Singles Scene Newsletter 3/13/00 issue 15 sing-@primenet.com In this issue: * Singles News Briefs * Singles Site of the Week * All Singles Dance Schedule * Arizona Date Ideas * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **Taxes to change from marriage penalty to marriage bonus? Republican-sponsored legislation is currently pending in the U.S. House of Representatives that would cut taxes for all married couples who file joint income tax returns, and increase the "marriage bonus" for couples where one spouse earns more than the other, according to the Associated Press. Almost 50 million married couples filed jointly in 1997. President Clinton is threatening to veto the bill as too costly, skewed toward higher-income people, and using funds needed in other areas. **Just 52 weeks to better dating skills. Cody Williams of Prescott, Arizona, made it his 1999 New Year's resolution to date 52 women in 52 weeks. "You have to practice in athletics to be good, so I figured you have to practice in relating to women too." He didn't apply any of his usual dating "requirements" - only that they had "at least one aspect on which to build a friendship." He minimized his risk of rejection by nurturing friendships with women first; still, not everyone said yes, but he saw the rejections as part of the process. He set a $50 limit per date, but ran over budget occasionally; dates included bike rides, tennis dates, theatre, breakfast, lunch, dinner, golf, baseball, coffee, hiking, canoeing, playing pool, fishing, playing video games, bingo and to horse races. "I wouldn't set that goal again - I don't need to," says Williams. "Now I'm a good conversationalist and I am relaxed around women. I'm now a veteran dater." **Actor is ready for female friends. "I used to believe no straight man could be friends with a straight woman. Now I'm meeting women who are interesting and smart, and I think, 'I hope we can be friends.'" Actor Ben Affleck. **Reduce unsolicited credit card offers. If pre-approved credit card offers prove too tempting, or strike you as a hazard or a nuisance, you can get your name removed from the marketing lists of the three major credit bureaus to reduce (but probably not eliminate) the offers you receive. Call 1-888-5OPT-OUT (567-8688). You'll be sent some follow-up paper work to complete the process. **Chubby guys are cheerful but not the gals. According to a recent report in the American Journal of Public Health, obese women were more likely to be depressed than average weight women, but over-weight men are less likely than average men to suffer depression. In fact, underweight men were the most vulnerable to depression. (Obese and underweight were defined in the study as the top and bottom 15 percent of weight for any height.) This study of 40,000 adults did not determine, however, which came first: the weight, or the depression. **Don't let money differences ruin your relationship. A study of 625 married or cohabitating individuals found that 40% say they often or sometimes bicker about money, making money differences the most likely source of trouble in relationships. (Children and in-laws were cited by 37%, sex by 21%.) To minimize money-related relationship problems: 1. Communicate about money issues, such as long-term goals, short-term needs, and organizing financial records. "At a minimum, sit down together once a year to discuss where you are," says one expert. 2. Share the bill-paying duties. That way you are both informed about what comes in and where it goes. 3. Be careful of separate credit cards and checking accounts. One partner may not be aware of the other's spending problems. Order a credit report once a year, for both parties to see. 4. Know at least the basics of each other's investments, taxes, insurance, and estate-plans. 5. Consider a prenuptial agreement. "If you're going to have a big blow-up about money, it's better to have it before the marriage." * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Singles Site of the Week - Arizona Sierra Singles Club - hiking and other outdoor events for Arizona singles - * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ALL SINGLES DANCE SHEDULE: MARCH Fri. 17 Mountain Shadows, 5641 E. Lincoln Dr. (50 cents off if you wear green for St. Patrick's Day) Fri. 24 Sheraton Crescent Hotel, 2620 W. Dunlap, Phoenix Ballroom Fri. 31 Scottsdale Radisson, 7171 N. Scottsdale Rd. Call 480-949-8076 (press 1) for more info or see *********************** DATE IDEAS Tues., March 14: See "Fantasia 2000" at the IMAX at Arizona Mills, northwest corner, Baseline and Priest, Tempe. Wed., March 15: Fun skate for adults, (need your own skates or rent them), 7 p.m., El Dorado Park, 2311 N. Miller Rd., Scottsdale. Winds thru city. Free. 480-942-4156. Thurs., March 16: Antique Walk, downtown Glendale. 623-435-0556. Pack a picnic to eat in the downtown park. Thurs./Sun., March 16-19: 10th annual U.S. West National Festival of the West, Rawhide, Scottsdale. 4 stages of western entertainment, poetry and culture. 200+ exhibitors. Demonstrations, rodeos. 602-996-4387. Fri., March 17: St. Patrick's Day! If you like rowdy crowds, visit an Irish pub. Sat., March 18: 10th annual O'Odham Day Celebration, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Ajo. 10 am - 4 pm. Exhibits, demonstrations, crafts. Free. 520-387-6849. Sun., March 19 (begins 17th): WorldPort 2000, Glendale's Celebration of the Nations, live music, dance, ethnic food, bazaar. 10 am to 5 pm. Free. 623-930-2299. Mon., March 20: The moon is full; take a walk at the Desert Botanical Garden, Encanto Park, or the Indian Bend Wash in Scottsdale. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * PLEASE FORWARD THIS ISSUE ---------------------------------------------- If you haven't already done so, please forward this issue to one or two of your friends or business associates. Thanks so much! To unsubscribe to this newsletter, send a blank email to singlesphx--@topica.com If a friend would like to subscribe, have them send a blank email to singlesphx-@topica.com