Honey, I'm home!

Gold diggers aren't the only ones that might reject you, but that has more to do with society. Along with the idea of chivalry comes the assumption that man provides for woman. Fred Flintstone leaves the house in the morning, works for Mr. Slate, and comes home to a dinner that Wilma prepared. This has been passed on throughout the generations, and even though women are independent today, the underlying idea of man taking care of his wife financially still lurks in every corner, from 5th Avenue to Rodeo Drive.

While this old-fashioned way of thinking could still be present in certain nooks and crannies of society's fabric, women are self-sufficient today and are just as much a force to be reckoned with in the workplace, and therefore no longer need to depend on men to bring home the proverbial bacon. So relax.

Women are just as powerful and financially capable as men, but that doesn't mean that they're willing to be their boyfriends' providers while the men stay home collecting unemployment checks and playing Xbox.

Why is he poor?

The truth is, the reason behind the man's lack of funds is crucial and makes the difference between keeping him and discarding him. If he's poor because he's a law student, for example, then his "poordom" is circumstantial and temporary, as it would be with whatever profession he was studying for. If he's poor because he's an entrepreneur and lost all his money in an unsuccessful business venture, or because he's been unlucky in the business world, that's also acceptable, as long as he tries to change his destiny and make something of himself.

As well, if the guy is a struggling musician, or has simply chosen a profession that seeks intrinsic rewards rather than financial freedom, these are also not only acceptable, but commendable.

The ability to shower a woman with gifts is not necessarily what makes a wealthy man attractive, but rather, it's the power that is associated with a man's wealth. But since women and society have moved beyond the point of equating wealth with the qualities of "a good boyfriend," there are other ways to win a woman over and prove your power.

Fill up your account

Hey, some guys get fast cars to compensate for a physical drawback, others need to develop various traits if they're missing out in another department. There are many ways to make a woman fall for you, without having to drop plastic.

Be generous
Showing a woman how caring you are does not have to come in a Tiffany's box. The thrill of lavish gifts wears off at a point -- especially if she feels dissatisfied in other areas of your relationship -- which is why you should give her the gift of time, attention, spontaneity, and caring. After all, the best things in life are free.

You're probably sighing, what a laugh , but if you can show your generosity in other ways, you'll have it made. So be attentive to her needs (if she tells you she's a vegetarian, suggest going to a vegetarian place you know downtown), and be spontaneous by planning a special day together, even if it's just a walk in the park.

As for gifts, show her it's the thought that counts by giving her something inexpensive, without looking cheap. For example, if you know she's a Zen enthusiast, buy her a small bonsai garden, rather than taking her out to the most expensive Asian restaurant you know.

Plan subtly cheap dates
You might want to leave the coupons at home until you're an established couple, but in the meantime, you can show her a good time without breaking the bank. Instead of going to the opera, go to a ceramics-making cafe, or bring the opera to you by listening to classical music while eating a home-cooked dinner together by candlelight.

Romance and spontaneity have more to do with atmosphere and less with the amount of the bill. Perfect date ideas include ice skating, hiking in your local national park, a walk in the forest, a picnic on the beach, rollerblading on the boardwalk, and even going to the repertoire theater to catch an old film classic, rather than a $15 blockbuster.

Work on your appearance
You don't need money to buy class and style, as demonstrated by men that believe that donning designer goods is all it takes to impress. There are many stores and brands out there that offer equally nice threads, without the logos and the hefty price tags.

In addition to looking presentable, make sure that you are always well-groomed. So trim those excess hairs, take care of your hairstyle, and stay in shape. You don't need to purchase expensive products or join a gym if those don't fit into your budget; buy gel from the local pharmacy and take up jogging; the point is that you can look like a million bucks, even if you don't have that kind of money.

Beware of moneygrubbers

If you do meet a woman and manage to charm her with your sense of humor, gentlemanly etiquette and killer physique, you won't want to waste your time or money trying to impress her if you and your slim bank account will have her saying sayonara faster than she can say, "charge it!"

There are, of course, many women that would never date a poor man, and here are some signs to help you decide if she's one of them.

She wouldn't date a poor man if:

• Her watch costs more than your car
• She insists on parking 5 blocks away from the restaurant when you drive or worse, take the bus
• The only restaurants she suggests charge more than your weekly salary
• She never offers to pay
• She's a slave to labels
• She was raised with a silver spoon in her mouth and has never heard the words, "no, dear."
• She always talks about what her ex bought her, or owned
• When she talks about vacations, she only suggests Asian cruises and European holidays
• She always talks about the importance of a "good" job, which means high pay, prestigious title, or both
• She asks why you're not considering another job, although she knows you love it
• She never tells people what you do, where you live, or what you drive
• She would never do volunteer work

When it comes to the size of your pocketbook, you can surely find women that would reject you if you were lacking in the finance department, but there are also those that wouldn't even flinch if you always took home a doggie bag when leaving restaurants.

Show her that you have a lot to offer -- generosity, thoughtfulness, chivalry -- and are outgoing, romantic and fun to be with, and you'll sweep her off her feet without sweeping out the big bucks. As long as you're still ambitious and driven, have confidence in spite of your mis-fortune , and focus on other parts of what you have to offer, she'll see that digging will leave her with more than gold: you.