1. Check there is nothing stuck in your teeth before you leave to meet them. First impressions count!
  2. Make sure your shoes can withstand walking – you never know where the night will take you.
  3. Have a look at this article on What to Wear on your First Date.
  4. If you absolutely have to wear those vertiginous heels for your first date, pack a few plasters into your bag.
  5. While you are packing your bag, stick in some tic tacs or other breath mint…just in case you feel a goodnight kiss could be in order later!
  6. Make sure you can comfortably move around in your outfit. Nothing worse than splitting your trousers as you sit down for dinner.
  7. Check out your dates online profile again before you head out the door for conversation tips and topics.
  8. I don’t advocate speedy getaways through the restaurant bathroom window. If you really can’t stand them, have an excuse ready so you can leave without them losing face.
  9. Make sure a few of your friends or family know where you’re going and when you plan to be back again – have a look at this article on Staying Safe when Online Dating.
  10. Guys, if it’s nippy grab an extra jumper before you leave. Then you can be all romantic and share your coat, without freezing your butt off for your gentlemanly behavior.
  11. Watch the news! Then if all else fails you can discuss the current world happenings with an understanding of what is actually going on.
  12. If you aren’t going for a meal, consider eating an hour or so before you leave to tide you over until you get back. Nothing worse than trying to feel the spark and only getting stomach grumblings instead.
  13. Maybe consider packing a cereal bar into that tiny bag of yours, just in case you start feeling peckish in the taxi on the way home.
  14. Charge your phone!
  15. Check out this dating guide into the mysterious workings of the female mind before you head off to meet your beautiful date.
  16. If you are really stressing out about your date, take 10 minutes to relax and try some meditative breathing techniques (we hear in through the nose and out through the mouth works wonders).
  17. Make sure you leave plenty of time to get ready. Failing that, sort everything out the day before so there are no last minute decisions to be made about what to wear or what to do.
  18. If you are in charge, have you sorted out reservations or bookings? Is everything good to go or do you have a few parts of the date left to sort out?
  19. Feeling out of it after a hard day? Take a quick shower or if you can manage it, book in a swift massage beforehand to chill out and get you back in form.
  20. Freaking out? Sit back with a cup of tea and browse our Top 10 Tips for the First Date article to get you ready for the evening ahead. Good luck!

 

So, you think you are ready. In ‘that place.’ You reckon you are prepared to start dating again.

 

Take our Free and Single quiz to give you an idea of whether you are really ready to handle the excitement of dating, of meeting new people and of putting yourself ‘out there’. It can make you feel vulnerable, so you want to be certain you are in the best possible frame of mind before you jump in the deep end!

 

1) If you bumped into your ex this evening at the pub, what would you do?

 

a) Ignore them completely, pretend you never saw them and walk back to your friends.

 

b) Say ‘hi’, then go on with your trip to the bar and continue with your evening, no harm, no foul.

 

c) Stutter a word that could be ‘hi’, blush and stumble out the door on your way home to eat ice cream.

 

2) Do you find yourself telling others about what went wrong?

 

a) Sometimes, if I’m having a particularly bad day or they seem to be in a similar situation.

 

b) Constantly. If I’m not telling people, I’m thinking about it. All. The. Time.

 

c) Not really, I don’t dwell on it. The past is the past after all!

 

3) Did you learn anything about yourself from your last relationship?

 

a) I found that no matter how hard it gets, I can always survive it.

 

b) I discovered that sometimes you have to compromise.

 

c) I learnt that most everything that went wrong was because of my partner.

 

4) A love song hits the charts. How does it make you feel?

 

a) Broken inside. I used to have that. Now I’ll be alone forever.

 

b) Hopeful. I know what that feels like and I know I’ll feel it again.

 

c) Grumpy. Yeah, yeah, what’s so special about love anyway?

 

5) Picture this: Your ex knocks on your door, they want you back! Do you;

 

a) Invite them in for tea and to discuss their reasons.

 

b) Leap into their arms and accept immediately, no hesitation.

 

c) Politely decline, telling them you had a wonderful relationship but it ended for a reason.

