Singles can expect cheap dates in the new year.
Thank “infla-dating,” a term coined by dating app Plenty of Fish that means going on less expensive dates in the age of inflation due to the rising cost of living from food and drinks to gas, clothes and other everyday expenses.
A steep 48% of single millennials and Gen Zers suggested going on more budget-friendly dates in a survey of 8,000 Plenty of Fish users for its annual dating trends list. It’s not surprising, considering consumer prices surged 8.2% year over year in September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The sticker shock is enough to make flirting happen in a more frugal ambience. And in a city like New York, where a humble burger and fries can cost $50 after tax and tip, a walk in the park or stroll on the beach is more economically feasible.
“With the uncertain economic future dominating headlines, singles are feeling the financial pressure, so it’s not surprising that infla-dating, or taking someone on a less expensive, budget-friendly date, will be much more prevalent in 2023,” Kate MacLean, a dating expert at Plenty of Fish, told The Post in a statement, noting that, despite these financial concerns, singles are becoming more resourceful with affordable dates.
Indeed, yearly dating costs shot up to $3,030 in 2022, compared with $2,375 in 2021, according to data from GOBankingRates.com based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure report.
Having drinks went up to $554 this year from $478; and casual entertainment – from seeing a movie or show – is up $3,568 for the year from $2,909, according to the same report.
To save on time and money, relationship expert Bela Gandhi, host of Smart Dating Academy podcast, highly recommends making a first date a video call.
“Why would you not protect your own time and the other person’s? Do a 30 minute max video date with a glass of wine or a cup of coffee,” Gandhi told The Post. “Say, ‘hey, my work schedule is super busy – would like to do a quick drink over video?’ If they refuse, it’s a red flag.”
Then, for a frugal in-person date, Gandhi says it’s important to calculate your own dating budget, and not go a cent above it. If you’re someone who can’t afford to date, suggest a free activity. If $50 is feasible, keep that number in mind when picking a restaurant or coffee shop. A simple walk in the park can go a long way in terms of getting to know someone without breaking the bank, Gandhi said.
“I love going for a walk – it’s super intimate, it’s fun and when we’re side by side, psychological research shows we have more authentic conversations,” she said.
Having a cheaper date also makes it easier to split the tab or have one person just pick up the bill so there’s no awkwardness over who should pay.
“Treat any date with no expectations. Nobody is supposed to pay for you. When you’re on a low cost date, however, you can pay for your own coffee or green juice, or offer to pick up the tab if you want to do it for the other person,” she said.
The trend of dating on the cheap has some hyper-niche focuses. As the mercury continues to drop, prompting energy bills to spike, there could also be an uptick in the dating trend Plenty of Fish calls “heat doming,” or dating someone just for their household amenities. The trend is still heating up, however, considering just 20% of singles said they’ve encountered someone wanting to date them specifically for their amenities — such as heat, air conditioning or a swimming pool, while 30% say they know of someone who has dated someone for those exact reasons.
Another potentially cost effective trend the Plenty of Fish survey pulled is “main character energy,” or the concept of “focusing on yourself instead of wasting time on people who don’t meet your standards,” the survey explains. Nearly half of singles surveyed (49%), say they vow to put themselves first, while 32% of single men surveyed said they’ve been rejected by a date who said they wanted to “focus on themselves.”
“Millennials and Gen Z are going into debt from dating,” Gandhi said. “Know how much you make and how much you spend. Look at what you can afford and do that.”