Online dating is the new bar scene. However, unlike going out to bars to look for your perfect mate, you can meet up with people and talk to them without having to pull out your best outfit of clothes or spending a lot of time primping in front of a mirror. Best of all, you don’t have to spend a lot of money investing in dates that wind up being total duds.
But what happens when the date goes offline? The good news is that you don’t have to spend a lot then, either! There are plenty of ways to have fun once your online date goes offline that are inexpensive – or better yet, completely free! And most importantly, they won’t make you come off looking like a total cheapskate where your date is concerned.
If You Are Single Then You Are Not Alone
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 100 million Americans 18 and older were single in 2009. That’s more than 40% of all adult residents in the country! Of that number, just over 60% had never been married. (www.census.gov) And you can bet they are not all sitting home night after night, waiting for Prince Charming or a Damsel in Distress to appear on their doorstep.
Millions of people have tried everything from blind dates to online dates. Even if you’re not throwing a lot of money into the services of a personal matchmaker, people spend small fortunes on new clothes, restaurant fare, event tickets, and even teeth whitening or plastic surgery in trying to impress a date.
Impressing Without Misleading
In Laurie Perry’s book Home is Where the Wine Is she writes, “Online dating is just as murky and full of lemons as finding a used car in the classifieds. Once you learn the lingo, it’s easier to spot the models with high mileage and no warranty.” That is so very true, because it is difficult to tell a bad apple from a prized peach from looking at a profile picture alone.
Free online photo editing programs can erase blemishes, whiten teeth, erase gray hair and brighten eye color in your online dating profile picture. But why not take steps to improve the way you look for real? It just makes things easier once you have to meet the person face to face. When you show up for a date looking like your profile picture, then it lends to your credibility as a person as well.
You might use over the counter products that allow you to erase stains from your teeth, leaving them white and sparkling. When using a product for teeth whitening, review the labels and if you aren’t sure if a product is safe to use, ask your dentist. The same goes for using color contacts. Even if they aren’t prescription-strength, in America you need a prescription to property fit your eyes for contacts used for cosmetic purposes.
Impressive Does Not Equal Expensive
Impressing your date doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, though. There are plenty of ways to have a fun, enjoyable evening without spending every last dime in your bank account. Here are some suggestions for having fun without spending a fortune.
Eat on a Dime – You don’t have to resort to taking your date somewhere with a dollar menu for a good meal. Sites like restaurant.com, Living Social, and Groupon have no shortage of deals for dinging at upscale dining establishments.
Cheap Event Tickets – Again, Living Social and Groupon each offer discounts and deals for social events across the country. You can find inexpensive tickets for everything from wine tastings and interactive dining experiences to concerts and sporting events, and everything in between.
Picnic in the Park – Does your community offer free events like music in the park? Even if it doesn’t, the park is a great place for dates in all seasons. In the winter take a thermos of hot cocoa and a blanket. After making some snow angels and a snowman, then you can cuddle on a park bench to warm up!
Play a Game – Invite another couple over and play a board game. It doesn’t have to be something trendy. Old standbys like Scrabble and Monopoly are almost always a safe bet. If all else fails, pull out a deck of cards and play a friendly game of gin rummy or hearts.
Low Budget Movies – Going to a theater is a pricey venture. The price you pay for movie tickets, popcorn, drinks, and other snacks can quickly add up. Try going to an afternoon matinee to cut down on the costs. If all else fails, stay in with a movie rental from Redbox and some microwave popcorn.
The main thing to remember when trying to impress your date is that impressive does not have to equal expensive. If your date seems more concerned about money than morals, finds fault with being frugal, and bored with your budget, then maybe that person isn’t the one for you. The right person will respect the fact that you are more focused on showing them a fun time than showing how much money you can spend in a single night.
About the Author
Freelance writer Melissa Cameron is always looking for ways to improve her family’s health. She loves staying fit – which includes living in an eco-friendly home and using good personal hygiene! For example, she recently found teeth whitening tips at www.teethwhiteningreviewed.co.uk that benefitted everyone in her entire family. When Melissa is not working on a writing project or working on ways to keep her family fit, she enjoys knitting, watching movies, and walking the family dog.
