31% of Gen Zers admit to going on dates for free meals — but is that heartless and opportunistic or a sign of growing economic uncertainty?

While that may seem a little heartless and opportunistic, it might also be an unlikely indicator of the economy’s toll on young people.

“It’s hard to get too critical of Gen Z for stats such as these when you remember there are more than likely plenty of individuals from past generations who went out on a date for the occasional free meal and other luxuries that occasionally accompany them,” Alex Beene, financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek. (2) “The pandemic escalated the pricing on dining out and the infrequency of social interactions. Gen Z using dates to take advantage of both symbolizes so many of the changes we’ve seen coming out of that era.”

So, can we really blame someone for putting up with a night of awkward small talk to get their dinner paid for?

What does this say about the economy?

A large portion of Gen Z only putting themselves out there for free dinner may sound alarms for economists.

Consumer prices remain elevated and student loan payments are being reinforced, while Gen Z’s hopes of a comfortable retirement appear to be dwindling. It’s enough that going Dutch on a night out might seem like an out-of-reach luxury.

While eating out has always been a more expensive choice than making food at home, today’s economy has magnified the gap. According to US Foods, Americans spent an average of $191 per month dining out at restaurants in 2024, up from $166 in 2023. (3) In total, consumers spent a staggering $1.52 trillion on food away from home in 2024, according to the Department of Agriculture.

How to budget for your dating life

If you’d rather be self-sufficient than rely on a poor suitor for your meals, let’s explore some ways to smarten up your budget to accommodate rising food costs.

Eating out, even at cheaper joints, can add up to thousands of dollars a year. If you’re paying off debt, stashing money away for emergencies, or trying to kickstart saving for retirement, that dinner out can really eat away at your financial goals over time. But you don’t have to cut dining out completely — just set a cap amount each month depending on your income.

Once you set a cap for eating out, keep track of your spending habits and make changes accordingly. For example, if you find you’re always going to buy food during your lunch break, could you start making lunch at home the night before? Once you switch to lunches from home, you have more money to save for fun nights out with friends. Or, you could just put the difference back in your savings.

Afterward, when the time is right and you meet the person you’re willing to leave the house and stretch your budget for, you might be in a better spot financially for dating. And remember, not all dates have to be above and beyond — consider cheaper options like a picnic, going out for coffee or cooking an intimate dinner together at home.

Article sources

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Intuit (1); Newsweek (2); US Foods 3)