 

 

Tot up your answers to see where your emotional state is…

 

1. a) 2  b) 3  c) 1

2. a) 2  b) 1  c) 3

3. a) 3  b) 2  c) 1

4. a) 1  b) 3   c) 2

5. a) 2  b) 1   c) 3

 

You scored between 12 and 15…

 

Wahey! You’ve taken the time, you’ve accepted the relationship is over and you’re remembering the good times fondly, ready to move on and start dating again!

 

You scored between 8 and 11…

 

Hmm, you’re close and its possible a new path is ready to be taken. Might be better to head for a new coffee shop with your pals or a different class at the gym before diving into dating again though.

 

You scored between 5 and 7…

 

Oh er – you are in no fit state to be entrusting your wellbeing to the success or failure of dates with strangers! Take some more time (ideally a holiday) and try some new things out to get back on track and move on from your ex.

 

I don’t think there is a single person out there who can sashay forth, confident and glorious to every date they go on.

 

At some point, you will feel nervous. This can be compounded by the need to feel you are not wasting your time and the hope that this could be the start of your very own fairy tale.

 

Here are the Free and Single Top Tips for the first date you go on (when you are secretly on a mission to find ‘The One’.)

 

 

1. Don’t Immediately Write Them Off

 

Take the pressure off immediately being struck by the love bug and search for things in common – look to whether you would hang out with this person as a friend, don’t write them off instantly because you had your head set on tall, dark and handsome because your heart may ultimately prefer blondes!

 

2. Seize the Day!

 

Live in the moment! Having plucked up the courage to actually set up an internet dating profile, ‘wink’, message and organise a date, don’t then spend the whole time fast-forwarding to a possible future scenario or thinking about tomorrow’s to-do list. Stay in the moment and really listen to the other person, get to know them and enjoy yourself.

 

3. Feel Good before you Go

 

Regardless of your principles on vanity, make an effort before your date. First off, it’s nice to know you care enough to want to make a good first impression. Knowing you look great and feel like the best you can be can really help your confidence and help you remain calm during the date. Once you have relaxed, you can concentrate on just being yourself and talking to the other person, instead of fussing about what you are wearing or why your hair frizzed up in the rain.

 

Check out our Ten Things to Remember on a First Date for some more advice!

 

Its not just about the money you know. In a relationship where both partners have similar bank balances, there is a sense of equality, an ability to enjoy the same pursuits without worrying who will cover the bill, a path to partnership that couldn’t otherwise be trod.

 

Are you a successful business person? Do you find that relationships inevitably fall apart because of differences in your respective bank accounts? Maybe you were born into wealth and want to be seen for who you are, not what you have.

Dating for Rich Singles

Wealthy Free and Single is specially designed with you in mind. There is no need to worry about gold diggers or insincere feelings. This niche dating site only lets you join if there is proof of your material worth – but we are all about helping you look beyond that, to find the perfect companion who suits your personal worth.

 

Money can’t buy you happiness; everyone knows that old adage. With the right person to share it with however, everything changes. Picture the couples mini breaks you could take, or the sumptuous Michelin starred meals you could enjoy together.

 

Personally though, I’d ditch the money altogether and go on a simple date, secure in the knowledge that you don’t have to push the boat out and impress with expensive champagnes and exotic holidays – because, lets face it, your date already has the ability to indulge in those things themselves.

 

Focus on getting to know each other for the people you are, enjoy each others successes and commiserate when they hit a low point. These are the aspects of a relationship you are looking for. This is what WealthyFreeAndSingle can help you find.

 

Happy Hump Day! This Wednesday, I want to share some news to brighten up the fast approaching Bank Holiday (because you just can’t trust the weather these days).

 

This August Bank Holiday Weekend, we’re going to be running a number of special offers for all our lovely Free and Single members!

 

For those of you who fully intend to start the party the moment the clock hits 5pm this Friday afternoon, we’re running a FREE READ session between 6pm and 8pm (Which gives you just enough time to get home and grab some dinner before starting the search for a great date).

 

Now, I know all you Free and Single’s not based in the UK are feeling a little hard-done by the lack of public holidays in your neck of the woods, but, guess what? We’re so into the holiday vibe at the moment that we decided to give the FREE READ session to all members, in local time, whether they are in the UK or not! There is generosity for you.

 

The fun doesn’t end there however, so don’t worry if you already have plans for Friday night. On Saturday, we’ll be offering members who have been with us for a certain amount of time an absolutely free 3 day trial of the entire site!

