five things
you spenD on when Dating
The cost of dating, according to a research team at RateSupermarket.ca, is about $7,000. This includes 12 movie dates ($515.40), three “apology” flower deliveries ($149.85) and a new wardrobe for when she “improves” him ($980.81). Here’s a look at the costs that add up when looking for love:
1. Looking good First impressions are important. You want to coif your head (about $17 at First Choice Haircutters). You want to clip your talons ($45 for mani and pedi). You want to pretend you’re a mostly hairless mammal ($8-$95 at Toronto’s Fuzz Wax Bar). But you don’t have to spend to improve perfection; skip the salon and DIY.
2. Wining and dining Quarter chicken dinner for two at Swiss Chalet ($23). Drinks at the bar ($20). Frappuccino’s at Starbucks ($10). If the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, try cooking at home or organize a picnic to save money. If you’re dining out, go Dutch. If you’re paying, go for breakfast or lunch, which tend to be cheaper meals.
3. Flowers and other tokens of your affection Cut flowers constitute a $40-billion worldwide industry, Sad Gaad, a marketing professor at Concordia University points out in his book The Consuming Instinct. Two-thirds of flowers sold in the U.S. are given to women. On a date, give something more valuable and longer lasting than flowers — no, not a baby — your genuine interest and respect.
4. Online dating sites Many online dating sites offer free services such as Plenty of Fish, the world’s largest online dating site with more than 50 million users, and Torontobased Lavalife whose users exchange more than 700,000 messages every day. But others have fees with descending monthly costs depending on your term. EHarmony, for example, costs $59.95 for one month or $39.95 per month for three months. Match.com starts at about $35 for one month.
5. Matchmakers A personalized matchmaker, such as Ruth Claramunt of Hearts Canada, will cost more upfront. Ms. Claramunt will meet clients in their homes, get to know them and search for a fit within her membership base. A lifetime membership with Hearts is $1,400 and a more “executive” search goes for $10,000.