A Distorted View of Dating

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I read this article this morning. It views dating from a financial lens.

The average American spends $121,082.40 on dating in their lifetime, according to new research.

The poll of 2,000 Americans found that on average, dating will cost $168.17 a month. But that number increases for married folks, who will average $185.65 to keep the spark alive in their relationship.

The average American studied revealed they spend $64 a month on grooming to look good for their date — even if they are in a relationship or married.

As a result, it’s no wonder singles are avoiding the dating scene. Nearly a quarter (24 percent) of the singles surveyed revealed they avoid dating because they don’t have the finances for it and they don’t feel comfortable with their current life situation — including their financial situation.

In fact, 62 percent of those surveyed revealed they blame their finances for not allowing them to have a robust dating life.

However, results reveal it’s also a strain on the wallet to be in a relationship as well as it is to be single. Nearly half (49 percent) of respondents say it is more expensive to be in a relationship than living the single life.

That’s probably because, when out on a date with either someone new or a current partner, over half (51 percent) of people argued over who will pay the check.

With the burden of paying for dates looming large among Americans, it’s no surprise that 47 percent of those studied reveal they’ve had to get creative when it comes to paying on a date because they were strapped for cash.

From phoning a friend to help them out to pretending they’ve lost their wallet to going to the extreme of selling their watch, it’s no wonder that over half (54 percent) say they’d have a better love life and relationship if they just earned more money.

Dating is such a financial burden that over half (51 percent) have canceled a date because they were unexpectedly strapped for cash.

Source: Americans spend this much money on dating

That article doesn't surprise me. I'm not sure what to vote for in this poll cuz I don't know if it's asking about me or dating for everyone in general
My greatest impediment on dating was finding someone to go out on a date with me. I didn't have a lot of money but I was willing to spend a bit for a date but I never done the whole dating thing. Women were just not interested in going on a date with me & I believe I would of had a better chance if I earned more.

Wow. Real estate must be very cheap in the US that dating costs are not covered by mortgage/rent savings. In Europe, it's much cheaper to live as a couple, because you save not only on housings costs, but on everything. Cooking is cheaper for 2. Any streaming service plan is cheaper for 2 users than 2 basic subscriptions for separate users.

I would say that it is really expensive to live single.

Who doesnt like a good meal out or the alternatives... it's a luxury though and it seems to not be reflective of people living within their means. The whole thing starts off as a pretense.