When I was in college, a few of my friends and I would head over to a nearby restaurant on the occasional Friday night for Happy Hour.

While most people probably went for the drinks or the hopes of meeting someone special, we went for the food.

The buffet table was loaded with hot wings, meatballs, vegetable sticks, cheese and crackers, and many other hors d'oeuvres. We ordered an inexpensive soda and then headed over to the buffet to load up our small plates. We got away with "dinner" in a pleasant atmosphere for under $2. There would even be live music sometimes.

Now that I'm married, Athena and I have Happy Hour dates.

If you are looking for an inexpensive, yet fairly interesting date you might consider going to a nearby Happy Hour. Now, if you start ordering alcoholic drinks at $4 a pop, the date suddenly becomes a strain on the wallet. Just because everyone else is drinking booze, you don't have to cave into social pressure. A glass of coke or juice will quench your thirst even better than a Rum & Coke or Vodka Martini.

I'm not against alcohol. I'm against people equating romance or dating with spending a lot of money. That's why so many couples quit going out after they have children.

Go to a Happy Hour and if desired, when you get home kick back and relax on a homemade alcoholic beverage that cost 1/10th of what the restaurant would charge you.