Consumer Corner: Managing the cost of dates as the use of dating apps falls
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News broke recently that people in search of love are using dating apps less often.
The apps had rapidly become popular in the past decade or so as people moved from clubs to computers as a way of meeting a partner.
It’s hard to know the reason for the decline in app use and maybe cost is a factor.
App users will be offered the chance to set up an account for free, but for added extras there will be a price to be paid.
You want a rich man? That’ll be an extra €20 a month on your subscription. OK, maybe they don’t work quite like that, but the dating world can be expensive, for both online and offline.
Ofcom say there has been a drop in the number of UK adults using dating apps.
Their report found that in May 10% of UK adults online visited a dating service. Match Group’s dating apps — which include Tinder, Hinge, Plenty of Fish, and Match.com — together reached 2.9m UK adults, down from 3.2m in May of 2023.
The report says that while this decline in UK online adult visitors since last year is only slight, some analysts speculate that for younger people, particularly Gen Z, the novelty of dating apps is wearing off.
This throws up questions around the art of meeting a solemate and what’s in vogue.
Either way, dating can be expensive. Factoring in the current high cost of living means that dating can be a nightmare, especially for anyone on a budget.
The costs of eating out, drinking, and the cinema have all increased over the last few years, which means that a date could be hundreds of euro.
Throw in a gig and you could really be looking at big expenses for a date.
That’s a major investment for a chance at love.
Meeting someone the traditional way can also prove costly. A night-out on the town now can cost well over €100 when transport, alcohol, entrance fees for clubs, outfits, and food are all factored in.
This, of course, is just one route in the dating world and there are so many more that are not as costly.
Financial advisor Leah McMahon, of Castle Capital, says that people could also consider a picnic in the park or cooking a meal together at home.
“Going out during off-peak hours, like early evening for drinks or lunch instead of dinner, can save you money,” Ms McMahon says. “Many places offer ‘early bird’ discounts on weekdays and weekends.”
Ms McMahon also says that if one person offers to pay for a date the other person shouldn’t feel pressured to reciprocate by spending just as much on the next date.
“Instead, take turns paying, or suggest a fun, low-cost activity for the next outing.
“If you’re on a tight budget, there’s no harm in suggesting simple, low-cost options right from the start. A coffee date or a stroll can be just as enjoyable and help avoid the stress of overspending.”
Of course, dating will also throw up questions around who should pay. “Traditionally, the person who invited the other out pays, but this is becoming more flexible nowadays in Ireland,”
Ms McMahon says. “It’s not unusual for both people to contribute, depending on comfort levels.
“There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. It’s perfectly fine for the person who asked for the date to offer to pay, but it’s also a good idea to be open to sharing the cost.
“If you’re unsure, you can offer to split the bill or suggest a more affordable activity for the next date,” says Ms McMahon.
And talking about money is important in any relationship, however committed or advanced, as John Lowe, of the moneydoctor.ie, says. Money and love can be a potent combination, both good and bad.
“If you and your partner share the same attitude to money, you’ll be able to build a secure future for yourselves faster, more efficiently, and more enjoyably than if you are in conflict.
“Of all the subjects that couples argue about, from the choice of holiday destination to who should do the washing-up, money arguments are the hardest to resolve.”
Couples who want to build a financially secure future need to keep an open mind regarding each other’s viewpoint, Mr Lowe says.
People who are dating should also watch out for romance scams.
According to gardaí, more than €7m was stolen from victims of romance fraud over the last five years in Ireland.
This is where criminals pretend to be someone they are not on a dating app and try and trick someone out of their money. They will use fake pictures and profiles to deceive their victims.