By Michelle Venus

Frugal dating sounds like a sure way to not get a second date. But what do you do when you’ve met someone you’d like to know better and your budget doesn’t stretch as far as it used to?

To be sure, dating in a strangled economy is a challenge. You want to make a good impression, and coming off like a cheapskate is not going to accomplish that. It’s not all that different when you’re in a long-term relationship. Just because you’re an established couple doesn’t mean you get to put dating on hold until the recession ends. That just won’t fly.



When it’s important to spend quality time without spending a lot of money, all it takes is a little ingenuity to plan entertainment that's memorable. Remember, the most important thing about a date is enjoying each other’s company and that doesn’t have to be an expensive proposition.



1. Explore Your Own Hometown

Go to your local visitor’s center to see what’s happening right in your own backyard. Many of these attractions have inexpensive admission fees or none at all. Write your favorites on a slip of paper and put them in a bag. Pull one out each month and check it out.



2. Brewery and Winery Tours

If you’re lucky enough to have breweries or wineries nearby, go on a tour. Not only will you learn how your favorite brew is crafted or wander through vineyards, you’ll get to sample (usually for free) the end product of wine or beer.

3. Karaoke

Just do it. The point is to have fun. Nobody cares if you can sing. Really. (If simply too shy, try holding the mike as far from your mouth as possible and asking everyone to sing along.)



4. Hiking

Go online and look for local hiking trails. You’ll find out exactly how many miles the trail is, the level of difficulty and how long it should take to complete. You and your date will get some fresh air, see beautiful scenery, and enjoy lots of solitary conversation, not to mention holding hands.



5. Picnic in the Park

What could be easier? Pack finger foods, a bottle of wine and a portable CD player with your favorite music. A picnic is another perfect opportunity for conversation and romance.



6. Frisbee

Stow a Frisbee in your car or backpack and you have instant fun. See if you can find a Frisbee golf course nearby for an added challenge. According to Wikipedia, 87 percent of the over 3,000 established courses are free. There are lots of other outdoor games you can play as well.

7. Snow Shoeing/Cross-Country Skiing

Yes, downhill skiing is exhilarating, but it’s also expensive and the lift lines are long. Try your hand (or feet) at snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Rent the equipment before taking the plunge to purchase. If you decide having your own shoes or skis is the next step, look on Craigslist.org for slightly or never-used equipment.



8. Foliage Tour

The band Genesis says it all: "Curtains part revealing a country scene/â€¨Clothed in green and brown/â€¨Evidence of autumn/And recent rain/On a winding lane, a byway/Walking on that road is a certain girl/â€¨In all the world the one/â€¨Guaranteed to move you and turn your head/When all's been said and done." -- "Evidence of Autumn."



Take a drive or go on a hike, but find time to get out and enjoy the views. The trees don’t charge for this show.



9. Tubing

Floating downriver or sliding down a snowy hillside, an inner tube goes a long way for little money. Not just for tractors anymore, you can find them at sporting goods stores for under $20 a pop. There aren’t many better ways to while away a hot summer afternoon than relaxing on a river. Be sure to check conditions before embarking, especially when water is high and the currents are flowing faster than usual.



10. Bike Riding

Good exercise, good fun and an easy way to explore the countryside, biking is fast becoming a way of life in many communities. Many cities are stepping up by putting in trails and bike lanes. Instead of driving to the park for a romantic picnic, take your bikes. Or load the bikes onto your car and explore elsewhere. A bike gives you the opportunity to see where you’re going and enjoy the scenery while enjoying each other’s company.

11. Archery Range

Look for local archery associations and see if they make their range available to the public. Most do and will even provide the bows and arrows. Look at the events page on the association's website to find out when they offer free introductory days.



12. Dance, Dance, Dance

Be it swing, salsa or step dancing, you can probably find a class any night of the week. Classes usually cost less than $5 per person for a half-hour group lesson. They're often followed by an open dance session. It’s a good way to get your hands on your girl all evening.



13. Meetup.com

This online networking portal gets people together offline to pursue similar interests, and it’s not just for business networking. Meetup.com has thousands of groups all over the country catering to just about any interest and activity. Don’t know where to snowshoe? Find a Meetup group. Looking for an entrée to wine tasting? Meetup. Whatever you want, it’s out there – and you get to meet other people who have the same interests.



