Why I’m a Cheap Date: Being Frugal in Relationships
I am a cheap date, and I mean that in the nicest way possible.
7 ways to be a Cheap Date:
1. I prefer a nice home-cooked meal with a night in front of a warm fire or watching a good movie to a fancy dinner date with crappy food and bad champagne. You’d be surprised what the sentiment is behind preparing a meal and a nice evening at home with your loved one can mean.
2. Though I like diamonds, I also like many other rocks and gemstones (I’m a bit of a rockhound) and would prefer a nice peridot, herkimer diamond (quartz) and amber ring instead of expensive diamonds. I actually prefer jewelry made from bone, leather, and wood. I think a ring that represents more than just a pricetag is invaluable. Expensive 2-month-salary diamond rings are -not- an age-old tradition.
3. I own 3 pairs of shoes. That includes 2 pairs of boots for winter and everyday, and 1 pair of sandals. Otherwise I’m barefoot. No need to worry about me spending hundreds of dollars on 100 pairs of shoes. Imagine all the money you’d save if you didn’t purchase all those shoes laying in your closet. (Ever see Clean Sweep? I’ve seen people on there with 150 pairs of shoes) Instead, purchase universal style shoes that can be used with many outfits and attire.
4. I wear eyeliner and eyeshadow, and also brush my hair and go. That’s about it. I don’t need a separate bookbag just to carry all of my cosmetics and grooming accessories. I don’t dry my hair (it’s straight), I don’t put anything in my hair (I like au naturale). I believe that no one needs to spend hundreds of dollars a month on cosmetics to look good. A few barettes or hair pieces to sweep up your mane in a variety of “do’s” is all that is necessary.
5. I hate shopping. I really do. But beyond that, I like to wear my clothes out to the brim. And even then, I like to reinvent them as something else. Whether it’s rags or other garments or being refashioned into bags. The possibilities are endless.
6. My sweetheart knows a well-written letter and a bag of my favorite creme caramels are well appreciated. I don’t want a dozen expensive roses (I prefer plants anyway, so they grow instead of die) or a diamond necklace just to show me how much he loves me. I think people tend to forget the meaning behind gift giving. It’s not about the price tag or having the biggest and best. It’s about the meaning. Prepare a well-thought out gift for your loved one, they’ll appreciate that you didn’t break the bank to do it. Even if it’s just randomly gathering up some wildflowers on your way home from work unexpectedly.
7. The Big Day. People spend a retarded amount of money on their wedding day. It’s just a gathering where people come to celebrate that you’ve decided to be together. Why break the bank by purchasing needless expenditures when you can use this day to have fun and spend time with all the people that love you. Why not make it a pot-luck and allow your guests to provide all of the food? Support a friend or family member who may be a seamstress and have them create all of the gowns and dresses. Have your favorite type of cake made by a friend or family member as well, so there is plenty to go around without the pricetag.
I think the key element is to just not be a high-maintenance date. You should never have trivial financial demands of your significant other, instead you should both put forth the effort to focus on the relationship itself. You’ll be able to save for a comfortable retirement together, and know that you’ll be developing smart financial skills to pass on to your children.
Entry viewed times. Posted in Finance, Romance
4 Responses to “Why I’m a Cheap Date: Being Frugal in Relationships”
October 5th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
You said: “I hate to shop.”
You man is one lucky guy. Do you have a sister??
Michele sent me,
Mike
October 5th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
Well in my case you’re preaching to the choir!
I’m a cheap date too-
In fact I’m amazed at how many people really put a lot of stock in diamonds & expensive dinners out etc. When it doesn’t have any real bearing on who you are or who the person who you’re dating is.
Michele sent me to visit & see what you had to say on a pet peeve of mine!
October 6th, 2007 at 9:21 am
You are so right about wedding rings. It’s all a marketing scam by DeBeers. I got my wife a nice diamond because she does like them.
michele sent me.
October 6th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
I am SO with you on all of this. I have no idea why life has to be so materialistic. People are so focused on the things that they can buy that they forget that true joy comes from the simpler things.
It’s why we live where we live: in a smaller city, far removed from the big, fast-paced town where everyone worships at the altar of consumerism. Every time we visit there, we feel the need to detox for a few days afterward. Ick.
Popped by from Michele’s today to read your captivating site. I’m already looking forward to my next visit.