You’ve just started seeing this amazing new guy. Problem is, all the intimate dinners and movie dates are leaving you skint. Don’t freak out – we’ve thought up some date ideas you can do cheap and cheerfully.
Date saver #1: the outfit
Don’t go and buy that $300 frock just yet; check out websites like www.ebay.com.au, where you’ll find cheap designer pieces. Or swap your old stuff for semi-new stuff at www.swapstyle.com. You can also update what’s in your wardrobe. Revamp an old dress by adding a chunky necklace or a sparkly belt cinched at the waist.
Date saver #2: your hair
If you’re keen for a new do, approach your local hairdressing school or TAFE. You’ll get a cut for around $10 and the students are always supervised. Another idea: you can easily spruce up your hair yourself. Fix up any re-growth with Clairol Nice’n’Easy Root Touch-ups, or use a wash-out hair colour to give extra shine and gloss.
Date saver #3: go see a movie
Ah, the movies – the ultimate venue for a first date. Save a few dollars by going on tight-ass Tuesdays or join the movie club at your local cinema (they offer members cheap ticket deals. Put a new spin on the movie experience by heading to an outdoor cinema. Or just drag your TV out the back door and watch a DVD under the stars.
Date saver #4: get cultural
Museums and art galleries give you lots to talk about…and entry is often free. Visit www.citysearch.com.au to see what’s happening in your area.
Date saver #5: cheap eats
Who doesn’t want to be wined and dined? Just look for places that offer BYO – even with corkage, it’s often cheaper. You can print out dinner vouchers from www.hotdockets.com.au or invest in an entertainment book (www.entertainmentbook.com.au), which has hundreds of vouchers for restaurants, movies and more. And nothing beats grabbing a blanket and some cheap takeaway and eating it in a park or at the beach.
Date saver #6: get out of town
Escape your local area and try something new, like fruit picking – some orchards and farms offer PYO (pick our own). Depending on the season, you can pick cherries in Young, NSW, apples in Pialligo, ACT, or strawberries in SA’s Adelaide Hills. Or go wine-tasting. You’ll learn how to tell your sav blancs from your semillons and there’s no obligation to buy.
