The fact is, if you overtax the rich, they just might not show up for dinner next time. After all, there are plenty of good restaurants around the world.Thinkstock
Welcome to our Gen Y money blog, where a recent grad chronicles her real-life journey to becoming a financially independent adult.
Dating can be a lot of things: Exciting, nerve wracking, complicated, and, as I've come to realize, expensive.
I recently went on a typical "dinner and a movie" date. I enjoyed myself, and didn't think about the money I was spending on the night as a whole – that is, until I got home and found my wallet was empty.
On my end, dinner and one drink added up to $40. We opted for the VIP movie experience, which cost $20 per ticket. And, of course, we shared some popcorn and took advantage of the VIP bar service, which added another $20 to my tab.
The grand total of my half of the bill for the night was $80. Granted, we indulged a bit, but had we taken a slightly cheaper route (by going to a less expensive restaurant or by forgoing our VIP status), the night still would have ended up costing us both upwards of $50.
Maybe it's my inner penny pincher, but that seems like a lot of money to spend for quality time getting to know someone – an activity that should essentially be free. I don't mind putting a few dollars toward having a good time every once in a while. As I work to pay down my student debt, however, I'm wary of spending too much on things that don't necessarily have to burn a hole in my wallet (Case in point: my fitness budget).
Almost all typical dating activities seem to require deep pockets, whether it's dining at a hip new restaurant, grabbing tickets for a sporting event or concert, or taking a class. There are plenty of options available in downtown Toronto to find something that both parties will enjoy, but they all seem to come at a price.
In an attempt to stay budget-conscious, I've started to propose date ideas that are on the cheaper side, but don't lose the feel of being on a date. Some have gone well, others not so much, but all have more or less removed the "who's paying the bill" tango from the equation.
Here are a few date activities I've recently enjoyed.
Going for a walk – Pick an area and explore for a few hours. Grab a coffee at a local cafe or pack your own picnic, but avoid ending up at one single destination where you'll spend all your time and money.
Running an errand – I wouldn't torture anyone by asking them to tag along as I pick up my dry cleaning or go for my weekly grocery shop, but having some company to complete an otherwise mundane task can make it a lot more fun. Finding a book from a used book store, cooking or baking, or building or fixing something can be a cheap and cheerful time if it's something both people are interested in.
Netflix movie night – Skip the movie theatre and spend some quality time with Netflix. There are plenty of great documentaries on the menu, or check out a stand-up comedy routine (I recommend Chelsea Peretti's One of the Greats). Create your own at-home theatre by popping some popcorn, and upgrade to a VIP viewing experience by splitting a bottle of wine.
Dating can be a great excuse to try something new while getting to know someone. On my budget, however, it's just not sustainable to shell out the "dinner and a movie" dollars every single time.
I'm no love guru, but when it comes to dating, I think the cheesy saying is true: It's the time you spend with someone, not the money.