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The US is currently facing one of the worst economic crises in decades, and people are being forced to take a hard look at their spending and decide what their priorities are. Entertainment, such as movies, theme parks, and concerts, have taken especially hard hits, as people have realized they aren’t really necessities. Even many online dating sites have lost membership, as some charge obscene monthly rates based on their claims of “scientific matching.”

For example, ScientificMatch.com charges almost $2,000 for a lifetime membership (which includes a DNA testing kit, and background and bankruptcy reports, because that’s not creepy at all) all based on their claim that attraction is embedded in peoples’ genetics. Similar sites, like eHarmony and Chemistry.com, charge premium prices that can cost upwards of 50 bucks a month, solely based on fairly arguable scientific studies and questionnaires that are so long it feels like your eyes are bleeding.

Now take the costs of these sites, multiply them by how many expensive, traditional dates you’ll go on, add an engagement ring, the cost of children, and a potential divorce? But never fear, since OBC’s rates are as low as 16 cents a day, you don’t have to sacrifice booty, even if you’re on a tight budget.

img @ askmen

We’re all about having fun at BCU, but as we are your one stop shop for dating and sex advice, it’s time we get serious about putting a little excitement into your lackluster sex life. Unfortunately, the economy’s in a bit of a slump, and trips to the top of the Eiffel Tower are out of the question for most. Here are some great places to have hot sex without spending an arm and a leg.

1. An abandoned classroom

I don’t know if you’ve heard, but the recession has hit the California budget hard, and state funded education has taken quite a beating. At a given state university, as many as half the classes have been cut, leaving open classrooms just about everywhere. Sneaking into an old arts classroom (those classes were the first to go) and getting it on at a professor’s desk will make you forget you had to sell your car to buy groceries.

2. A conference room

Poor guy, gotta pull extra hours at the office to make rent this month? No problem, ask a sexy friend to do you a favor and bring you some late-night dinner, and perhaps she can stay for some dessert ;)!

3. A lifeguard tower

Beach sex is the new missionary- boring, boring, boring. Take the extra step and get yourself up into a lifeguard tower. The sex will be incredible, and you won’t have to worry about… chafing.

4. At a library

Who can afford to shell out money for books these days? With such an economic downturn, many are getting back into libraries- You know… the library- That quiet place you got information before the internet? Hunt one down and then get busy between the shelves. But keep it down or you’ll get a mighty “Shhhh,” from an underpaid librarian.

5. On a golf course

Of course, we don’t assume you can afford to go on one during the day, but a sexy hook up on the green will be the hottest hole in one you’ve ever shot. Yes, we know that pun is terrible.

img @ dietsinreview

Well, not quite yet. But if we know one thing, it’s that men with mustaches wield a whole lot of power, and a recent poll of the American Mustache Institute, 80% of its members declared they’d prefer the Super Bowl be moved to a Saturday, claiming that it would increase the economic gain for grocery stores, restaurants and bars, and TV networks.

Now, we’re not sure how we feel about destroying the tradition of Super Bowl Sunday, but we’ve got to admit they make some valid points. How many times have you had to drag yourself, or be dragged, into the office Monday morning cause you partied too hard with all your buddies for the Super Bowl?

Check out the full story at Asylum, including a link to sign the petition to move the Super Bowl to Saturday!

By: Natalie Erlich, Writer/Producer | 06 Feb 2009 | 01:32 PM ET

Despite the souring economy, the business of love is sweeter than ever.

Traffic at online dating networks and engagement auction sites is booming; even New York City is trying to get a piece of the action.

“Research shows that stressful situations, uncertainty and danger all lead to greater affiliation, including long-term relationships,” says Norman Li, an assistant professor of evolutionary social psychology who specializes in mating and attraction at the University of Texas at Austin. “The increase in affiliate behavior happened after 9/11—people connected with old friends, new friends, family and romantic relationships, and it may be reasonable to expect the same things to be happening in response to the current economic downturn.”

For singles, the drive for companionship may become stronger during times of financial stress.

“Just as investors look toward protecting what they have and locking in on a safe investment, single individuals probably feel an increased need to form a long-term relationship,” says Li.

Online Services On Target

Match.com, for instance, saw paid subscriptions rise 5 percent to 1.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2008 and registrations were 22 percent higher in December than at the same time last year.

“People are coming at record numbers,” says Mandy Ginsberg, senior VP and general manager of Match.com North America. “If you go out with a bunch of girlfriends it might cost you more than Match; it’s a pretty cost effective way of finding someone to date.”

Rival eHarmony.com saw a 20 percent spike in memberships from September 2008 through January 2009 compared to the same time frame last year. Interestingly, both dating sites reported the highest traffic on the Dow 30′s worst days. As the blue-chip index shed 100 points or more in September and October, eHarmony’ page views rose some 2 percent compared to days the Dow gained 100 points or more.

“People look at improving their personal life as something that is in their control on days when the financial world seems so out of our control,” says Greg Waldorf, CEO of eHarmony. “You want something else to do that is positive.”

