Cheap Dates Are In: How High Inflation Is Changing Dating Norms

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WSJ Your Money Briefing 11 min 4 speakers 3 chapters transcribed 2 months ago
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ReliaQuest Advertiser 0:00
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J.R. Whalen 0:30
Here's your Money Briefing for Friday, December 2nd. I'm J.R. Whelan for The Wall Street Journal. Inflation may have ticked down a few notches lately, but it's still at historically high levels. And for a lot of people, those high prices are forcing changes in everyday activities, things like going out on a date.
Rachel Horowitz 0:51
I've heard that it's nice to make the effort to offer to split, so that's what I did. And he was like, no, it's all good, I've got it. And then the next morning, I woke up to a text from him asking for my Venmo.
J.R. Whalen 1:06
That's 24-year-old Rachel Horowitz. Coming up, we'll hear more about her experiences dating amid high inflation. Plus, our reporter Rachel Wolff will discuss the new norms when it comes to paying for dates. That's after the break.
ReliaQuest Advertiser 1:19
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How does inflation make dating more expensive in 2022?

ReliaQuest Advertiser 1:44
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J.R. Whalen 1:56
They say money can't buy you love. But if you want to find love, it might mean spending a lot for a date. Amid high inflation, singles looking for a partner are having to adjust their tactics. Coming up, we'll hear from a 24-year-old Chicago woman who's had some awkward moments navigating the higher cost of dating. But first, let's bring in Wall Street Journal reporter Rachel Wolf. She wrote about this topic for us, and she's here with me now. Hey, Rachel, thanks for being here.
Rachel Wolfe 2:21
Thanks so much for having me.
J.R. Whalen 2:23
So, Rachel, how expensive is it to date these days?
Rachel Wolfe 2:27
So the average date night costs about $98 in the U.S., according to a dating app called Zoosk.
J.R. Whalen 2:34
$98? $98.
Rachel Wolfe 2:34
That's for one date? For one date for two people. Okay. So, you know, if you think about it, the price of restaurant meals is up 17% since before the pandemic and alcoholic beverages at a bar are up 12%. And that's according to the most recent consumer price index. So, you know, that 98 comes from somewhere.
J.R. Whalen 2:56
And that's the tip at the end of the night, I suppose, right?
Rachel Wolfe 2:58
The tip, a couple of drinks. You know, we're not even talking a whole bottle of wine and three-course meal here. We're saying a standard two entrees and two cocktails. You can get to that $98 really quickly.
J.R. Whalen 3:13
Well, yeah, and it doesn't even stop there because then I guess each person, depending upon where you live, might do a ride-share car home.
Tough.
Rachel Wolfe 3:19
Totally. This is not even factoring in the Uber and, you know, God help you if you have kids and have to pay for a babysitter. So one person in the comments was saying he had to take out if he wanted to go on a date, he would have to take out a loan from the bank. He had to pay for it.
J.R. Whalen 3:37
Imagine having to explain that to the banker at the bank. That's funny. So let's talk about how things are changing these days because of these higher costs. How has inflation changed the dating game, as they say, for people who are out there?
Rachel Wolfe 3:52
So nearly half of single Gen Zers and millennials have suggested or taken someone on a less expensive date due to inflation. And that's according to dating app Plenty of Fish. They did a big survey back in August with 8,000 people. So, you know, it's really changing a lot.

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