We have all been there: you are an hour into a first date and you realize this connection is going nowhere—and fast. Maybe it is a lack of shared interests or maybe you just cannot stand another minute with the person sitting across from you. Either way, you have just wasted time and money, which would be better spent elsewhere.
Let’s face it: it is expensive to date. From start to finish, you will spend a lot of money, regardless of your gender or where you go to meet people. When you hang out with your friends in anticipation of meeting a potential mate, you are already spending money: cover charges for clubs and bars, parking garage passes, admission fees, and maybe even a babysitter if you have kids at home. If you are at a bar or club, you can bet on dropping upwards of fifty dollars in a night on drinks alone.
Then, taking the scenario a step further, assume you meet a nice man or woman and set up a future date. In these days of equality, many women prefer to pay their half on a date, taking the financial pressure off of the man. However, regardless of payment arrangements, one or both parties will end up spending even more money during this awkward, getting-to-know-you period: restaurants, taxi cabs, movie theaters, and so on.
Yet, it all may be for naught. Many dates are arranged before either person knows much about the other. This sets forth a rather large risk that you will end up in the aforementioned scenario, in which neither person is interested and would have much rather just kept his or her money.
This is where such online dating websites as eHarmony come in handy. It provides a more cost-effective way to meet people—and in much larger numbers! There is no commitment to spend money or time together until you have deemed each other truly worthy.
By way of eHarmony’s scientifically proven compatibility tests and subsequent guided communication system, users are able to meet better candidates much more quickly than if they were to pick a stranger out of bar, based on looks and initial impressions alone. These online sites give daters a chance to ask those early getting-to-know-you questions, without having to spend the time and money (and face the potentially awkward situation of avoiding the unwelcomed end-of-date kiss) to reach that point.
While the initial cost of purchasing an online dating site membership seems like the more expensive venture, it turns out to be much cheaper in the long run. For thrifty daters, it takes away the expense of meeting strangers. In a way, such sites as eHarmony even push users past the first few dates. By the time two matches ever meet up, they will already know a lot about one another. They will already feel assured that there is a good chance of a relationship spark, before they even have to feed the parking meter.
Click here for Registration.
The holiday gift-giving season is almost here. However, daters beware! Sending the wrong type of gifts can be hazardous to your relationship.
Can you imagine giving a gal that you’ve just met a pair of diamond earrings? No pressure, right?! Or the flip side, if you offer that special someone, whom you’ve gotten really close in the past 6 months, a pair of white socks, how romantic is that? The appropriateness depends on the stage of your relationship.
Generally the longer you’ve been dating, the more expensive the gift. There are some gender differences too.
Guys usually like gifts that are more utilitarian, while women tend to appreciate romantic presents. Here’re some timely gift ideas that will definitely impress!
Less than 3 Months (Just Starting )
Go for light hearted, but sincere. You’re still getting to know each other. Now is NOT the time to splurge on something grand & expensive. The other person would be in an awkward position if they didn’t get you something similar. You want to come across as thoughtful, not over-compensating.
And if things don’t work out, then it’d be like flushing money down the toilet. If the guy likes to drink, then get him a stylish beer mug set that’d impress his drinking
buddies. Anchor Hocking, a 104 year old company, resonates with class & quality in this category.
$19.99
See’s Chocolate Candies will melt your gal’s sweet tooth. This high end candy maker owned by Warren Buffet will ensure some truly blissful moments.
$29.75
3 – 6 Months (Getting Serious)
Things are heating up. You’re now in a more intense & accelerated stage. Clothing is an intimate item, and could make a great gift!
Women often have a better sense of fashion than men, and are more likely to pick something that will look great! But guys don’t despair. You could enlist the service of a trendy & knowledgeable saleswoman. Or just get a gift card! Then actually go shopping with her to pick out something nice. That's a very romantic gesture, and will earn you dividend.
Ladies, this Plush Robe is definitely soft & comfy, especially when hugging & cuddling…
$110
Guys, you probably want to take her shopping at this store. 
$100
6+ Months (Serious)
Ok, now you are quite serious about one another. It’s time to demonstrate with something fancy & thoughtful.
This Titanium Seiko watch at Macy's is a balance of value & style. He will definitely get plenty of compliements.
$318.75
Gentlemen, better up the ante and get her something really nice like this Diamond Double Heart Pendant in 15K white gold from Blue Nile. If you plan it just right with a romantic dinner, magical things could happen…
$340
The value of the gifts doesn’t buy love. However money sure helps! Yes the economy sucks right now. But your gift sends a strong signal of your investment in the relationship. So do the right thing, and give something that will truly wow!
You have just spent the last couple hours with a beautiful woman in which you shared stories of your childhoods and batted questions back and forth like a tennis tournament. It went off without a hitch—even better than you expected! Now you are driving her home, pulling into her driveway, locking the emergency brake…and you have no clue about what to do next. To kiss or not to kiss?
That final moment of the date can be unbelievable awkward. Even if everything leading up to it were perfect, the last two minutes can make or break the whole experience in her mind. First off, you do not want to seem too eager for the kiss, lest she think you are too pushy or desperate. On the other hand, aloofness can also turn her off if she thinks you don’t like her after all.
Decide the better setting: should you stay in your car or walk her to her door? While your car will afford more privacy, it isn’t nearly romantic or chivalrous as being escorted on one’s door. Shut off the engine and get out.
Start by studying her demeanor. Is she lingering, talking about what fun she had, how you should do it again sometime? Gushing over or recapping (going over funny moments from earlier) the date is a pretty good sign that she is into you. If she were not, she would probably rush through this part to get you on your way as soon as possible or just hop out of the car with a passing “buh-bye” over her shoulder. But if you sense hesitation, it’s likely because she is somewhat shy and you will be the one to make a move.
The best way to ease into a situation is to take her hand, thank her for the great time, then kiss the back of her hand gently. Corny? Maybe. Nevertheless, this move is ingenious. If the girl is not into you, you’ll sense it immediately. Yet it won’t be an awkward confrontation in which she pulls away and gasps, “Eek, get away!” You can just stop at the hand-kissing with no hard feelings.
However, if after your gentlemanly act, she beams and blushes and continues to linger with her hand in yours, she is clearly into it. At this point, you may either stop while you’re ahead or take it to the next step by leaning in for a kiss. While still holding her hand in one of yours, put your other hand at the back of her head, drawing her closer. This will also help you to guide her the right way, avoiding the embarrassing nose-bump or accidental tongue-to-nostril contact. Keep your hand there even after you have kissed, which will make her feel enveloped by you.
Finally, if you have not been kneed in the groin at this point, you can officially consider your first date a raging success!
