Dates don't have to be expensive

When we were young and dating we were poor. Now we're not so young and married but we have kids in college. Cheap dating is a skill that can come in handy throughout a lifetime.

Here are my suggestions for ways to have a great time without breaking the bank:

Visit a casino: Sounds expensive, right? Guess again. The casinos spend millions luring people through their doors, knowing that most will return the favor plus some by gambling. To beat the system, all you have to do is go through the door, but keep their money in your pocket by limiting your gambling budget. You might even find a deal that includes an overnight stay, but these generally require a larger cash outlay.

To get the best deal, seek out a formal casino junket – usually by bus. You’ll spend a few dollars to get there and you’ll get an equivalent amount in food, cash or playing money when you arrive. Do a little research to find what else there is to see in the casino town – like the beach, Niagara Falls, shopping … anything you can do in a day and by foot. Then hoof back to the casino, get back on the bus and head for home. Do a Google search for “casino bus trips” and you’ll get a wealth of options.

Plug into a local college: there’s always something happening on the college campus – art exhibits, music, performances, workshops … and usually for not a lot of money.

Check out the arts scene: every city has a calendar of inexpensive events that can be both entertaining and informative: lectures, music, art exhibits. Your local newspaper will cover these events and publish a calendar, often on the same day each week. Get to know the calendar and you’ll always have an event to share on the cheap.

Into sports? The salaries are smaller but the excitement level is often higher at amateur sporting events. Colleges and high schools are terrific places to get caught up in fan fever with a passionate audience. And you’ll save hundreds.

And when the weather's good, you have even more options:

Have a picnic. Some of my fondest date memories were made sharing a bottle of wine, a loaf of crusty French bread, fresh fruit and a few dollars’ worth of good cheese. City parks, country orchards – even the backyard can be a fine spot to enjoy one another’s company and a few libations, al fresco.

Go for a bicycle ride. Even if you do not own bikes, most cities have a shop or two that will rent them for not a lot of money. The world looks a lot different when you slow down a bit and a leisurely tour by bicycle is a wonderful way to see the scenery, get some exercise and share a fun day. Most web resources are by region - but there's a lot to choose from.

Hit the beach: if you live near an ocean, lake or reservoir, getting to the beach only takes some gasoline and a few inexpensive snacks packed in a cooler. Some beach towns have lots of stuff to do after dark – and people-watching is always free.

Shoot photos to make the memories permanent. Now get out there and have some fun!