If your date is frugal and you are not, you may classify him or her as cheap. People that are careful with their money may be that way due to their upbringing, desire to save for retirement, fear of job loss, or not wanting to invest much in someone they are not sure they will be in a long-term relationship with.
Since financial issues are one of the primary reasons why relationships fail, you need to find someone that you are compatible with financially. At the very least, you will need to be respectful of the differences and not be upset about them.
Sometimes having a relationship with someone who has a different financial style can be complimentary. Maybe your date takes the time to find coupons which help you to save money. Or, maybe you need to be less impulsive about your spending and your companion offers the voice of reason before you go overboard.
If you find yourselves arguing over your differences, you will need to take stock of your relationship. If you were not dating this person, what would your life be like? Remember, too, that any relationship will involve compromises.
Do you find your date’s behavior to be embarrassing? Using coupons is fairly socially acceptable. Dumpster diving may not be OK with you. Ditto to someone who tends to argue with waiters and clerks to get every last dime off their bill. Some people carry cheap to such extremes that they are actually unethical. For example, taking enough forks and sauces for the meal you just bought at a fast food restaurant is expected. Filling your bag with twenty forks and fifty packs of ketchup is not.
Sometimes, this cheapness can be indicative of deficiencies in the person’s character. For example, someone who is stingy with money may also be stingy with their time or affection. Also, consider how this person treats you when you make purchases. Do you get nagged or belittled? If so, you probably do not want to live with someone who is monitoring your every purchase.
If your date’s cheap behavior is bothering you, decide how important these behaviors are to you. If you will constantly be frustrated, then you are likely to alienate the other person with your reactions. If you can take the behavior with a solid dose of humor or better yet, appreciate the cost cutting, then you may have found a relationship that you can lve with.