If you’ve been on the dating scene for a while know, you likely know just how pricy it can be. Between buying nice clothes and makeup to look your best and gas to drive to wherever you’re meeting to the high cost of the dates themselves — you’re happy to pay your way, of course — it can all add up very quickly. And with inflation continuing to pump up the cost of living, the struggle is real for those of us who aren’t flush with cash. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in September 2022, consumer prices were 8.2% higher than the same time the year prior. Sadly, most wages haven’t risen in line with these changes, meaning many of us are finding it tough to find extra funds That’s where infla-dating comes in.
What is infla-dating?
Coined by the dating app PlentyofFish, infla-dating is a trend focused on saving money while looking for love. Gone are the days of expensive dinners and lengthy bar tabs. Instead, the app found that 48% of millennial and Gen Z users are looking for more budget-friendly options when going out with someone. That’s pretty in line with a CNBC poll that found 53% of people were eating out less and 39% weren’t driving as often or as far as previously.
“Inflation concerns are dominating the headlines, and our data shows that singles are feeling the pain of higher prices,” PoF dating expert Kate MacLean told HuffPost. “It’s no wonder why singles are opting for walks in the parks over a swanky restaurant date night.”
While infla-dating doesn’t necessarily mean daters are looking for excuses to be cheapskates, it does mean that many aren’t willing to shell out what little money they have left over after paying for food, rent/mortgage, bills, and other costs on dates that may go nowhere. Instead, singles are becoming choosier and looking for alternatives that won’t break the bank.
Why it’s a good thing for dating
- It forces people to be creative. Going to an expensive restaurant or a bar for fancy cocktails may have been the status quo for a long time in the dating world, but it doesn’t have to be that way. The infla-dating trend has singles looking for more unique activities to share with potential partners. That means more enjoyable dates and better opportunities for bonding and feeling out chemistry.
- It strips dating of superficiality. You want to impress the person you’re going out with, of course. It’s natural to highlight your best traits, but there is sometimes a superficial feeling to these interactions because of it. One of the biggest ways this manifests is in daters flashing the cash. Paying for some fancy date or bragging about how much money you make/have in your bank account is not the move anymore, and thank goodness for that. Now that we’re being more frugal, we can focus on what’s real.
- It takes a lot of the pressure off. While someone buying you dinner or a drink doesn’t mean you owe them anything, there’s often that feeling in the dating world. The same goes for if you spend a lot on a date — you feel like it has to go well for it to be “worth it.” Thankfully, infla-dating removes that pressure. Since you’re doing things together that don’t cost much or are totally free, no one is beholden to anyone else (or needs to feel like they are). This can only be a good thing.
Ideas of things to do on a date that are inexpensive or even free
While not all of these ideas are appropriate for every couple, depending on where you are in your relationship, here are some infla-dating ideas that are inexpensive or even free. Try them — you’ll have a whole lot of fun without breaking the bank.
- Pack your own picnic
- Enjoy a coffee date at a quirky cafe
- Go on a hike or a walk in your local area
- Go bike riding together
- Visit a museum or botanical garden
- Have an at-home movie night
- Cook a meal together in your own kitchen
- Grab dinner at a diner or other low-cost eatery
- See a matinee and take advantage of reduced-price tickets
- Rent roller skates and go skating
- Play video games together
- Go to the beach and take in the sea air
- Walk your dogs together
- Have karaoke night at home
- Hit up happy hour at your favorite dive bar
- Host a game night
- Do an at-home wine tasting
- Try an escape room together
- Go to an author reading at a local bookstore
- Find free concerts or other cultural events in the paper to attend
- Camp in your back yard with tents and sleeping bags
- Sign up for a class together
- Give each other massages
