Queercents

After traveling for a month, I was definitely in need of a free date with my honey. I wanted to save cash but still have a lot of fun.  Spending up to $10.00 did cross our mind for dinner out; but we discarded that idea and went with the no money concept.

First, we walked to the Theatre Art Galleries.  It was approximately 2.5 miles – one way and took less than 30 minutes.  Admission is free. The 3 galleries are actually located within the community theatre.  They also feature a youth gallery and often have guest lecturers. 

As I took in the eclectic pieces, in Gallery A, a new appreciation for the city I call home awakened inside.  I decided to venture up to the second floor. Gallery B was closed, but the halls were littered with magnificent pieces of artwork. 

Then, the youth gallery called my name.  I immediately sat down at the “Creation Station” and tried to figure out how to draw myself.  The mirror supplied for self portraits was definitely for a child much smaller and younger than myself.  But it didn’t matter.  I still tried, in vain, to develop my profile. The most interesting thing I found out during this adventure is one of my eyes is more of a round shape, while the other is more oval. In all of my years of living,  I never noticed it before.  I really had a lot of fun!

I encourage parents to check out your area to see if these types of galleries exist for your little ones. Often times they offer free family nights or discounts on certain days. Remember, a babysitter is not always required for an evening out.

We enjoyed ourselves so much that we plan on volunteering with the theatre.  I am sure our next absolutely free date will involve ushering someone to their seat before we take in the show. 

Photo Credit: Stock. Xchng

I have been in Florida since the 3rd of July. Let me tell all of you long distance lovers, I can now empathize with you. When I happened upon a new park, store, or restaurant I longed for my honey to be nearby. I couldn’t turn to my left and say, “Hey look at the great deal on these shoes!” (They were $7.99 in a boutique in Hollywood Beach, FL) That was the hard part. How do you do it?

Although not my preferred method of communicaition, I must eat my words and say that text and instant messages have become my friend. Although my fingers and wrists don’t like it one bit, the technology is useful for keeping my telephone budget under control.

Since this was a short-term separation, we chose to get pre-paid cellular phones. We purchased Virgin Mobile phones for $14.99 and chose the Unlimited Texter’s Delight Plan for $19.99 the entire month. Because I am a talker and really don’t know when to put the phone down we chose this method. If I had a plan, I am sure I would have talked up those minutes very quickly. I will see her again in a few days so there was no need to go out and get a 2-year contract on a cell phone plan.

To sustain my sanity, we did play a few online games of Gin Rummy. You can actually choose your own table and password protect it so that only you and your honey can be in the room. That was a lot of fun. I lost many of those games. Hmmm, maybe that’s why we stopped playing. Read the rest of this entry »

Life can sometimes be really stressful. However, dating doesn’t have to be. Consider taking a little rendezvous at a luscious spa retreat.  Is this endeavor too rich for your blood? Then a local day spa may do the trick.  Some nail shops even offer massages along with the manicures and pedicures.

To get the best treatment for your money, do a little research. Call ahead of time to determine services available, cost, and reservation requirements.  If you want to make the experience a little more intimate, consider trying this recipe for an indulgent evening at home.

APHRODISIAC BATH BLEND
Whip up an Aphrodisiac Bath Blend to relax the mind, while the properties of the essential oils stimulate sexuality and euphoria. Read the rest of this entry »

The Fourth of July weekend is the easiest weekend to be downright cheap on a date. As cities across the country plan festivities, most of them are also eating the cost.

Parades, revolution re-enactments, festivals, musical entertainment, and the fireworks lend themselves to the best thrifty dates. Even if there is an entrance fee-it’s probably minimal.  However, you will need to be cautious about the events you attend. The funnel cake, candy apples, beer gardens, and cute trinkets sold by those adorable vendors can blow your budget out of the water!

Don’t be afraid to BYOE; bring your own everything! Drinks, good eats for a picnic, chairs, and blankets set the stage for a wonderful day.  Consider bringing playing cards, bubbles, or board games to help pass the time if you arrive early at the fireworks staging area.  Read the rest of this entry »

Giving gifts is a great way to express gratitude, break the ice, or just make the other person feel good. People give flowers on almost every occasion: first dates, the day after, birthdays, engagements, anniversaries- I don’t know of any occasion where flowers aren’t appropriate. However, if the receiver has allergies or doesn’t have a green thumb the foliage may reach the garbage heap before it was intended.

According to AboutFlowers.com, the floral industry raked in over 20 billion dollars in retail sales in 2007. That’s a lot of money for an item that may die. For the person who does not appreciate them, what do you buy? For those who simply can not afford them, what is the alternative? What do you give to show your date that you appreciate the time being spent with you? In lieu of flowers, here are three unconventional gift ideas to give on dates:

Gift Cards: Usually, I would say gift cards are for the lazy people who don’t want to think before buying gifts. On the contrary, strategically purchased gift cards over a period of time, could lead to a great date night that is pre-paid all the way. Read the rest of this entry »

When thinking about the mountains, most people may think of skiing or camping. I have not done either and really have no intention of ever setting foot on the ski slope. But, I love exploring mountain towns. They are full of charm and relaxation. Plus, they have a wide array of budget friendly activities in which to participate. Driving down scenic highways and gem panning are unique dating activities just to name a few.

