Is Picking Up the Check the Key to Love?
We all know money and relationships can make life complicated. When intertwined, the two often lead to even more complicated situations. When it comes to dates, who pays for what? Does gender play a role or is that a thing of the past? Does the same person always have to pay the bill or can you switch it up? Is splitting the bill the norm nowadays? The list goes on.
Is splitting the bill the right thing to do? (Photo: Shutterstock)
With so many questions, its no wonder things sometimes get awkward when the check comes. Luckily, LendEDU — a marketplace for private student loans, student loan refinancing and consolidation, and personal loans — is here to answer some of these questions. They recently surveyed 1,000 people, which revealed some very interesting data on personal finance and dating.
Among the findings, nearly 71.80 percent believe men should pay for the first date. However, 23.80 percent said the check should be split and another 4.40 percent said women should cover the bill. As things get more serious by the 10th date, 49.70 percent believe men should still pay, 41.60 percent say it should be split and 8.70 percent believe women should pay.
Now the question is whether or not this data is shocking? When I first start dating someone, I am personally into being spoiled and let him pay as long as he offered. However, once we move past causal dating and things start getting more serious, I become more open to paying from time to time. But I have friends who always insist on splitting the bill every single time, which I just don’t understand.
Don’t let the bill ruin your date. (Photo: Getty Images)
About 30.50 percent of the people also considered credit card debt a huge factor in deciding whether to dive into a relationship with someone or not. More trends from the data show that around 18.60 percent cared about annual income and thought it was a critical factor, while 11.80 percent viewed student loan debt as a potential red flag.
On the flip-side, 32.30 percent of respondents shared they would be more interested in dating someone if they agreed to help them pay off their debt. There is no denying money can be a turn on, but it certainly isn’t everything. Some may call these people gold diggers or sugar babies, but others think they are pure geniuses.
All in all, there is no denying money affects love, marriage and everything in between. It can be the reason you start dating someone or break up with them. It can help make amends or completely tear things apart. Just like everything in your relationship, it is all about balance. Is money important in a relationship? Yes of course, but it shouldn’t run your relationship. Money is necessary to make your lives easier, but just remember love doesn’t run on it. Cash and inheritances can be here one day and gone the next. Unlike money, true love lasts through the toughest of times — even a financial crisis.
Born and raised in Northern Virginia, Christina aspires to be a public relations professional in a big city after graduation from James Madison University. In her free time when she’s not blogging away about dating and relationships, Christina loves to go shopping, watch Netflix and play with every puppy that crosses her path.
