Dating While Broke
City College student Rakim Jenkins has found a unique way to save money on dates-although some women might get the wrong idea about his intentions. "Well, the ideal thing to do if you do not have any money is try to get the girl to come over to your house for a date so you can use the resources in your house, such as food in the fridge," says Jenkins.Like Jenkins, many students are feeling the financial pinch in the face of tuition hikes, and as tough economic times continue. But in February--Valentine's Day month--love is in the air, even when money's not in the pocket. So do you have to choose love or money? By being creative, CCNY students have found ways to date on a budget.Rochelle Owen, a sophomore, generally has high standards when it comes to dining out but even she has made the switch because of budget constraints. "My boyfriend is a college student, too, so we usually split the bill," she says. "We go to McDonald's a lot."Brea Fields, a first semester junior, prefers old-school dating; she believes the man is supposed to pay for the first date. But even she has become flexible. To make things easier for her boyfriend, says the pre-law student, "when we go out if he pays, I pay the tip."Beyond food, students are also looking for ways to find fun on the cheap. Val Mendoza, a full-time student with two part-time jobs, has discovered bookstores as an economical dating experience. "We went to an old vintage bookstore," says Mendoza, a junior. "We sat and read books, and we didn't pay any money. It gave us both a learning experience and quality time together without any kind of costs."Students are not the only ones feeling the financial crunch. Alec Magnet, who isn't exactly rich on an adjunct professor's salary, explains his dating philosophy. "It depends on the weather," says Magnet, who teaches in the English department. "If it is nice get a bottle of wine, sneak it into a picnic area or put it in a thermos since you are not allowed to drink alcohol in a park. Then you are golden."
