trying to grok

I'm torn on this one. I mean, this is a little like the Frog Prince: the woman who kisses the frog is rewarded by him turning into a prince? I am not saying that you need money to have a good time, I am just saying that the guy was acting like a kind of freak just to see if she would react...it reminds me of that TV show My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance.
My husband is a total freak, I mean, total freak. However, I never really saw that side of him in the initial period of us dating: for example: he never ever farted...which is so unbelievable to me now, because he farts audiably every day, and takes great glee in it. I think we were dating about 3 months before I ever heard him fart...just crazy when I think about it now. What personal restraint he had! I often accuse him now of the ol' bait and switch.
Also, he does these little weird jigs and dances around the house, he is constantly poking and pinching and teasing me in that way (which I like, but would have found a little too much in the early days).
So although the $20 date would probably work further into the relationship (I would love to go on a $20 date with my husband, that would take so much creativity on his part!) I can understand how she was kind of freaked out.
On the other hand, like the author said, it's probably better that she was "vetted" out early like this.

Maybe it's because I did all of my dating as a student; I just don't think money has anything to do with it. I think it would've been funny, and I would've asked what he was up to also, but I would've thought it was cute if I already liked the guy.

And I think my husband was the exact opposite: he didn't do anything to try to impress me. He just acted like himself. He was not trying to make me like him; it was an accident. He did none of the normal things that guys do to hide their guy behavior and pretend to be couth. He considered me "one of the guys" and put on no airs whatsoever.

In fact, we often joke that he's a far better husband than he was a boyfriend or fiance. He's more thoughtful now than he was then. (And that's saying a lot: this is the man who hasn't gotten me a birthday or Christmas present in years.)

Hmm...I like the idea, but I think he took the wrong approach. You can do "free" or "cheap" dates without going to the dollar store and buying a bunch of junk.

My husband and I had fun dates where we went to local markets or free events and didn't spend a cent. We've done tons of dates where we went to the hot dog stand for lunch or went for cheap teryaki or whatever instead of going to fancy restaurants. Our second "date" was me making spaghetti for him at my apartment; virtually free since I would have been making and eating spaghetti at some point anyway. The point is that I like who he is and I enjoy spending time with him no matter what we're doing.

And I, too, would take the bracelet of Reardon metal any day.

Totally agree with you guys...what I meant about the $20 date working later in the relationship, I meant, the $.99 store date working (which I consider freakish behavior...cute, but definitely strange)...not the actually cost of the date...I mean, I was in heaven when my husband took me on post to Taco Bell in Germany...he thought I was joking when I pleaded and pleaded for that.