Has the cost of living affected dating in Australia?

Forget food, rent and fuel – this could be the biggest hurdle to successful dating.

We hit the streets of Brisbane to find out how the cost of living crisis is impacting dating and relationships.

It is no secret the cost of living has impacted Aussies in more ways than one.

Dating and relationships could be the latest causality of the cost of living crisis with rising prices forcing people to avoid going on dates, eating expensive meals or buying flowers for flowers for a loved one.

We spoke to the people of Brisbane to see if the cost of living had affected their love life.

Lisa Hateley, 33, said she and her partner of two years were struggling with the idea of settling down as it was too expensive.

“My partner and I, we really want to start to settle down and look at building a life together,” Ms Hateley explained.

“But we’re really struggling with the idea that, you know, having children and finding jobs that pay better, it’s just all a bit of a struggle right now. It impacts everything in our lives.”

Community Development worker Lisa Hateley, 33, from West End

Mitchell Cross, 20, said he felt bad because he couldn’t afford to buy flowers for his girlfriend.

“Small things like flowers everyday has gone up to $25 to $50 bucks,” he said.

Construction tradesmen Mitchell Cross, 20, from Ipswich

Some Queenslanders had ditched dating altogether. Molly Bellamy, 24, said she felt too guilty about dating because it was so expensive for both parties.

“I definitely don’t really want to date anymore. I mean, it’s hard enough being single and like being an individual and paying your own bills, let alone putting the pressure of dating and like having someone else pay for your meals,” Ms Bellamy said.

“And not only that, I don’t want anyone to pay for my meals, because I know everything’s so expensive for them, and then if you want to go halves and it’s expensive for both of you, like a normal outing for dinner is like over $100 at the moment.

“It’s all just kind of putting that extra pressure on everyone, and you’re not actually enjoying the date itself and getting to know each other. I feel like everyone’s more so focused on trying to watch the bill(s).”

Former teachers aid, Jasmin Dalton, 21 from Gladstone

Jasmin Dalton, 21, said she had no choice but to move back in with her family in Gladstone, as her rent for her Auchenflower share house was costing her too much – so dating was not a priority at the moment.

For couples doing it tough, Bounce Financial’s Ben Brett said there were a few ways to navigate money in a relationship.

“One thing would be to be upfront with your partner about your challenges. Discuss money – I think that money being a great taboo actually doesn’t serve anyone,” the financial planner said.

“Discuss how you are feeling the pinch, and perhaps maybe there are dates you could do that are lower cost. Just so we can both enjoy the date, rather than feeling the pressure of how much this is going to cost.

“It is a good way to build relationships and let your partner know you are equal participants in a team.”

Originally published as Has the cost of living affected dating in Australia?