Make Dating More Affordable for you Wallet

$23,660. That’s one study’s estimate of how much an individual will spend on traditional dating before getting married. Another survey claims that singles spend $60 per month on dates, a number that can seem quite low for people living in pricey metropolitan areas. Regardless of where your typical date spending falls, it’s clear that pursuing Mr. or Ms. Right can be expensive. Since learning to date after college is hard enough without the high price tag, here are some tips for saving money without sacrificing on experience.

1. Take advantage of online dating - If you’re a millennial, chances are good you’ve already tried online dating. But did you know this could be saving you money? With one in three new marriages today starting as online connections, research indicates that using dating websites can save you as much as $12,800 in fewer, better-matched dates.
2. Impress with less - Believe it or not, you can form a good connection without a fancy meal or pricey cocktails, and your date may even find your creative, bargain outing to be more interesting than a typical first date. Try a trivia night, a favorite hike, a movie marathon, or one of these 100 frugal date ideas for any season.
3. Set a date budget - Whether you want to spend $10 or $500 a month on dates, set a budget and stick to it. Use a Level spending tracker to keep tabs on your dating-relating expenses, and try one of the alternative date ideas above if you’re getting close to your monthly limit.
4. Split the bill - We know it’s controversial and there are a number of factors to consider, but sharing the cost of a date can help both parties save. While a survey of millennials shows traditional gender roles hold strongwhen it comes to first dates, research shows that this trend dies down as a relationship progresses when splitting becomes more common. If you’re in a situation where your date has paid for multiple outings, it may be time to step up and offer to treat them.
   

As we enter the season where new love may blossom, don’t let the stress of dating expenses get you down. Try these tips and focus your energy on enjoying the company of your potential match!