Meredith Goldstein of the Boston Globe (and the way things are going it will probably be the soon defunct Boston Globe) wrote, “Some singles have taken themselves out of the running for love during this recession.” It’s a pretty rough patch many people are going thru economically but it’s happened before and will probably happen again whether it is just personal finances, lost of a job or a global recession.

However as far as I’m concerned staying on the shelf is not an option. Taking yourself out of the dating game until things get better means you could be sitting for a very long time. The best bet is to exercise some fiscal discipline while being creative. Like

1. Games and Puzzles

Monopoly anyone? How about a good game of Scrabble? Maybe during your travels you’ve come across one of those puzzles with five hundred or more pieces. Never really been into puzzles? To each their own but give it a shot anyway. Dating relationships are about give and take. And who knows? You may find being with someone enthusiastic about puzzles and games rubs off on you.

2. Music Days

You’ve got some favorite music? So does the person you are dating or trying to anyway. Invite them over occasionally and tell them to bring some of their favorite music. What they have may not be to your exact taste but again healthy dating is about equal give and take. Leave the TV off. With television you pretty much have to stop what you are doing periodically to focus on what’s happening on the screen.

Music on the other hand can keep the conversation flow going while the two of you dance and laugh the evening away. This is not going to be easy, especially when you are used to a certain routine but it sure beats waiting for things (which may not be in your control ) to get better before you jump back in the dating scene.