 

Lastly, we know many of you online daters will have loads of stuff already planned for the long weekend but may be annoyed at missing out on these great offers to find perfect dates. So on Monday, we will be sending out a little surprise in your email – just because we love having you here.

 

So from all of us here at Free and Single, have a fantastic bank holiday, enjoy the offers and check out the last blog for some great date ideas.

 

Have you got that Friday feeling today?

 

If the ‘Thank God Its Friday’ syndrome is really catching up with you, then I have a great reminder for you – next weekend is the August Bank Holiday! If your head has been stuck in paperwork and to-do lists, now you’ll finally have some time to get online, find a great date and actually head out and about with them.

 

Not to mention, in honour of the additional 24 hours of free time stuck onto your weekend, we’re going to be sending out some fantastic offers for all our fabulous Free and Single’s – so what are you waiting for? Let’s get in the holiday mood!

 

I’ve got some ideas to share with you on how you could spend that all important extra day off, so have a browse and see what takes your fancy (ooh, and you have any ideas or plans, I would love to hear them, so do please leave me a comment).

 

London

 

If you are spending some time in London after the recent Olympic fanfare, you might want to consider checking out the outdoor film showing at Somerset House on the 25th August for a chance to snuggle with your date – definitely bring a picnic and a blanket!

 

Manchester

 

Maybe you are a little further North than London and can head to Manchester for a night out. Why not have a look at the Blue Cat Cafe for some up and coming the music stars and fantastic beats? Listen to some smooth jazz, perfect for the over 40s dater who likes to kick back with a gin and tonic.

 

Dublin

 

For those of you heading to Dublin, why not try out one of the many attractions of the Emerald Isle? My favourites are Dublin Castle and seafood at Aqua. Take your date for a mini break and enjoy Guinness together in a cosy pub if it rains, or explore the city like a local if the sun shines.

 

Paris

 

If you are feeling flush this upcoming Bank Holiday weekend, why not take your date to Paris? Try out this spectacular magic show and ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ together before heading out for some of France’s famous culinary delights.

 

5 Reasons Not to Look for Love in your Office

 

Dating for professionals can be so much easier if you look at dating other professionals – but not those based in your office. Overall, much better to search for a date somewhere else. It can be hard if you are a working professional – where do you get the time to meet new people if you are concentrating on finishing that project for Friday’s meeting? The answer is, you guessed it, a professional dating site. Just think, you can browse profiles while commuting on the train or last thing at night between brushing your teeth and slipping beneath the duvet.

 

Check out our list of the top five things about dating someone else in your office that could turn your date from fun to fired in so many flirtatious emails…

 

1) People are attracted to power.

 

Who fits into that category at work? Oh yeah, the boss! This is a bad idea. No matter how much you find your boss attractive, or how much you think they might be flirting with you when they tell you to have that report on their desk by 5pm…let me repeat. Bad idea. In 1% of cases, this might work out into a long term relationship with a fun anecdote about how you met, but the majority of cases end up awkward, difficult and unbearable. How would you like your ex telling you what to do on a daily basis? Didn’t think so.

 

2) The temptation to flirt at the office.

 

Email monitoring is not a new invention. It is also perfectly acceptable for a company that pays you money – based on the idea that you spend your time working for them – monitors your outgoing mail, to check that you are in fact working and not describing tonight’s big date plans in intimate detail to your colleague across the room. Not to mention that committing such details to email, which can be easily shared, is pretty silly. This leads us to…

 

3) Got a juicy secret? People just love to gossip!

 

The moment anyone else at your office gets wind, even it is the smallest suspicion, of your dating a co-worker…Well, remember the expression ’round the office watercooler?’ It’s not fun to be the centre of focus for pointed looks and elbow nudges. Just think, if the relationship turns sour you’ll have to deal with the rumours for a long time. If you’ve already started dating someone in your office, it might be wise to check with HR that there is nothing in your contract forbidding such behaviour otherwise your job could be a risk.

 

4) Harrassment

 

So you had a fling, it was fun but then you broke it off. If your co-working ex isn’t feeling so great about this, do not underestimate the possibility of a messy, humiliating time of it at work. You could be sued for sexual harassment, brought up on all manner of charges. It is not just women who can be seen as the victims here either. A female boss breaking up with a subordinate male colleague can still be in for a league of problems, both professionally and personally. These types of charges don’t just resolve either, they’ll stick around for a long time and may cost you your job.

