I just posted about this. I fear that I’ve become one of those girls that J.Money deletes from his cell phone because I kindof “expect” a guy to pay. I don’t know how you balance this one. I also have bad habits from being a student for so long and not having any money. Luckily, I don’t date much!

Comingled? It’s our money now, and it’s not a matter of who pays, but rather budgeting for date night.

Matter of fact now that I think about it, I ended up paying for all the dates. :)

@ Stacking Cash – I agree, though there are those that do not think relationships should be about money. However, I think there is a point where the woman should step up and at least sincerely offer to pay – as a treat to him and to show she’s not freeloading. But, I kind of like the guy to pay on the first date. The big thing with me is imagination. In all honesty, a guy could invite me over for a night of video games and a homemade meal and I’d be good. I don’t like the traditional dinner and a movie date. You gotta be a little more creative then that. So, it doesn’t have to cost money, just has to make me feel like you’re interested in me.

@ FB – Yeah yeah, keep rubbing it in that you have this awesome BF! ;) Hehehe. I agree with you, though. The guy should definitely pay for the first date, unless the girl asks and specifically says it’s her treat. At least offer to pay!

@ Nicole – I’m more about the creativity as well. You don’t actually have to spend money on a first date, but if you put a little thought into what we’ll be doing, I’ll accept that as a sign of interest. Honestly, you can pay for the first date all you want, but if it’s the standard dinner and a movie routine, I’m probably not going for a second date. I would prefer someone who actually gave a thought to what we’d do. And no, I don’t have a hot date, just read an interesting study on dating during a recession and thought I’d throw this out there. LOL.

@ Michigan Lady – What do you mean you didn’t read the whole post! Oh! I’m shocked…hehehe. Well, you got the most important part, at least. Thanks for weighing in!

@ Dawn – And why not? I know you’ve got a lot of your plate, but you’re not dead lady! Go forth and date…it’s fun!

@ Tanja – LOL. Yes, I agree that you’re strange! It’s nice to have a guy that will pay for your date. I’ve often told my friends that I was born in the wrong century because I like the age of chivalry. I know it’s not as dead as we like to believe these days, but it is hard to find.

@ Kosmo – I’ve told her, it does no good. She’s not even 26 yet and she’s already freaking out, thinking she won’t ever get married and have kids. I must be getting way over the hill then since I’m 27 and have no current designs on the state of matrimony. Nevertheless, congrats to you and your wife. I like online success stories because I think it’s perfectly fine to meet people online. It’s better then a bar in my opinion, and it’s not really any different then meeting them in the grocery store. Either way, you still have to get to know them.

@ Kev – I think you should have still offered to pay – even if she insisted that she pay given your difference in salaries. Remember, a date doesn’t have to be expensive for most of us. And it may not have been a big deal per se, but most women would still like you to at least offer.

@ J. Money – I was gonna say, how many girls you got in your cell phone expecting you to pay and what does the Mrs. think about all this, lol! But, I definitely think there are women who take advantage of guys and they should not expect that he will pay for everything. I offer to pay half every date, even the first. Now, if he takes me up on the offer on the first date, there probably won’t be a second, but still. I don’t expect that the guy will pay for everything.

@ Ginger – I agree with you…we’re not hardcore feminists! :) But, my friend is a bit of a feminist and she does view it that way. She thinks it’s sort of like buying her…actually, her ideology is a bit more complex then that and I wouldn’t be doing it justice to describe it because I don’t agree, so I’ll leave it. Suffice to say that she doesn’t like to have her dates paid for, she’d rather go dutch.

@ – NtJS – I think you have the right of it! Just keep doing what you’re doing! LOL. But, safe guards aside, do you feel uncomfortable letting a woman pitch in on the first date? Are you only doing it to procure further dates? Sorry to put you on the spot, but I’m just curious.

@ mimi – Wow…sounds like you had an awesome time. Hope that works out for you because it is nice.

@ Ashley – I think most of us are in agreement here for the most part. I sort of expected differing views, at least from the guys perspective, lol. That’s interesting. Someone post anonymously and tell me what you really think!

@ FruGal – Yes indeed, husbands are another matter entirely. Kosmo, J. Money – I know you two are married…still pay for the dates, or do you go dutch? Or is there such a thing as one paying for the other when your money is comingled?

@ Saving Diva – Amen!

@ NtJS – I like that quote…probably going to borrow with integrity!