Photo Credit |Szarmack Photography

Men, if you find that you’re spending more than your budget allows for dating activities, consider these options below that can help you continue dating without breaking the bank:

Get Creative: It may not be apparent to you initially, but if you start looking through your local paper, or researching the Internet, you’ll find low cost or free events in your area.  It may seem cheap at first but you can create a fabulous few hours for you and your date.  For example, this weekend in just about any city, you can find an outdoor concert in the park.  Sit in the back where the music’s not so loud and get to know your companion through conversation.

Go Back to Basics:  To create a special date without emptying your wallet, sometimes its best to go back to basics.  Most cities have a tourist section or free tourist attractions that full-time residents highly avoid.  Plan a day pretending to be on vacation and take in the free and unique sites that make your town famous.  Remember: it’s not about what you do, it’s about the company that you keep.

Find your inner child: Exploring your partner’s inner child can help you learn more about them than spending time together over dinner, movie, or a concert.  If you want to have fun, go to the park and slide down the slide, jump on the teeter totter or swing on the swings.  Take this time together to explore your fun side and get to know each other.

There are thousands of ways to create an inexpensive but enjoyable time together.  These are just a few to get you started.  For more ways to create the ultimate date for less money, check out: Dating on a Dime by Kim on Top Dating Tips

I’m often asked by my writer-friends and colleagues for information surrounding the type of website I use for my blog, how easy it is to navigate and if it is appropriate for writers/authors.  So, here is where I bring you some brief information about one of my favorite tools, WordPress.

WordPress is a growing tool for writers these days.  It’s been around for less than ten years, but this software has helped over 25 million people create their blogs and websites.  It is the largest self-hosted blogging tool in the world, so there aren’t many questions that can’t be answered by the WordPress community. The following are some reasons writers and authors should use it:

• It’s Free!
• Easy to Learn
• SEO-Friendly
• Customizable
• And Best of All; you can make edits and control the content without the maintenance and expense of a designer

According to Jill Caren, owner of 2 Dogs Design, “WordPress is an amazing platform that is extremely flexible in terms of layout and design, so whether a writer is a children’s author or a copywriter, they can create a dynamic look that perfectly suits their business.”

Having a blog or website helps authors build their platform and boost their readership, which can ultimately create a following so that people will go out and buy their book.  This is especially important today as print media is losing readership to new mediums such as Kindle, and online content.

One of the best things about this software is that it’s SEO-friendly.  SEO stands for search engine optimization.  This essentially means that you can enter keywords into the program and it will help increase the chance that your website will be seen when that keyword is typed on search engines like Google.  WordPress even has plug-ins that you can get to boost the ranking of your blog or website higher-up on the search engine’s results.

According to Valerie Cudnik, Computer Design Graphics, “SEO tools are important for writers and authors if they want to get indexed accurately in the search engines.”  Cudnik goes on to say that unless you are well-known, the best way for your work to be discovered is by using keywords like “children’s non-fiction writer” or “technical writer in San Francisco Bay area.”

So, for the best online resource to get your name out there and a chance to have your written work looked at, go make a blog or website with WordPress!

