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You Got A Groupon Baby?

Tikeetha TMby
36 Comments on You Got A Groupon Baby?

Me and Mr. C are doing this dating thing and everything is copacetic. Do people even say that anymore? LOL. But, he did mention that his son is getting his driver’s license in February to which he is super excited about.

I asked how much his car insurance is going up a month by adding him to the policy. He replied “$300”. I said “Whoa”. He said “Yeah, so I’m not going to be able to afford to date you anymore. I guess I can just be your friend after that.” I responded “Really?” He said “Yes, the money has to come from somewhere so I need to pull it from the monthly dating fund.”

I paused.

I thought “Is this Negro kidding me? Seriously?”

I said “Babe, listen we’ve been doing this dating thing almost a year now. I know that you have expenses. I respect that. We can definitely do cheaper dates and if you agree to pay for one nice meal a month, I will get the other and we can do cheaper dates the rest of the month.” He said, “Okay.”

Now, what bothered me about the whole situation aside from the fact that he tried to bypass the us to him just being my friend without having a conversation with me. A comment in passing a conversation does not make. Communication is essential in any relationship. He knows that.

Besides, I feel like we have transcended the normal dating to a more serious relationship and did I mention that I was in love? I mean don’t I deserve to have you come to me and discuss changes that will impact your financial situation? I think so.

I told him that. He apologized. We’re all good. So, don’t worry dear readers…we’re still copacetic. But, it did get me to thinking of ways that you and your boo thang can date a little less expensive when financial responsibilities threaten that fund.

Here are 5 Ways to Date Inexpensively:

  1. Groupon – I love finding good deals on Groupon and no they are not paying me. Although I wish they would, I always find good deals on Groupon and I think it’s a great way to try out new restaurants or get good deals for cheaper eats or activities. I’ve bought us Paint Nite tickets on Groupon as well as race tickets. Pretty great site.
  2. Home Dates – No, this is no Netflix and chill situation. Mr. C and I are in a relationship so home dates are cool now. I don’t allow men in my home that are not serious with me. I’m sorry things have changed since I was single and when I became a mother, having a man in my house who I didn’t know his mama’s maiden name and social security number was out of the question. Now, that we’ve bypassed this stage and secured our future I feel comfortable having him in my space. We’re going to have pizza or home cooked dinners and watch movies. No biggie. Low cost and effective. I’m going to get to try out some recipes on him.
  3. Go Dutch – I know this seems like the end of the world for some women, but when you’re in a relationship is it really? I mean his expenses are increasing and I want him to know that it is okay and I don’t want us to stop seeing each other. I’m a parent too and I would hope the same if the roles were reversed. We can split the tab or alternate paying. This isn’t our first date and it would probably be date 100 by the time his expenses change.
  4. Explore Nature – I know, I know…you’re black and you really don’t like the great outdoors. Really? LOL. I used to be that way. But, you can do great things like going for a nature walk and packing a picnic lunch to enjoy later. Don’t feel like cooking? Go by the grocery store and pick up some sandwiches and bottled water for less than $15.00 (unless you go to Whole Foods or Wegman’s). Very inexpensive and fun. I actually enjoy walking around outside with Mr. C. I get my steps in and we can just talk.
  5. Explore Your Neighborhood – I live in Maryland (aka the DMV) and they have a new museum opening up on the 24th of this month. Have you heard about it? The National Museum of African American History & Culture is opening up right in our backyard. Museums are free and we can go and experience this new piece of culture, hang out on the National mall and enjoy street food. I’m thinking a half smoke and bottled water. We can grab a blanket and lay out and just people watch while discussing all the great things we witnessed in the museum. It’s a great way to get to know each other and engage.

That’s all I have for now. Do you have any tips for low cost dating that you want to share? How much do you spend on your monthly dating expenses?

