Dating Advice Tip: Three Ways to Date on a Budget

Pick up newspaper, watch television, surf the web, or listen to the radio and it's not hard to figure out that it is the main topic of conversation around the globe.

And why shouldn't it be? The worldwide economic downturn so far has had devastating results. The credit crunch and mortgage meltdown are just two of the symptoms that many people are feeling. Another is the fact that everything is getting more expensive to buy yet what we earn in the workplace is not keeping up with the escalating prices. In fact wages are remaining stagnant to the point of ridiculous.

But you still have to go out on a date. And it's not that anyone is forcing you too. You like to get out every now and then with your significant other and enjoy yourselves. That's as it should be. But the economic wiggle room many of us used to enjoy has been tightened considerably in a number of areas; personal finances being one of them.

Still there are a few things you can do that could greatly benefit your social life without causing you to check your financial statement every couple of minutes.

1. Use cash

It's the easiest thing in a world to go out on a date, see something you want to buy and charge it. We live in a plastic society. The convenience of a credit card has caused many of us to give up carrying cash altogether. The problem is the bill comes due at the end of the month and far too many of us do not keep track of what we spent on a moment to moment basis.

It could make for some embarrassing situations on a date but even if the money is available in the account, your best bet is to take out enough cash beforehand so you don't have to keep a running tab. This also can prevent impulse buying which has been the scourge of an easy credit world. You are not trying to be a cheapskate but it does force you to be a lot more disciplined.

2. Dutch Treat

Look no matter how much you want to impress your date or just because you are naturally generous does not mean the entire financial burden of the relationship should constantly fall on your shoulders. Even if you make a decent income there's no reason that the other person cannot from time to time pay their own way. Hopefully your date will understand this.

The trick here is to not spring it on them in the middle or end of the date. They maybe under the assumption that you were going to pick up the tab. Surprising them out of the blue can inject unnecessary tension into the relationship. Always discuss something like this well beforehand.

3. Does A Coupon Go With It?

Many places offer discount vouchers yet there is a tendency for some us to not take advantage of them. Why? Because it gives off the air of being cheap and could embarrass you and your date. Well you know what? Get over it.

Every little bit helps and if some restaurant is inviting you to take advantage of a special offer than do it. Again this is one of those things that you can make a lot easier on yourself by telling your date beforehand what you are going to do and asking them for their input. If the two of you are on the same page, than with any luck, they will be upset with you if you DON'T use it.

The economic forecast for the near future does not look good; in fact it is downright bleak. But dating is not going anywhere. Therefore do everything possible to ease the financial strain by taking advantage of some of the options which are available. Just because you are becoming a little more thrifty does not mean you cannot still have a great time in the dating relationship.