Recession-Proof Your Relationship In 3 Steps

Let’s face facts; money’s tight right now. With the economy contracting and the cost of living inflating more than Lil Kim’s lips, the financial landscape for the average guy in a relationship has become more arduous than Congress managing bailout funds.

Thankfully, there’s a solution.

Instead of going broke just to keep your woman happy, you could always implement the following 3 steps to recession-proof your relationship. Use them wisely.

Step One:  Tell Her The Truth

A rarely discussed form of dishonesty among men is living above their means when dating. It makes no sense to take her to that expensive restaurant if you have to slip into the restroom to double check your account balance halfway through dinner. In my opinion, that behavior is just as deceitful as telling her an outright lie.

If she’s cool, then you can express your inability to splurge like the “good ole’ days.” Now that doesn’t mean you should pull out a bank statement and shout, “Look b*%ch, I’m broke!!!”  But you can inform her that you’ll be actively looking for more inexpensive ways to enjoy her company.

Step Two: Change Your Strategy

Now that you’ve informed her that Mike Vick has been fired as your financial advisor, it’s time to drastically alter your dating strategy. Simply put, it’s time to get creative. I currently live in Atlanta, and I know that on any given day, I can take a woman out without spending any money if I so desired. You can do the same. Inexpensive date options are limitless in any given city … just get online and look.

But even if you don’t want to Google “cheap dates in DC,” you can still cook together instead of eating out, or rent a movie instead of going to the theater. Both are cost effective ways to enjoy each other’s company without breaking the bank.

Step Three: Plan Ahead

The most effective way to enjoy your relationship while still being financially responsible is to plan ahead. That dream vacation to Neverland Ranch can still be yours with proper planning (and the right security clearance.)

By creating a budget which lets you save up for the big trip or gift, your woman will view you as a man who can responsibly plan for the future while handling his business with her in the present.

The Fly Guy Moral: There’s really no moral today. It’s more like a directive: stop throwing money at women to impress them—even if you’ve got it. Thought and creativity trump mindless spending any day of the week. If I’m wrong, then may God have mercy on my soul and on the souls of the Real Housewives of Atlanta. (They’re completely unrelated to this piece … I just think they could use some prayer.)