How much do you spend on dating?

Finding the one can be a challenge for many reasons - not least the cost.

According to Barclays, the average singleton who’s looking for love spends a staggering £111 a month on dates and dating apps.

That adds up to more than £1,300 a year.

Interestingly, it’s men who usually end up footing the highest costs.

Men spend an average of £62.50 on a date, compared with £18 for women.

With all this in mind, it’s no surprise that many people feel the expense is stopping them from finding a partner.

Nearly one in three men (32%) and more than a quarter of women (27%) say the cost of dating affects their ability to go on a date.

To split or not to split?

That leads us into one of the main pitfalls of dating - deciding who foots the bill.

When asked if they prefer to split the bill on a first date, one in three men (33%) and more than half (51%) of women said yes.

But - to paraphrase Carrie Bradshaw - we can’t help but wonder how honest they’re being.

Many men still see paying the whole bill as a way to show interest and make a good impression.

And some women may quietly agree. 

For them, splitting the bill could suggest he’s not that keen, or that the time, effort and expense they’ve put into getting ready hasn’t been appreciated.

And let’s be honest - it’s nice to be treated once in a while, whoever you are.

Communication is priceless

Needless to say, the issue of splitting the bill can be a real minefield.

We all have different expectations, so there’s no right or wrong answer to who should foot the bill.

So when you get to the bar or restaurant, it’s important to be open and honest about it.

After all, good communication is really important in a relationship, and that alone might be enough to impress your potential partner.