Just turned 40. Match.com should I subscribe

[teaginandlaughter]

Just turned 40! I have been single for over a year and have a two year old daughter but in a moment of madness I created a profile on match.com this morning. To be honest, I don't have time to date more than once a week but I'm am a full-time working professional, who is craving some adult company, chats etc!

I've had a look and there are some great profiles on match and also some not so great ones (for my preference but I'm sure they will tick boxes for other people). Has anyone used match? I'm tempted to subscribe. I was going to do the six months as it's only £10 a month, instead of £30 for one month!

I did all the apps years ago (that's where I met my ex)'but feel like a paid site might get rid of the time wasters! Anyone got any good/bad experience? Really like to hear your stories.

Definitely. Be careful and manage your expectations.

@Campion22 thanks for positive post! My expectations are low but my standards since my ex are very high haha. But the worst is I can possibly have a couple of nice chats/ coffee dates!

I joined match and signed up for 6 months. My marriage ended last year, I'm almost 40 and thought why not. I chatted to a few people. I dated a couple (one was just 1 date, he was lovely but no spark. One was 3 dates, more of a spark but he had issues). Then I started chatting to my now boyfriend. We clicked straight away, and even though I'm aware it is still early days we are both very happy and have deleted our old accounts.

I did have accounts on other sites, though didn't pay for subscriptions. I chatted with a few people on them but didn't meet anyone. Match seemed the best option for me, possible because of my age or maybe because it was the only one I paid for.

I do agree with what the pp poster said though about being careful and managing expectations. Good luck

I've just went on it on the 4 week trial. I'm the same age as you. The vast majority of guys were not for me at all. Didn't get many sleazy messages so it was good on that front. I did however keep to my standards and filtered down to my now bf, who I've been seeing for 6 weeks and so far I think he's awesome. 🙂 I'm aware though I've either been extremely lucky to find such a crazy spark with the first person I met up with, or it's too good to be true, but just enjoying each date. Give it a try!

yes yes yes!!! I joined tinder at 39 after a year of being single and literally thought it was great. The first date I went on (I might have just been lucky) im still with 1.5 years later, their are some great people on their. However I did receive some rather dodgy other messages 😂

I haven’t experience of match though

I met my now DH on match when I was 38 after being mostly lifelong single...go for it!

Watching with interest...

I'm a solo parent by choice (donor conceived child) so no ex partner in terms of childcare arrangements. Also 40 and working full time. I've been single a few years now properly.

I'm also very restricted in terms of time but I'm hoping someone might be patient enough to get to know me rather than what I used to be before having a child (which is always available!)

I've never used a paid site as I believe relationship success is all about timing and luck (and that could be found on a free dating app!), but maybe more filters and algorithms are better in terms of finding a successful match?

Loads of really positive replies thank you! I searched for similar posts and was expecting lots of negative 'you're an unattractive option with a young child.' Or 'you won't be able to find time to date.' Which I probably won't, but you're positivity has given me a glimmer of hope! Out of interest, so you know if I were to sign up for six months if they take the amount out in one lump sum or monthly?

@anthurium I've signed up but haven't paid yet! It's weird as I feel I'm approaching this so differently to when I dated before (which was mid 30s) and I've also upped the age bracket 38-60!!! I'm so in the same boat as you, I co parent but they only have daughter one night a week which isn't much! I will keep you updated when I subscribe so I can respond to people.

@teaginandlaughter
I think it's great you've widened the age range - why not? It's just a way to increase a possibility of meeting someone. The way I see this dating situation now is that I have my family, it is complete, and if someone wonderful and decent comes long, then maybe they could add on to what I have already created! There's no pressure to "escalate" it (subconsciously or not!)

Yes, please keep us posted, it's always interesting to see how working parents go about dating and it's lovely to read success stories!

Are you open to dating men with children?

@teaginandlaughter they will take the whole amount at once rather than monthly if you sign up for 6 months. I didn't mention in my post that I have 2 Primary aged children who are with me the majority of the time. It is possible though and just means making the most of time I have free (oh doesn't have children which does make it a little easier) and accepting we can't see each other every day or every weekend. We work it around when I have my children. Good luck 😊

@anthurium feel exactly the same as you! Just looking for companionship rather than a father to my child (did I just use the word companionship haha, I must be getting old)! How old is your child? Mine is two and I barely have time to wash my hair so we might be waiting a while until I go on my first date haha! Xxx

@Terrariatime how did you get a 4 week trial?

@teaginandlaughter Mine is almost 1 and yes same here, very little 'empty' time... I tend to do coffee dates in my lunch break 🤣, I've had two so far, nice and quick and requires very little comprise...no spark/connection but this is the way I'll continue for a while I think

I used Match when I first tried OLD about 4 years ago. I went on a few dates with men I met on there but to be honest, when I then signed up to the free sites such as Bumble, most of the same men were on there too so I deleted my Match subscription and stuck with the free ones.

I did find it quite a 'safe' way of dipping my toes in though.

I joined Match and then a friend told me, if you don't renew, after a few days they'll offer you 50% off, wait a few more days and they'll offer you a month for £5 or £10, do that month by month as long as you want to. (But make sure to cancel your subscription before the renewal date).

@anthurium ohh exciting that you've actually been going on dates... good for you!

Update: quite a few nice matches... ! Some eight years younger than me haha! Had a few nice chats too, but god knows when I would get the time to meet someone. How long do you chat before you date?

Also, I will get slated for this but a lot of these men choose the most unflattering and awful photos. I'm sure men will say the same about the women on there too! Just makes me laugh how so many look like serial killers/take photos of themselves in bed/in dressing gowns on the sofa!