Lee Fitzgerald

There’s a really cute girl in your Friday afternoon class. You sit next to her and talk to her every now and then. You’ve come to the conclusion that she’s smart, creative and funny — everything you look for in the opposite sex. All of that said; you’re a poor college student and pushing five figures in debt. A girlfriend would be an additional expense.

Let’s be honest; most girls won’t enjoy a Gracie’s dinner date followed by a LAN party in the Wallace Library. When you care about someone and want to get to know them, expenses tend to accrue. Times like these call for conscious spending and careful planning in the pursuit of a thrifty date.

Dinner and a Movie

One example wherein thrifty dating can improve the experience and save money is the American ideal: dinner and a movie. A single movie ticket at Regal Henrietta Cinema 18 can cost $11. Add in dinner at Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse, and you could be facing bankruptcy. However, two slices from Papa John’s would send the wrong signal. Therefore, the price continues to grow.

Never confuse cheap with thrifty. In thrifty dating, it’s all about balance. You spend the money where it will do the most good. You must keep the date memorable and entertaining without spending an entire month’s dating budget on a single night. It’s alright to spend a little extra as long as there aren’t any cheaper alternatives of an equal or better quality.

Instead of watching the current blockbuster, try watching an older flick at Cinemark Movies 10, where tickets go as low as $2. Then, you can spend a little extra to get a real burrito instead of driving through Taco Bell.

Cinemark Movies 10 is located across the street from Jay’s Diner on West Henrietta Road.

Picnics and Enjoying the Outdoors

When working food into a thrifty date, the best idea is to make it yourself. A picnic on Lake Ontario not only drops your expenses down to gas and the ingredients for two sandwiches, but it can also make for a great date. By making the food yourself, you are showing your significant other that you’re willing to put in the effort. The cheaper option not only saves money but actually increases the value of the date.

The outdoors is your friend when you’re looking to save money on a date. I can’t stress this enough: go outside! Take your boyfriend on a bike ride through the many trails all over campus. It doesn’t cost a thing and can really be the cherry on top of a day.

Is it winter and are all the paths are covered? Think back to your youth: try sledding down the hills in front of the Gordon Field House. Don’t have a sled? Be creative.

You don’t need to be athletic or “outdoorsy” to have fun outside. At worst, you’ll hate the activity and laugh about the experience with your significant other.

Showing School Pride

Hockey games can be a great thrifty dating option when you’re trying to get to know your partner. With the RIT student discount, you can get up to three hours with your sweetheart for as little as $5 per person. For a first date, a hockey game enables you to talk and bond while providing the perfect distraction during awkward pauses.

Just remember to eat before the game as the five-dollar hotdogs and six-dollar sodas available in the arena are not as tasty as the cheaper alternatives you can purchase at a grocery store. If you can afford to spend $15 on a meal, go out to eat!

The Men’s hockey schedule is available at: http://www.rit.edu/fa/hockeytickets/schedule.php.