 

 

36 comments

  1. OMG…I love this post. Paul and I were both BROKE single parents when we started dating. We didn’t go on our first “proper” date until we had already been dating for a month. I did allow him into my house, mostly only when my kids were with their Dad. He’d come over and I would make dinner or he would make dinner, we’d then watch a Baseball game or Movie. It was wonderful. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Now, we are still just as happy grilling at home and watching a Netflix movie. Also, I have never been a woman who cares who is paying. I have paid for many dates because I have insisted and have been honored for a date to cover my bill and anywhere in between. HELLO it is 2016!!

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    1. LOL. Thanks Stephanie. I am so looking for low budget items because I know his expenses change. My girlfriend asked “He spends $300 a month dating you?” I said “Yep.” We can definitely cut that down cheaper. I’m cool with that.

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  2. Well, I’ve been married 20 years so I’m way outta the loop on dating. But, we do a couple of “dates” a month. Having 3 kids means some of those dates are on a budget. Sometimes we simply go for a paddle on the lake. Sometimes we just go roam antique stores. Free concerts are great too. The point is to have time for us, not necessarily what we do. Sounds like you’re near DC, so there’s plenty of free stuff to do there. Just being together, sans kids, is what matters. 😃

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  3. I agree, spending time in each other’s company is what matters. You can go for cheap date nights, movie and takeaway on the way home, or free nights in where you watch a movie and eat popcorn from the comfort of the sofa. Or go to a park with a picnic lunch and people watch while enjoying each other’s company.

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  4. My sons did not drive until they were old enough to pay for the insurance themselves. My youngest waited until he was 18. In my state you can hold your permit for a year – that’s what we did. He drove everywhere – no on his own until he was 18 and could pay for it himself. Mr. C must have a really expensive car it adding a 16 year old p/t is going to raise his rates that much 😉

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    1. LOL. Nope, Maryland insurance rates are ridiculous when adding dependents under 21. He has 2 cars and would let his son have and drive the 2003 Acura. It’s 13 years old, but the insurance company insists on adding him to the 2011 Maxima as well. His son is a senior in high school and doesn’t work. He doesn’t want him to work until he can get a job because public transportation is not readily accessible where he lives.

      My mother never added me to her insurance because she couldn’t afford it. I went away to school and had a TN license even when I transferred back to the East coast. So, the insurance company couldn’t add me. She said that she couldn’t afford the increase in her premium. Insurance is expensive here.

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      1. Got it. I thought the $300 was for adding him to one car. Yes, they get you coming and going. I am in CT and I think we’re one of the highest in the country. It’s worth price shopping, but that can be deceiving too. This country does not make it easy on families at all.

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  5. A movie theater in the next town has dollar movie tickets and pretty cheap concessions, so that’s a good way to go to do something different and get out of the house. And I loooove Groupon. It’s been awesome for trying new things.

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  6. Couldn’t have written this better myself. My girlfriend is a Groupon ninja and is always finding entertaining cheap gigs for us and the kiddos. The great outdoors, walking, and the occasional “nice” meal was how we did it for months.

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  9. Whoever said you have to spend alot of money to have a good time. Hubby and I, plus the kids when they were small, loved going to the park, the zoo, the aquarium, museums, and of course the beach. Now that we are empty nesters, we still prefer these things…..movies are not even on our list……popcorn and a dvd is on the list….

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  13. 2 comments: what does copacetic mean? My cell is too far away to grab (sheer laziness) to check dictionary.com. Cheap date: go sit at the designated restaurant of Wal-Mart and people watch. Take pics if you want to live dangerous. At the end see if you can pick who the other picked as the most ridiculous shopper.

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  14. Cool post, Tikeetha! I enjoy staying home with my boyfriend. We HAD a Netflix show but we finished watching it. We watched “Narcos.” I got pissed at him because he saw the last two episodes when I was at work! Lol. We sometimes like going for walks too. I forgot about Groupon! Thanks for the reminder!

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      1. Yes I did! Lol. I thought we were going to watch it when I got out of work but he had already watched it! I’m not mad anymore. Lol. I was mad for a bit that night. He could’ve waited until I got out! Eh idk, maybe I was being a diva. 😂

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