i'm newly single and i'm going to start dating. but going out seems really expensive these days. i'm not poor but i don't want to become so. I'm a good cook but i think for at least a first date i would want to go out somewhere. i'm 63. i live way out of town and when i factor in the gas to go pick up someone and then go to a restaurant and then do the reverse a date will cost at least $75. what do guys do to keep dating from busting the budget?
Cheap date
- Thread starter randy41
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To me, I would think that you'd be out that $75 minimum at least two or three times, just establishing some type of relationship, then after the two of you have gotten to know one another and found out a few likes and dislikes, then tailor things out. If it's someone you know really well, then you may not be too far offline to suggest her over for a meal, someone you've recently met may not be very comfortable with the same invitation.
I met my wife on a blind date, so to make things more comfortable for her, several of our dates after that were in her hometown, just so she would be in surroundings she was familiar with. Once we'd gotten to know each other quite a bit better, we started going further out and doing different things. About the fourth date in her hometown, I found out that she loved cooking out, so it was easy to suggest that we do some of that, first at her house, later on at my house, since I had a much better setup for that type of function. Also, working together in the kitchen getting things ready seemed to really help in getting to know each other better, plus we got experience in working together.
Now, 24 years later, I still think about how hard I tried to get out of that blind date!
By the way, I really don't think you'd get by on $75 for a good meal, if you really want to impress the lady. I know now that if I'd ever suggested to my then future wife that we go to McDonald's, that would probably have been our last date! She's not one of those high maintenance women, but she sure hates fast food!
Good luck
I met my wife on a blind date, so to make things more comfortable for her, several of our dates after that were in her hometown, just so she would be in surroundings she was familiar with. Once we'd gotten to know each other quite a bit better, we started going further out and doing different things. About the fourth date in her hometown, I found out that she loved cooking out, so it was easy to suggest that we do some of that, first at her house, later on at my house, since I had a much better setup for that type of function. Also, working together in the kitchen getting things ready seemed to really help in getting to know each other better, plus we got experience in working together.
Now, 24 years later, I still think about how hard I tried to get out of that blind date!
By the way, I really don't think you'd get by on $75 for a good meal, if you really want to impress the lady. I know now that if I'd ever suggested to my then future wife that we go to McDonald's, that would probably have been our last date! She's not one of those high maintenance women, but she sure hates fast food!
Good luck
MikeInEburg
Veteran Member
I don't think a first date needs to be a five-star restaurant. Most towns have a couple of little pubs with decent food. I think $50 would get you a nice meal, a couple of drinks, and still have change in your pocket.
smstonypoint
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1. Arrange a "lunch" date -- lunches are less expensive.
2. Go to restaurants that offer the following: senior discounts, coupons, "early-bird" specials, "buy one entree, get one free" specials, etc.
3. Order water with your meal.
4. Ask her to pick up the tip.
Steve
i agree with this. i searched for romantic restaurants (which i think means no loud kids)in this area, the NRV in VA, and all of them would end up being $75 at least just for the meal and that's not counting the cost of driving. so i decided to forget romantic and just go for good tasting food and i think i can do that for $50-$60.
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
I was single for 3 years after my divorce and went on a lot of first dates. I found that what is really important on the first date is being someplace comfortable where you can talk and get to know each other. Starbucks is great for this. It keeps it casual and relaxed without any pressure. If it was for dinner, I found that Mexican restaurants are almost universally liked by everyone. It's casual, fairly quite where you can always start off by talking about the food and other Mexican restaurants.
One thing that I found that helps keep things relaxed and comfortable is to meet her at the restaurant. Very few women now a days want to tell a stranger where they live. This also allows you to end it without any drama or awkwardness if things don't go well. You just go your own way after you eat and avoid the awkwardness of driving her home if the date is a disaster.
You didn't say where or how you are meeting single women. If it is somebody you already know then by all means, pick her up and take her out somewhere fancy. But if it's somebody that you have just met and barely know, then be careful, cautious and remember that there are just as many crazy stalker chicks out there as guys.
I found online dating to be the very best way to meet single women. I was on Match.com and highly recommend it. there are others, and I'm sure it varies by where you are in the country as to what ones are the best in your area. I met Karen on there, and we will be together one year on the 30th of this month. I've met some great friends on there, and some crazy people. It's like anything else, the good and the bad, but what I like about it so much is that you get to filter out who you meet by reading their profile and seeing if there is anything more to them then just their looks.
Good luck,
Eddie
One thing that I found that helps keep things relaxed and comfortable is to meet her at the restaurant. Very few women now a days want to tell a stranger where they live. This also allows you to end it without any drama or awkwardness if things don't go well. You just go your own way after you eat and avoid the awkwardness of driving her home if the date is a disaster.
You didn't say where or how you are meeting single women. If it is somebody you already know then by all means, pick her up and take her out somewhere fancy. But if it's somebody that you have just met and barely know, then be careful, cautious and remember that there are just as many crazy stalker chicks out there as guys.
I found online dating to be the very best way to meet single women. I was on Match.com and highly recommend it. there are others, and I'm sure it varies by where you are in the country as to what ones are the best in your area. I met Karen on there, and we will be together one year on the 30th of this month. I've met some great friends on there, and some crazy people. It's like anything else, the good and the bad, but what I like about it so much is that you get to filter out who you meet by reading their profile and seeing if there is anything more to them then just their looks.
Good luck,
Eddie
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1. Arrange a "lunch" date -- lunches are less expensive.
2. Go to restaurants that offer the following: senior discounts, coupons, "early-bird" specials, "buy one entree, get one free" specials, etc.
3. Order water with your meal.
4. Ask her to pick up the tip.
Steve
I have to say, I think that # 1 is the only part of that recommendation that would fly for the first date, that is if you might want a 2nd date.
Carl_NH
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Well, you are most interested in finding out about each other and focus less on food. Once you get to know each other likes and dislikes, a spendier dinner may be in order.
Also, a weekend date, a Saturday afternoon or a Sunday brunch is not expensive and assume you need to "go to town" yourself once a week, so combine your trips. Or decide to meet at a destination - like a (tractor) museum, go to a fair, or a comedy club etc.
at this point i know the women i want to take out and plan to ask one of them out next week. i don't anticipate any problem finding women to date in the age range i'm looking for. but now eddie's got me wondering what would turn up on match.com.
smstonypoint
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I have to say, I think that # 1 is the only part of that recommendation that would fly for the first date, that is if you might want a 2nd date.
Well, he said he didn't want to bust his budget.
Steve
