Let’s face it: dating in Singapore is an expensive affair. Especially if you’re in possession of the Y-chromosome, you’ll be expected to plan and pay for dates, which can easily add up to at least a few hundred dollars extra spending each month.

Unfortunately, not everyone has that much money to spare. Even if you’re earning a respectable income, with the rising costs of living (and dating), you may find yourself feeling somewhat strapped for cash in the long run.

What to do then? Well, we at DrWealth are here to help: after scouting around, we’ve shortlisted these 10 date ideas that are fun, off the beaten track and better still, won’t break your bank. So go ahead, grab your partner and give these a shot. Have fun!

1. Be the chef for a day

Ditch the classic dinner-and-a-movie. Instead, impress your date with a special home-cooked meal enjoyed in the comfort of your home. Don’t worry if you’re not a seasoned chef; the food doesn’t have to be anything fancy – you could wing it with a simple pasta, or whip up a fancy three-course dinner with soup, steak and dessert, if you’re feeling more confident. All you need to do is to look up the recipes online, prepare the ingredients, then get to work.

What matters most is the amount of time and effort you put in. Your date will appreciate the thoughtful gesture, plus you get to spend quality time together before and during the meal.

Tip: Test out the recipes a couple of times before the big day, so that you can make adjustments or seek “professional help” (read: Mum) in advance if necessary. Also, just for laughs, throw on a “Kiss the Cook” apron so you can wheedle an extra smooch from your date.

Where: Home | $5-$50, depending on the ingredients required and complexity of the dishes

2. Picnic on a hidden island

Believe it or not, Singapore has more than 60 islands, and some of these boast turquoise waters, charming beaches and unspoilt coastlines comparable to those in nearby Bintan or Batam. If you find the commercialisation at East Coast Park off-putting, head on over to the lesser-known Southern Islands, which include Kusu Island, St. John’s Island, and the two Sisters’ Islands.

Start with a walk around to explore the terrain. Then take your pick of water activities — fishing, swimming or snorkelling, for instance. Finally, surprise your date with a picnic on the beach (extra points scored if you remember to pack his/her favourite food).

Tip: Arrive early at Marina South Pier (which is where you board the ferry to go to the Southern Islands) to check out the cool exhibits at the Singapore Maritime Gallery.

Where: Marina South Pier | $18 per adult for a two-way ferry trip (ferry schedule here). Free admission to the Singapore Maritime Gallery.

3. Chill by the Bay

Here’s a throwback to childhood days: kite-flying at the Marina Barrage. Not only is it a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of city life, you can also learn about Singapore’s efforts towards environment sustainability while enjoying a spectacular view of Singapore’s skyline.

As night falls, either stay on for an outdoor picnic under the stars, or take a short bus ride or leisurely stroll to the Esplanade or Marina Bay Sands (MBS) area for more eating options. If you time it right, you can watch the 8pm Water Show at MBS and the 9.30pm Light Show from across the bay, which happens every night. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you may even catch a free outdoor concert at the Esplanade waterfront promenade.

Tip: To make the most of this date, go when the weather is cool and windy.

Where: Marina Barrage | Free admission to Marina Barrage and for the water and light shows. Dinner cost varies, depending on where you choose to eat.

4. Go stargazing

Singapore isn't known to be a super-conducive place for seeing stars, fair enough, but the Science Centre holds free stargazing sessions at its Observatory every Friday from 7.50pm to 10pm, plus a series of Astronomy 101 talks on the second Friday of every month at 8pm and 9pm.

Consider this your chance to pick up some useful science knowledge – intelligence is sexy – while getting a glimpse into the mysterious Milky Way.

Tip: Read up beforehand about the different constellations, planets and stars that can be observed from Singapore and what they look like, so you can spot them and impress your other half during the stargazing session.

Where: Science Centre Singapore | Free admission to the Observatory

5. Try cosmic bowling

Night owls will love this one. Cosmic bowling is bowling with a twist – you play with glow-in-the-dark balls and pins, against a “clubbing” backdrop of thumping dance music and flashing discotheque lights. What’s not to love?

Better still, the 24-lane bowling alleys are open till 3am on Fridays, Saturdays and eves of public holidays and 1am on other days – a perfect place to burn a few calories after you’ve had a late-night prata supper.

Tip: These places aren't that easily accessible by public transport, so you may want to consider driving there if you can. Alternatively, especially in the wee hours of the night, UberX is a good option for heading home after you're all bowled out.

Where: Orchid Bowl at The Chevrons, SAFRA Yishun, and SAFRA Tampines | $4.20/h during off-peak hours and $4.80/h during peak hours, with special discounts for members and students.

Top photo: Thinkstock

This article was written by Winifred Tan and originally appeared on DrWealth.com.

DrWealth is Singapore's leading personal finance website. Apart from publishing money advice for the masses, we also offer free, effective and simple-to-use mobile and desktop tools to help you track and plan your finances. Take charge of your money today at DrWealth.com.

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