The impact of inflation is evident in dating preferences. According to a 2023 survey conducted by The Harris Poll Thought Leadership Practice, 70% of singles reported they favor dating activities like hiking over more traditional options such as going out for drinks or dinner. Furthermore, 44% said they are willing to explore virtual dating options. 

An often overlooked social benefit of inflation is a rise in intentional dating. Because it costs more to date during an inflationary period, people tend to think more about their choices, from who they choose to date and where a date will take place.  

That said, not all recent dating trends, though intentional, are opportune: 55% of the survey respondents also indicated they are willing to have a first date in the privacy of their homes. This practice can present safety issues, especially for women.

No matter the savings, there’s no price you can ever put on keeping yourself safe, so always be sure to make your health and well-being a priority when meeting new people. Keeping this issue at the forefront of your mind, here are 11 tips for dating during inflation. 

Date less but more strategically.  

Whereas in a non-inflationary period, when you may have been more liberal about setting up a date and less careful about gauging your interest level, it’s now the time to do a little more homework. Be sure you’re engaging in at least a few texts, emails, and phone conversations before setting up a date to justify the cost involved, even if it’s minimal.  

Set up a video date.  

As part of your vetting strategy, consider making your first meeting over Zoom or FaceTime. This way, you can interact with a potential date and see their appearance, facial expressions, and mannerisms for free. If you don’t like what you see (and hear), you’ve lost nothing but time.  

Stay fairly local.  

Once you decide you want to meet a new dating prospect in person, and they agree, meet locally or as locally as possible. If you and this person live a significant distance away from each other, perhaps make your first few dates over video. Then, when you do decide to meet in person, pick a location that is not financially burdensome for either of you, such as a meeting point halfway.  

Keep in-person first dates short.  

If you’re meeting locally, keep first dates short, meaning no longer than an hour. Should you be traveling some distance, gauge by how far you have to travel the length of your first date, keeping in mind you a) don’t want to overstay your welcome and b) your goal should be to leave them wanting more. Think coffee, a walk in the park (nowhere isolated, of course), or a drink. In the same vein … 

Be mindful of how much the date will cost.  

Short dates generally mean they won’t be costly dates. Walks in the park are free. Coffee shop dates hopefully won’t break the bank either. If you’re opposed to coffee shop dates because you see them as commercial environments, choose to frequent a small business that has some character, maybe even features live music, rather than a national chain.  

The same goes for having a drink at a bar. Setting matters. Pro tip: Since drinks can get pricey, schedule drink dates early during happy hour to make your hard-earned dollars stretch further. But don’t let yourself be over-served. That’s never a good look on anyone.  

Have a plan for what you're going to spend before getting to the date and communicate it to your date. 

Questions such as “Would you like to meet for coffee?” or “Would you like to meet for a drink?” cut to the chase pretty quickly. If you offer on the spur of the moment to buy appetizers or dinner because the date’s going well, be prepared to pay for those extra purchases as well. Speaking of paying, … 

If you are a heterosexual couple, and you’re the guy, be prepared to pick up the tab.  

There has been much debate over who pays on dates. Tradition can still go a long way toward making a good impression, so if you’re a guy, expect to grab that check, even if she politely offers. But ladies, this isn’t an excuse to take advantage of anyone’s generosity. For same-sex couples, if you want to, offer to pay. Otherwise, expect to split the bill. 

Stick to a single destination for the first or early dates. 

Sticking to a single destination, especially for the first or first few dates, can help keep dating costs at a manageable level. Doing so also means you are likely keeping your dates on the shorter side.  

Create a dating budget. 

Thinking longer term since it can take a while to meet your person, consider creating a dating budget for yourself. This should also incentivize you to watch costs on a date-by-date basis, given how deviating from a set budget will invariably affect your bottom line and financial goals. Remember, small impulse purchases add up over time.  

Use credit card rewards to defray dating costs.  

There are many credit cards that reward customers not just for their credit card usage but also for making specific types of purchases, such as dining out, gas, and groceries. Putting all your dating costs on one credit card or targeting certain cards for purchases related to dating can likewise help your money go further.

Pay cash for dates.  

Worried about credit card bills catching you by surprise? Setting aside cash each month according to your budget that’s strictly designated for dating expenses can be an effective strategy. Once the amount you set aside is exhausted, you’ll know it’s time to schedule your next date a little further out, or if you’re at that point with a special someone, sharpen your culinary skills and either prepare a homecooked meal for them or cook one together. 

Final thoughts … 

Nothing worth having comes without its challenges, including dating. Yes, inflation can complicate an already complicated process like finding viable matches, but it doesn’t have to stop you from finding love. Love definitely comes with a cost, but when you find it, it’s priceless.