Mr. O and I first started dating in high school. We had no money, no driver’s licenses, and more imagination than sense. One of our favourite ‘dates’ was playing the Walmart Game. Oh, you haven’t heard of that one? Simple: go to Walmart (or Target, or wherever). Start at the end of an aisle with your partner. Speedwalk down the aisle, checking out price tags as you go. The person who spots the most expensive item in the aisle wins that round. Walk to the next aisle. Repeat. What can I say? Small things amuse small minds.

Now that we’re a solid decade older, we’re still short on cash and flush with imagination. Our dates are slightly more sophisticated now (ha!), but still fun. I’ve pulled together a list of activities that won’t cost you much, but will (hopefully) be more memorable than the standard dinner-and-a-movie.

10 Dates Under 20 Dollars:

1. Pizza & a Picnic: Grab a $5.99 takeout special, and head to a nearby park with a picnic blanket. A quiet dinner out can cost next to nothing!

2. Fast-Food Progressive Dinner: Hit up three different fast-food restaurants in one night – grab an ‘appetizer’ of fries at McDonalds, an ‘entree’ bacon cheeseburger at Wendy’s, and your decadent dessert at Dairy Queen. If you only eat off the Value Menu, you can whittle the cost right down!

3. Cheap Night at the Movies: Stop at the bulk store or dollar store, pick up your favourite snacks, and stash them in a large purse for movie-munchies on the cheap.

4. Play the Walmart Game: No, really. Give it a try. Switch it up, and look for the cheapest thing in the aisle. Or the most purple. Or the funniest.

5. Find a coffee shop with live music: Check out the posters plastered on the ever-present corkboard at your local java joint. Lots of coffee shops invite entertainers to perform, and your only cost is the price of a drink. Enjoy a latte, listen to some local talent, and get romantic.

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6. Dollar Store Gifts: Head to the closest dollar store and browse. Pick out a gift for your significant other, buy a gift bag, and wrap it up. Exchange your dollar store treasures (or trash).

7. Dream Vacation: Pick up some brochures from a travel agent, take a few books out of the library, and meet at the kitchen table. Plan your dream vacation and talk about what your ‘must-haves’ are. And if you ever come into some cash, you’ll have all the legwork done already!

8. Go to a Farmer’s Market: Pick up some produce, sample the treats available, and get chatting with some of the vendors. You’ll hear some entertaining stories, and probably leave with a full belly!

9. Find an Arcade: Grab a roll of quarters (40 per roll = $10), and find the kitschiest arcade you can. Bonus points if you frequented the same arcade as a kid. Play until your quarters are gone, and cash in your tokens and tickets for a cheesy prize.

10. Miniature Golf: When was the last time you played mini-golf? It rarely costs more than $5/person, and I bet you’ll have more fun than you were expecting to!

What are your go-to ideas for date night?