Date GalIs being single making us poor?
I was chatting to my friend Nadia the other night about dating. We're two single professional ladies who have a fair income – I wouldn't say we're as rich as Donald Trump but we're surviving. We both often date a lot as well and we were discussing how being single is actually quite expensive.
There are a couple of reasons we've come this conclusion. Firstly, we've adapted the whole get out there and meet as many people as we can because you never know, one might be Mr. Right. In saying this though, it gets rather expensive going on a date 2-3 times a week. Consider dinner, drinks, taxis, outfits – you could end up spending $500 a week and who has that kind of spare cash these days? Then take in looking after yourself – gym workouts, hair, make up, tan, etc… we're spending most of our monthly income on dating! Sure, it's really up to us how much we spend but you don't want to come across to a potential partner as a tight ass.
I started seeing a guy and although we only see each other every couple of weeks, it's a really expensive time when we're together. We usually spend the weekend together, so take in dinners, lunches, breakfasts, drinks, taxis, shopping, etc – sometimes I don't get out of a weekend under $500. Strewth, so much for saving my pennies!
The other side of the argument is being single in general. I was at the butchers the other day getting some meat for my dinner. I asked for one piece of steak and she said "Just one? It's cheaper to get two." Well didn't I feel like a loser. No I don't want two, just one, for me. Nothing wrong with that! But she was right; cooking for one is far more expensive than cooking for two. Hence, why most singles dine out on take away – stuff the effort cooking for one. Just get take away and the leftovers can be lunch the next day right?
Then think about renting where you are now? I pay a bomb for my place and I just think if I was with someone, how much cheaper would it be? Or even more, I could actually afford a mortgage and repayments, if I met the man of my dreams and we moved in together! Instead I am spending dead money on rent!
So what do we do? Just suck it up and deal with it?
What do you think? Is being single making us poor?
