For Generation Z, dating is increasingly becoming not an expression of romance but a matter of budget. According to a study by Intuit, nearly a third of Generation Z (31%) admitted that they have agreed to a date for a free dinner at least once.
A survey conducted among 1,500 Americans showed that financial pressure directly affects personal life. More than half of the respondents (51%) have gone on fewer dates due to a lack of money. Among Zoomers, this figure is even higher — 58%.
However, saving money does not kill romance — it simply changes its format. Instead of expensive restaurants, young people choose home dinners, picnics, walks, and coffee, explaining this not as stinginess but as a creative approach.
"For Generation Z, finances have become a new language of love. Money embodies stability and ambitions," says Georgia Institute of Technology student Ashley Ewald.
Psychotherapists note that young couples openly discuss incomes and debts, not shying away from "money talks." About 44% of Zoomers stated that they would not date someone who earns less.
Meanwhile, half of Americans believe that the optimal budget for a first date is between $50 and $100, and 57% of women and 63% of men are ready to end communication with a partner who spends money irresponsibly.
Many experts see this not as cynicism but as pragmatism. Financial independence is perceived as a form of security — and even as a manifestation of maturity.
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