Love doesn’t have to come with a big price tag. There are plenty of unique date ideas that work for any budget.

Did you find someone under the mistletoe this year? If so, your budget might need to be adjusted a little bit in the coming year. Dating can be expensive, especially for men. It may seem old fashioned, but a NerdWallet survey found that 77 percent of people believe men should pick up the tab on a first date. As a relationship develops, the costs generally split more evenly. Check out some of these ideas to keep the cost of romance low.

Skip the dinner and movie date

Although a dinner followed by a movie is a traditional first date idea, there are more creative options that are easier on your wallet. There are other ways to get to know someone such as an outdoor concert, community event, or free museum trip. Check out the local paper to find some new ideas!

Stay in

While this may not be appropriate for the first date, staying home to cook together is a nice way to spend time together and get to know each other better in a natural setting. Staying in and renting a movie rather than going on the traditional restaurant and movie date will save your wallet.

 Get Active

One of the best dates to get to know someone can cost as little as $5. Take a walk around a local fair or scenic part of town with coffee or juice. This allows you to have uninterrupted conversation to get to know each other while getting some exercise. If you head to a park, you can pack a picnic lunch as well!

If you have found someone you care for, it is important to keep talking after you get past those initial few dates. Spending, saving and long-term financial goals often cause turmoil in otherwise happy relationships. Having an open dialogue about these issues is important to make sure you stay on the same page.

Dating isn’t always cheap, but it can be!  While we may not be able to offer much love advice, Milledgeville State Bank can help you find ways to save. Stop by our office or contact us online today!