Just because a guy may be "financially challenged" at the current time doesn't mean he isn't the right guy for you--he could still be in grad school, helping family, or simply struggling to find a job in this terrible economy. Here are 5 pieces of advice to steer you clear of sticky situtations in the money department.
Your man displays any number of great qualities: kindness, the ability to keep his mouth shut during a movie, a willingness to entertain your "does this make me look fat?" clothes-modeling ritual, an unwillingness to splash out any cash any time you two go out... Hold up—what was that last one again? Is it possible that Loverboy is perfect in every other way except when it comes to parting ways with Lincoln, Franklin or Grant during a date with you? And if so, should this trait be a deal-breaker for the relationship? First, let's define what makes him "cheap" versus "not a sucker, "has other priorities," or the garden-variety "is poor":
Fine, the market is turning around, if you choose to believe Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. I don't always take the word of a college dropouts or 80-year old Nebraskans, but I'll make an exception for these two with the caveat that the "economy" generally lags the stock market by 18 months or so. How does that help an unemployment rate* in the mid 9% range? Does it make it easier to make ends for you and me? Does it make relationships easier? No but it does make us get creative. This time around, consider window-shopping.
The economy has yet to rebound exactly how we expected. But we can persevere... with cheap dates. As part of our Fun And Free segment, we're suggesting movieoke. It's like karaoke but with your favorite movie scenes. How could this possibly be a bad thing?
In this bummer of an economy, it's nice to have some cheap date options. The kids from Footloose knew that one of the best cheap dates on the Earth is dancing. So, instead of wasting a bunch of dough, engage your Second Chakra and turn your living room into Dance Party USA. Your relationship may just thank you.
The blog is a great way to express feelings, seek advice and generally make your mark on the world. If the medium works well for singles, why not try it for couples? Writing down thoughts and feelings is a good way to crystalize them and writing down events is a good way to memorialize them. So, c'mon and give a his-and-hers blog a shot. I can't be any weirder than being friends with your parents on Facebook.
In our fun and free series of great, cheap date ideas, we're taking a turn for the creative. Why go to the movie theater when you can make one at home? Instead of spending on art and entertainment, create your own.
Ikea allows its shoppers to use their childcare services while shopping. Some shoppers use this service a little less than scrupulously and just take the time to cool out without their kids. That means that a number of other businesses just have to be doing something similar. Your next fun and free date may involve taking advantage of one of those programs.
In this bummer of an economy, gift ideas are just as hard to come by as date ideas. Instead of purchasing yet another thing that you don't really need, try coupons.
Learning a new language is hard but it can be quite rewarding. It is much easier when you have a partner dedicated to giving you a hand. So, for a nice, ongoing, cheap date: try language lessons. From Rosetta Stone to your local community college to a willing native speaker, there a plethora of ways to pick up a new and exotic dialect. It may bring the two of you closer and it will definitely expand you brain.
When the economy becomes a real bummer it's time to try out some cheap date ideas. This time around, try the library. Not for exhibitionism but for checking out books, music and movies. If buying entertainment items can further a relationship, borrowing them for free may be even better.
