The economy is on everyone's mind these days. There is no getting away from it. Pick up a newspaper, turn on the television, go to an internet news site, and it's pretty much a sure bet that's going to be the lead story. People in the United States – and all over the world, for that matter – are hunting for ways to save money in just about every area of their lives. Although most experts agree that it is only a matter of time before things turn around and start getting better again, most people are being more cautious about how they spend their money than they ever have been before. They are cutting back on luxuries, and being careful that they get the most for their money on every purchase they make.

Saving money and getting the most out of every dollar you spend is, in many cases, a matter of doing your research, and “shopping smart”. This applies to virtually every area of life, and it particularly applies to the world of online dating.

Contrary to what many newcomers to the world of online dating and online dating services seem to believe, all online dating services and sites are NOT alike. Online dating services (as a simple Google search will show you, there are hundreds of them out there catering to almost every conceivable preference – such as looking to date Russian women or find a Russian wife) differ in their pricing, the services they provide, the levels of service available and the amount of both time and financial commitment they require from their customers. Keeping a few things in mind when deciding what online service to use could be the key to keeping your online dating experience within your budget.

Here are a few things you should consider when choosing an online dating service:

•Avoid expensive membership fees – One of the most common mistakes people new to the online dating world make (and one of the largest money wasters there is) is thinking that a high membership fee somehow ensures that you are getting a better quality product. While different services offer different schemes and “tools” for meeting members of the opposite (or same) sex, or in different countries and cultures – such as meeting Russian girls -- the bottom line is that finding the perfect someone by using an online dating service is mostly up to the individual. The fact of the matter is that many of the most highly priced services on the internet offer many, many services that the average customer will never use, as a way of justifying their high fee. Before signing up for any service, take some time to see if you really need all the services you “get for their low, low price”. If you don't care about being matched up with someone based on their astrological sign, most often watched movie or favorite brand of toothpaste, you will probably save money by looking for another service.

•Avoid long-term contracts or commitments – A popular (and quite expensive) trend with many online dating services is offering minor discounts for signing up for six month, one year and even two year commitments. While on the surface this can often seem like a cost saving opportunity, in many cases it is just the opposite. If after a month or two using the service a customer finds that they are not being as successful finding someone as they want to be, they are stuck. Alternatively, if a customer actually does find the person of their dreams after only a month or two and have already paid for a one or two year membership, the remainder of that membership amounts to wasted money. For most people, limiting themselves to a one or three month membership with any service will prove to be the most cost effective, risk free way to go. Renewing a shorter membership is always an option, but cancelling a longer one that you have already paid for is rarely an option.

•Consider credits/points based pay-as-you-go services – One trend that is gaining popularity in the online dating world is the pay-as-you-go system, which is usually based on points or credits. In this type of system the monthly membership fee is nominal, and customers purchase points or credits, which they are then free to spend on the services that they want to use. By using a service that employs this type of system, customers are not only able to budget and control the amount they spend, but also only utilize (and pay for) those services that they actually use.

•Take advantage of trial memberships/free offers – Particularly now, in these rough economic times, it is more important than ever to make sure you know what you are paying for. Many online dating services offer free trial memberships to let customers test out what they have to offer with no cost or obligation. This is particularly important to first-time online dating customers who are not familiar with how services work. While taking advantage of a free membership, make certain you pay particular attention to the various services the site offers, and be on the look-out for any hidden fees or charges that might kick in after you have become a paying member. Any legitimate service will have ALL their fees and charges posted somewhere on their site. If they don't, you don't want to have anything to do with them.

While all of the items mentioned above will help you save money in the online dating world, perhaps the most important cost saving measure you can take is to have a clear understanding of what it is YOU want. Decide what it is that you expect out of your online dating experience before you start looking for a service to use, and then look for the service based on YOUR needs and NOT based on what it is that they have to offer. Taking control of your online dating experience will not only ensure you get the results you desire, but also help make certain that you get those results on your budget!