Budget dating ideas that don’t cost a fortune
Let’s call it what it is.
Dating is expensive!
Besides the cost of making yourself look less sasquatchey (pretty sure we’ve financed our beautician’s third salon) and more like the Snapchat Goddess that you are, you have the cost of the date itself – movies, dinners etc., all of which quickly deplete your fun budget. And yes, we always go Dutch!
So before you go and sign up to discount days on various voucher websites check out our date ideas that don’t suck (budget or balls):
In tandem
Most big cities have places where you can hire a tandem bike and which are really affordable (around £40 for the whole day). It’s also also a right hoot and you get to explore your city (and your date’s bottom) more closely. Remember to take a picnic with you to refuel (*wink *wink) at the next park.
Pop-up Wine Bar
Vinery London is hosting another pop-up wine bar this Saturday. Just rock up and sample some delicious wines and pay what you think the night was worth (and based on how much you’ve guzzled away).
Volunteer together
Volunteering together may not be the first thing that pops into your head when you think ‘hot date’ but it can be a really fun and rewarding experience. Head on over to http://www.do-it.org for some ideas and let’s not forget the mayjaaah karma points you score. Who knows, this could be your thing as a couple.
Just have pudding
A girl’s gotta eat, right? So next time you head on to a restaurant, why not ditch the starter and main course and just have one (or four) different desserts to share with your date instead? It will be cheaper and let’s face it, you will have the pudding anyway so you might as well have the brownie, lemon tart and creme brûlée at the same time.
Go to a festival
What’s better than to dance the night away with bae at a festival? Dancing the night away at a free festival of course. Check out this handy guide to find one in your area.
Do you have any other wallet-friendly date ideas you want to share with a fellow dater? Share them in the comments below!
Signs of a bad relationship
It is believed that William Shakespeare wrote what would later become the most famous love story of all time – Romeo and Juliet – between 1591 and 1595. A quote from this tragic play is:
“Don’t waste your love on somebody, who doesn’t value it.”
It’s safe to say these words are as true as they were almost 450 years ago and what better way to honour the playwright than to take inspiration from his words. My guess is that you, dear reader, have experienced unrequited love before, much like rest of us. It happens. You love someone but they don’t love you back. The healthy way to deal with this is to recognise the truth and move on. Yet sometimes, people become so wrapped up in a relationship, it seems impossible for them to see just how unhealthy that relationship is. Read on and discover the signs of a bad relationship:
Your partner puts you down
If your partner calls you names, ridicules you or makes you feel like an idiot in private or in front of others then they are no good for you! No one should be made to feel inferior or stupid in a loving relationship and if that’s happening to you, it’s time to leave.
You are keeping secrets
If you can’t tell your family or friends about the things your partner says and does, then you may not be in a healthy loving relationship. If you lie to protect him/her, you devalue your own principles and could damage other important relationships.
Your partner wants you to change
If you new partner is very critical of the things you do and the way you look, it’s safe to say they do not truly love you. In a healthy relationship you don’t have to apologise for who you are. A healthy relationship will get your confidence to grow. In an unhealthy one it will shrink.
You feel bad, guilty, unhappy, depressed, or sad about your relationship
A loving and good relationship is happiness, equality, respect and kindness. If you don’t feel secure, comfortable and loved in your relationship, then you may be with the wrong person.
Your partner doesn’t trust you
Constant phone calls, texts, emails and demands on your time. Jealous fits and angry accusations are NOT signs of love! If your partner doesn’t trust you or accuses you of lying, then you need to re-evaluate your love. Opening your post or showing up at work unexpectedly, means they don’t trust you. This is a sign of deep insecurity, which could lead to more serious relationship problems.
Your partner controls everything
Your partner making all the decisions may give you the illusion you are with a confident person but the need to control every aspect your life together is often another sign of deeply rooted insecurities. These are not easily dealt with and can be a sign of bad times ahead. A healthy relationship is a democracy, not a dictatorship.
Different expectations
You constantly argue about financial issues, family matters, or goals for your future and can’t seem to agree on your plans for the future. Perhaps it’s time to rethink this relationship. Nobody has the exact same plans for the future, but the happiest couples have the same goals and desires.
Your loved ones don’t approve of your relationship
No one should choose their partner based on their family and friends’ opinions, but it’s still important to take their opinions into consideration. If your family or friends have strong reservations about your partner, seek specific reasons. Find out the root of their feelings, and try to be objective.
Saying they love you but not showing it
We’ve all done things in the past that have upset others, often unintentionally. But doing something knowingly that will upset the other person clearly shows a lack of respect. If your partner doesn’t care about your needs and wants, it’s really not healthy.
Be honest with yourself – the sooner you face the truth, the sooner you can start over. Everyone has a right to be happy and to be loved for who they are.
Does any of the above resonate with you? Have you been in an unhappy relationship? What made you decide to end it?
Your comments are as always welcome.
Hello, my name is Datezilla
You have been single for some time now and regularly go on dates in your attempt to find Mr/Miss Right. Yet, somehow it’s not happening and you are slowly beginning lose hope that you will ever find that special person. This is natural and it happened to me too. I was single for almost 2 years and each time I went on a date, I kept thinking to myself, “Gosh, I hope he’s The One!” Needless to say that my high expectations were dashed each time.
So, what’s changed? I told a friend about my situation, and true to her straight shooting character, she bluntly told me to, “just chill”. I was hurt and miffed at first. Didn’t she know how important this was? How serious?
