How to Date When You're on a Tight Budget

By Bob Strauss

Date When You're on a Tight Budget Date When You're on a Tight Budget

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So here’s the deal: that hottie on the morning-to-noon shift at Starbucks has finally agreed to go out with you, but you have less cash on hand than a racecourse tout after a failed trifecta (and let’s not even talk about your credit-card limit). How do you treat her to a fun first date without a) asking her to pay for dinner or b) revealing that you’re three months behind on your electric bill?

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step1
Don’t be too honest. Sure, you’ve been flirting for months, but a first date is still “first impression” territory—so if you ‘fess up to a complete lack of funds she’s likely to think “LOSER” in big glowing neon letters. Odds are she already knows you’re relatively impoverished, so if she’s kind, she’ll agree to a quick meal at Taco Bell—and if she’s not, she’ll want to go to a real restaurant with, you know, tablecloths and silverware.
Step2
Scour the web for free events. Poetry slams are greatly underrated as dating venues; where else can you score a comfy seat, fill up on free wine and cheese, and enjoy gales of laughter at the expense of pimply, dour MFA wannabes? The same goes for open-mike nights at twee coffeehouses frequented by aspiring singer-songwriters and outdoor installations of barbed-wire art. With any luck, you’ll save money while burnishing your hipster credentials in your beloved’s eyes.
Step3
Invite her home for dinner. As a first-date maneuver, this is a bit forward—but if she lets her guard down, she’ll be touched (and more than a bit amused) by your efforts to whip up a bowl of fettucini alfredo, thinking you’re trying to impress her in a sweet, bumbling way when in fact you don’t have nearly enough dough to buy the real article. (Note for beginners: it helps if you own more than one knife and fork.)
Step4
Borrow some money. If you can’t scratch up the cash for a proper date, odds are you live in a Bohemian garrett with three or four roommates. This is where the inviting-her-home-for-dinner maneuver pays off: while she’s examining that oddly shaped dust bunny under the TV set, ask your roomies for funds, threatening a long, leisurely, and loud evening if they don’t cough up. You’ll be surprised how quickly they cooperate, meaning you can take her out to a movie or (if your friends really want to get rid of you for as long as possible) an after-hours club.

Comments

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amylaine said

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on 5/15/2008 The best first date I went on was eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the park. We went hiking and fed the ducks afterwards.

Lousson said

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on 7/7/2007 PICNIC PICNIC PICNIC! If it rains then it's something to laugh about. Take her to an art gallery before heading off to your local park for a nice meal

Nyko said

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on 6/8/2007 you could also send an evite invitation through www.evite.com

Nyko said

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on 1/9/2007 If you own your own place and have $40 or less. Rent a new release that she hasn't seen or buy a bootleg off that guy on the street that keeps bugging you. Then with the rest of the funds you can order take out and any thing else you might need for the night.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Print out a romantic greeting card and add love coupons (that you have made yourself) inside the card. Light candles around the room (tealights can be very inexpensive, you can get a bag of 50 for $2.00 at WalMart) for ambiance. Take out your fanciest drinking glasses and dinnerware (even Kool-Aid tastes better in an elegant glass) and spread a blanket on the floor. Make finger foods that you can feed to one other (cheese cubes, fruit slices) and turn on a romantic movie. Unplug the telephone, and enjoy!

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eHow Article:  How to Date When You're on a Tight Budget

eHow Member: Bob Strauss

Bob Strauss

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Category: Relationships & Family

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