Examples for women on the day of the date may be having your hair done or buying a new dress. An example for men could be the cost of dinner and the movie. We could also include the costs associated in the life journey leading up to the date, such as university fees or interstate travel. If I went along those lines, the financial cost of my own last 'first date' would be >$200,000 – a few stints at university. How can we turn those costs into investments?

Each of these times at tertiary level education are included as the last first date was held in another country, Indonesia, where I have a BA (Asian Studies), with a major in Indonesian Language. I had taken extended time off work after health problems arising from teaching (two times at tertiary level as I didn't finish it the first time). So the hourly rate was more commonly around $15. Then on the day I was so excited about a big night out, I had my nails and hair done.

And as I had returned to university as a mature student a few times, there was not only the cost of the courses and learning materials, but there was also the opportunity cost of lost and diminished income where rather than earning $40 or $50 per hour, I was able to go forward by taking more menial positions that did not take up the brain space that I needed free to process the knowledge I was acquiring. Then there was the cost of the ticket to the fundraiser …..

Then the first date was in another country so there were the cost of flights, and at the time I was travelling around Bali, however I had been invited to a fund raiser and had to travel back to that part of the island. If your issue has become your passion, use what you have learned to help others. This could be volunteering at a school or nursing home. You can be sure that your journey will help others who have the same issues you have been able to overcome.