Recalling my most recent dates, I was embarrassed to think of my behaviour, realising I had been trying way too hard and as a result I had scared them all away.
That’s when it hit me. I had turned into Datezilla!
Once my perspective had shifted though, I was able to see dates for what they are, a great opportunity to meet interesting people and I started to make the most of them. I began to have fun and paid attention to the person I was with, rather than analysing each and every word, movement or signal. I began to relax and so did my dates. And it wasn’t long before that special someone popped into my life without me even trying. Funny how these things work out.
So, my dating advice to you singles out there is:
- Listen more, talk less
- Have more fun
- Stop trying so hard
- Be yourself
That’s all you can do. Dating should be fun, not a chore. So, in the words of my (brutally honest) friend, “Just chill.”
If you liked this blog please tell us why. We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Success with Plenty More Fish
Hi fellow daters!
Just received an email of Wendy. She met her Phil on Plenty More Fish and we think that’s pretty fab, right? So here’s a big cyber kiss :-* from us to Wendy for sharing their story and we hope you guys the best and happiest future together! x
Phil mentioned that he was on Plenty More Fish and I thought that I’d give it a try. We saw each others profiles and made contact online. We’d met previously, but it was fun having a chat and interesting to read what interested the both of us. We got to know one another and the friendship developed; we met at our local modern jive group, as we both enjoy dancing and have very similar interests. When we danced, our eyes met and it was as if the rest of the world vanished. We now see each other every day, were inseperable!
Thank you P.M.F, you helped to bring us two together. We’ll have to see whats in store for us now, but we ll keep you up to date!
Wendy & Phil
Ready to go fishing? Cast your net at Plentymorefish.com . Registration is FREE and you could be browsing for singles in your area right away!
Success with Plenty More Fish
Psst! Do you hear that?
That’s little happy squeaks coming from Plenty More Towers, as we have just received another wonderful success story, this time it’s from Jodlin and Keith, who wrote to us to share how they found love and happiness through online dating. This is their experience:
Keith sent a very tongue in cheek ‘icebreaker’, and I replied not really expecting anything. We got chatting and agreed to meet for our first date on Valentine’s Day. We were both like two nervous teenagers on the morning of the date. We have had a number of dates since then and are now introducing each other to our respective families. We are two halves of a jigsaw of many pieces that together make a complete picture, it’s just wonderful. We wish success to other couples and hope they can find their dream partner and share in the love that we found.
Joldin & Keith
Congrats you guys and a very happy future from us all here at Plenty More Fish! xxx
Spring is here! Time for new beginnings!
This morning the Earth drifted through an astronomical checkpoint marking the official start of spring in the northern hemisphere. Everyone at Plenty More HQ is looking forward to longer and hopefully sunnier days. Bet you are too.
Spring means the rebirth of fauna and flora. The birds are singing and the bees buzzing and we all start to feel more alive. Love is in the air and if you are single, this is the best time to up your game and get yourself noticed. So out with the old, in with the new as they say. Change your look, do something you’ve always wanted to do or stop something that no longer makes you happy. ‘Cause as we keep saying, happy peeps are seriously attractive.
So, how do you ramp up your phwoar-factor?
Spring Tip No 1: Try new things
It’s not very enticing to get out and do things during the dark and damp winter months, but as the days are getting longer this is the ideal time to try something you haven’t tried before. Get out of your rut and into something new. Doing something different puts the ZING back into your life and gives you something exciting to talk about on your dating profile. And who knows, Mr/Ms Right might find that particular subject really interesting.
Spring Tip No 2: Do things differently
It’s easy to get into habits. But how boring is that? Routines may be comforting, but doing the same things day in day out, will give you the same results. Changing your routine will spice things up again, give you a different perspective and get you to notice new things and people again. So when you are online, try a new search, change your profile, add new photos and go on dates with different types of people. Broaden your horizons and maybe that special someone you’ve been looking for was there all along, you just didn’t see.
Spring Tip No 3: Let go
Letting go of past hurt is one of the best ways to increasing happiness and bringing that joie de vivre back. Dwelling in the past will keep you firmly there, so let go and give yourself permission to move on. Remember? This is a new beginning.
Spring Tip No 4: Be positive
Dates gone wrong or a lack of dates can be disheartening and frustrating. But hang in there and don’t take it personal. Everything happens for a reason so try to find the positive lessons to take away and then cast your net again….remember, there’s plenty more fish in the sea! 😉
Spring Tip No 5: Fall in love
…with yourself. Being in tune with who you are and knowing what you want in life is one of the most attractive qualities a person can posses. So in the words of Nat King Cole: “Let there be love!”
Here’s to new beginnings and finding love and happiness this spring!
If you liked today’s post please let us know. Get in touch or leave us a comment. x
Success with Plenty More Fish
I read Richard’s profile and instantly thought he sounded like the man for me. I approached him and we spoke on the message service a few times. After a few false starts we persevered and finally met up and I was right, we are perfect for each other. I live in SW London and Richard in Windsor but we try and spend as much time together as possible, we love each other’s company and spend most of our time laughing. If you can believe in love at first sight, then this is it. We are already planning our future together.
Lizzie & Richard
Thank you Lizzie for sending us your success story. There’s no better feeling than being in love, is there? We hope it may never end and wish you both a very happy future together!
If you too believe in love at first sight, why not give Plenty More Fish a go? Who knows, Mr/Ms Right could be waiting for you right now!
Registration is easy and best of all FREE! Click here and meet singles in your area.
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