31 Dates in 31 days author Tamara Duricka Johnson shares her dating tips with LoveTrekker
Tamara Duricka Johnson was sick and tired of failed romances and so, on the eve of her 31st birthday, decided to do something about it. She decided to go on a month of first dates without making each new guy into a prospective boyfriend. The challenge: to go out with a new man every single day without caving in to a one night stand or a possible second date….until date 31, that is. Her 31st date would become her ‘second date.’ So how did the 31 Dates in 31 Days author do it? And how can you afford to go on multiple dates yourself?
CREATIVE + ECONOMICAL SO-CAL DATE IDEAS
TAMARA DURICKA JOHNSON
Throughout my 31 Dates in 31 Days, I made it a goal to spend $31 or less on each date. As the economy has continued to slow and my budget has tightened, I’ve continued making inexpensive – and creative – dates a priority. Here are just a few ideas for some great southern California dates that won’t break the bank.
1. Taste Testing. You don’t need to break the bank to find some of California‘s best bites. Instead, narrow your focus. Try spending an evening trying a few different doughnut shops, cupcake spots, or even taco trucks.
2. House Hunting. If you’re looking for a great view, head to downtown, Century City, or even the beach cities and check out some homes for rent or sale. If you’re adventurous, you and your date can come up with pseudonyms and pretend you’re big spenders.
3. Free Finds on Craigslist. Every few days, there are free (or nearly free) tickets that pop up on Craigslist, which will get you to go to a show, music, comedy, or art event you might not typically see. Even if it turns out horrible, you can spend the night critiquing how bad it was.
4. TV Tapings. If you can manage the time during the day, television show tapings are a MUST if you live in Los Angeles. If you don’t have a few hours to wait in the audience line, you can always opt for a studio tour.
5. Ride around town. Get a chance to see your familiar sites from an entirely different perspective. You can rent bikes and ride along the beach or throughout Griffith Park for as low as $10 and hour.
6. Volunteer. This is a great way to get involved and give back.
7. Free Museum Days. In addition to the museums around Los Angeles that are always free (Getty Center, Griffith Observatory, MOCA, California Science Center are a few), there are several that host free museum days once a week or once a month.
8. A Date with Donkey Kong. Why should kids have all the fun? Take the night to hit your local arcade and play all the games you did as a kid.
9. Drive-In Movies. With southern California’s great weather, take the evening to enjoy a movie or two under the stars in one of the area’s drive-in movie theaters.
10. Walk along Memory Lane. Los Angeles is a hub for great walking tours. From Hollywood landmarks, to the historic downtown architecture, to beach tours, you can check out some of the areas most unique scenery for as little as $5 per person.
31 Dates in 31 Days is available for sale on Amazon.com. To find out if Tamara found love, purchase HERE
