Dating isn’t cheap. According to a new Match survey called Singles in America, which surveyed over 5600 singles, the average single person spends $1,596 annually on dating efforts. That’s approximately $133/month. For many people, that’s more than they spend on a pricey gym membership, their monthly cable and internet or a pair of shoes. Which, when you think about it is kind of crazy.
However, keep in mind that the amount people spend tends to vary based on where they live. The highest-spending city was San Antonio, Texas with an average of $2,537. Yikes. Other top cities included Atlanta, Baltimore, Nashville and New York – stats that make sense considering these are all dynamic cities with thriving bar and/or restaurant scenes. High-priced sushi dinner at Nobu New York or a string of concerts and all you can eat BBQ in Nashville, anyone?
When you take into account that most people don’t necessarily find someone they want to settle down with after just a year of online dating, it’s clear that dating isn’t just a time investment, it’s also a financial investment. According to a recent poll done by UKDating.com with 2,173 respondents, women said that they spent an average of 2049 GPB (a little over $3,000) and went on 24 dates before finding someone they wanted to settle down with. Even if you’re hitting up Nobu on a regular basis, that’s a whole lot of Miso Cod and Salmon Rolls. Just saying.
Given the high-cost of living these days, it makes sense that a lot of us are looking for ways to trim the fat from our dating expenditures. But, how can you plan a cheap date that doesn’t feel…well, cheap?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered.
- Beer or wine tasting.
Instead of hitting up the latest trendy craft cocktail place for your date, look into local beer and wine tastings (bonus if you happen to live in an area that has a host of breweries, wineries or distilleries). Places that make their own alcohol often have tastings where, for a nominal fee, you can sample their wares. The business gets to introduce you to their products, while you and your date can get a bit of a buzz. You can go to a bar any old day, but going to a tasting feels more novel and eventful. Plus, you’ll drink just enough to ease your date jitters without things getting messy.
- Picnic in the park.
Love the idea of eating al fresco at a chic bistro, but hate the price tag of a $20 Croque Monsieur? Why not invite your date for a picnic in the park. Grab a blanket and your favorite goodies from Trader Joe’s and you’re set. A good ole’ picnic is a great way to enjoy the warmer weather, while injecting your date with some romance.
- Go Geocaching.
Geocaching is a modern-day form of treasure hunting. Participants use GPS coordinates to find hidden containers known as geocaches, or simply caches. These containers can be anything from a tiny film canister to a large metal box, although plastic tupperware containers are reportedly the most common. These caches hidden by other geocachers, often have clever names and additional clues that help you find the treasure. And guess what – it’s free. All you need is a smartphone, internet access and a sense of adventure. Working together to accomplish a common goal is a great bonding exercise. Plus, when you find the capsule you can include a note to commemorate your first date!
- Take in a free outdoor event.
From farmer markets and fairs to outdoor music events and movies, as the temperatures warm up, you’re likely to see more free outdoor events popping up in your city. There’s something inherently romantic about sitting under the stars with a date enjoying some live music or a Hollywood classic. If you’re looking to keep things more casual, grab a coffee or juice and check out a local market. Combine any of these options with a picnic or some snacks that you picked up along the way and you’re golden.
