.