Contributing Writer: Tia Thayil

Originally posted on The Frisky August 16, 2010 by Olivia Allin…

Patti Stanger Millionaire Matchmaker|Bravo

Our favorite little “Millionaire Matchmaker,” Patti Stanger, announced yesterday that her engagement to Andy Friedman is off, writing, “It hit me really hard that I want kids in my life. You have to agree on the non-negotiables.” The two have been together for six years and just got engaged on Patti’s b-day last year with a gargantuan heart-shaped ring … which hopefully she got to keep. We’re bummed for Patti, but totally support the idea of a mini Patti to carry on the matchmaking tradition. So, to help her out, we’ve found some eligible men for her to make babies with. [People]
Gerard Butler. Patti gives dating advice. Gerard was in that movie “The Awful Truth,” where he told women what they were doing wrong. They could go on the road and fix bad daters across the country!
Zach Braff. Besides their Jewish heritage, Patti and Zach don’t have much in common, but he’s got good taste in music and is funny sometimes and Patti would probably have a ball telling him what he’s doing wrong in his dating life (i.e. being a sleazeball). It would at least be entertaining!
Ted Habert. Now that Chelsea Handler is done with Comcast president Ted Harbert, Patti should get in there and maybe work out a talk show on E! while she’s at it? Who cares that Chelsea called the guy a “giant toddler” in her most recent book—the guy’s loaded and obviously has a thing for funny ladies.
Duff Goldman. After a breakup, I like to sit at home eating “lighter s’mores” and blocks of cheese. This is precisely why the star of “Ace of Cakes” would make a good rebound for Patti. He’s Jewish, philanthropic, and can make Patti some comfort food cakes. Plus, with their respective careers, they can corner the market on wedding cakes.
Mortimer Zuckerman. He’s the owner of NY Daily News, he’s kinda dreamy, and he’s on the chair of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish American Organizations. He’s also a billionaire. If Patti’s gonna be setting up daft Russian models with millionaires, she’s got to nab a billionaire for herself. The idea that a smart, sassy, and motivated woman like Patti can’t score a fantastic (and loaded) man is just depressing. Plus, how great is the name Mortimer?
Dwayne Johnson. Patti needs a man of power who can equal her in the bedroom and a guy of The Rock’s size and strength can probably handle that “spinning” thing Patti’s always talking about. After asserting herself all day long, Patti needs a guy who’s tough and won’t take her nagging, but will instead assuage her worries. Plus, after all those ridiculously embarrassing kiddie movies, like “Tooth Fairy,” it’s apparent that The Rock would make an awesome dad.
Larry David. I imagine Larry David and Patti Stanger’s romance unfolding like a scene in a Woody Allen movie. There would be some kvetching, some good one-liners, and a mazel tov later they’d live happily ever afterish!
Mel Gibson. In reality, I wouldn’t set my worst enemy up with Mel, but I really want to see Patti make the guy cry. He needs to pay for his abuse towards women and anti-Semitic rages. It would be like one really long episode of “Millionaire Matchmaker,” but would probably have to involve some bondage and psychological torture to get mean Mel to reboot.

This article originally appears on CupidsPulse.com and is being reposted for its amazing advice to people:

The Pulse in Paradise

Lamar Odom is definitely interested in having with with wife Khloé Kardashian, People reported last week.  “Hopefully it’ll happen soon,” he told the magazine.  The NBA star has two children from a previous relationship, which definitely helps provide great parenting tips – as does baby Mason, Kardashian’s nephew.

How do you know when your relationship is ready to take on parenting?

Cupid’s Take:

Being a parent is a lifelong commitment – it’s best to plan ahead.  Even if you have a surprise pregnancy, you have enough time to get ready before the big day arrives.  Cupid shares some important tips:

1. Evaluate your relationship: If you’re considering an addition to your family, determine the strength of your bond with each other first.  Are you both mentally, emotionally, and financially ready to take care of another life?  Consider these questions before going ahead.

2. Parent plans: Pregnant or not, couples don’t always share the same goals when it comes to parenting.  Discuss your approaches to raising children to find a common ground you can both agree to.

3. Go with the flow: Keep in mind that all the planning in the world can never fully prepare you for becoming a parent.  Learn to accommodate – to both your partner and yourself – as new issues arise.

If you’d like to learn more about being a parent in today’s world, follow Cupid to ParentFurther.com.

Calling all bloggers who write about dating, love and being single.  Single Edition has partnered with Babeland for an experience unlike any other this Friday, August 6, 2010 from 5:30-7:00.  For all single bloggers who will be in NYC this weekend, this is one event that you won’t want to miss.  It will be a night of cocktails, conversations and maybe a little x-rated fun.  The affair provides an opportunity for those who enjoy writing about the single life to connect with other like-minded people.  To learn more click here: Bloggers in Babeland.

As Chelsea Clinton becomes Mrs. Marc Mezvinsky, CupidsPulse.com has accepted our request to repost their brilliantly written article including some great tips on how to have your dream wedding without going overboard!  Thank you Cupid!

