Alright Bobcats, Valentine’s Day may be over this year, but it’s never too early to start planning for next year’s day of love with some low budget date ideas.

Cook at Home: Sometimes nothing beats a home cooked meal! Make your favorites, as most of what you need is probably already sitting in your kitchen. This can make for a really nice night in. Relaxing at home sounds a lot better than trying to beat Valentine’s Day crowds! You can cook for your significant other or make dinner together. Cooking is a great way to bond!

Movie Night: Create your own movie theatre! All of the necessary movie night snacks can be found for pretty cheap at your local grocery store. Pick a few favorites, whether that be childhood classics or movies that aren’t showing in theatres anymore.

Skating:  Go ice skating! This is a great way to have fun with your significant other and burn some calories at the same time.

Farmers Markets and Flea Markets: Enjoy what your local community has to offer for cheap. Other than providing an opportunity to get out and enjoy some fresh air, you may be surprised what you find. As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

Game Nights: Pull out your favorite board games, video games, and snacks. This is a fun way to get a little competitive with your significant other!

Volunteer: A fun way to spend time together and give back to the community is to volunteer. If people aren’t your thing then you can always volunteer at your local animal shelter. Spend a few hours together playing with cats, dogs, and other adorable animals.

I hope this list has helped spark some inspiration for a fun, inexpensive date with your significant other or friends. You don’t need to spend an insane amount of money to show how much you care for someone.