We’ve all been there before. You meet a nice guy or girl, go out on a few dates that you haven’t had to pull your wallet out for, and now it’s your turn. Problem is, you’re broke or almost there. Here at The Life Currency, we’ll give you a few ideas to help stretch your $50 budget.

THE PICNIC

Here we are going to make a cheeseboard, also known as a charcuterie board. Trader Joe’s is my go-to for cheap cheeses and deli meats, but your local grocer will do. First, start with the cheeses. You need three kinds of cheese and you’ll want to keep this under $10. My favorites are Manchego, sharp cheddar, and a soft cheese like Brie. Next, grab three types of meat. Trader Joe’s has a pack of three suitable choices for under $8. Spend $6 on two different berries like blueberries or raspberries, $2 on the little cornichons (pickles), and $5 on Marcona almonds. Those will add a nice salty crunch to the board. Next, you’ll need two types of crackers. Classic water crackers are a good cheap choice at $1. Another great option is the fig and olive crisps. They are a nice hearty option and will add a different texture to your board. The last thing on the board is a spicy jelly. Trader Joe’s has a fantastic one that’s only $4. Before you leave Trader Joe’s, grab a bottle of wine. You can get a nice red, white, or rosé for $5 or less. To complete the picnic, choose a wooden cutting board and a small blanket from your local Marshalls or Ross for $10 or less.

HAPPY HOUR DRINKS 

My go-to for cheap dates is always happy hour. With things slowly returning to normal, happy hour options are getting better and better. One huge caveat to this is location. If you live in an expensive market like New York City, Los Angeles, or Miami, your options will be more limited. If you live in a less expensive, but equally impressive market like Houston or Atlanta, you should be able to stretch your dollar. Try to avoid trendier spots like downtown or midtown, and stick to local options that you’ve been to before and you can be assured to stick to your budget.

DINNER AT HOME

Two of my all-time favorite fake-fancy recipes come from a 2011 cookbook by Sophie Wright, Home at 7, Dinner at 8. Both will work within our budget and take less than an hour to make. The first is salmon and asparagus and the second is ribeye steak and potatoes. You can splurge on the good steak and salmon and even a nice bottle of wine.

Having a great and memorable date shouldn’t break the bank. Take some time to really listen to the person you are dating and plan a day around something you both will truly enjoy. This might also open the door to even greater dating possibilities!