It’s been a long time since I dated anyone. In fact, not since 2004 have I actively pursued the idea of doing so. I’ve sort of fallen in and out of the same two relationships several times in the interim, neither relationship being exactly healthy for me. So with so many new things on the horizon, why not seek out a new relationship? Or at least new experiences, right?

So I re-activated and refreshed profiles that were still on Yahoo Personals and the BBW dating site, plus I did the eHarmony thing, even though there were enough questions to make my head spin. And what have I found? I’ve found out that the ‘free’ memberships are nothing but bait. You find someone interesting but you can’t communicate with them unless you join the service. And the services aren’t cheap. $60 a month for eHarmony, $30 a month for Yahoo Personals about the same for the Tangowire BBW dating site. And of course, I’ve been contacted by interesting individuals on all three. It seems pretty pitiful to send them one of those ‘icebreakers’ which gives them nothing except for letting them know there is a little interest there. Even eHarmony’s free communication weekend just whets the appetite by letting you follow their guided communication for a weekend for free, and then, when you’re almost at that point of direct communication…free communication weekend is over. It’s discouraging.

I realize these sites are there to make money, but I’m a girl on a budget. And dating sites are not in that budget at the moment. Wouldn’t it be cool if these sites also offered a ‘club-like’ alternative? Like a $5 cover charge that lets you communicate for one sign in session? Do you hear me all of you dating sites? We girls on a budget need an alternative to your high membership rates…are you listening?