Sep 15 2008

Too Broke to Date?

I should probably confess right now that in my past I was "that person" that loved going to the movies, but didn't want to spend a small fortune on refreshments, so I'd make a quick stop at the dollar store and grab some goodies to take in to the theater with me. Yeah, that was me. Hey, I haven't done that in a long time...okay, it was Batman the Dark Knight (that was such a great movie, no one even noticed my chicken club sandwich). Anyway, back to the real issue...creative ways to date.

Depending on where you are in your relationship, things will be done differently. If you are at the beginning stages and/or there is some distance between you and your "special half", you can't go wrong with the "Getting to know you video". All it will cost is some time and your imagination. Gather up as many pictures of yourself that you can find and put them together in a slide show. Pick a time that you can talk on the phone and narrate the video as they watch, telling them all the funny stories behind each picture. Not only do they get to know you while hearing your voice, sense of humor and wit. They also get to imagine the next set of photos that include them.

If distance isn't an issue and you love to entertain...you don't have to wait for the Super bowl to have a party. Gather up all your other broke friends, married, single, looking, ask them all to bring a dish or donate the movie, games, whatever and do a good old fashion "blue light in the basement" kind of event. With everyone taking the responsibility of brining an item, no one bears the weight of all the financial responsibility that goes with throwing a party....and everyone chips in to help clean up afterwards. Next month, you go to someone else's house.

One of my favorite cheap date things to do is go to "Open Mic" nights. Whether it's poetry readings, comedy or singers, it's a great night of entertainment that usually only cost between $5-$10 plus a drink or two and you don't have to drink alcohol. If you really want to spice up the date, surprise that special someone by being a part of the show. There's nothing sexier than seeing your date "on stage" performing just for you.

If you are planing the date, I'd go for what the other person's interest are. If they love children the two of you could volunteer to read books to kids at a local school. If they've got a passion for the arts, there is always a theater group around that would love some help with painting a set, or moving costumes or props. It's very easy to find people to help if you really try. Of course you need to follow up a day of volunteering with a light lunch or cup of coffee (it's not as expensive as a dinner date), and the two of you can discuss the events of the day...while making plans to "do it again".

To show you that I practice what I preach, for my honey's birthday back in June, we decided that we would not spend a lot of money on gifts, because we were saving for a romantic trip to Puerto Rico. So, what I did was found pictures of all the things that I wanted to buy him, wrapped them up in tissue and put them in this big beautiful bag with a ribbon. The note said "I O U". I also put in a picture frame a photo of the resort that we were going to in Puerto Rico with our pictures cut and pasted in front of it.

Just when he was excited about all the "future" gifts coming his way, I gave him an envelope with a pair of tickets to a comic book convention that was coming to town that week. I told him to take someone else that loved comics as much as he did...so in essence it was a gift for us both.

We've all heard the expression that money can't buy you love or happiness. However, we all know that it can certainly make the one's you love a lot happier. Don't let your lack of funds translate into a lack of imagination. If you are stumped for creative ideas for things to do, just ask a friend and you know...I'm always around to give my two cents.

This is Leticia...don't ever let money stop you from enjoying the riches in your heart. Oh, by the way, Puerto Rico was the bomb.

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