Day: November 1, 2011

How to Date on a Budget Without Looking Cheap

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Ferris Wheel LoversWhen you fancy someone, money might be the last thing on your mind, but losing both your mind and your money over your crush is a terrifying scenario. Well, if you have already lost your mind, this article won’t help, but if you still have your money, keep reading!

Dating on a budget isn’t a “mission impossible”. All you have to do is plan in advance and stick to your plan. The choice of activities for a date on a budget depends on whether it is your first date or not, your location (if you live in the mountains then a walk on the beach is hardly a cheap date idea, because the nearest beach might be hundreds or thousands of miles away), and the likes and dislikes of you and your date.

There are really a lot of ways to date on a budget and impress your date, but there are also tricky areas where you can end up looking cheap rather than savvy. For instance, to ask for a refund because you didn’t like the meal (though you actually ate it) is certainly a no-no. Using a coupon could also be regarded as cheap by some people. To most it is perfectly acceptable, but if you are not sure how your date will react, you might want to avoid coupons on a first date.

Now let’s look at some of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to date on a budget.

Christian Singles

1. Go the Exotic, but Cheaper, Way

Trendy restaurants are very expensive and the food they serve isn’t always top-notch. However, if both of you like Chinese, Thai, Indian, Mexican, or other ethnic food, an ethnic restaurant is the way to go. Local ethnic restaurants are typically less expensive but more exotic, so the experience will be really memorable.

2. Dine at Home

Dining at home definitely beats any restaurant. However, you need to spend time preparing the food. Of course, you can order food online, but this might be as expensive as dining out.

Additionally, if you are in the beginning of your relationship and you are still not 100% comfortable with each other, inviting your date home for dinner could be considered as a prelude to a “sleepover”, and many people of either gender will back off at such an idea this early in a relationship.

3. Go on a Picnic

If both of you love open-air activities and the weather permits, you can consider going on a picnic. You can take light food and some drinks, and that (plus your date) is all it takes to make a great picnic!

4. Parks and Beaches Are Excellent Date Locations

If a picnic sounds too time-consuming, you can always go for a walk in the park or on the beach. This is definitely a very romantic idea and chances are you will be able to remain just the two of you for a while.

5. Look for Free Events

Free events, such as art shows, wine tasting, sporting events, book promotions, etc. are a few more opportunities to explore. Usually metropolitan areas are rich in such events but even small towns do offer such attractions. The trick here is to find an event both of you like – otherwise one or both of you will be bored, and this might spoil the date.

6. Do Community Work Together

Community work helps to build not only communities, but couples as well. It’s also good for your happiness and confidence levels – giving to others really does make you feel good.

7. Honour the Happy Hour

While most of the ideas on this list are completely free, a happy hour isn’t. But it is traditionally one of the easiest choices. One of the disadvantages of happy hours is that it might be crowded and if you want a quiet evening with your date, this will hardly happen.

Dating on a budget can be fun. They say that money can’t buy you happiness, and it’s true – you might spend tons of money on a date just to see it go in a disastrous direction. If you and your date are soulmates, then these cheap date ideas will be very suitable for you. If your date laughs at your suggestions because he or she dreams of something fancier, then this could be a signal that you aren’t soulmates after all…

 

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This article is by Ada, a personal finance blogger who remembers only too well how frugal living doesn’t always go down great with a date! Right nor she’s obsessed with home insurance comparison and trying to make sure everyone knows how to find a policy that works for them.

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How to Exceed Expectations on a First Date

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Christian Singles

It’s finally the day of the first date that you’ve been looking forward to for so long. Your hands are sweating, hearts pounding and you’re desperately thinking of what you are going to say, we have all been there at some point. If you are reading this then the chances are that you are feeling a little nervous or unsure about what he or she is going to think of you and so here are some top tips to help ensure that the date goes well and most importantly that you get that all important second date.

1. Calm Those Nerves

The most important thing is for you to be confident and relaxed when you are on the date and so in order for you to relax tell yourself that it is fine to be nervous, it’s natural. Don’t get too focused on the nerves and try instead to turn those butterflies into excitement. The chances are that your date is just as nervous as you are and the anticipation is always the worst part. Try not to memorise what you want to say or questions to ask as this will probably make you feel more nervous, just trust that the adrenaline will take over and that you will naturally create conversation when you meet. After 5 minutes or so the initial nerves should be gone and you will be free to enjoy the date.

2. Find Something Fun to Do

If you meet up with your date without a plan in mind of what you want to do then things can get awkward as you both feel unsure about an activity to suggest. You will most likely be texting or emailing your date for a while before you arranged the date and so you should arrange where you are going to go before hand. Choose something that is fun and allows you to get to know your date a bit better. Going to the cinema on the first date is often a mistake as you don’t get the chance to have a proper conversation with them. Go for a meal or a drink instead which will let you talk while you enjoy your meal or drinks which will be a welcome distraction and will take the pressure off you having to talk constantly. Mini golf, bowling or a trip to an amusement park are all good ways to break the ice and to have fun.

3. Dress to Impress

Even before you speak your date will have made a snap judgement about you based on how you are dressed, it’s human nature and so you want to be looking your best. If you turn up to a date looking scruffy then you come across as being lazy or uninterested. You don’t have to wear your best suit or ball gown but making a bit of an effort shows your date that you care, you have a good fashion sense and that you are willing to make the effort for them. Simple things like a nice clean pair of shoes without any holes in them and a clean shirt can go a long way.

4. Remember to Do Some Listening As Well As Talking

One of the most off putting things that you can do on a first date is talk too much about yourself and not showing an interest in your date. You should keep the conversation light and snappy, asking plenty questions about the other person to show that you are taking an interest but not so many that they feel that they are being quizzed. Finding a happy medium of talking about them and you is the best way to ensuring that you both enjoy each other’s company.

5. The Goodnight Kiss

Many people spend the whole date worrying about when they should lean in for the goodnight kiss or if they should do it at all. The best advice for this is to simply not think about and just see what happens. You will be able to tell how the date is going and whether they want you to kiss them so it is best to just do what is natural. If you are feeling uncomfortable about it then it is better not to kiss at all than to create an awkward moment at the end of the night. If it is really playing on your mind you could always go in for the kiss straight away and then you will be relaxed enough to enjoy the rest of the date.

If you are currently single then there are many places you can visit online to meet someone such as free online dating UK and free dating UK. Online dating is becoming more and more popular with many people seeing it as a great way to get to know the person well before they meet up.

 

Jim Anderson has been using online dating websites such as UK Dating and dating websites UK for the past few years and he met his current girlfriend online.

 

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