On the first trip I planned to the mountains, the word “budget” was not in my vocabulary.  I drank in all that Asheville, NC had to offer. Asheville is home to the Biltmore Mansion. The grounds are exquisite. The many hidden waterfalls, lakes, and views of the mountains on the property made me want to pack my stuff and move right in.

The Smoky Mountains has many waterfalls throughout the region.  I really wanted to explore the “waterfall pathway” but I was afraid of getting lost.  Lucky for you, your road trip doesn’t have to be treacherous. Check out the National Scenic Byways Program online.  They have maps and lots of information to get you started exploring in your neck of the woods. A tank of gas, cell phone for emergencies, and of course a car is all you need to have a good time. Let the roads be your guide. Read the rest of this entry »

A really good friend of mine will not date anyone that does not share her cell phone carrier. In my mind, that is a little extreme. Luckily, cell phone companies have jumped on the family and friends bandwagon whereby one can call certain numbers without affecting the cost of the monthly bill. But the requirement of a cell phone in a relationship is a little far fetched.

I have seen too many people use it as an electronic leash. Others use it for emergency purposes and still others use it for everything imaginable: talking, texting, photography, email, weather, directions, etc. On talk shows, I often see people talking about making dates, having intimate conversations, and even expressing undying love and affection through text messaging. This phenomenon has to be my biggest pet peeve. Love notes in 160 characters or less is the biggest joke around. It just isn’t enough space to type a well formulated thought. This little convenience is robbing relationships of much needed communication. Read the rest of this entry »

Generally speaking, I love food. Which means my nights out generally revolve around great culinary experiences. Even if it’s not the main focus, we still somehow end up at an eatery. I mean everyone gets thirsty or a little hungry right? But what if the food tradition were eliminated on dates? What would that date look like?

This endeavor would not be easy. We are inundated with food options everywhere we turn. Even on television dating shows, the average couple spends a good amount of time stuffing food in their mouths over lousy conversation. Can one even manage a date without buying a drink? Can you imagine trying to have a conversation with a dry mouth? Personally, I think it’s impossible.

But, just think about the amount of money you could save. I can remember easily spending $30 or more on food during a date (and that’s on the low end). If calculated over a year, even at one date a month- I could have added over $350 to my coffer. That does sound enticing. But, I am definitely not one to tell you to forego eating out whatsoever; so I will just make this suggestion: eat, drink, and be merry. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s officially spring time! The time when flowers begin to bloom and the allergies kick in. But the best thing about this season, to me, is the farmers market. These entities help so many people on an economic level; I have to suggest that you visit and make it a date while you are at it.

Farmers markets allow local farmers and growers to bring their items to sell. Often times you can find fresh fruits, flowers, vegetables, meats, arts and crafts, handmade jewelry – soap – candles, and baked goods all under one roof. These items are of high quality and low cost. These entities aren’t just for grocery shopping anymore. You can actually spend hours browsing, shopping, and tasting everything in sight. You’ll probably end up with cute gifts for your partner, a great picnic or dinner as well.

The great thing about going to the farmers market is you are supporting the local economy and saving money at the same time. For instance, I bought a bag of peaches (approximately 8 ) at the farmers market for $4. Similar peaches were being sold at the grocery store for $.99 a pound. These peaches were huge; therefore the price could not be beat anywhere in town. These juicy pieces of fruit were picked off the tree the day before and set the stage for a wonderful picnic later that day. Read the rest of this entry »

Some people look at church as a deeply religious experience; while others do not. Some people believe in God, others Allah, others Buddha, and still some believe in no higher power at all. Just for a moment, I would like you to expand your view of church because it can be a lot of fun.

The idea for this post donned on me at a New Year’s Eve service where I saw a couple, who were on a date. I thought to myself, “Hmm. Why didn’t I think of that? It’s free, entertaining, and way for us to learn more about one another.” Now, it’s even clearer to me that churches are not solely religious institutions, but act as social organizations as well.

Often times churches are very active in the community. Providing food and shelter, free HIV testing, and sponsorships for PRIDE events across the country are not uncommon for LGBT affirming churches. Unity Fellowship Church in Charlotte, NC also does outreach at some of the local colleges.

Church can provide you the opportunity to take time out with your partner to do something for someone else- and it’s rewarding. Volunteer buffs will have no problem finding an activity in which to participate. It’s like a ready made date waiting to happen. You just have to choose what you want to participate in. Read the rest of this entry »