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Faced with inflation, Generation Z continues to compete creatively to reduce their daily expenses. And this also applies in the area of dating. With ‘loud bugging’, young people are abandoning chic restaurants for more financially accessible activities.
‘Loud Budgeting’ (which could be translated as ‘loud budget management’) is a new concept which consists of refusing to empty your bank account for lavish dates. We say goodbye to sumptuous restaurants in favor of free activities.
Indeed, it is common to want to go big when it comes to romantic dates. However, with ‘loud budgeting’, partners assume their desire to save money, particularly due to inflation. In the United States, some singles even go so far as to resort to virtual dates to avoid any expenses, according to a study by the Wingman application.
This trend also affects young French people. A recent study conducted by YouGov for Bumble* revealed that 41% of French people believe that “recent economic changes have had an impact on their daily life” and “12% of 18-24 year olds believe that their dating life has even been affected negatively by the current cost of living. So, when they put this into perspective with their romantic encounters, it leads them to rethink the traditional romantic encounters spent on a terrace or in a restaurant.
More than four in ten French people aged 18 to 24 (42%) now favor a free activity as part of a date. Notable examples include a walk in the park or an impromptu picnic. While 21% prefer a home-cooked dinner to avoid unnecessary expenses at restaurants. Another interesting point of the study: talking about money is no longer taboo. In fact, a quarter of 18-24 year olds believe that it has become more important for them to quickly discuss their financial situation with the partner they are dating.
Obviously, the objective of this concept is not to appear stingy, but rather to assert one’s “budgetary conscience”. By refusing to do expensive activities, you can put aside for more ambitious projects, such as the acquisition of real estate or a car. In addition, it also allows you to compete in creativity and offer more original activities.
.*All figures, unless otherwise stated, come from the “money and dating” study conducted by YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 1009 adults aged 18 and over. Fieldwork was carried out between July 29 and August 1, 2022.