Fun dates that are virtually free. Photo: monkeybusinessimages / Bigstock.com
By Meghan Fitzgerald
Money is not always available in times of need. Queue dating. Dating is difficult as it is…the anxiety of the date, the stress of where to go, what to do. Double that difficulty if your financial situation is not at “its’ best.” Plus, perhaps your mate’s financial situation is also in the dumps. There are always ways to bend the rules of physics and plan the perfect date for little or no cost. Fun dates are a possibility, even if you are flat-out-broke. A relationship can loom from Ramen noodles! Here are some tips:
By Dr. Tranquility — Lydia Belton, Ph.D., Ct. H.A.
If you’ve been reading me for the last year or so, you know that I’m all about boundaries. So when we think about having a spring fling, it’s important to first figure out what that means. What’s comfortable for you? What exactly are looking for in a casual relationship? Here are four tips to help you on your journey to love.
10 ways to keep the honeymoon phase going strong. Photo: Luna Vandoorne / Bigstock.com
By Jennifer Harrington
Love takes time and hard work to nurture. And, for newlyweds, this is especially true, following the intensity and attention that accompany a wedding and honeymoon. What are some practical ways for newlyweds to keep the honeymoon phase going strong, and the spark alive as the marriage progresses? Here are ten ideas to keep your love sizzling:
Question from Kendall M.: I’ve been seeing this guy for a few months, and things have been really good. I’ve stayed over a couple times and even met his parents, but he hasn’t sent me a relationship request on Facebook. I’m too nervous to do it myself. Should I be worried that he hasn’t posted our relationship on Facebook yet?
Michelle Williams and Jason Segel. Photo: Miguel/VM/FAMEFLYNET PICTURES
By Jane Greer, PhD for GalTime.com
Actors Michelle Williams and Jason Segal recently announced their official break-up after spending much of the last year trying to make their bi-coastal romance work. She lives in New York City with her seven-year-old daughter, Matilda, and he lives in Los Angeles. The couple cited busy schedules and irreconcilable distance as the reason for the end of their partnership. It raises the question, when is love not enough?
Pamper yourself with a couples massage this weekend! Photo: Wavebreak Media Ltd / Bigstock.com
By Sarah Ribeiro
Spring is here, and with it comes the ever-dreaded cleaning that comes along for the ride. This isn’t anything your babe can’t help with, though. This weekend, make Spring cleaning fun: take a chance to welcome the new season early with your honey and apply spring cleaning to your daily lives.
Asking the right questions and identifying what issues are deal breakers for you before getting married is important for everyone, whether or not you live a life in the spotlight.� Addressing possible issues enables you to work through potential differences or, in the worst-case scenario, have the ability to walk away should you reach an impasse. If there are serious warning signs before you head down the aisle, marriage is not going to fix them!� Here are some important tips:
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner. Photo: Andrew Evans / PR Photos
By Marcus Osborne for Galtime.com
Celebrity couples have been the target of admonition and admiration for years. The Jekyll and Hyde reaction to whatever the latest or hottest pop culture pairing happens to be is as over the top as ever. I’ve always theorized that these couples’ break-up rates aren’t as dramatically different from the general population.
It’s no secret that over 50 percent of all marriages end in divorce. But does it mean that the relationship is completely over? After spending years devoted to a spouse and family, it’s nearly impossible to remove your ex from your life entirely. If you have children, it’s even harder. There will be graduations, weddings and other family events that will bring you both together again. After the unpredictable aftermath of a divorce, it’s hard to believe that remaining friends with your ex is even an option but it could be the best choice when you’ve been with someone for a long time.
In her new book, Befriending Your Ex After Divorce: Making Life Better for You, Your Kids, and, Yes, Your Ex, Judith Ruskay Rabinor, a psychologist, author, speaker, relationship expert and divorcee, explores her personal journey and shares how relationships can continue to grow and change once a marriage ends and a new family structure begins. In this exclusive interview with Rabinor, she shares her advice on how to develop and maintain a friendship with an ex –especially when there are kids involved.
We could go on and on about different scenarios where it’s best to keep it “just friends” with that particular someone within your social circle — whether it be a coworker, someone in your close group of friends or a person that one of your friends has previously dated. Most of the time we know it’s probably not a good idea, but it’s only natural to wonder about taking it a step further when you think there may be a stronger connection. So what about those situations where we are curious if there could be something more? Cupid spoke with the relationship experts on how best to navigate.
Couple playing basketball together. Photo: Blend Images / Bigstock.com
By Sarah Ribeiro
This weekend, forget the cold weather and get active indoors with your sweetheart. Head to the gym with your love for a little one-on-one — and some March Madness of your own.
Loving couple laying in bed. Photo: Wavebreak Media Ltd / Bigstock.com
By Laurel House for Galtime.com
Sure, he says he loves you even without makeup on, and that’s sweet, but that doesn’t mean you have permission to now only wear makeup when you get gussied up to go out with the girls!
Remember at the beginning of your relationship as you were shaving your legs and perfectly coiffing your pubs thinking “I can’t imagine ever not wanting to take the time to do this…” What happened?
