Too Broke to Date?
No matter where you are the big news everywhere seems to be the economy. If it's not the housing crisis, it's gas prices. We wont even talk about the price of milk and bread these days. I can't begin to tell you how many people I know that say that not only can they "not" afford to go out on a date, they can't haven't even just hang out at the club or bar in hopes of meeting someone that they can't afford to date. So, what do you do?
I should probably confess right now that in my past I was "that person" that loved going to the movies, but didn't want to spend a small fortune on refreshments, so I'd make a quick stop at the dollar store and grab some goodies to take in to the theater with me. Yeah, that was me. Hey, I haven't done that in a long time...okay, it was Batman the Dark Knight (that was such a great movie, no one even noticed my chicken club sandwich). Anyway, back to the real issue...creative ways to date.
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Depending on where you are in your relationship, things will be done differently. If you are at the beginning stages and/or there is some distance between you and your "special half", you can't go wrong with the "Getting to know you video". All it will cost is some time and your imagination. Gather up as many pictures of yourself that you can find and put them together in a slide show. Pick a time that you can talk on the phone and narrate the video as they watch, telling them all the funny stories behind each picture. Not only do they get to know you while hearing your voice, sense of humor and wit. They also get to imagine the next set of photos that include them.
If distance isn't an issue and you love to entertain...you don't have to wait for the Super bowl to have a party. Gather up all your other broke friends, married, single, looking, ask them all to bring a dish or donate the movie, games, whatever and do a good old fashion "blue light in the basement" kind of event. With everyone taking the responsibility of brining an item, no one bears the weight of all the financial responsibility that goes with throwing a party....and everyone chips in to help clean up afterwards. Next month, you go to someone else's house.
One of my favorite cheap date things to do is go to "Open Mic" nights. Whether it's poetry readings, comedy or singers, it's a great night of entertainment that usually only cost between $5-$10 plus a drink or two and you don't have to drink alcohol. If you really want to spice up the date, surprise that special someone by being a part of the show. There's nothing sexier than seeing your date "on stage" performing just for you.
If you are planing the date, I'd go for what the other person's interest are. If they love children the two of you could volunteer to read books to kids at a local school. If they've got a passion for the arts, there is always a theater group around that would love some help with painting a set, or moving costumes or props. It's very easy to find people to help if you really try. Of course you need to follow up a day of volunteering with a light lunch or cup of coffee (it's not as expensive as a dinner date), and the two of you can discuss the events of the day...while making plans to "do it again".
To show you that I practice what I preach, for my honey's birthday back in June, we decided that we would not spend a lot of money on gifts, because we were saving for a romantic trip to Puerto Rico. So, what I did was found pictures of all the things that I wanted to buy him, wrapped them up in tissue and put them in this big beautiful bag with a ribbon. The note said "I O U". I also put in a picture frame a photo of the resort that we were going to in Puerto Rico with our pictures cut and pasted in front of it.
Just when he was excited about all the "future" gifts coming his way, I gave him an envelope with a pair of tickets to a comic book convention that was coming to town that week. I told him to take someone else that loved comics as much as he did...so in essence it was a gift for us both.
We've all heard the expression that money can't buy you love or happiness. However, we all know that it can certainly make the one's you love a lot happier. Don't let your lack of funds translate into a lack of imagination. If you are stumped for creative ideas for things to do, just ask a friend and you know...I'm always around to give my two cents.
This is Leticia...don't ever let money stop you from enjoying the riches in your heart. Oh, by the way, Puerto Rico was the bomb.
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16 responses to "Too Broke to Date?"
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VAPrincess says:Posted: 25 Jan 09I understand the whole dating ritual, or "the dance" as I call it sometimes. He asks you out, he pays, etc. But when it comes right down to it, I'm more interested in doing something that we could both enjoy rather than how much it cost. If we decided to take a walk downtown and check things out, that would be fine with me. Or if we were on our 3rd, 4th date, etc., and things are going well, I would have no problem if he paid for dinner and I paid for the movie. It just has to be what is right for both people. Yes I know there are women out there that are all about money being spent on them and that's about it. Those kind need to find a sugardaddy.
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homesteader says:Posted: 11 Dec 08Learned all that it took was time online and my Ladie came to me / three days after we met , we married and we are celebrating our 21 month anniversary with the first snow in 24 years in East Texas . Love Les
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DesertFlower says:Posted: 24 Nov 08Great ideas! I love them, however, others may find them a little offensive. Especially in my neck of the woods, many women automatically expect money to be spent. As an indicator of interest, perhaps. Regardless, I think that if a man is in this position, he should do what he can to make the time together special and fun--without laying out major cash. Also, judging from the reaction, it may be a great indicator of the type of woman he's dating.
