*This post was written in collaboration with Strathclyde Singles.

Not only has the pandemic had an effect on our freedoms, like being able to meet people and go out, but a lot of people are also feeling the financial aspect. Even if you have managed to keep your job through the whole pandemic, it’s still likely you are having to be more careful because you just don’t know what the future holds. A lot of luxuries have gone for me personally, with me putting the money I would usually spend on subscription services into savings. Dating is another aspect I am looking to save money on this year. Some of the larger paid websites can actually end up being a huge waste of money, so here are my tips on dating on a budget.

Use local sites

There are so many reasons to use a local dating site. The larger, more national sites can end up giving you matches from miles away, which is a disappointment. If you choose a local dating site like Strathclyde singles you will only be given matches that are from your immediate area. This means you won’t have wasted money on a site that matches you up to people that live miles away, and the great thing is local dating sites are usually a lot cheaper to sign up to than the national ones. You will even have more of a chance of finding a date.

Have virtual dates

The pandemic seems to have forced this hand at the moment anyway, as the UK has spent the last year going in and out of lockdowns that have different levels of restriction. This doesn’t have to be the death knell for your entire dating life though. There are plenty of ways you can emulate a “normal” date on Zoom or any other video calling service. This will save money as well, as you will not have to pay for dinner or a film. You could set up a zoom call and then you could both decide to watch the same film at the same time so that you can talk about it. Or you could both order the same take-away and pretend you are on a romantic dinner date. The possibilities are endless.

Go for a walk

Walking is great for your mental health, and it is also one of the only things you are allowed to meet someone else to do when there are certain pandemic restrictions. As we have already established, if you meet someone on a local dating site like Strathclyde dating, then you will have met someone who is local to you. This means you have a great opportunity to mutually pick somewhere to go for a walk. Going for a walk is a great money-saving date idea, and also it’s a great way to get to know someone. It can be hard to concentrate on a conversation in a cinema or a busy restaurant, but if you go for a walk it’s just the two of you and nature.