Coupons on a first date?

I went to a popular new restaurant in St. Paul on Saturday. Even though I've read about this place and really wanted to try it, I didn't say "yes" to the invitation without hesitation. The reason? I didn't have a coupon.

It's come to this. I am so used to coupons, discounts, and half price meals that it's hard for me to pay full price for anything anymore.

I wasn't always this way. I didn't use coupons much before I had kids. And I certainly didn't use them on a first date.

Well, coupon and personal finance website CouponSherpa.com took an informal survey and wrote a blog post on the very topic of whether it is acceptable to use coupons on the first date.

The answer?

No way!

Here are some excerpts from the post:

Just because you like to save money doesn't mean you're going to be a coldhearted penny pincher who is always working, working, working. In fact, you might be watching your pennies so you can donate more, or afford a fabulous vacation.

As for Tina's concern about coupon-clippers being controlling stick-in-the-mud's , I guess you'd have ask Mr. Kablog. I can be a pain about money, but I think we've done a pretty good job handling the Miss Frugal marries Mr. Not-so-frugal with accounts we've labeled "his spending" and "her spending." That way, I don't ask him about every purchase he makes and vice versa.

Some of the Coupon Sherpa users said they could overlook coupons used to afford a fine dining experience. Pulling out a coupon at a fast food restaurant, on the other hand? Well, who is taking someone to McDonalds on a first date anyway?

Apparently, if you're a woman, it's more acceptable to show your frugal side on dates. According to a survey about money and the sexes conducted by ING Direct, 61 percent of men consider a frugal first date to be "smart" and "sexy." Just 44 percent of women feel the same way.

Honestly, I thought with the economy these days, being frugal is more acceptable. I'd think the popularity of online deal-makers such as Star Tribune STeals, CrowdCut and Groupon with a younger, social crowd would also make saving money chic.