A little while back the economic experts put the official stamp on what many of us already knew. The economy is in a recession. While the downturn may not be as severe as the Great Depression of the 1930’s, it has placed many people in dire straits.

A surplus of businesses are closing their doors which in turn is causing countless employees to file for unemployment or take jobs that pay considerably less than the previous one. Factor in that people who have been lucky enough to hold onto their jobs have not received any pay increase in quite some time. For far too many living check to check has become a way of life.

When you feel the squeeze in so many areas it means that hard choices have to be made just to stay afloat. A down economy and soaring prices can put a major crimp in your love life.

Some of the places you and your date used to visit on a regular basis are still in business but every time you get near the door, you can’t help but hear the ringing of the cash register. That’s the sound of you spending money that for all intent and purposes, you know you cannot afford.

It doesn’t mean you are totally broke or that the money is not flowing in on a steady basis. What it does mean is you must be a little stingier (in a good way) with the money you do have.

The key is not to become a miser altogether but to pick and choose when to splurge and how much combined with some creative money saving dating ideas. Such as:

1. The Get Together

Instead of feeling the need to always go out to eat or go someplace where you know you are going to have to spend more than you want to staying at home on occasions can be a lot of fun. It’s not just about popping some popcorn and finding a movie on TV that you both want to watch.

You both can make a real party of it by inviting over some family and friends. Are they going to want to eat? Probably, but it can be way less expensive to pick a few things up from the supermarket and combine it with what you already have available in the refrigerator than going out to your favorite eatery.

Also friends and family will usually ask you should they bring something. If you said no before start saying yes or do not wait for them to inquire. Of course you do not want to put the squeeze on them either. But if each couple or person can bring one item that doesn’t cost too much then you and your date can really make a party of it.

2. Ain't To Proud To Say Yes

This is sometimes a sticking point for couples that are dating; particular for guys if the woman offers to foot the bill. We’re taught to be the breadwinners as well as the date payers. It’s a blow to our pride if the woman takes the lead financially.

More than anything it could mean she likes you that much to do it. She knows you are not a deadbeat and is well aware of your past history of picking up the tab after a night out. If she wants to treat you from time to time so be it. Accept generously in the spirit she offered.

There’s no reason to keep reassuring her that you will pay her next time. Relationships are supposed to be about equal footing; when one person is down for whatever reason it’s up to the other person to pick up the slack and vice versa. Helping each other and showing appreciation for that help can do wonders when it comes to strengthening the relationship.

We have all been through some tough times and this is one of them. Economic roadblocks can strain and in far too many instances tear couples apart whether they be married or dating. Just understand how you and your date feel about each other and accept the reality that for the near future you both are going to have to do some belt tightening.

The upside is it may force you to be a lot more creative when you do get together. It also has a way of forging a more lasting bond when the two of you go through a rough patch and come out the other side holding on to each other more tightly than you did before.