Dating isn't cheap. According to a brand 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 most people, that's a lot more than they invest in an expensive gym membership, their monthly cable and internet or perhaps a pair of shoes. Which, when you think about it is kind of crazy.
However, remember that the total amount people spend has a tendency to vary based on where they live. The highest-spending city was San Antonio, Texas with an average of $2,537. Yikes. Some of the best cities included Atlanta, Baltimore, Nashville and New York – stats which make sense considering they are all dynamic cities with thriving bar and/or restaurant scenes. High-priced sushi dinner at Nobu Ny or perhaps a string of concerts and all sorts of you can eat BBQ in Nashville, anyone?
When you are taking into consideration that most individuals don't necessarily hire a company they would like to settle down with after just a year of online dating, it's clear that dating isn't just a time investment, it is also a financial investment. Based on a recent poll made by UKDating.com with 2,173 respondents, women asserted they spent an average of 2049 GPB (a little over $3,000) and continued 24 dates before finding someone they desired to subside with. Even if you're hitting up Nobu on a regular basis, this is a whole lot of Miso Cod and Salmon Rolls. Just saying.
Given the high-cost of living nowadays, it seems sensible that many us are looking for methods to trim the fat from your dating expenditures. But, how will you plan a cheap date that does not feel…well, cheap?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered.
- Beer or wine tasting.
Instead of hitting in the latest trendy craft cocktail place for your date, consider local beer and wine tastings (bonus if you live in an area which has a host of breweries, wineries or distilleries). Places that make their very own alcohol usually have tastings where, for any nominal fee, you are able to sample their wares. The company gets to expose you to their products, while you and your date could possibly 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 around the block.
Love the idea of eating al fresco in a chic bistro, but hate the price tag of the $20 Croque Monsieur? Why don't you invite your date for any picnic in the park. Grab a blanket as well as your favorite goodies from Trader Joe's and you are set. A good ole' picnic is a superb way to benefit from the warmer weather, while injecting your date with some romance.
- Go Geocaching.
Geocaching is really a modern-day type of treasure hunting. Participants use GPS coordinates to locate hidden containers known as geocaches, or just caches. These containers could be everything from a little film canister to a large metal box, although plastic tupperware containers are reportedly the most typical. These caches hidden by other geocachers, usually have clever names and extra clues that help you discover the treasure. And you know what – it's free. All you need is a smartphone, internet access and a sense of adventure. Cooperating to accomplish a common goal is a superb bonding exercise. Plus, whenever you find the capsule you can include an email to commemorate the 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 appearing in your area. There is something inherently romantic about sitting underneath the stars with a date enjoying some live music or a Hollywood classic. If you're looking to help 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 simply acquired on the way and you are golden.