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Erict says:Posted: 20 Nov 08That may all be well and good but for the most part people who live in small cities have to do some traveling to boot over all of this. As a dating website the vast majority of people who can find a local interest live in big cities. So factor in traveling up to 100 miles trip (possibly 1 way) just to see the person and you've got a serious issue with cash. Thank God the gas prices went down. Then plan a date that's inexpensive in a town you're not familiar with. Talk about a nightmare. But hey, that's what we get for being strapped eh? Buh.
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curious4787 says:Posted: 16 Nov 08that article was pretty good from the point of view after u meet but for the first time? I don't think todays women even truthfully would think that way
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Pia65 says:Posted: 30 Oct 08
No, I'm not too broke to date. I must admit this is a good article with some nice ideas when one is on a tight "cash flow" diet. Besides some of the best ideas are no cost or low cost ways to past the time with your mate or friends.
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dee says:Posted: 29 Oct 08i wont lie that im too broke to date. although that doesnt stop me from dating. If i have no money and im suppose to go on a date i usually tell my date so that we can go for a walk in the park or come to my house for a movie that way i already have groceries in my house and we aint gotta go buy nothing lol.
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Nadira says:Posted: 22 Oct 08maybe.........but i have talking to this guy for almost 3 weeks now, and everything screams out cheap. since we've been talking this guy spent about 7 dollars on, and even that he was worrying about who was going to pick the bill. if i told him i am hungry he would just brush it off as if he didn't hear, but he want to spent time with me. when he's eating, it's like there's no tomorrow. i don't it's about spending. he says he has his own business, he lives by himself, so does that he's living from paycheck to paycheck. last week i gave him 10 dollars to buy me a cup of coffee which cost a dollar and he kept the change. i was too embarrass to asked him for the rest of my money. i was just lucky that i didn't gave him the 20 instead i gave him the 10.
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RYRO says:Posted: 18 Oct 08I agree on this acticle...On my birthday, it was a true "stone soup" story.I thought I had to spead it alone. But to my surprise, my friends where at my apartment with games, drinks, blender, and cheap food items. We all were going through our own money troubles but coming together with what we had made it a bomb of a party. Not only that but some neightbors kicked in a thing or 2; so a party of 8 turned into a pary of 23. This bought me back to old school block parties when one person brung out a turn table and it was on.
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fkoi says:Posted: 18 Oct 08
I don't have a problem spending money for a date but when I am in a relationship, many of those good ideas you expressed help make the relationship special. Concerts in the park with a special picnic only make it all better.
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LaughSailor says:Posted: 05 Oct 08Thanks, Leticia! Great attitude! I think dates that concentrate on each other creatively are far superior to relying on money for ambiance or entertainment (With the exception of roller coasters, of course.). Sometimes it's just a ton of fun to get dressed up and go to the opera but there are a number of really wonderful free picnic-in-the-park concerts nearby - Jazz, opera and Joan Bayez even had a surprise showing there! What could be more fun than making dribble sand castles at the beach and playing in the surf? Cooking a wonderful picnic and finding a great view is one of my favorites. I'm often surprised at how beautiful and unused parks are - A walk in the park is a fine way to get to know each other. One of my favorite quotes is from C. S. Lewis "The world is so full of a number of things, I'm sure we should be as happy as kings."
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SERENITY798 says:Posted: 27 Sep 08
Ok. good news I thought about this article and realized that I can stretch myself. A little here and there never hurts. I went to the salon to get fixed up. Meeting up with my friends today and the extra bonus is the game tomorrow Bears vs Eagles. The point is I'm treating myself to how I would like others to treat me. "special"
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SERENITY798 says:Posted: 26 Sep 08
Very good article. I tell myself this all the time. I'm too broke to date. Even better I'm too broke to hang out all the time with my friends. I want to be social but it cost money. There are some good ideas here I will think about. Mr. Right is out there. I need to get out this house ..so far this computer is not working.
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Hannah says:Posted: 25 Sep 08That was a very good article...thanks you gave me some ideas.
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Jeff2555 says:Posted: 24 Sep 08No. I am not to broke to date. Waddya think I am, some sort of Palin trash? And no, I will not enter the letters that appear below. Well, guess I have to. They are CF1C. Happy now?
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A wise man once said "Romance without finance is a nuisance!" True today as they were when Tiny Grimes penned them almost a century ago. However, the Friday evening jazz shows at LACMA are a good hedge against economic hard times.