The real cost of finding true love in Australia revealed

SINGLETONS on the hunt for true love are spending a small fortune to woo a new lover and are going to extreme lengths to look perfect on a first date.

EXCLUSIVE

Singletons on the hunt for true love are spending a small fortune to woo a new lover and are going to extreme lengths to look perfect on a first date.

While dating can hurt the heart and the hip pocket, it’s far from stopping daters from splashing out in the hope of finding romance.

The ING Direct Cost of Dating report has revealed the hopelessly single spend on average $79 on the first date and almost a third of those flying solo go on a first date once a month.

Australians are spending on average $79 on a first date and many women expect men to pay.

It also showed chivalry is far from dead — more than half of men (56 per cent) are keeping tradition real and are prepared to pick up the bill at the end of the night.

And for the Romeos out there so they should — more than a quarter of women (26 per cent) expect their date to cough up and pay.

Online dating service RSVP’s chief executive officer Dave Heysen said how much you spend on a first date isn’t key, instead “it’s the thought that counts”.

Dating experts say “it’s the thought that counts” and people don’t have to spend a lot on a first date.

“Going to McDonald’s or getting a Groupon voucher for Pizza Hut won’t cut it,’’ he said.

“For guys taking a girl to a footy match isn’t probably the best start unless in their profile they have said they love a team, so you have to think about what both people enjoy.”

He suggests avoiding lavish restaurants and said there’s no problems with “going Dutch” on the first date and splitting the bill down the middle.

Relationship psychologist Peter Charleston, dating expert on Channel 7’s Seven Year Switch program, said picking the right location is key and a few topics to keep off limits.

Relationships psychologist Peter Charleston said there are a few topics you should avoid on the first date.

“Pick somewhere there isn’t too many distractions because if it’s a first date you need to get to know each other, a little bit of quiet and less noise helps,’’ he said.

“First dates are all about trying to get rid of the nerves quickly as you get to know each other.

“And don’t keep talking about your ex, that’s a big turn-off and shows the new person doesn’t stand a chance.”

He also urges daters to steer clear of revealing what school you went to, where your family is from and to avoid name dropping.

Restaurant supervisor Annie Croke, 23, and her now boyfriend, Alex Kelso, 23, had an unusual first date where she paid for the lot.

Annie Croke, 23, and Alex Kelso, 25, have been dating for seven months and on their first date Alex forgot his wallet.

“For our first date I paid for everything because Alex forgot his wallet,’’ she said.

“We went out to the markets and went out for lunch and then we got an Uber and I paid for that too, but then we went out a few days later and Alex paid for dinner.

“Overall it’s an expensive relationship.”

The report showed one in four Australians are prepared to spend $100 or more on predate preparations from buying a new outfit to getting their hair done.

Many singletons are spending up to get their hair done in preparation for a first date.

They are also prepared to buy a new pair of shoes and spend on makeup, manicures, pedicures and even get their teeth whitened.

With many dating sites and app available Mr Heysen said those that charge a fee often attract the more serious dater and weed out singletons looking for something more casual.

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PRE-DATE PREPARATION SPENDS

1. New clothes (62 per cent)

2. Hair (35 per cent)

3. New shoes (28 per cent)

4. Make up (20 per cent)

5. Manicure/nails (13 per cent)

6. Bags and accessories (12 per cent)

7. Waxing (11 per cent)

8. Dental/teeth whitening (10 per cent)