Welcome back from another weekend, gorgeous gay boys of ManPlay! Hopefully you were all able to get your gay chat on over the course of the weekend and meet up with a couple sexy men as well. I know I did! But that’s a tale for another time. However, with two dates of my own this past weekend I started thinking about the cost of dating. In terms of dollars and cents. Let’s face it: We are all watching our spending a little bit more these days and dating can seem an extravagance that some might figure they can do without. Not I!

Christmas hurts your wallet

It’s no secret that over the holidays everyone takes a serious dip into their savings at a time when all of the sudden it seems necessary to buy a Christmas gift for everyone from your postal carrier to your second cousin (twice removed) and all of the sudden the Christmas bonus you got at work has not only disappeared but you are out tons more money with very little to show for it. In the midst of all this madness, does it really seem like a smart move to take out a hottie you met online to the new hotspot that everyone is dying to get into? Not really. I started talking to a couple of my colleagues about ways to have a great time dating and still keep the creditors at bay.

Go for cute, not hip

Instead of attempting to impress your date with the new bar/restaurant/club that everyone has been talking about where you’re bound to pay $18 for a mediocre martini and lackluster service, why not impress them with your knowledge of the best hidden gems in your area? I for one would much rather end up discovering a hole-in-the-wall with atmosphere that I never would have stumbled upon left to my own devices than going to the place that is on every Top 10 Must Try list with more buzz than actual accolades. So what if there is sawdust on the floor and a jukebox that classifies Dolly Parton as Rap? Start up Two Doors Down and kick that sawdust around like you’re in a romantic comedy dance sequence. I always go for fun over pretension and am sure I’m not the only one. Also considering you are hardly alone if you are watching your budget, this is a place your date will likely be happy to know about because he’s more likely to return to it than the posh place-of-the-moment.

Check your local listings!

Not just an expression to find out when your favorite television program is on. It’s also beneficial to see what is going on around town as there are often very cheap (or free!) fun activities going on all the time that don’t require you taking out a loan to afford. Forget those expensive theater tickets and see what some local troupes are offering. Skating is a cheap and romantic date as is strolling around and looking at department store windows or Christmas decorations in an area known for going all out in that department. Don’t forget, you DO get points for creativity!

Now, what do you think of these suggestions? What’s been the best (cheap) date you’ve ever been on? Be sure to let me know in the comments and discuss with the other members of ManPlay online!

John xo

Categories: Gay Chat Hot Boys John