Yes, I realize that I'm over-simplifying things a little. And that if you're never willing to spend a penny on a date, you might run into problems pretty darned quickly. But every once in awhile, it's a good idea to give yourself and your bank account a break from the pressure of your traditional Friday night dinner and a movie. And very possibly have a better time than you would at that $80-a-head candlelit restaurant downtown while you do it.

Free Outdoor Date Ideas

It doesn't take long to get tired of all that mood lighting and snooty service. So get outside! There are a ton of outdoor activities that make great dates…and best of all, many of them are creative, romantic, and free. Such as:

• Having a picnic at the park or in the countryside
• Going hiking in the nearby mountains
• Visiting a local art fair, outdoor market, music fair, or food fair
• Going for a long bike ride in the country
• Taking a camping trip
• Going shopping together at the farmer's market for ingredients for a dinner you make together
• Going to watch a free little league game and eat hotdogs
• Playing Frisbee on the beach
• Going to an animal shelter to play with the dogs
• Walking around downtown and listen to street musicians

Free Indoor Date Ideas

There are a few really fun indoor date activities that are always free, if you know what I mean. But, uh, you're not necessarily going to do them on a first or second date…and even if you are, you can't do them all the time! If you don't want to spend a lot of money on a fancy dinner out, there are plenty of cheap or free things you can do indoors that aren't sex. Like:

• Having a kung fu movie marathon
• Playing a board game
• Playing strip poker (if you can talk her into it!)
• Making dinner together, or cook her your favorite childhood meal, just for fun
• Experimenting together in the kitchen preparing a new kind of food
• Buying a couple of bottles of wine and doing a mini home wine tasting
• Playing Wii Tennis until you're sweaty and falling over laughing

There are tons of fun things that you can do for free on a date. The best way to think up some of your own? Think about things that you love to do. If you kayak or play World or Warcraft or go watch baseball spring training every weekend, you can do these same things with your date. Okay, getting her to play a World of Warcraft marathon is a long-shot, but you never know…she could think it's a blast!

First, the basic ingredient that every date needs is fun. The best way to ensure that you and your date have a great time is to begin by selecting activities that both of you enjoy. It may seem a bit obvious, but too many times, couples try their hand at new activities. A first date isn’t a great time to try a new activity. If the date is a failure, thanks to trying an activity that wasn’t enjoyable, you may find that your partner isn’t enthusiastic about giving things a second chance. The first date should be played safely and centered on an activity that both you and your date will enjoy.

Did you know that going out to dinner isn’t always a great choice for a date? How about movies? It’s true! Dinner can be wonderful, but on a first date, many women may feel self-conscious. Also, if you do choose to go out to dinner, you will need to choose the restaurant carefully. Make sure it is a safe choice that both you and your date will enjoy, and also choose the dining fare carefully. This means, be selective about the type of food you order. You may be Italian and love spaghetti, but do you really want your date to see you slurping noodles while you dribble sauce on your chin? I didn’t think so. Choose the food carefully, and make sure it is a restaurant that you’ll both enjoy.

Movies are often selected for a first date, but again, this may have serious drawbacks. The first drawback is the fact that when a couple watches a movie, there is no talking or communication taking place. Granted, you may go out for coffee after the movie and discuss the plot, character, or setting but the next day, you may discover you learned more about the lead character then you did your date. Because of this reason, movies are not a good choice for a first date.

On your first date, your focus should be on your partner and your partner alone. Your date should provide the perfect environment for plenty of conversation and it should be a chance to really get to know each other thoroughly. This should always take place in a fun and comfortable environment.

You should also avoid going to each other’s home on a first date, unless you have been friends for a very long time, and feel very comfortable with one another. It may feel very uncomfortable if you are at your date’s house and the date turns sour or you would like to leave. It is best to meet in a public place where you can both enjoy yourselves while participating in mutual activities. By keeping these tips, you can ensure that you will enjoy wonderfully entertaining dates.

Pet grooming has become a hobby for many cat and dog owners. There is a sense of pride in walking your pooch in style. Many major cities now offer classes to teach owners how to groom their pets. For example, in Georgia, The International Academy of Pet Design has just expanded their class schedule to include several evening time options. Your Great Dane may drool over the treats on display, but you may find something of your own to drool over three stalls over.

Walking your dog can be viewed as a chore or one your most cherished moments with your pet. For many that depends on what time of day it is and how much coffee you’ve had a chance to ingest before Fido can’t hold it any longer. So many urban professionals end up opting out of walking their pet themselves, either because of time or schedule constraints. For the rest of us this can be the perfect foible for casing out attractive men with friendly dogs.

Even more infallible is the local dog park. A couple of clicks in an internet search engine yields many options for selecting the perfect spot to let your pal run free and frolic with others. If you are traveling you can search in advance in on line directories that will guide you to finding a park on the road. Watching your dog joyfully chase squirrels or even his own tail is a unique bonding experience that can lead to meeting people – even a candidate for a date without the dog.

There is also the new latest craze in fantasy: the McVet. Made popular by a favorite nighttime soap, many women have traded in firemen for Veterinarians in their aspirations for dating bliss. While chances are that you already have a an established relationship with your vet, if you don’t, consider getting those pets up to date on their shots – just make sure you don’t make the trip in your sweats. You never know who you might meet.

