Australians spending more than ever in the search for love
When it comes to dating and romance, us Aussies are a pretty generous bunch according to a newly released data. ING DIRECT’s Cost of Dating Report has revealed we spend a total of just under $12 billion per year on dating, representing a significant chunk of our personal finances.
Given a third of single Australians are going on at least one “first date” a month, and with the average first date setting us back an average of $79, the costs can really add up. Add to this the price of dating services, which 18 per cent of us have paid for, totalling a staggering $80.7 million per year.
But that’s not all. On top of the costs of finding someone to date and the date itself, there’s all the added extras we buy to prepare for the date – think clothes, hair and makeup. In fact, about a quarter of us spend at least $100 trying to look our best for our date.
The report also assessed singletons’ answers to the ever-awkward question, “Who’s paying?” And it seems the old cliché of men treating their dates to dinner is alive and well, with 56 per cent of single men saying they’re prepared to take care of the bill. However, this differs quite a bit with what women expect – just 26 per cent think their date should cover the costs and 50 per cent are happy to split the bill.
But finding love doesn’t always have to mean losing money. Here are three tips for making dating more affordable – and more fun!
1. Stay in – Dates don’t always have to mean fancy restaurants and expensive outfits. Swap decadence for a comfortable, intimate night in. Cook a meal together or, if you’re not exactly inclined towards the culinary arts, grab some takeaway. Settle in with a movie and a glass (or two) of wine and forget about tips and corkage.
2. Get borrowing – If you’ve exhausted all your best going-out clothes, you don’t need to fork out any more money to freshen up your look. Pick up the phone and call a friend the same clothing size as you and organise a clothing swap. It’s great fun to experiment with styles you might not be used to, plus it’s always helpful to have a second opinion!
3. Grab a deal – There are thousands of deals out there waiting to be snapped up. Sign up to newsletters from coupon websites and you’ll be inundated with discount dinners, cheap events and affordable activities that are perfect for two.
Are you in the dating game? Share your tips for fun, affordable dates with us in the comments below.