 

5) Acting professional at work

 

Ever been in a relationship where you never chat, hold hands, kiss or hug? I didn’t think so. Imagine how your credibility instantly sinks when you pitch an idea to your boss while holding your colleague’s hand? How the gossip bubbles up in your wake once someone catches you giving each other a quick hug and a smooch in the elevator on the way up to the office. How you get fired after getting jiggy with it in the stationary cupboard. Unless you can completely ignore any unprofessional feelings while at the office, having a relationship with a colleague cannot help but affect your work.

We seemed to ‘click’ during chats and after a week we took the plunge and decided to meet up. On our first date we both felt that certain chemistry. So much so, we met again only three days later.

Single parents. You’ve been alone, you’ve felt what it is like to come home at the end of the day and have no-one to vent to. Sure, maybe you have a great network of friends, or a supportive family. Maybe you pour your feelings into art or the gym. It’s never exactly the same though, as having a real, live, actual person who chooses to sit and listen.

 

Of course, you’re never actually alone though, are you? There is always your child, (or children) to think of, to keep active and happy. You end up in a weird limbo, part of you longing for adult conversation with someone really close, and the other discussing why it is not okay to paint on the hallway walls.

 

Do you ever really get time to just sit, think and be you? To start becoming the new you, the one who gets to have both a glass of wine in the evening with the life partner and to read the storybook at bedtime? Are you a parent looking for love?

 

There are three key steps in moving on after becoming a single parent:

 

1) Learn to Love Yourself Again

Put a little effort into you – beg and borrow favours from friends and family to get a an hour here or there to yourself when they babysit. Take the time to do something you love; whether it be a zumba class, a ps3 marathon or chilling out with a good book. Once you can see yourself as a person again, instead of a parent, you’ll start to feel better about moving onwards with your life. I love this awesome blog on the trials and tribulations of dating as a single parent for some real stories from single mums – inspirational and really uplifting to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

 

2) Leave the Past (and Ex’s) Behind You

Nothing good comes of dwelling on the past. Remember the good times and prepare for the great times you have ahead of you. Note down somewhere why you and your ex broke up in the first place and don’t be tempted to revisit old territory for the sake of your kids – you deserve to be happy and your children will be better off in the long term if you don’t resent them as the reason you stayed in an unhappy relationship!

 

3) Embrace your Baggage as Experience, and Move On

Everything you’ve been through makes you, you. Think it through, come to terms with what happened and put it down as your own personal bit of history. Once you’re ready to move on, you’ll be secure in the knowledge that you have a substance of experience behind you and that you can go forth into dating again, excited for what the future holds.

Single Parents can be happy dating again

 

Do you feel life as an older person could be lonely? It doesn't have to be!

As a person with their fair share of years behind them, do you look to the future with joy for the potential it holds, or do you sigh and think ‘Never again will I…’?

 

Age means you probably have a good idea of what you like and what you don’t. You may be feeling open-minded about embracing what the future holds. You may even have contemplated doing something crazy, just because you can.

 

Being older means you hold a certain power you lacked in your twenties. You should have a job you enjoy, financial security, a home. When you were twenty, you were more likely than not pushing papers on a minimum wage, living with your parents and looking forward to that magical time when everything was secure and you could just live your life.

 

Well, guess what? That time is now! You may not still have your 24inch waist, but you have a whole lot more to make up for it. You see, dating for the 40+ can be wonderful. You get to bring all your interesting ideas to the table and to be appreciated by your date as an actual person. The desire to be desired, acknowledged and not ignored will stay with you throughout your life but this time round you can be fully appreciated for your personality and your looks, rather than objectified for your youthful curves or blonde locks.

 

Some people wonder; What if I’ve forgotten how after years of being with the same person? Well, for amusement’s sake, watch It’s Complicated and have a chuckle and then push the fear back and realise you deserve to find another person to share your life with. Just because you are older doesn’t mean you should be lonely or loveless. Give mature dating a go, and rediscover an entirely new lease of life. (I hear sex in your sixties is pretty spectacular too!)

Life after 50 can be better than you ever thought!