Insane cost of Australian dating scene: How much should you spend to find love?

HAPLESS singles are fed up with wasting time - and money - on trying to find true love. But that doesn’t mean they are giving up on the dating scene.

EXCLUSIVE

HAPLESS singles are fed up with wasting time and money on trying to find themselves true love.

But determined daters aren’t tossing in the towel just yet — more than one quarter of singles are going on at least one date a week in the hope they will meet their true love.

Independent research compiled on behalf of online dating site eharmony has revealed most of the 1000 singles surveyed (63 per cent) are stingy when it comes to getting a date and they don’t want to cough up a cent.

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Instead they are happy to swipe left or right on free dating sites.

But despite this many say the dating game is still leaving a noticeable dent in their hearts and hip pockets.

Daters are spending on average $49 just to get ready for a date and another $55 on the date itself.

Eharmony’s dating expert Sharon Draper said the report found 58 per cent of singles believe they have wasted money on disastrous dates.

Dating expert Sharon Draper said understanding compatibility with a potential suitor is important before going on a date.

“There are dating sites that look at compatibility and values and they can match you with someone you are more likely to be compatible with,’’ she said.

“Long-lasting relationships are based on values not just looks and the physical package.”

Ms Draper said some dating sites were more for “casual” experiences which can leave hopeless romantics disheartened when they are looking to sign up to long-lasting love.

“They can get very disappointed and keep reflecting on what happened,’’ she said.

As to who coughs up, 54 per cent of men say they like to pay for the date in full.

And about 67 per cent said they had experienced up to five first dates.

Many singles say they have had few dates that have gone well.

Relationship psychologist Peter Charleston, who has written a book Closer, Find happiness in your life and relationships with the 7 principles of connectedness, said splashing more cash on a date doesn’t guarantee success.

“The ones who are trying to impress their date with how much they spend are missing the point of what dating is about,’’ he said.

“They are not really giving much away about themselves but they are winning the person over with lavish restaurants, gifts and expensive experiences.”

He said this often leads to daters unable to decipher if they have met a compatible match.

And if your date is a tight with cash or at the other extreme over the top with how much cash they splash Mr Charleston said this is a clear “warning sign.”

@sophieelsworth

DATING TIPS

— Know yourself and what you want.

— Reveal what values are important to you.

— Know your deal breakers.

— Use a range of dating sites and social avenues.

— Don’t lie in your photos or descriptions.

— Be open minded.

— Don’t be judgmental.

— Be patient, it takes time to meet someone.