Like the title states, I've been single for over 3 years now and am thinking about possibly entering the dating scene again, but with a lot of apprehension. Although I have a lot of girl-friends, I haven't had any luck getting a girlfriend in the last few years. The last girl I Iiked really did my head in and made me question the feasibility of dating again. I know 40 isn't old, but I feel that I should be at a different point in my life than where I am and I have nothing to really offer any potential matches. I'm a single father, but my kids live with their mom, although they are my number one priority right now. I live in a single bedroom apartment and serve tables at a decent restaurant. I also have a massive amount of debt that resulted from my divorce and subsequent costs.

My situation thus, is that of the stereotypical divorced single dad who lives alone in a single bedroom apartment. I have a decent paying job, but after bills and child support, there's not a whole lot left over. I have enough to do things with my kids and sometimes go out with friends after work, but realistically, I can't see "affording" a girlfriend. My job also requires me to work mainly nights, so the possibility of dating someone with "normal" hours is almost off the books. I work 5 days a week and have my kids the other 2, which leaves me with literally one evening, after 8pm, to do anything I want. I have a really good friend that I absolutely love, but she's the epitome of this conundrum. We've flirted with taking things further from/time to time, but our schedules are so opposite, it's hard enough to find time just to see each other when we do. Because of this the majority of girls I meet that Iike work in the restaurant industry, but fr the most part are almost 10 - 15 years younger than I am.

I'm comfortable by myself, but it would be nice to have someone else in my life. My kids are even beginning to ask me when I'm going to get a girlfriend. I'm almost at a point where i've accepted being single for the rest of my life as I really don't have anything to offer anyone. If someone's been in a similar situation and can offer some advice, I'd really appreciate it.

TL/DR Should I even consider dating again at 40 years old if I don't have anything to offer anyone?