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You have a budget and you are trying to be financially responsible, paying off your student loans or saving to buy a house. But you just met the most wonderful person in the world and want to spend as much time as possible with them and have a great time getting to know them. Having a budget and sticking to it doesn't mean that there is no hope for fun and romance. All it takes is a little time and planning. And if you use some of the following ideas, you might just get brownie points for romance and creativity.

The age old, time tested romantic meal never used to be the fancy meal at an expensive restaurant; it was a picnic at a picturesque countryside. You simply have to pack a few sandwiches, some cheese and crackers, some sparkling apple cider and for that special touch, some fresh ripe strawberries. For an added touch of ambiance, bring along a sturdy candle holder and some candles; even if they don't stay lit in the breeze, the thought will be appreciated. Plan ahead and map out a scenic drive miles away from your usual surroundings, maybe near a lake or river, and find a secluded spot to spread out a blanket and dine alfresco. Regardless of the budget, it will be one of the most romantic interludes you and your date will ever remember.

A barbecue is another classic, in-budget way of having a fun time with someone that you care about. I know you might have grown up in awe of your Dad's huge fifteen foot, gas grill with a gazillion BTU and all the bells and whistles and you're thinking, "There's no room in the budget for one of those monsters!" And you would be right, but there are alternatives. Many municipal public parks have free standing grills that you can use. Just be sure to come armed with aluminum foil to cover the grill. If you prefer to avoid the community grill, pick up a mini-sized Hibachi or tabletop grill and set it up on a picnic table. Take a few hot dogs or bratwursts, some chips and a pie and you and your sweetheart can enjoy a great time in the open air. You can even make it healthy by roasting a couple ears of corn or a yam on the grill and bringing a fruit salad.

Mind you, these ideas only work in good weather. What do you do when Mother Nature doesn't feel like cooperating with your romance? How about eating in? Of course, pizza is a cheap meal standard, but instead of munching on a lukewarm, delivery pizza or even grabbing a box out of the freezer to pop into the oven, try inviting your special someone to join you in making pizza from scratch, dough and all. You can learn a lot about a person when you both get your hands covered with flour and sticky with dough and then choose your favorite toppings to go on your homemade pizza. Even if you don't go for quite this elaborate of a production, try using some pita or flat bread to top with pasta sauce, cheese and your favorite pizza toppings. Pop them in the oven, enjoy a glass of wine for fifteen minutes then enjoy a fun and intimate meal in the privacy of your home.

Of course, there are many variations on these ideas, like picnicking outside of your favorite museum before taking a stroll inside for a bit of culture or making cookies together for dessert at home. Just keep it fun and imaginative and I think you will impress your date with your ingenuity and resourcefulness. And contrary to what some people might think, being frugal can be a very attractive trait in a potential significant other when you think about long range goals. It just has to be done with a little flair!

Learn more about this author, I. Michael Akbar.
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