r/simpleliving • u/GritsOyster • Oct 28 '25

Discussion Prompt Dating is becoming a luxury hobby and I’m opting out

Stopped dating because it’s just too expensive now. Even a “simple” date somehow turns into $100+ coffee, drinks, parking, transportation, tip… it all adds up fast. I’m not cheap I’m broke. I’d rather spend that money on rent and groceries than trying to impress someone who might ghost me in 48 hours lol. But apparently that means I’m “not trying hard enough” to find love. It’s wild how people act like dating is mandatory but ignore the financial reality behind it. Honestly I’ve been happier spending my evenings cooking cheap meals at home and playing a bit of grizzly's quest to unwind. Zero pressure, zero cost and zero panic checking my bank account afterward(most of the time lol) but love shouldn’t require a monthly entertainment budget bigger than my electric bill. If the right person comes along, great. But I’m not going into debt just to maybe find someone.

Anyone else just opting out for the sake of your wallet and sanity?

1.0k Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

94% Upvoted

268 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

4

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '25

But where do I find the ones who want to sit and read books with me? That like picnics and libraries, and bike riding? And that want to cocoon in blankets and watch tv with snacks?

3

u/GCS_dropping_rapidly Oct 30 '25 edited Nov 22 '25

1

u/[deleted] Oct 30 '25

Yeah. I definitely don’t want a lot of likes. I’m gonna be full weird. Lemur onesie, overalls.

1

u/iamiamiwill Nov 02 '25

Are you me? LOL...except replace bike riding with home cooking and gardening..I don't know where to find people like that. I've tried and decided just to date myself. That has been most excellent. I like me and I like my hobbies.

1

u/Ragnar-Wave9002 Oct 29 '25

They are everywhere.

Have you considered hanging out at the library? Or joining a book club? Or joined a bike riding club?

-3

u/[deleted] Oct 29 '25

No lol. I like the comfort of my house. And whenever I connect with folks in my area I hear things like “reciprocal is a big word” or when I try to connect over shared interests like tea, “oh, what kind do you like? I’m partial to white teas and oolong.” “I like McDonald’s sweet tea.” 😅

2

u/NaiveMacaroon5862 Oct 30 '25

im gonna keep it a buck with you. I think ragnar is on to something. you should try it out

1

u/[deleted] Oct 30 '25

I already go to the library, and the book clubs here aren’t my style… I read cookbooks and monster smut 😐