Now that the Economy has all but tanked, the finer things in life may have been put on the back burner for awhile. That presents an especially thorny problem for the unattached male. How do we stay fresh with dating ideas that don’t pinch the wallet?

We’ve all seen those articles in chick magazines that cover “Cheap Dates” – a euphemism for broke-ass cheap skates. Why spend all that dough on an experience that’s fleeting at best? Better to lay out a fraction of that cash on a date that will produce “heart warming” memories that last a lifetime and will one day teach the kiddies how to be chintzy.

But with luxuries cutting in to the budget more than ever before (ya know, food, rent… beer) we decided to lay out a new scenario befitting of these desperate times: The Deadbeat Date.

Deadbeat dates don’t cost an extra dime. They’re fun, creative and even romantic, in a Bonnie & Clyde kind of way. And the best thing about Deadbeat Dates? You don’t always need a partner!

See for yourself with our list of the Top 5 Deadbeat Dates:

Deadbeat Date: Soup Kitchen

Fancy Date: Romantic dinner at a swanky restaurant

Cheap Date: Tandem bicycle ride ending with a picnic lunch by the lake

Deadbeat Date: Pretend you’re homeless and score some soup kitchen grub

Deadbeat Date: Netflix movie night

Fancy Date: Hollywood movie premiere

Cheap Date: Midnight movie or matinee

Deadbeat Date: “Borrow” your neighbor’s Netflix from his mailbox

Deadbeat Date: 911 call

Fancy Date: A Broadway show

Cheap Date: Community Theater

Deadbeat Date: Call 911 and pretend you’re a kid locked in the basement of the guy across the street and watch the drama out the window when the cops show up

Deadbeat Date: Hot Tub Hijacking

Fancy Date: Day date at a private beach resort

Cheap Date: Swimming at the public pool

Deadbeat Date: Skinny-dipping in a stranger’s hot tub

Deadbeat Date: Costume Party

Fancy Date: Elaborate Halloween costume party

Cheap Date: Home-made Halloween costume party

Deadbeat Date: Secret cross-dressing fetish Halloween costume party

Let us know how you make out!