Dating can be hard enough, but add crippling inflation to the pre-existing pressures, and the thought of paying for dates can have you feeling pretty discouraged.
According to a new survey by Plenty of Fish, 48% of singles are going on budget-friendly dates because of inflation and the poor economy. Who can actually afford expensive, extra classy dates in this day and age? Not many.
With gas prices souring into a new millennium, the cost of eating out blasting through the roof, and inflation causing brutal up hikes on nearly everything, one might find the thought of playing the dating game a bit stressful. Because, yeah. I think the topic of “money” has all of us at peak stress levels right now.
However, the good news is… we’re all experiencing these massive price increases together. We’re all in the same boat, and we’re all feeling the same pain.
Las Vegas is also home to some pretty spectacular opportunity for adventure and fun. Sure, there’s all of the fun, expensive touristy stuff to do. But Vegas is so much ore than that.
It’s important to remember that lavish dinners and grand outings are not the only way to a potential lover’s heart. After all, it’s not necessarily about what you’re doing – it’s about who you’re doing it with, right?
Low-budget dates might not be your typical bread and butter, but for those of us that are feeling the stress and burden of the ridiculous cost-of-living nowadays, a night out with good company and an inexpensive price tag couldn’t sound more appealing.
For Las Vegas locals that feel like they’ve done it all… think again. The keys are creativity, an open mind, and a willingness to branch out and maybe try something new. What adventures can be had in the beautiful city of Las Vegas that wont break the bank?
Check out these 7 Cheap Date Ideas In Las Vegas:
7) Stargazing
A date that you can pull off with solely the cost of driving to and from your decided destination, stargazing is the perfect outing for you and that special someone. Choose a location just outside of the valley, like Mt. Charleston or Red Rock Canyon, and you’re sure to see some pretty amazing stars and pretty spectacular views.It’s the perfect date for chatting and truly getting to know the one by your side, and this date is fully customizable in some pretty fun ways. Grab some blankets, pack a few snacks, and you’re golden!
6) Pickleball
If you and your date are feeling a little sporty, why not try out a fun sport like pickleball? You don’t have to be a pro to play this game, and trust me… It’s a ton of fun!Pick up a cheap set of pickleball paddles and balls, and head out to a free, public pickleball court. Several pickleball courts have popped up around town, and if you live within the Vegas Valley, there shouldn’t be one too far from you.
5) "The $20 Date"
This one is definitely one of my favorite low-budget dates, and there’s several ways to go about it.Head to a store like Dollar Tree or Five Below, where items are guaranteed to be pretty inexpensive. Give your partner a designated amount to spend in the store, and give youself a designated amount to spend as well. Then, set some fun criteria for the allotted cash.
For a date that you might not know much about yet, you could say “Spend this $10 on your favorite must-haves for a movie night, and I’ll pick out my favorites with my $10.” They might pick out a cheap blanket, their favorite snack, and a couple boxes of candy, and you’ll have your goodies too. This is a good date idea to learn some fun facts about each other, and the process of deciding how to spend your $10 is a blast!
For partners that know each other pretty well, you could say, “Spend this $10 on things you think I’d like, and I’ll do the same with the other $10.” The results are sure to end in a great time and some good laughs. Stores with guaranteed low-price items always seem to have some funky inventory sitting on their shelves, and the element of surprise adds to the fun and giggles that are sure to come.
4) Explore A Local Park
Vegas has a TON of parks, and each one has their unique offerings.You never know what you might find or get into at one of our many fabulous parks! Visit the ducks at Sunset Park, or take a couple of fishing poles and some bait to the pond at Lorenzi Park.
If you and your date both have dogs, you could even bring your pooches along for the outing and stop by the dog park (many local parks have them)! No matter what side of town you’re on, our local Las Vegas parks offer some beautiful scenery, fun activities, and, at the very least, a great path for walkin’ and talkin’.
3) Drive-In Movie
There’s just something that hits different about seeing a movie at the drive in… Oh wait! Maybe it’s that fat wad of cash you save by not seeing it at a movie theater. Yeah, that might be it.For the perfect, old school date night, head to the West Wind Las Vegas Drive-In. It’s located on the north west side of town and features all of the latest movies. General admission tickets are typically $8.50 for ages 12 and up, and if you’re trying to go on a date on a weeknight, Tuesdays are only $6.00 per person for “Family Fun Night.” Cha-Ching!
2) Bingo
Listen. If you’ve gone and played bingo in the company of someone you’re fond of, you know this is a dang good time. And if you haven’t… give this date idea a shot. Just trust me. You’re missing out.Choose the budget-friendly options as far as the bingo cards and packages you choose, and daub away! One of you might even walk away a big BINGO winner with some extra cash in your pocket!
1) DIY Romantic Dinner
For those looking for something with a little extra flavor of romance, planning your own romantic dinner in is the perfect option.Pour a couple glasses of wine, light some candles, and cook your date a spectacular meal (or even better, cook it together)! You can really do it up, or you can keep it more casual if you prefer. There’s no better restaurant in town, and probably not a cheaper one either. Bon appétit!