Tying Knots

Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky have finally tied the knot in a fairytale wedding!  Surrounded by 400 close friends and family, the now Mrs. Mezvinsky walked down the aisle in a gorgeous wedding dress by Vera Wang (a family friend).  This summer’s post talked about wedding took place at Rhinebeck, a small town in upstate New York.  The beautiful interfaith ceremony was presided by Rabbi James Ponet and Rev. William Shillady at Astor Courts, reported People.  Mother of the bride, Hillary Clinton, released a statement that said, “We could not have asked for a more perfect day to celebrate the beginning of their life together, and we are so happy to welcome Marc into our family.”

How can you prepare for your dream wedding without going overboard?

Read the rest of this entry »

Repost courtesy of CupidsPulse

Tattered Hearts

Frank Neuschaefer & Ali Fedotowsky|Photo: ABC/Rick Rowell

This week on ABC’s The Bachelorette, Ali Fedotowsky found herself dumped by Frank Neuschaefer, one of the final three bachelors competing for her heart and hand in marriage, NJ.com reported this week.  Prior to the show’s trip to Tahiti, Neuschaefer stopped off in Chicago to visit Nicole, his ex-girlfriend, one last time.  The moment he saw her, his feelings came rushing back and he realized he was still in love with her.  Neuschaefer told Ali what happened, saying, “The second I saw her, all the old feelings kinda came rushing back.  Ali, I’m sorry.”

What do you do if you think you still have feelings for an ex?”

Read the rest of this entry »

Single Parents Dating|Getty Images

According to the Single Parent Center there are roughly 14 million single parents in the U.S. today and they are raising 21.6 million children solo.  If you’re a single parent looking for love, here are a few tips to help you along the way:

Finding a support group: Finding a group where other solo parents gather can be a great way to meet someone.  It’s always a good option to surround yourself by like-minded folks.

Introducing the children: One of the many challenges that single parents encounter, is when to introduce their children.  There’s no magic formula for this, but if you take a moment and consider your new partner and how they are with you, you’ll have a better understanding of how they might be around your kids.  It’s best to talk about the children and incorporate them only when all of you are comfortable doing so.

Getting involved: You can meet someone while you are out helping others.  Donate your time to local shelters, food banks, or your child’s school.  Encourage your kids to come along too.  This immediately shows potential prospects the importance you place on being with your children and it may help to ease the any nervousness you initially had about meeting someone as a single parent.

Online Dating: More people are signing up for online dating sites that are focused on specific types of people,  such as being a single parent.  If you find that technology is a better choice to find a mate, then check out sites like: Single Parent Meet or Single Parent Seek.  They’re free to join and you only pay when you’re ready to take the next step.

If you’re alone in the world raising kids, life can seem overwhelming.  When you’re ready to look for a new person, remember that whoever you bring into your life should be someone you’d want around your loved ones.  For more information on how to introduce your significant other to your children check out this article on About.com.

Catherine Behan in Italy with husband|Photo courtesy of attractyoursoulmatenow.com

Catherine Behan became a leading authority in the Laws of Attraction when she reluctantly divorced her husband after 30 years of marriage.  Happily single for the first time in years, it didn’t last long.  She learned to re-open her heart and found herself meeting her future soul mate and marrying him barefoot on the beach in Kauai.

Because her life went in a direction that she didn’t expect, Behan learned a few secrets along the way and is passing them along to you.  You can check out her website: Attract Your SoulMate Now.  She says if you give her 15 minutes of your time she can tell you why you’re lonely and how to change that aspect of your life.  If you’re one of many people out there looking for your soulmate, check out her Soul Mate Quiz and see whether she can find your perfect mate!

Behan also has a new radio show.  I had the honor of being her first guest and it was so much fun.  Feel free to listen to the interview at any time on Blog Post Radio.

Courtesy of Sex, Lies, & Dating site

I had the pleasure of meeting Simone Grant while in search of someone to provide some insight into expanding my client base.  Grant is a Social Media Consultant in New York City who works with a variety of brands including, e-commerce, authors, and B2B businesses, but welcomes new ventures.  She tweets, facebooks, and has regular conversations via email.  Grant offers strategic counsel and on site training sessions that help people integrate social media into their business and increase traffic to their site or blog.

If you’d like to see examples of her work, check out her website: Sex, Lies, & Dating in the City.