She Strengthens

The Unconventional Dater: A Tale of Free Dinners and Financial Struggles

A New Kind of Dating

As someone who’s been in a long-term relationship since before the dawn of Tinder, I’ve always been fascinated by the various ways people use the app. From searching for true love to seeking casual hookups, everyone’s approach is unique. But one friend’s habit caught my attention – she uses Tinder to score free dinners and nights out on the town.

The Art of Scoring Freebies

Meet Heather, a 20-something living in Washington D.C. who’s found a creative way to deal with her financial struggles. With a salary of just $30,000 a year, she can’t afford to indulge in the city’s trendy bars and restaurants. So, she takes matters into her own hands by going on dates with guys she’s not really interested in.

“I go on dates with people I feel ‘eh’ about, because it’s a way to have the free experience,” Heather explains. “Sometimes it results in a second or third date, but most of the time it doesn’t.”

A Luxury Budget on a Beer Income

Heather’s financial struggles are a far cry from her wealthy upbringing. After her family lost most of their fortune in the 2008 financial crash, she was forced to adjust to a more modest lifestyle. However, she still craves the finer things in life.

“I grew up with champagne taste, but now I’m on a beer budget,” she says. “I’ve never gotten over the idea that I ‘deserve’ the nicer things, or that they’re an essential part of my life.”

The Morality of Free Dinners

While Heather’s approach might raise eyebrows, she’s not without empathy. She acknowledges that her actions could be seen as offensive or unfeminist, but argues that her financial situation is desperate.

“Money is so tight, and everything is so stressful when it comes to just paying my bills and working the hours I need to work,” she says. “These dates are the only time I don’t have to feel acutely stressed out about money for a little while.”

A Temporary Solution?

Heather hopes to eventually find a way out of her financial struggles, possibly by taking on a side job or advancing in her career. But for now, the free dinners and nights out provide a much-needed respite from her daily worries.

Will she stop the dates once she’s more financially stable? Only time will tell. As Heather herself admits, “I wish I could say yes, but the truth is, I just don’t know yet.”