Confession: The Millionaire Matchmaker is probably my number 1 guilty pleasure show. There’s something about watching Patti Stanger whip her millionaires into dating shape that thrills me. However, Stanger certainly doesn’t think that you have to be a millionaire to impress a date. Take a look at some cost-effective dating tips from the dating guru herself:

Be Creative

Pick a venue that shows off your initiative and creativity more than it shows off your money.

Stanger recalled a spot off of I-95 in Fort Lauderdale where she used to lie down and feel the landing and ascending airplanes move over her body. Complemented by a bucket of KFC and drinks, that was an evening’s entertainment and a fun way to get to know some.

Scour the Papers and Blogs for Free and Low-Cost Events

Look for things like free concerts, art exhibits, plays and old art-house movies. Add a personal touch by preparing a picnic. Stanger also says the beach is a great place to go when you’re looking for a free date (and nothing is more romantic than a picnic on the beach).

Show Off, But Only in the Right Setting

It’s free and it puts you in the best possible light. “If you sing, sing,” Stanger says. “If you dance, dance. Show me your assets, baby. If you’re muscular, wear a tight shirt.” That doesn’t mean you burst into song in the middle of a quiet cafe. Find your moment, like singing along to the radio or at a club. A professional golfer once took Stanger on a date to a miniature golf course. After a much-publicized broken engagement last summer, she is seeing a “starving artist” who is making her a painting. “You want to show that you’re different than everybody,” she says. “It’s about the inner you.”

Don’t Make Yourself Look Cheap

Never go anywhere that you can’t at all afford. You’ll end up spending money you don’t have or looking like a jerk:

Stanger says a date once pulled up in a Porsche and requested that they split a tasting menu for one. Stanger’s response? Neh-eh.

Check out the rest of Patti’s advice over at Daily Finance’s 8 Tips for Cost-Effective Dating from The Millionaire Matchmaker.