Current News Blog

Ah, Spring has sprung. Tank tops, short skirts, and… empty pockets? Crap. Bad timing indeed. But the recession hasn’t killed your sex life… it’s just forcing you to get a bit more creative.

Many would argue the stigma of online dating has gone the way of your 401k.   The heavy hitters boast millions of users each. Speeddate.com has an average of 130,000 encounters a day!

And the phenomenon has never been more apparent than in these trying times. Thousands are wielding the mouse with pride and flooding dating sites in search of their perfect someone. Dozens of the 1500 sites out there have seen an uptick since the recession set in. eHarmony even noticed an increase in average daily visits when the Dow Jones Industrial dips 100 points or more. Guys, time to hit the bars and capitalize on the market!

Selection criteria too are reflecting the changing climate; key words are shifting. The dreaded J-O-B is popping up more and more. Exit left usual suspects: “Marriage”? Don’t care. 18 “Children”? A baseball team! Psycho ex in messy “Divorce”? Ups the thrill! Enter: No “JOB“? Give me a minute!

So what’s so great about logging on for love?

The biggest perk is you get a better grasp of who the person is. You can instant message, email and blog until your heart’s content. A couple weeks (or less) of investigative flirting paints a lot better picture than a random set up. Beats the heck out of struggling through that first course in a blind date.

Plus, it’s mighty efficient. The point is to pool a body of potential partners together to up the likelihood of a match, but how each site goes about it makes them unique. OkCupid’s IM and blog tools are pretty clever, allowing for instant gratification.

However, my fave so far is zoosk.com. They’re one of the first to incorporate social networking into the online dating space. Sharp enough to realize 20 to 30-somethings spend hours a day on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, they’ve embedded these apps into the site. Now you can easily get your friend’s opinions on your future lover with just a simple click. Imperative.

Cake and eat it too?

But for all seriousness, the financial crisis MAY be bringing people together, but it’s also pulling people apart.

Not all out there are looking for Mr. Right… some are simply looking for Mr. Right Now. Instead of arranging marriage, Ashleymadison.com arranges affairs. And never have so many  been looking for a bit on the side. People are slipping off the band and looking outside of the home for comfort when money matters cause strife.

In the driver seat

Now being the dedicated journalist I am, I decided to have a go at these sites for a taste of the trend and to see what all the noise is about. (sorry Michael, it’s my job. And yes I’ve since unsubscribed. Kisses!)

I mean, Lauren snagged four dates in the last month. Granted she’s a model, but whatever.  Well within minutes of typing in the bare minimum on several sites – name, location, interested in, qualifications – I’d gotten several rapid-fire emails from the companies. Match.com ain’t no joke. Whether they’re in it to play cupid or simply rake in the dough, I don’t know. But they surely reeled me in.

And with a cursory glance down the potentials (oook sometimes the mouse had a mind of its own and felt compelled to do a bit more investigation on a couple Romeos), there are plenty of fish in the sea. Within seconds of logging into the OkCupid site, I got an IM ping from a pretty hot dish. Though in retrospect, I wonder if maybe he’s the default suitor to help ego stroke the newbs? I don’t even have a pic up or a filled-out profile… Well no matter. I felt like Cinderella at the ball.

Pinch pennies together

Whether playing the field or in a committed couple, there are loads of cheap (even free!) ways to mind your money and still keep the fire burning. No need to sacrifice.

Daters:

• 1. Dinner and Movie DIY-style: Pop in a Netflix and get down and dirty in the kitchen. Leftovers can be used for later….
• 2. Picnic in the park: Spend a romantic day outside. Nothing’s sexier than a lounge in the sun or a game of touch football.
• 3. Culture shock: Tons of museums and art galleries have at least one free day a month. Meet up after work and have stuff to talk about into the night.

Couples:

• 1. Volunteer: Do good together. Reward yourself later.
• 2. Forage flea markets: Find some great treasures for your home on the cheap.
• 3. Start a photo blog: Spend a day roaming the city and upload your pics together. Keep it updated with each new memory.

And most importantly,

Ditch the shame – being Joey Jobless doesn’t make you a social pariah. Be open about your employment situation and don’t let it define you.
Don’t hibernate – yes, logging on is a breeze, but don’t hole up in your house. Love won’t always fall into your lap(top).  It’s a great way to get exposure and meet new people, but remember, there’s no substitution for meeting in the flesh.

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Tags: children, couples, dating, divorce, Dow, economy, internet, love, marriage, money, mouse, online, recession, singles, website