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Trying to date while broke

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ThLunarian

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If you're a straight male, is it just impossible to date around during the times when money is extremely tight and you can barely afford to go to McDonald's by yourself?

How do, for example, broke college students do it?

I'm asking because I am currently a very broke college student, and it's severely limiting my social life. I regularly see and meet women who I'd love to ask out for coffee or a drink, but I can't do it because I know I couldn't afford to take them anywhere for a second date (and the coffee/drink date alone would be stretching the budget too far anyway).

Are poor people just doomed to loneliness?
 
To be honest, I was once like you. I worked and have money now but i regretted the fact that I didn't make more connection while I was in college. You can asked them out just to establish a friendship or relationship, it doesn't have to be gf/bf shit.
 
Depending on what you have in your pantry you can cook dinner together and have a romantic night in.

Also, there might be some cheap or free museums in your city (I'm spoiled being near DC).
 
First of all make it clear to the girl that you don't have a lot of money, and if she likes you she'll understand, and you can do things together that don't require a lot of money. You can do a lot of stuff together without money.

I'm guessing you don't have a job? Get one? Don't say it's too hard to work and take classes at the same time
 
Just tell them you are a little short on the money front lately and that you'd prefer to skip directly to the free sex.
 
You gotta find some rich girls. Go to a rich area, try to become a play boy, receive gifts etc

Then when you save up enough money, move on to the next woman.
 
Persona86 said:
You gotta find some rich girls. Go to a rich area, try to become a play boy, receive gifts etc

Then when you save up enough money, move on to the next woman.
Click to expand...

My dad once offered me this pearl of wisdom: Son, you gotta marry a rich one, and play with the pretty ones.
 
The Bronx Zoo is free on Wednesdays and there's always some shit going on in Central Park. Cook lunch or dinner at home.

Don't pretend to be a big spender in the first place.
 
Too broke for coffee is rough. Maybe get a job?

If not, stick to free gatherings (frat parties, school events, etc.) until you can meet someone who you feel you have a nice connection with.

Then explain your situation. Maybe hit up a food bank and cook her dinner at your place when you break the news to her.
 
Easy.

Either

A. Date girls who have money.

or

B. Tell girls who care that you are broke to hit the road.



If someone won't spend time with you unless you outspend yourself they are someone you might as well take the next step and just hire a hooker.
 
Sub_Level said:
My dad once offered me this pearl of wisdom: Sln, you gotta marry a rich one, and play with the pretty ones.
Click to expand...
Haha a wise man indeed.

But seriously OP if you do get girl at least you will know she ain't a gold digger.

You can go to parks, hang outside college or whatever, its the quality time you spend together that counts, money and destination is not always necesarry. Good luck brother.
 
If you're a broke student, chances are you're trying to date other students, and thus the standards work out so that you're not expected to blow a load of dosh every date.

...I'd imagine.
 
"Wanna come over and watch a movie?"

College dating in one sentence.
 
Hot Coldman said:
If you're a broke student, chances are you're trying to date other students, and thus the standards work out so that you're not expected to blow a load of dosh every date.

...I'd imagine.
Click to expand...
You'd think that right? But everyone wants to date the guts who DO have money. :p
 
If you've got a bit of money and some buddies in the same situation, my classmate told me about grouper. Basically a group dating service.

Edit: Making a small meal at your place and a movie work really well, too
 
In college? House parties.

Dating is hard even when you have some cash for dates. I always do coffee on date 1 anyways, so maybe try that too? Typically you each buy your own then, and only have to worry about cash on date 2 but at least you'll know she's (he's?) not crazy.
 
Redefine the term "date." The only important factor in a good date is the ability to have an interesting discussion with each other. With that in mind, just ask a girl to go for a walk with you. Visit a park, take a stroll through a neat neighborhood, or explore a part of town you guys don't know. Ironically, by not frequenting the typical "date" locations, you score points for originality and spontaneity, while saving money.

Boom. I just handed you the key. Go forth and multiply.
 
This has been a problem for me, but things are gonna clear up soon when my job starts.

Now I all have to do is save some money for a car and I'm good.
 
Get creative man. It's easy to date on the cheap in college.

