It’s common that college students aim to be cautious with money. Finding ways to save while maintaining your social life can be hard, but when you are conscious of your spending, you can save a lot of money in the end.
Dating itself can be a source of anxiety for some individuals. Adding the stress of sticking to a budget can worsen those anxious feelings, so here are six cheap date options in Muncie:
Minnetrista
Minnetrista Museum and Gardens doesn’t just provide a scenic location, events are held there year-round with a wide variety of things to do. Some of the attractions they offer include gallery exhibits and the Bob Ross Experience. They have The Orchard Shop, a resource for people in the community to buy local goods and foods. They also sell hand-made artwork, including jewelry and pottery, and they have merchandise available revolving around their attractions.
Planetarium
The Charles W. Brown Planetarium, located on Ball State University’s campus, hosts shows available to the public. This is a date option that fits a description a lot of college students like to hear; free. The planetarium holds events consistently throughout the year, and the show’s themes change, with the occasional seasonal-themed production.
Farmers Market
Farmers markets can be a great place to get out in the community and spend time with your partner. Minnetrista hosts a popular outdoor farmers market May through October, with occasional indoor events held in the colder months. Visitors can use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or electronic benefit transfers (EBT) to purchase goods from qualifying vendors. The Muncie Makers Market also holds farmers markets on Saturdays from the months of May to October. Like Minnetrista, The Makers Market accepts EBT, as well as SNAP benefits for those eligible for these food assistance programs.
Christy Woods and the Greenhouse
According to Ball State University, Christy Woods is a “17-acre outdoor classroom and laboratory that provides opportunities for hands-on learning.” Christy Woods also contains the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse, home to the largest orchid collection held by a university. Walking through trails and the greenhouse while observing diverse plants is another free activity accessible to all Ball State students.
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No Weight Wednesday at Berry Winkle
Berry Winkle Frozen Yogurt, located on Tillotson Avenue, holds a weekly special that allows customers to save money. No Weight Wednesdays are exactly what they sound like; you are charged by the cup rather than the weight of the frozen yogurt, so piling on the toppings comes at no additional cost.
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David Owsley Museum of Art (DOMA)
According to DOMA’s website, admission to the museum is free and available year-round. The museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays, and on weekdays it is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.. Saturdays are more limited with hours being 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.. DOMA is located in the Fine Arts Building with rotating exhibits each semester. Viewing the art through the two floors is easy to access for students living on campus, and admission being free makes it a convenient and affordable date.
College is expensive, and finding ways to save money where you can improves your likelihood of being a self-sustaining individual after leaving Ball State. The sooner you start focusing on saving money, the more resources you’ll have after graduation.
Contact Ella Howell with comments at ella.howell@bsu.edu.
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