Dating in the modern era is hard, from disappointing meet-ups to the cycle of endless swiping. And then there’s the cost element.
From $15 drinks to Uber rides, finding love can be expensive. The cost of dining out has climbed 32% since the pandemic began. And the price of movie, concert, and theatre tickets is up 25%. Even if you’re just going on coffee-and-walking dates, $5 lattes can add up.
In an era where many people are meeting online, dating apps are often another layer of expense. While most of the apps have free versions, millions of singles pay $10 to $40 a month for subscriptions, depending on whether they choose to unlock perks like unlimited swipes — hoping to raise their odds of success in a competitive dating scene. (Interestingly, in the last quarter, revenue per payer ticked up at both Match Group, the parent of Hinge and Tinder, and Bumble, but the number of paying users dropped.)
So what? Dating is expensive, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on romance. Try breaking out of the dinner and movie mindset to reimagine what counts as a “date.” In an April Bank of America survey, 53% of Gen Z respondents said they don’t spend anything on dates, and another 28% said they spend less than $100 a month.
There are plenty of budget-friendly meetup options, from a simple picnic in the park to visiting a museum on a free-entry day (look up free events near you for inspo). You can even volunteer together, which should give you a better sense of your date’s character than you would get by having cocktails.
Other ideas: Take a hike, go to a free open-mic night, or window-shop downtown. These all cost little to nothing, but are still great ways to connect with a partner — whether it’s someone you just swiped right on or are already dating.
Related Reading
Here's What the Average American Spends On Dates Each Year—How Do You Compare? (Investopedia)
Americans Think They Can Save Almost $4,000 by Not Going on Dates: Poll (Newsweek)
50 Cheap Date Ideas (Because Love Don’t Cost a Thing) (Purewow)
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