Recession dating

Dating without an income? Here are some tips for the un- and under-employed looking for love.

DON'T HIBERNATE Cutting off your cable television is one thing. Severing your ties to the outside world is another. Consider your dating life an investment. Seeking romance as a single is not only good for your psyche, it boosts your confidence, which you'll need for your job search.

FIND THE CHEAP Develop a list of first-date spots that say something good about you but are also wicked cheap. Pizzeria Regina in the North End has plenty of character and an inexpensive menu. Picco in the South End works, too. If you're really trying to limit costs, choose a restaurant that doesn't have a liquor license - like Baraka Cafe in Cambridge. Nothing bumps up a bill like booze.

DOUBLE HUNT Job fairs are for jobs, but a number of employment seekers at every employment event also happen to be single. Consider every networking event a social one. Chat up potential mates, not just potential employers.

DON'T PAY If you're on dating websites that charge a fee, try the free ones instead. There's no charge for OkCupid.com. Match.com also recently launched DownToEarth.com, a free site.

HAVE NO SHAME Unemployment shouldn't make you a pariah - especially these days. The stigma of unemployment has diminished now that so many people are jobless. You can be honest about your work status without letting it define you. After all, your unemployment is temporary. When you meet new people, tell them what you want to do for a living, not what you've been forced to stop doing because of the economy.