Museums, galleries.
Parks. It's the summer.
Stargazing.
Driveins.
College events. Most college have social events that they plan for students.
Frat parties. Free booze.
Dive bars and cheap restaurants.
Movie night.
Picnic.
Home cooking with candles
The beach
Poetry readings
BBQs

I can go on and on. Money should be not an issue if you're trying to find someone. A lot of my close female friends were more impressed by creative dates and than being wine and dined. Also a lot of younger and contemporary women can feel umcomfortable when you spend a lot of money on them with fancy diners in the beginning.
 
entrement said:
Get creative man. It's easy to date on the cheap in college.

Museums, galleries.
Parks. It's the summer.
Stargazing.
Driveins.
College events. Most college have social events that they plan for students.
Frat parties. Free booze.
Dive bars and cheap restaurants.
Movie night.
Picnic.
Home cooking with candles
The beach
Poetry readings
BBQs

I can go on and on. Money should be not an issue if you're trying to find someone. A lot of my close female friends were more impressed by creative dates and than being wine and dined.
Click to expand...

I'm with you on all of that but am I the only one who thinks picnics are the lamest thing ever? Even the word sucks.
 
Shagwell said:
I'm with you on all of that but am I the only one who thinks picnics are the lamest thing ever? Even the word sucks.
Click to expand...

Depends. If you bring PBJ, yes lol.

But a cheap bottle of sparking wine, some french bread and decent cheese like brie, aged cheddar. Gold!
 
I had some money in college ,but a lot of times when going out women wanted to pay. I barely had to pay when going out on dates. That ended as soon as college was over.

If you're low on money go on low on money type dates like picnics, public festivals, campus events, movie/ game night with friends or just the two you. There is plenty to do.
 
entrement said:
Get creative man. It's easy to date on the cheap in college.
Click to expand...
These are great, but then two quick tips:

1) obviously, it feels pretty forward if you get someone's number and then immediately invite them over to your place for a meal and two...

2) if you want something more significant than casual dates and they are hesitant about you just because of your finances as a student, then that relationship isn't going to get any better as it goes on.
 
Depends on what is going on in your area. In my town there is a amphitheater with free performances several nights during the week, the museums have free days, sometimes even just walking around downtown is cool. You don't have to be a baller to have companionship. I will honestly say that I got more action when I was broke than I do now. I think I put a lot more effort into it back then, lol.

Being a student, you have a chance to meet up with other broke students who will understand. One of my friends has been married for about 10 years now. He was broke as a joke when they got together. I mean they used to take "dates" to the convenience store and buy the 2 for $1 hot dogs. You just have to be who you are and don't let the lack of funds kill your confidence.
 
Deadly Cyclone said:
In college? House parties.

Dating is hard even when you have some cash for dates. I always do coffee on date 1 anyways, so maybe try that too? Typically you each buy your own then, and only have to worry about cash on date 2 but at least you'll know she's (he's?) not crazy.
Click to expand...

Coffee? Really? Great, or maybe you could go somewhere and just eat a bunch of caramels. When you think about it, it's just as arbitrary as drinking coffee.
 
I can empathise with OP so much it's depressing and counting the cost of everything like that Dave Chapelle sketch makes me wanna weep. I'd recommend just casual hook ups, movie at yours with some cheap meal you made, picnic in the park or the best advice get your shit in order. Advice I have to follow myself.
 
I went to watch a movie with a friend a couple of days ago and that was my entire monthly "fun budget". (I usually reserve some money for entertainment because I will just end up inside my house all month and go crazy, usually a cheap video game).

I gave up dating long ago, if I see a pretty girl. I'm line oh well, I can't even ask her out. But you still have hope TC.
 
Get a job. Even 10 hours a week will give you enough spending money for a date.

But living on campus is easy, because college students don't always "date" in the traditional sense. You invite her to the dining hall, you invite her to a party, you invite her to your room to watch a movie.

As an aside, I've never taken a girl out for coffee. I don't even like coffee. Dinner or drinks.
 
If you're too broke to even get a coffee then yeah, I'd say you have more pressing things to worry about than dating.

Can you find a part-time job or something? It would help.
 
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