Five Budget-Friendly Summer Date Ideas

If you’re anything like us, spending a crap-ton of money on a single date night is not in your budget. So if you want to pull off a special evening that is both memorable and easy on your pockets, give these a try:

1. Redbox movie night. Use the Redbox app to reserve a movie you both would like to see. Then, head to Kroger and grab a box of popcorn (Cousin Willy's white cheddar is our favorite!), buy a cheap bottle of wine (have you heard of Trader Joe's Two Buck Chuck wine?) or sparkling cider and light a few candles. Total cost: $15 or less

2. Dinner at home, dessert out. Dinner AND dessert can get pretty pricey depending where you go. So how’s this: Cook your meal at home followed by a dessert of your choosing. You can even get a little crazy and share two of your favorite desserts. Watch out, now! Total cost: $15 or less

3. Nighttime drive with your favorite playlist. Most times, it doesn’t matter where you are on a date night, just whom you’re with. Some of our favorite dates have just been us sitting in a car, windows down and listening to music. Surprise your honey with love-inspired mixtape while on a drive and let the nostalgic feelings roll in. Total cost: $10 or less

4. Rent a bike and pack a picnic. A lot of cities have bikes you can rent for a few hours for affordable prices, usually located inside parks and downtown areas. Take it back ol’ school and bring along a picnic lunch (or grab some cheap, portable food) and voila! You’ve got yourself a date. Total cost: $30 or less

5. Check out free events in your town. Your city’s online listings are usually full of free — or cheap — events. Some of our favorites are Shakespeare In The Park and free outdoor concerts. Most of these events usually have food trucks present, but those can get pretty pricey, so you might want to eat something before attending the event. Total cost: $15 or less for parking