20 Dates for under $20

I know I haven't blogged in a while but I've been busy. No, not busy having ginormous amounts of fun. Busy working and trying to hang out when I'm not working. But this post comes by way of an email...another reminder to keep the faith and not lose your wallet in this crazy game called dating:

1. Find the best happy hour in town. Look through your newspaper or search online for local restaurants and bars with happy hours. Most places offer half-price food and drink specials, allowing you to get two drinks and share an appetizer for less than $20.

2. Go to a museum. Most museums either have free admission or offer free entry on certain days of the month.

3. Visit your local zoo. Most zoos offer adult tickets for less than $10. Pack your own snacks and bottled water and have a mini picnic while you're there.

4. Go on a romantic hike. Bring a backpack and surprise your partner with a bottle of champagne, glasses and fresh strawberries.

5. Go swimming at your local pool, lake or beach. Bring some water toys and have more fun than the kids.

6. Beat the heat with an ice cream date. Take two scoops to the park, or take a walk downtown and go people watching.

7. Hit the dollar movie theater. Lots of cities have discount movie theaters showing second-run features. Pick a rainy day and have a movie marathon.

8. Take a downtown walking tour. Discover things and places you never knew existed. While you're there, pick up a free visitors guide for more date ideas.

9. Plan a cheap picnic. Go on a picnic at the beach, mountains or in your own backyard. Grab a blanket, pack a deli sandwich and a bottle of $5 wine.

10. Take a blanket to the beach. Split your budget between a bottle of wine and cheese, then enjoy the sunset while you snuggle on a blanket.

11. Stroll through the botanical gardens. Spend the day “walking hand in hand through rose gardens and tropical rainforests” walking hand in hand through rose gardens and tropical rainforests, for less than $10 a ticket.

12. Be a kid again. Go bowling, play miniature golf, ride go-carts or play laser tag.

13. Build a bonfire. All you need is some firewood, snacks and a drink of your choice. This is also a great opportunity to make 'smores.

14. Rent something. Go roller- or ice-skating, rent a two-seater bike and pedal through the park, or paddle a boat on a pond.

15. Paint pottery together. Lots of studios let you get creative for around $6 an hour.

16. Pitch a tent. Park fees are usually less than $10, which leaves money for food and firewood. Go camping and roast hot dogs as you gaze at the stars.

17. Go wine tasting. Most wineries charge around $5 for a tasting of five different wines -- plus, “you'll get to keep the glass as a souvenir of your date” you'll get to keep the glass as a souvenir of your date.

18. Take a scenic drive. Pull over to have coffee and dessert at a nice cafe.

19. Explore local galleries and artists. Many cities have art walks one night a month during the summer, with the bonus of a free glass of wine.

20. Rack 'em up at your local pool joint. With pool games costing less than $2, you might even have money left over to share a pitcher of beer.