You Don’t Have To Go Broke While Dating During Inflation: Here’s How

Interracial couple in nature park together, man and woman relax with drink on grass and happiness for people on an inflation friendly picnic date outside. Happy black friends dating, laughing and having fun on weekend

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No matter where you live, you’re likely feeling the sting of inflation. It’s hard not to notice it. That coffee that was $6 last month is now $10. Movie tickets are priced as if you’re sitting on set, watching the actors in person. Everybody’s sweating a little bit when the credit card bill arrives. But, if you’re in a long-term relationship, at least you can turn to your partner and say, “To hell with these prices, we’re staying in this weekend.” Single people have no such luck. Single folks have to go out to get to know potential new partners. And with prices where they are, dating is practically a luxury now.

To get a sense for what it costs to look for love, Credit Karma conducted a survey. They found that Black women spend an average of just over $90 on food and drink combined on a date. The survey did find that Black men spend the most on dates out of all groups, so props to them…maybe. Generosity is admirable, but costly. Another survey by Lending Tree showed that 22 percent of millennials are likely to go into debt over dating habits. We don’t think your chances to qualify for a mortgage should drop so you can have a chance at love. So, if you still want to date during this time of inflation, consider these tips.

Sip Until You Feel Something

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Nobody needs to be throwing down $200 on a dinner for someone you’ve never met before. That’s money for someone you’re involved with. Keep it to coffee and cocktails until you could see this going somewhere. Drink dates are better in the beginning, too, because if you’re not feeling the person, the dismount is easier. Toss down your last sip and say goodnight. You don’t have a full steak left to eat before you can get out of there.

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Picnics Are Cute And Cost Effective

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If you want to stick to a budget but not let your date know that, plan a picnic. You can go to a store and select affordable items to fill up your picnic basket with, and your date won’t be the wiser. They don’t know that you snagged the clearance cheese that needs to be eaten by tomorrow. If you present the food in a cute way, that’s all your date will notice.

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Bring Them To Your Friend’s Spot

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If your friend or family member owns a restaurant, bar or similar establishment, bring your date there. This helps you in three ways 1) It lets your good friend check out your date and give their opinion, 2) You get to show off that you have cool friends who own businesses and 3) Your friend will hook you up with a discount.

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Dine At A BYOB Restaurant

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When you are ready to go out to dinner with someone, find a BYOB restaurant. It’s those expensive cocktails and house glasses of wine that really add up. Sometimes the booze alone can double the price of the bill. If you choose a BYOB place, you can control what you spend on alcohol. Plus, you can choose a bottle of wine you really like instead of being limited to the restaurant’s options.

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If You Can’t Help Yourself…

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If you just love to wine and dine dates and take real pleasure in trying out tons of new restaurants and bars, at least get a credit card that will pay you back for it. What you need is a cashback card that lets you select your category (some offer up to five percent cashback), and choose dining and restaurants for yours. That way you can at least slow the monetary bleeding a little.

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Be (A Little) Transparent

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The current inflation can actually present a good opportunity for communication. If you wanted to weed out people who are after you for your money, or who are into a more expensive lifestyle than you, dating during inflation will help you do it. It’s okay to say, “Things are crazy expensive right now. Let’s try to find a more affordable option for tonight.” You don’t need to reveal your income level, but you can be honest about not wanting to overdo it. This will instantly show you your date’s true colors. Someone who likes you for you will go along with this.

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