One of the worst situations pet owners can find themselves in is what to do when your new beau is allergic to Fluffy or Fido. There are many so many horror stories about people feeling like they have to make a choice between their pet and their boyfriend. Luckily the science has finally caught up and countless reunions have been enjoyed between pet owner and allergy sufferer.

Close to 15% of the U.S. population is allergic to dogs or cats but many of these people still opt to own a pet anyway. If your date isn’t one of the lucky ones that responds to allergy medications consider creating a “safe zone” in your home. All you need is a high quality HEPA filter system and everyone can exist in harmony.

Today, ice skating can still be done on a natural ice surface, but most of the time people prefer to skate on a man-made ice skating rink. Because of the popularity of the sport, indoor ice skating rinks are available in most cities, and you can now ice skate all year round.

Ice skates are available for rent at ice skating rinks, and many people who ice skate on a regular basis tend to purchase their own skates. If you have ever been roller skating, you will probably be able to pick up on ice skating without much trouble. You do not need lessons in order to do the basics, but if you wish to learn how to be a better skater or how to do tricks on the ice, lessons are certainly an option.

Ice skating can be a really fun date idea. In the summer months, it is a great way to cool off and get bundled up together. There will be plenty of opportunities to hold the hand of your date while trying not to fall over. There are many ice skating rinks that have quite a romantic feeling to them, with twinkling white lights or a view of the night sky. While an indoor rink is not as romantic, many rinks host special themed nights for adults only so you won’t have to worry about being upstaged by a twelve year old who skates better than you.

Ice skating is also ideal for large groups of friends because you can all participate at once. Ice skating rinks typically are equipped with snack bars and even arcades so if someone is not up for skating they won’t be left out. If you and your friends have children, this is something that everyone can do together which is enjoyable for people of all ages.

Activities for daytime dating are endless and thankfully they are usually a lot less expensive than their evening counter parts. Consider meeting up for a hike or bike ride. The physical activity is something that will unite you as you commiserate together over a steep hill or rocky terrain. Grabbing a smoothie together afterward is an excellent way to extend your time with each other if things are going well.

Another activity to enjoy is to plan on checking out some of the cultural celebrations in your town. A quick scan of your local paper is a great resource for those unexpected day excursions. Meeting up at a daytime street fair is whimsical and fun. Strolling through the exhibits with a bag of kettle corn being passed back and forth is an amazing precursor to romance.

If you have kids and feel comfortable including them in the day nothing beats an afternoon foray to the zoo. Not only is this sort of trip a barometer to possible parenting skills (it never hurts to plan ahead) but sharing a genuine and hearty laugh at the monkey cages shows you what sort of sense of humor your guy has. This is something that he may be guarded with on an evening date when the night can seem so serious.

In addition to the lighthearted attitude that day time dating brings, there is the extra benefit of it being gentler on your pocket book. A perfect way to sample the cuisine at a new place is to try out their lunchtime menu. Daytime service at a swank restaurant is less pushy. Furthermore, the portions are just right and you can’t beat the price.

Have a daytime date but the weather is not cooperating? Movies are also less expensive in the day and are the perfect choice for an afternoon when the rain just won’t ease up. Seats are plentiful and odds are that you will have the theatre to yourself. Accidentally bumping knees or elbows as a sure fire way to establish if chemistry is there.

Most of us want the glamorous evening out, but if your date is a dud, who wants to waste all of that hard work? Dating during the day is a painless and hairspray free way to have a taste without splurging for the full meal. This way, when you finally do cross over into the world of nighttime courtship you can be certain that your date is worth the effort.

When making a date on your lunch break it is important to plan as much as you can beforehand. Take into consideration how long it takes you to leave your office. Mull on what the traffic constraints are at lunchtime or worse, how much time it could take to find parking.

If getting some time away is important to you, start to scope out places for a quick getaway. As you commute to the office take note of what eating establishments are on the way or nearby. A bookstore with a built in café has just as much potential as the perfectly placed lunch table at a nearby park.

Meeting at a place with quick service or serve yourself options is a great way to save valuable time. Start your conversations in line at the salad bar and by the time you make it to your table you will be deep into debate.

Perhaps your time could be more effectively spent if your date met you in your office’s cafeteria. Many larger corporations are offering low cost and high quality on-site eating options. You and your date can find a table to yourself and get to know each other. This option isn’t the best for shy types as chances are your lunch date will be the talk of the office before the afternoon coffee run takes place.

If getting together over lunch in person is next to impossible, try a cellular picnic. Pack each other the same lunch in the morning and at lunch hour escape from your desk with your sack lunch and your cell phone. Find a hidden spot away from your coworkers and dial up your sweetie. You may not be face to face but it is the next best thing.

Still can’t get away from your desk for some time with your new sweetie? Simply closing your office door is a way to signal to your staff and co-workers that you are unavailable to them. Use this time to exchange rapid-fire romantic e-mails from your cell phone. If your guy is unreachable take the time to compose him a romantic letter. Something that lets him know that you were thinking of him is always a welcome and appreciated gesture.

So many of us don’t take advantage of our lunch hour to separate from the work grind. This is your time to unplug, unwind and recharge. If you aren’t involved with anyone you can still benefit from some quality time by yourself. An ipod loaded with calming music can become an escape from the day, however brief.