14. Couples Cuisine

Find two or three other couples who like to cook and are interested in experimenting with ethnic foods. Rotate dinner and cuisines between each other’s houses. Everyone pitches in a certain amount for groceries – and don’t forget to look for coupons. The host couple chooses the menu and has everything on hand.

Charge one couple with finding music from that country for the evening’s entertainment. Assign everyone a job to help with preparation before sitting down to enjoy a wonderful meal. It’s a great way to keep in touch with friends and to experience new and different foods without going to an expensive restaurant.

15. Dog Walking

Nobody loves a walk more than a dog. Get out there with your pooch and appreciate each other’s company while Rover enjoys getting his ya-ya’s out. Don’t have a dog? Borrow one from a friend.



16. Local Music

Big name concerts come with big name ticket prices. Fortunately, there are plenty of talented musicians out there who don’t fill up 10,000-seat venues but do put on a great show. Music venues are smaller and more intimate, so the chances are good that there’s not a bad seat in the house.



17. Exercise

Yoga, anyone? Or a spin class? Or how about signing up for a 5K? Exercising together is a great way to rev up the endorphins while spending quality time together.



18. Bookstores and Coffee Shops

Bookstores and coffee shops are wonderful for whiling away a few hours, but a bookstore with a coffee shop? Now that’s even better. Choose a topic before going to the bookstore and grab a few books that cover it. Share what you learn over a cup of coffee. Choose joke books and you can keep each other in stitches all evening. (Some libraries also have coffee shops.)

19. Gallery Walks

Many downtown areas sponsor a monthly gallery walk. Galleries stay open late and will sometimes have live music, along with appetizers and drinks. If your town doesn’t have an organized gallery tour, stay posted on openings. These fetes are free and you get to hob knob with the artist and collectors while enjoying wine and hors d'oeuvres.



20. At-home Movie Night

Here’s a twist on staying in to watch movies. You choose a movie she would like and she chooses one for you. One rule: it can’t be something either of you has already seen. No fair picking a favorite flick. Pop some popcorn, snuggle under a blanket and settle in for a nice evening together. If you're lousy at describing a movie, provide your date with more information by checking IMDB.com, the Internet Movie Database.



21. Dessert Instead of Dinner

All right – this one is only good once in a while. Instead of dinner, go out for a decadent dessert. Maybe it’s that crazy-big sundae at the local ice cream parlor. You know the one. It has about 20 scoops of ice cream, five different toppings and a cherry on top.



22. Go Back to School

Take advantage of the free and low cost events at universities. Instead of paying big bucks for professional sporting events, go see a college game. You might enjoy the passionate fans even more than the game. You can also attend free lectures, presenttions and art shows. Catch some great student plays and concerts for a lot less than professional productions and you just might see a future star-in-training. So what if it’s not Broadway or Carnegie Hall? It’s entertainment.

23. Museums

Most museums have very affordable admission fees, but check and see if they also have a free day each month. If you really like what you see, consider getting a membership. It'll pay for itself in just a few visit. Members also get invitations to members-only events, such as private showings and discounts in the gift shop.



24. Festivals and Special Events

Summertime is festival time. You can find everything from antiques fairs and flea markets, classic car shows and free concerts. Look in the paper, online or peruse fliers to find out what’s going on. Grab the bikes (see #10) to avoid traffic jams and parking problems. You can pack a picnic lunch (see #5) and make a day of it. Festivals.com has a comprehensive list of events by type and location.



25. Meteor Showers

Several times a year, Mother Nature graces us with spectacular light shows. Stardate.com details when you can see meteor showers throughout the year, as well as providing viewing tips so you get the full benefit. Find a dark place (it’s best to avoid light pollution), spread out a blanket or set out some chairs and don’t forget the bug spray and a bottle of wine. Snuggle. Talk. Kiss.



26. Bar Games

No, no, not drinking games - bar games. I’m talking darts, shuffleboard, pool and air hockey, pinball, Foosball, skeeball and video games. It’s all good fun. Finally, those hours playing video games when you should have been studying pay off. Watch for Groupon and Living Social deals to save even more money on food and beverages.



27. Miniature Golf

Miniature golf is fun and it’s silly and the stakes are low. Really, how serious can you be when you’re just trying to get past the windmill?