They claimed it was a joke. The women who launched “Dating a Banker Anonymous” (D.A.B.A.) pleaded that their support group was only a gag, but that was only after they were featured a few months ago in The New York Times and faced an onslaught of public scrutiny.

While this may seem like old news to you, the website, which is a pampered princess’ twist on the 12-step recovery program, continues to attract thousands of unique monthly visitors faced with the realities of recession dating. Despite these challenging times, women seeking Mr. Rich and not-always-so Right continue to kvetch and mourn about the national deficit of uber-wealthy single men, posting comments throughout the Internet like “what happened to all the Wall Street men I used to date?”

To the many single ladies out there who wonder about these things, listen up: There are plenty of eligible bachelors still on the scene but, like the rest of the country, they are making cutbacks and concessions, becoming more discerning daters and taking a more humble approach by not flaunting their earnings. A quick traffic report check and it’s plain to see that hits on once popular millionaire matchmaking sites like SugarDaddy.com, VIPSingles.com and WealthyMen.com are on a fast and steady downward spiral.

Even the Millionaire Matchmaker, Patti Stanger, is tweaking her message this season as she is advising women that friendship, not money, is the most important thing in a relationship. Unfortunately, the Hollywood fairy who makes “marry rich” dreams come true spends most of each episode tough-loving rich, single rogues into top-performing dating shape, without challenging the gold digging women who throw themselves before them.

If your idea of true love is Botox and Birkin bags, then you have a problem. Admitting as much is the first step towards your recovery. If you’re serious about your program then here are some next steps to try:

1. Don’t Expect Him to Be Just Like Your Daddy: Consider yourself charmed and privileged if you have a closet full of Louboutin shoes, but don’t just date men who can pick up the tab (or deficit) for your high taste treasures where Daddy left off.

2. Dare to Dine at Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: Even if you’ve been spoiled by the sophisticated and swanky restaurant scene, when invited, always accept dine-out-on-a-dime invitations. It’s amazing what juicy hot dogs and a walk in the park on a hot and sticky day can do for your love life!

3. Attention to How he Treats You, Not What he Treats You To: If you don’t, don’t be surprised if you end up in the Ruth Madoff cursed wives club.

4. Date Outside the Box: To all you high earning power women, wake up! You’re not the only ones who put in 60 hours a week. There are plenty of great men out there who work just as hard as you, so shame on you if you only date money guys.

5. The Entitled Princess: “Buy me, do me, get me” is an enchanting outlook but do yourself some good and save it for the fairy tales.

No one wants to or should ever settle for anything less than they deserve. But keep in mind that the opposite of settling, which so many of us fear, is unsettling. And what’s far more disturbing is if you spend your time searching for Mr. Rich rather than Mr. Right, assuming of course love is what you are truly seeking.

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