How much are you spending on dates? Australian research says it’s way more than we should

Whether you’re a man or woman, dating is expensive. If you’re a guy, you’re likely to feel compelled to pay for a woman or at least split the bill. If you’re a woman, you’re probably paying for your half PLUS all the things you need to look great i.e. a new outfit, hair, nails…etc. If you’re single and dating, have you done the math to find out how much dating is really costing you?

New research from eharmony has revealed that Aussie singles are spending, on average, over a week per year (174 hours) and almost 1k ($982) on their quest to find love.

That is ALOT of time and money spent. But time and money don’t always equal success in love. Aussies are dating more than ever and it’s leaving them jaded.

Just how much are Aussies spending to find love?

 The survey of 1,046 Australian daters found that Aussies are more devoted to finding their partner than ever, with over a quarter of singles (27.6%) going on at least a date per week.  This doesn’t count time spent getting ready (an extra 46 minutes). Aussies are spending an average of $49 simply getting ready for date, and a subsequent $55 on the date itself. This is why grabbing a cuppa coffee is a great first date idea, low commitment in both cost and time.

If you’ve done the math and worked out how much you spend in time and money dating, you may want to consider rethinking your choices. Often I meet so many women who date men just because they so happen to be available at the right place and time. Going on so-so dates is not only a waste of your time and money but if you continue to invest in these dates,  there’s a good chance you’ll become jaded. Mediocre dates can wreak havoc on your mindset and risk your chances of meeting some great people. A few bad experiences can easily lead someone into thinking that it’s ‘hopeless’  or that ‘all the good men are taken’.

120,000 singles have an average of 30 bad dates

You read that right. 30 bad dates! Everyone’s definition of a ‘bad date’ is different but despite all these bad dates, they still prefer them over a handful of bad dates. Regardless of the lack in quality love prospects, Australian singles still opt for quantity over quality, preferring to play on dating apps or meet the old-fashion way rather than use a premium dating experience. In fact, over half (63%) have never paid for an online dating service.

When it comes to love, sometimes investing in the right platform to meet someone can pay off. I’m talking about coaching (coaching for single women), online dating sites, personal development through books and courses. Think about it as an investment in your love life. I see so many singles invest in the wrong areas to improve their love lives. They’ll buy themselves a new outfit, spend lots of money going out or invest in too much time with the wrong men.

What you can do to improve your love life NOW

1. Set clear intentions for dating. Are you looking for a long-term partner? If so, stick with it. It’ll help you filter out the people who aren’t looking for the same thing.
2. Work on your dating mindset. Ditch the relationship stories holding you back from attracting new people. Often our past experiences shape the way we feel and think about relationships. For many, dating mindset is a major roadblock for those feeling like they’ve been single forever
3. Learn what you need in a partner to feel fulfilled. Really understand what you need to be happy in a relationship and then learn how to communicate those needs
4. If you’re dating and you’re not having any luck, have someone else look at your love life with fresh eyes. Often others can see your blind spots. When clients tell me their dating stories, I can often pick their roadblocks within 30min
5. Read. I heard this from somewhere and it totally resonated with me: the best time to work on your marriage is before you have one. You want to be the best version of yourself if you want to meet someone equally awesome.

If you find yourself dating and jaded, download my FREE mini-course to attract healthy love.