Is a free date in Charlotte even possible? I was forced to find out.
There’s an old adage that insists “the best things in life are free.” It’s a comforting idea, and one I found myself hoping was true after my bank account was drained the day before a date I had planned.
On my way to an assignment Tuesday afternoon, I pulled into the Circle K at the corner of South Tryon and Nations Ford. Before getting out of the car, I checked my bank account, just to be safe. It was the day before payday, so I already knew things would be tight. I just didn’t expect how tight.
The balance read negative $100. A closer look showed a large charge from DraftKings, an online sports betting platform, which didn’t make sense. I don’t use DraftKings — I use FanDuel.
That number settled things quickly. No gas, no assignment and, most disappointing of all, no date on Wednesday.
Free dates in South End?
I told my editors and a few coworkers what had happened, including the part where I’d have to cancel my date, in our Slack group chat.
The responses came quickly: some sympathy, and then a steady stream of ideas for how to salvage the night. Since we had planned to meet in South End, I wondered if a free date there was even possible.
“Free walk in the park?” my coworker Simone Jasper suggested.
It wasn’t a bad thought. The restaurant where we had planned to meet is close to the Rail Trail, and I don’t mind people-watching. But free parking around there is hard to come by.
“A homecooked meal is always welcome!” one of my editors, Heidi Finley, interjected.
Also reasonable, except for one issue: I can’t cook.
“Volunteer at a food pantry,” Melissa Oyler, CharlotteFive’s editor, suggested.
Another solid option, but most food pantries I’ve covered only have daytime hours, and my date was set for 7 p.m.
“Or walk doggies!” she added.
That might’ve worked: CMPD Animal Care and Control lets you take a dog out for the day — but their weekday hours end at 5 p.m.
The internet wasn’t much help, either. It kept pointing me toward long walks at parks, nature preserves even UNC Charlotte’s Botanical Gardens. One site suggested a “sunset walk + deep conversation,” which felt a little ambitious for a first date.
It also suggested museums, thrift stores and grocery runs. Cheap, sure, but not exactly free. At least, not in Charlotte.
I appreciated everyone trying to help, but they were all missing the same thing.
A solution
I didn’t want my date to think I was broke, especially since it would be the first time we’re meeting in person. First impressions feel like they matter more than usual.
As frustrating as the charge was, I was at least glad I caught it early and not at the restaurant the next day. I had planned to pay, which would have been difficult with a negative balance.
So I told him what happened and offered to reschedule.
He didn’t mind. In fact, he was more than fine with it. He said he had already planned to get the check and was still up for going. We settled on something simple: a small bite to eat, then a walk along the Rail Trail to talk.
There’s been plenty of debate on social media about whether it’s fair to turn your personal life, especially your dating life, into content. I remember watching a TikTok creator film her first date and thinking, “I would never do that.”
I’m not about to put my phone in my date’s face the moment he sits down. But if the date still happens and things go well, I’ll share an update — with his permission.
Update: Things went well! We’re headed to NoDa Monday evening for date No. 2.
This story was originally published March 26, 2026 at 5:30 AM.