Casual dating site OnlineBootyCall.com, which saw a 45 percent revenue spike and 60 percent membership boost from 2007 to 2008, is also expecting to grow in a down economy.

“It saves money,” says Moses Brown, OnlineBootyCall.com founder. “People don’t need to have to spend lots of money to impress a girl.”

The online auction site for engagement rings, IDoNowIDon’t.com, has also enjoyed a recessionary pop. Ring sales more than tripled and Web site traffic has quadrupled between September and December in 2008, according to the company.

Sales totaled over $1 million, a 50 percent increase from the year before, says CEO David Becker.

“People look at diamonds and jewelry as a way to quickly solve a financial dilemma,” says Becker. “You need to pay your mortgage or your car bill, or in some cases you need to pay your country club bill.”

Evonne Tran, a student from Evanston, Illin., found her engagement ring for 75 percent off the $4,000 store value.

The online auction site for engagement rings, IDoNowIDon’t.com, has also enjoyed a recessionary pop. Ring sales more than tripled and Web site traffic has quadrupled between September and December in 2008, according to the company.

Sales totaled over $1 million, a 50 percent increase from the year before, says CEO David Becker.

“People look at diamonds and jewelry as a way to quickly solve a financial dilemma,” says Becker. “You need to pay your mortgage or your car bill, or in some cases you need to pay your country club bill.”

Evonne Tran, a student from Evanston, Illin., found her engagement ring for 75 percent off the $4,000 store value.

“I just love the Tiffany rings,” she said. “It’s so expensive when you get it at the store, so I got a really great deal.”

New York Is For Lovers

New York City, long-dubbed the world’s financial hub, is positioning itself as the new marriage capital. In January, Mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled a $12.3 million, 24,000-square-foot marriage bureau, hoping to attract couples from the US and abroad.

“The city wants to be the No. 1 marriage destination in the world,” says Michael McSweeney, first deputy city clerk. “We want to take on Las Vegas.”

New York City issued some 66,000-marriage licenses last year, while Clark County, Nevada, which includes Las Vegas, issued 96,024 licenses, according the bureaus’ records.

Although January is typically the slowest month, the number of weddings in the first weeks has exceeded last January’s, according to the mayor’s office.

The process was more convenient than a church ceremony for Denise and Christophe Ungbao, who married on Feb. 3.

“His family’s in France and mine is all over, and it’s kind of easier just to have it and nobody gets offended,” says Denise Ungbao. “And the main reason of getting married is there; it’s just for us.”

In addition to marriage licenses, the bureau sells floral bouquets, costume rings, tissues and NYC merchandise.

“There’s a lot of cache to say you were married in New York City,” says Tiffany Townsend, a NYC & Company spokesperson who is getting married in the city this year. “Whether you are a couple that has $10,000 to spend or if the sky’s the limit, New York City is the type of place that has something for every type of budget.”

Local businesses are also hoping to build on the marriage buzz.

The Ritz-Carlton New York in Battery Park unveiled a package exclusively for couples married at the bureau. For $325, the “NYC Nuptials Wedding Night” includes a complimentary room upgrade and two glasses of champagne exclusively for couples married at the bureau.

But for twosomes looking to tie the knot on a tighter string, a wedding at New York City Hall may be the most viable option. A marriage license goes for $35 and a ceremony costs $25.

“It’s the perfect location and perfect place to do something that’s not expensive,” says Monica Pereira, who wed Witlet Maceno on Feb. 3. “And you can use credit credits.”

© 2009 CNBC.com

OnlineBootyCall.com rewards members with $40,000 in cash and prizes

San Diego, CA (November 16, 2008) – Dating Website OnlineBootyCall.com (OBC) has announced the winners of its Smart Car® Giveaway Contest. The contest, which ran from August 1 to October 31, asked members to invite friends to join the OnlineBootyCall community. Thousands of members participated, inviting thousands of singles to join OnlineBootyCall.

Prizes totaling $40,000, including the coveted Smart Car Cabriolet, were awarded to the 13 winners this week. Every single person that qualified for the contest (by referring a minimum of 10 friends) won a cash prize. On November 13th, the Smart Car was shipped to the contest’s top winner, Diona from Upper Malboro Maryland.

“At OBC, we always reward our loyal members. We’ve already given away a fully loaded Range Rover, and nearly half a million dollars in cash. Plus, every month we continue to give away $6,000,” commented Moses Brown, founder of OnlineBootyCall.

In total, the Smart Car Contest gave one lucky OBC member a Smart Car Cabriolet, four OBC members received a combined total of $10,000, and the rest was awarded as individual cash prizes. The winners can be viewed at OnlineBootyCall’s Contest Winner’s page, provided here:
OBC Smart Car Contest

Brown added, “we encourage our members to date smart, to date casually, and enjoy the singles lifestyle. With the recent economic downturn, we also want them to drive smart and save money!”

OnlineBootyCall.com continues to grow each year by taking a grass roots approach to social marketing. Each month members invite thousands of singles to follow OBC’s advice: don’t promise marriage just to get a date.