FALL IS considered the most romantic season of the year, but between overpriced corn mazes and expensive theme parks, staying in love can get expensive fast. Everywhere you look on your feed, couples are stepping up their date game — dropping serious cash on mind-blowing dates you never even knew existed.
Ask yourself: Does money really make a difference in the perfect date? Aren’t dates about enjoying the moment with that special someone on your home screen wallpaper? In my experience, the price tag has nothing to do with how good the memory is.
When it comes to planning a great date, the most underrated move doesn’t require opening your wallet. From my experience, some of the best times my girlfriend and I share never cost a single penny. Whether it’s staying in to watch our favorite movies like “The Greatest Showman,” making cute matching bracelets, painting each other on canvases, or having a little picnic at the park, they always end up being the most sentimental moments.
Cheap dates get an undeserved bad reputation, but they take away all the financial pressure and stress. You don’t have to impress your partner by spending money; just be creative and enjoy the laughs you share.
You’re probably asking yourself, “What if I actually want to go all-out for a date?” Planning a bigger date definitely brings a lot of excitement, especially if it’s trending on your feed or it’s something brand new for you and your boo.
Outings like going to the state fair, seeing a Utah Royals game, eating at Chili’s, or competing at the bowling alley are awesome ways to build fun memories together. Going all out is thoughtful and fun, but in the end, the time you spend together is worth way more than any price tag.
Looking back on all our time together, there’s one date we’ll always cherish: our first. First, we went to Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt for a snack, stopped by Target to buy supplies, and then did the handprint painting trend at the park, surrounded by cute fall leaves.
Before ending our night, we munched on Chick-fil-A. Even though we were both a little shy, you could tell how much we genuinely loved each other’s company just by looking at us.
The whole date cost about $30, but being around someone who gives me real butterflies and makes me appreciate myself is worth more than any cash or jewel could ever be. At the end of the day, dating someone isn’t about their wallet; it’s about finding the true heart that matches yours.
No matter what kind of date you plan, what really matters is valuing the time you share over trying to look perfect behind the camera. Dropping cash might make your post cute and aesthetic, but genuine connection and having fun are what actually make a couple look cute. So this fall, don’t stress the price tag — focus on enjoying the moment with your favorite person.