Couple enjoying drinks with friends. Photo: monkeybusinessimages / Bigstock.com
By Sarah Ribeiro
Embrace the Irish holiday this weekend by grabbing a group of your friends and drinking in the tradition. Plan a pub crawl date night that your friends will talk about for years. Don’t worry about your single friends, they’ll have plenty to entertain themselves with on this whirlwind date. The pub scene will buzz around your crew as a mix of singles and couples join together to enjoy a few beers. This is the perfect opportunity to bridge your private and public relationship lives.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner with daughters Seraphina and Violet. Photo: Sasha/Pablo/Goodwin/FAMEFLYNET PICTURES
By Jane Greer, Ph.D. for Galtime.com
When Ben Affleck accepted the Oscar for best picture on Sunday night, he thanked wife Jennifer Garner saying marriage is hard work, but it is the best kind of work. One area that takes great effort in a relationship is finding the balance between each person’s needs and desires. Say football is your thing. It always has been, ever since you were a little kid watching at home with your dad. So it is impossible for you to understand why your new partner has no interest in it. You want to go to games together, talk about plays, and plan weekends around the tailgate parties. But she says no. What do you do?
Couple watching a movie and eating popcorn. Photo: darrenmbaker / Bigstock.com
By Sarah Ribeiro
This weekend, get to know your partner better by exploring each other’s tastes in movies. Your beau might have a film close to their hearts that you never knew about. Pick out your favorite classic films and spend the weekend cuddling on the couch, sharing your film preferences with each other.
Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel. Photo: API/FAMEFLYNET PICTURES
By Melanie Mar
Happy endings happen in all different ways. So, when someone asks me if a relationship has staying potential when it’s constantly on-again, off-again, the answer is “yes.” Contrary to popular belief, on-again, off-again relationships can be the real deal.
All relationships, at some point, go through turbulent and challenging times, which may result in a breakup or even breakups, plural. Even so, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t one day be walking down the aisle together. Case in point: Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake. If the reason for the split is not of an immoral, unethical or a very serious nature but instead due to timing, immaturity, financial stresses, etc., and the two of you have a deep, emotional and mental connection, there is a good chance that you will reconnect again physically.
You’ve got dealbreakers. We all do. But what should be just a few hard-and-fast, values-driven rules about who you will and will not associate with, let alone date, has gotten a little out of hand. Curly hair? Dealbreaker. Have kids? Dealbreaker. Don’t have kids? Dealbreaker. Glasses, a few credits shy of a bachelors degree, a previous marriage? Dealbreaker. Seriously?
After spending the past two years together, Rachel McAdams and Michael Sheen have called it quits. The two actors simply want different things for their futures. According to People, McAdams is ready to settle down and have kids, but Sheen, already a father to a 14-year old daughter from his relationship with Kate Beckinsale, has no interest in having any more children. Due to their differences in opinions, they ended their relationship. Still, there is no bad blood between the exes.
How can you compromise when you and your partner want different things for the future?
Ways to date from far away. Photo: bloomua / Bigstock.om
By Jennifer Harrington
Being apart from your love is never easy, whether the distance is short or long term, but in today’s fast-paced and mobile world, separation is a common reality. When the miles separate you from your sweetheart, here are some easy ways to keep your date night on the calendar:
Couple laughing at a comedy club. Photo: Kzenon / Bigstock.com
By Sarah Ribeiro
One of the great parts of dating is getting to experience new things together and grow as a couple. This weekend, think outside of the box and expand your tastes. You’ll benefit from having a really unique date — plus, you have nothing to lose!
Unique honeymoon ideas. Photo: Luna Vandoorne / Bigstock.com
By Amanda Hevener
Traditionally, a honeymoon is a vacation taken directly after the wedding so that the newlywed bride and groom can spend a little alone time. These vacations are usually spent at beach resorts, on tropical cruises or at exotic destinations that the new husband and wife have never been to before. However, there is something to be said about a unique honeymoon, where the newlyweds can still be together without spending time lounging on a beach. These unusual trips involve doing activities that both halves of the new couple love, or taking a once in a lifetime chance to do something adventurous.
The feelings and emotions we experience during the Valentine’s Day season can be enjoyed any time of the year. In order to begin, it starts with yourself. When we love ourselves, we resonate a vibration of love, and as it goes out, it comes back to us. So if you’ve had a breakup recently, let go and let love in — not for your ex, but for you! Our boundaries tend to be in a healthy place when we achieve this goal, giving way to much happier and healthier relationships.
How to avoid arguing over money. Photo: MSPhotographic / Bigstock.com
By Jennifer Harrington
Unquestionably, two things that can be difficult to navigate in life are relationships and finances. And, if you’re involved in a serious romantic relationship, at some point, you are going to tackle the topic of finances and how they will be handled in your joint life with your sweetie. Here are some tips to avoid the conflicts about money that can frequently plague romances:
You and your special someone can enjoy what’s left of this chilly winter with warm cocktails that are perfect for this time of year. Indulging in a hot spiked apple cider or learning how to make a hot toddy will set you up for an intimate night that’s different from just cracking open a couple of beers or sipping on a glass of wine.
